My first Mother's Day

Last year around this time I was just weeks away from having Liam. I enjoy that we share his birthday month with Mother's Day. May will always be an exciting month from now on. 

Last year, I didn't quite feel like a mother yet. Yes, I was one because I was 9 months pregnant but I wasn't in the daily routine of being a mom. It was hard for me to say thank you when I was wished a happy Mother's Day. 

As I look back now though I think I should have been a little more grateful. A lot more actually. I never knew the pain of what other women might be feeling. Since becoming a mom my eyes have been opened to a whole new world that we moms can experience. Between an empty womb, traumatic birth stories, breastfeeding, single moms, death of a young child. All of the in between. I just was naive to those pains you can experience as a new mom. 

I never want to be that ungrateful. Liam is the most beautiful child. He is joyful, hilarious, busy, curious about everything, loves being out in the world and soaking it all in. He is my child in that sense. He just wants to love life and run with it. 

This Mother's Day I am so grateful. I'm so privileged to be Liam's mom. This little boy has changed me in ways I never thought possible. He has taught me to slow down, relax and go along with the ride. That it's okay if everything isn't perfect. He just wants me. All of me. 

Happy Morhers day to all the moms out there. To all the moms who think you aren't good enough, you are. To the ones struggling with that longing for a baby, you are enough. To the single moms, grandmas raising babies, the mr. Moms you are all enough. We as moms are all enough and worth it. 

Love forever, 

Chel Chel 

// What's in my diaper bag

I recently sold my Petunia Pickle Bottom bag and bought this Skip Hop bag! I am so thrilled to have this diaper bag. It's much more suitable for me and my lifestyle. The PPB bag was to bulky, hard to open because it has a flap that went over the bag, I couldn't easily grab the changing pad because it was attached inside the bag and I never had enough room for bottles unless they were on the outside. While I did love that it was a backpack I honestly don't think I will miss that feature to much. Plus, my hubby said he's happy he doesn't have to carry a flower bag anymore! 

Left to right:

Burp cloths

The Vintage Honey Shop teething necklace

Sunglasses

Huggies diapers

Wipes case

Target wallet/ cellphone holder

Baby Einstein toy ( current favorite) 

Formula holder

Chapstick

Lipstick

Hand sanitizer 

Diaper cream 

Nose spray

Pouch to hold all the small things 

Dr. Browns Bottles 

Bibs

Extra socks

Sophie the Giraffe 

Romper outfit

Hat

Planner

I keep my Beco Baby Carrier in the car and extra blankets in there. Although, living in California now I don't need as many blankets unless it's the morning or evening. 

I have so much room still in this bag. I could fit my baby carrier and blankets if I wanted too. 

I like te seperate pockets too so things aren't getting lost. The outer pocket isn't as deep so it's easier to navigate what I need.

This bag also has two outside pockets which im sure my keys and other miscellaneous items will end up in. 

My favorite feature is the bottle space. There's one on each side and I love how secure they are in there! The bag also has stroller clips on the inside and super handy to have just sewn in and not have to worry about.

The back pocket holds the changing pad and I love that it just comes in and out. Super handy!

What do you carry in your diaper bag? What are your necessities? What are your favorite diaper bags? 

Love Forever, 

Chel Chel 

//Day in the life

I think what society portrays a SAHM vs. a typical day as SAHM are very different. 

Our day typically starts between 5-6am. Liam gets up and is ready for a bottle since his last one is between 6:30-7pm at night. He's almost sleeping through the night. He's still learning how to settle himself. This new sleep sack has really been a miracle worker. 

He can't touch his face and eyes anymore which was waking him up when he was clearly exhausted. 

Usually we still see Andrew and my mom before they leave for work for the day. 

I turn on the news and Liam plays. I sip coffee and then when it's breakfast time I bring Liam to high chair to eat with me. He's still not interested in food so sometimes I give him banana to play with and other times we just sit and interact. 

He enjoys playing and interacting so I know when he's ready he will really start chowing down. 

After breakfast we usually play until naptime. 

Usually during this nap I don't get much done. I just use it to relax and just enjoy the quiet for a bit. 

Once Liam is up he gets another bottle and we play and eat lunch together and then I usually get us ready for a walk or playtime at the park. He loves being outside and it usually gets all his energy out. 

He seriously just gets so calm being outside. So on especially fussy days I really look forward to this time of day. 

He usually takes his afternoon nap sometimes in the stroller or by the time were home he's out in the crib. 

The evenings are hard for me usually. It's just that time of day where sometimes I feel it drags on but everyone comes home so he can get loved on by grandma, papa dig, auntie and sometimes daddy if he gets home early enough. 

Typically we play and I get dinner started and then I start our bedtime routine. Quiet play, a book, a bath ( although lately he's been over bath time) a bottle and a song and then I lay him down. 

It's pretty nice to have the evening to myself to just relax and Andrew and I can just talk and hang out. Usually I take a nice long bath to end the day. 

This routine has taken a while to get the hang of but I'm so happy to finally be in a rhythm even if it's the same everyday. It's created a lot more harmony having a routine for the day. I couldn't imagine not spending by days at home and I'm grateful everyday for them. 

Love forever, 

Chel chel