Tia's Virtual Baby Shower - Advice for the new parents by Angela Christenson

achristenson2 — 2020-05-27 21:21:02 UTC

achristenson2 — 2020-05-27 21:22:35 UTC

achristenson2 — 2020-05-27 21:23:54 UTC

You will sleep again!

achristenson2 — 2020-05-27 21:30:29 UTC

You are not alone!

achristenson2 — 2020-05-27 21:31:54 UTC

achristenson2 — 2020-05-27 21:53:48 UTC

achristenson2 — 2020-05-27 21:58:46 UTC

As you are always reminding others, remind yourself frequently:

jdanielson5 — 2020-05-27 22:11:00 UTC

When my first child was born, the pediatrician held Sarah in her arms and said, there will be days where you are overwhelmed and feel like throwing her in the garbage; remember to take a deep breath and celebrate how much you love your child. When my husband and I felt overwhelmed, we would look at each other, smile, and state, "don't feel like throwing her in the garbage but do feel like flushing her down the toilet. We would laugh, let go of the frustrations, and look at her with awe and wonder. You will be great parents; your child is so fortunate to be born into a family filled with love and the knowledge of the importance of reading to your child. Congratulations!

2020-05-28 17:36:43 UTC

Joan BG

2020-05-28 21:39:41 UTC

2020-05-28 21:43:15 UTC

Trust Your Heart. Trust Your Gut.

2020-05-28 21:49:58 UTC

You are going to get LOADS of advice...and one piece will contradict the next. It can be so hard to sort it out and know what is right, but if I've learned anything from motherhood, it's that no one knows what your baby needs more than you. Your momma heart and your momma gut will kick in (they already have) and you can trust it right from the start! Breast or bottle, pacifier or no pacifier, rocking them to sleep or putting them down awake - it doesn't matter. If it doesn't work for you, toss it out. Do what feels right! Know that love matters. Grace matters. You are going to be amazing and you will give that little nugget just what they need! Your baby is the luckiest you are his/her momma!! So much love to you, Terrance and that sweet, sweet baby! I'm just thrilled for you!
xo,
Woodward

2020-05-29 02:53:36 UTC

2020-05-29 02:55:06 UTC

2020-05-29 02:57:20 UTC

Best Book!

2020-05-29 03:00:16 UTC

It was literally a game changer!!! #woodwardapproved

2020-05-29 03:39:58 UTC

But not for a while ;)

You've got this!

csim1 — 2020-05-29 11:56:11 UTC

You are gonna be a great mom Tia. My advice to you is not to save those super cute little outfits for special gatherings. They grow so fast, in a blink-they outgrow something before they ever get to wear it. Also even though it may seem impossible at times: don't forget to make time for each other. Keep a date night together to keep cherishing and growing the love that made that sweet baby!
Connie Sim

Congratulations

vcourts — 2020-05-29 13:32:35 UTC

Wishing you all the best with your expected new arrival.
Vicki Courts

vcourts — 2020-05-29 13:33:33 UTC

Wishing you all the best with your expected new arrival.

kvanmeveren — 2020-05-29 13:33:35 UTC

Tia I'm so happy for you! You will be such a great momma! The moments go by so quickly so enjoy those baby snuggles <3 One thing that was helpful for us was to layer the crib like this: sheet, protection sheet and then top with another sheet. That way when the baby has an accident, you can easily strip the crib and lay the baby back down. So helpful in the middle of the night! ---- Kalie

2020-05-29 13:35:44 UTC

Tia ~

I am so very excited for you to welcome your sweet one into this world in the near future!

You are about to embark on the most amazing journey of your life. There will be so many moments when you are in awe of your little one - soak those in and take as many literal and mental pictures you can! You already know this, but time somehow speeds up exponentially when you become a parent. The days are long (sometimes), but the years are so, so short.

Know that you are enough, just as you are! If you are overwhelmed and exhausted, lean on your people. If you are ever sad, anxious, and/or lonely, know that you are not alone in the journey! Let someone know.

Don't forget to nap when baby is sleeping (it truly is great advice). Keep yourself fueled and filled (physically, spiritually, mentally) so you can keep pouring your amazing self into your family and work.

Much love to you!

