motherhood

Hospital Bag Essentials for Momma and Baby!

Hospital Bag Essentials for Momma and Baby!

It’s an incredible journey that God grants us as He bestows these precious souls as gifts for us to raise, characters for His kingdom.

We are currently 33 weeks along with our fourth baby and feeling ecstatic to meet the little one. While packing up for myself, I felt compelled to create this quick guide to ease the stress for others as they decide what to pack for their hospital stay.

This may not be an exhaustive list but it is unique to c-section mommas since that’s all I know (see our third c-section birth story here).


WATCH some tips on Postpartum Recovery and Newborn Care HERE

What else would you bring to the hospital for your stay?

Feel free to comment below.

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My Wish for you this Mother's Day

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...is that you don’t worry about: ⁣⁣⁣
trying too hard, ⁣⁣⁣
perfection, ⁣⁣⁣
the ideal, ⁣⁣⁣
what you’ll get, ⁣⁣⁣
being someone you are not, ⁣⁣⁣
not doing enough,⁣⁣⁣
the time that’s flying, ⁣⁣⁣
the money you don’t have, ⁣⁣⁣
the mistakes you’ve made, ⁣⁣⁣
the extra rest you might not get, ⁣⁣⁣
the expectations you have, ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
or how hard it actually is! ⁣⁣⁣
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My wish for you is that you realize that God has chosen YOU to care for your precious child. No one can love your babies more than you. I also hope that you are reminded that:⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣

“⁣The king upon his throne has no higher work than has the mother. The mother is queen of her household. She has in her power the molding of her ⁣⁣children's characters, that they may be fitted for the higher, immortal life. An angel could not ask for a higher mission; for in doing this work she is doing service for God. Let her only realize the high character of her task, and it will inspire her with courage." AH 231.3⁣⁣
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“How often will she feel her burden's weight heavier than she can bear; and then how precious the privilege of taking it all to her sympathizing Saviour in prayer! ⁣⁣She may lay her burden at His feet and find in His presence a strength that will sustain her and give her cheerfulness, hope, courage, and wisdom in the most trying hours. How sweet to the careworn mother is the consciousness of such a friend in all her difficulties! If mothers would go to Christ more frequently and trust Him more fully, their burdens would be easier, and they would find rest to their souls.” AH 204⁣⁣

⁣* For those who are not yet mothers or don’t plan to be, I hope you know that there are always opportunities to love and nurture someone. Mothering is not just for mothers! Have a very happy day too! ⁣

Challenge #9: Concluding With a Little Advice

Challenge #9: Concluding With a Little Advice

…As funny as some of these might be, we can relate to them. Maybe you have once been triggered by “Aunt Betty’s input” on breastfeeding.

Remember, we cannot escape our triggers and our initial distortions but we CAN control our thoughts and beliefs. Glean what you can from others but stay true to yourself. Study what you aren’t sure about and deliberate over pros and cons with your spouse. Pray about it too.

If you get too confused and begin to worry about messing it all up, remember that kids are more resilient than that. You can only grow if you make mistakes from time to time. I promise, your kid won’t remember you as being neglectful or attempting to give him cancer. 

Challenge #8: Still a Wife?

Challenge #8: Still a Wife?

“…first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in a baby carriage.” 

It’s a jingle we’ve all heard. Maybe at some point we were the ones reciting it. However, one thing sure to confound us in almost every parenting journey is that at some point while pushing that carriage along we forget that once came marriage…

Challenge #7: Love Your Handles

Challenge #7: Love Your Handles

I was locked in the most incredible embrace with my 3 year old (at the time), Amelia. She was standing on a stool, squeezing tightly around my waist. Both of us were relishing the moment. She glanced up at me still hugging tightly. Looking deep into her eyes, I was about to tell her how much I loved her when she cut me off to confess what was on her heart…

“I love your squishy belly mommy!” 

Challenge #5: Send Her Back

Challenge #5: Send Her Back

Ava was almost a week old when Clara (2 at the time) stood by her side saying, “I wanna send her back”. When I asked where to send her back to, she lowered her head and whispered “to Dr. Pitts”. I was afraid I’d pop a C-section stitch from laughing so hard! Clara casually changed the subject. “Too much change Clara?” I asked as I pressed the matter at hand. “Ya…” she said.