My baby, the tiny little bundle I held in my arms only a year ago, was now pulling herself up onto the coffee table, her bright blue eyes gleaming with excitement as she took her first few wobbly steps. I felt a mix of pride, emotion, and a little panic. How had we arrived at… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: What are Your Toddler Must Haves
Author: Olivia Read
Building Your Postpartum Wardrobe: Clothes That Will Make You Feel Human Again
There’s an undeniable strength in women, especially during the incredible journey of childbirth. The transition from pregnancy to motherhood is not just a physical change but also a transformation that shows a woman’s courage, determination, and love for her baby. In those first days after giving birth, as you hold your sweet newborn and navigate… Continue reading Building Your Postpartum Wardrobe: Clothes That Will Make You Feel Human Again
Ask a Real Mom: What Should I Pack in My Hospital Bag?
Once you hit that third trimester, the days and weeks can feel paradoxically long and short: on the one hand, it feels like you’ve been waiting to meet your little one forever, but on the other hand, it feels like you suddenly have a lot to do before he or she arrives! One of the… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: What Should I Pack in My Hospital Bag?
Family Halloween Costume Ideas
“When the witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ’tis near Halloween.” -Anonymous. Halloween was one of the holidays I could not wait to participate in once I had kids. Is there anything cuter than a baby in an adorable costume? But gone are the days when the costumes… Continue reading Family Halloween Costume Ideas
Educational Toys Every Toddler Needs
Parenthood is all about giving our little ones the best opportunities from an early age. We painstakingly pick the safest gear, the healthiest snacks, and the best books so our babies can get off to a great start. Even playtime is an opportunity to set up our little ones for success because when kids play,… Continue reading Educational Toys Every Toddler Needs
Ask a Real Mom: What to Bring a New Mom
As soon as you become a family of three, everything in your life suddenly changes. You can read all of the advice and books on parenting, but nothing can truly prepare you for the change that is motherhood. One minute you’re a newlywed figuring out life with your husband and then the next you add… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: What to Bring a New Mom
Ask a Real Mom: Tips for Keeping Your Newborn Healthy When You Come Home From the Hospital
Bringing your sweet, tiny newborn home from the hospital can be the most exciting time in your life–but it can also be the most nerve-wracking. I remember feeling so afraid to leave the safety of the hospital, surrounded by nurses, lactation consultants, and doctors who could answer all my questions and monitor my little one… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: Tips for Keeping Your Newborn Healthy When You Come Home From the Hospital
Ask a Real Mom: The Postpartum Season No One Prepares You For
Our Ask a Real Mom series typically focuses on the fun and exciting aspects of motherhood, like our favorite products, time-tested tips, and must-have toys. However, those first few weeks of motherhood can feel anything but fun and exciting; they’re some of the most challenging and vulnerable days of a woman’s life. The worst part?… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: The Postpartum Season No One Prepares You For
Ask a Real Mom: What Do You Really Need for a Second (And Third!) Baby?
With an 18-month-old in one hand and a positive pregnancy test in the other, the nerves and the excitement were hitting at the same time. I was thrilled to be growing our family, but nervous at the thought of how I was going to handle having two little ones. After we announced our pregnancy on… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: What Do You Really Need for a Second (And Third!) Baby?
Ask a Real Mom: How to Survive the Witching Hour
Listening to your baby cry and not knowing what to do can be one of the hardest parts of being a new mom. However, it’s even more difficult when you start to notice a pattern: those endless tears start flowing every evening around the same time. This challenging time of day for your little one… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: How to Survive the Witching Hour
Ask a Real Mom: Grandparent Essentials
Whether your parents live around the block or across the country, chances are your children’s visits to their grandparents will be among some of their earliest and fondest memories! Thankfully, we live only minutes from my mom, known to our kids as “Sittu.” We’ve dubbed her house “Sittu School” because it’s decked out for a… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: Grandparent Essentials
Postpartum Essentials Every Mom Needs
There is truly nothing more amazing than a mom’s strength. Whether you have a natural birth (medicated or not!) or a c-section, your body is made to do amazing things. No matter how easy or difficult your birth story is, you are guaranteed to feel discomfort and even some pain while you recover from birthing… Continue reading Postpartum Essentials Every Mom Needs
How to Register for Your 2nd Baby in 15 Minutes
I will never forget how excited I was to register for my first baby. However, when I became pregnant again, I had no clue what I’d need the second time around, and I did not have the extra time to make a registry because I was chasing around an 18-month-old who kept me busy for… Continue reading How to Register for Your 2nd Baby in 15 Minutes
Ask a Real Mom: What Are Your Breastfeeding Essentials?
I will never forget the moment my doctor handed my firstborn daughter to me. It was truly the most overwhelming joy, relief, and love I had ever felt. I was so excited to start my breastfeeding journey, but to my surprise, my daughter would not latch. I was emotional, hormonal, and exhausted, but no matter… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: What Are Your Breastfeeding Essentials?
Ask a Real Mom: Baby Registry Fails
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was overwhelmed by so many baby products and didn’t know what I would actually need for my baby. After entirely too much online research, I created my registry and added every single “must-have baby item” I’d read about. Two babies later, I know that you definitely… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: Baby Registry Fails
Ask a Real Mom: Favorite Books For Every Kid on Your List
Before I had my first baby, I was a fourth-grade teacher, and my students surprised me with a baby shower. They each bought me a children’s book and wrote sweet notes inside the covers. It was such a blessing, and I still tear up when I open a book and read their notes. I love… Continue reading Ask a Real Mom: Favorite Books For Every Kid on Your List