~ Kelly Demers

Take Notes

2020-05-29 14:02:50 UTC

Being a parent is a new adventure that will bring so much joy and so many memories. If I could go back to when my kids were young, I would have taken time to write more down; to take notes. Each stage of a child growing up feels like it will last forever, but it doesn't. Jot down things that you think you will always remember; funny things, frustrating things, crazy things...time will pass and your memory will fade. Taking notes will allow you to remember those moments and to share them with your kids when they aren't itty bitty anymore.
Many heartfelt congratulations to you and your family!
-Jen DuFresne

Take Care of Yourself

2020-05-29 14:45:47 UTC

Give yourself grace and reach out for support when you need it. It is a new adventure and like they say, it takes a village! :)

2020-05-29 14:49:16 UTC

When you feel overwhelmed...

2020-05-29 15:14:47 UTC

Ask for help!! Literally not one mother does it alone. Not. One!

Being a Momma

wstuttgen — 2020-05-29 15:50:39 UTC

is the most rewarding, yet most exhausting job ever. Some days are filled with love and joy, and other days...well not so much. Give yourself grace because in the end your children love you unconditionally. Remind yourself that little kids = little problems, and hold your littles close for as long as you can, while still fostering independence ;) With that said, adult children are SO much fun! I may be an exhausted momma, but my heart is SO full and I would do it all over again. You are such an amazing human and will be an amazing momma too! (True disclosure: this may have been me back in the day...lol)

Longest, Shortest Time

2020-05-29 17:11:57 UTC

I'm so excited for you to start this amazing adventure with your little one. It is truly the longest and the shortest time. It is hard to explain how time suddenly changes. In some ways a day will feel like the longest day you have ever experienced, while other times you will look down and wonder how your baby got so big! Whatever is happening, remember it will end sooner than you think!

As other people have said, take care of yourself and ask for help! Babies are very strange and complex creatures so you can not possibly know everything you will need to ahead of time. Ask questions and trust your gut. You'll do amazing!

raycheal

Tia,

2020-05-29 18:07:33 UTC

I'm not a parent yet myself, so I'm not very qualified to give advice. But I will say that if you do YOU, exactly the amazing way that you already are, your baby is in for a splendid life! I hope it's safe to hang out at some point in the summer, to actually take advantage of being neighbors.
CONGRATS!
Nate

jnord1 — 2020-05-29 19:02:31 UTC

How true is this!

jnord1 — 2020-05-29 19:04:11 UTC

Congratulations, Tia!

2020-05-29 19:08:38 UTC

I don't have any words of wisdom on this subject, but you're amazing and kind and I know you'll be an amazing mother! Very excited for you and I hope you have the most amazing summer with your new baby.

-Nic

Tia,

jnord1 — 2020-05-29 19:18:40 UTC

It's hard to put into words what being a mom has meant to me and how that translates into advice. It is a journey I am so excited for you to embark on and experience firsthand! I found this letter that has some great advice in it.

"Your success as a mom is right now. The way you love. The way you sacrifice for your kids each day without being a martyr. The way you juggle everything and laugh when the balls all drop. The way you stop and get lost in their profile. The way you believe in them and challenge them to dream bigger dreams than you had the courage to dream.

You see your kid doesn’t need anything else. They don’t need life to be perfect. They don’t need the best. They just need you, the perfect mom for them.

So go be you today. Trusting and knowing that you have been chosen for them."

Remember you will always be Baby Ellis' perfect mom!!

Jamie

2020-05-29 19:29:50 UTC

2020-05-29 19:36:47 UTC

On the other hand, merely glancing at a picture of them will give you the strength to endure the worst of days. ~Melissa

Tia-

2020-05-29 20:05:48 UTC

I'm so very excited for you! You are going to love motherhood. My advice to you would be to try not to stress over things such how to get your baby to sleep. Everything will come into place when it is supposed to! Breastfeeding can be challenging. Do not get discouraged if it doesn't come easily! But don't feel bad if you choose not to either. Enjoy all the moments. I didn't understand how fast it truly goes until I was in it. Lastly download the Wonder Weeks app. I'm here if you ever want to reach out with questions! Use your network/village. Let's have a play date when everything calms down since we are neighbors and all :)

-Tara

2020-05-29 20:57:45 UTC

2020-05-29 20:59:20 UTC