I'm a coffee loving, travel-obsessed, twenty-something based out of Central Illinois. I'm lucky enough to make a living doing what I love - photographing people! I specialize in weddings (destination + local), senior portraits, + boudoir.
For those of you who don’t know, I’ve not been doing this blog alone for MONTHSSS. Today, my amazing friend and publisher Paige wanted to take over the blog in celebration of Mothers Day. I loved the idea, so I let her run with it. Take it away Paige!
I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to say and not bore you to tears so I’ll give it my best go. Buckle up, I’ve got a lot to say cause mommin’ ain’t easy!
I became a mom in 2020 to my baby boy Harden (who you’ve seen on the blog and Em’s Facebook page). He is truly an angel baby, like freakishly good….but it didn’t always seem that way. Momming is hard, like really really hard. I thought it was going to be easier than it is. I’ve watched my sisters, my friends, aunts, etc. become moms and I thought “no problem”. Shit was I wrong…..but let me tell you, I’m so thankful to be a mom.
Pregnancy wasn’t easy for me, I actually hated it – but I knew it was a gift. Labor was a disaster….but I rolled with the punches and was grateful I had a healthy baby and I was alive. And postpartum……..GIRLLLLL postpartum HAHAHAHA that shit is rough. Figuring out life with a newborn, breastfeeding, healing from a C-Section, not sleeping, and the raging hormones. It’s honestly a cluster f**k, but you love the little human more than words can describe.
PPD is real, very very real. I knew what it was pre-baby, but I had no idea what it felt like. It’s awful. I went through the motions of life, hating myself, not sleeping, depriving my baby of love and affection, doubting every decision I make, and just being a total bitch. But I’m here to say – IT’S OK TO NOT BE OK!!! Ask for help, it doesn’t make you weak, it makes you stronger. Asking for help made me love myself and family more.
Get on meds, go to therapy, relay on your tribe and village more than ever, do whatever you need to do to love yourself and family to the fullest. It’s worth it to surrender. Surrendering to my “issues” is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I’m so glad I did. I’ve truly NEVER been happier. I’m proud of myself, my family, my friends and most importantly MY BABY!
I’m super open about my experiences because I think women feel shamed to talk about it, but it is SO normal. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help and advice. Give your girl a shout, I’m here for you!
But to get to my point, I’m thankful to have my experiences…shitty or not because some women cry and plead to have a baby, some women can’t get pregnant, some women can’t keep a full term pregnancy, some women have to bury their child, some women don’t get a healthy baby…just some women don’t.
I’m here to say though……….ALL THOSE WOMEN ARE MOTHERS!! Mother’s are those who beg and plead, those who go to hundreds of dr.’s appointments to get a rainbow, those who sit in the hospital for weeks and months bedside to their baby in the NICU, those who mourn, and those who are new to the “mom game”.
I hear you, I see you, I support you! So all you MOMMAS out there, go put on your momma t-shirt (shout out to Groovy Girl Gifts for my Mom Hustle tee!), love on your babies and enjoy the day because it’s your day to be spoiled and treated, you deserve it! Mom’s are badass, DON’T EVER DOUBT US!
Happy Mother’s Day! 🖤
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