Authentic Motherhood + Military Life

Note to Self: Some of my best memories involve going to work with my mom. Maybe it was the unlimited access to internet that I didn’t have to wait to dial up or the office supplies (some things never change 🤣) but I like to think it’s because of the special moments I got to sneak into my mom’s office and spend time with her. Not only her but all of the people she worked with as well. Working from home with the kids wasn’t on my radar. The last year has had its ups and downs for all of us. But I hope it’s left an impression on them. I hope they see their mom chasing her dreams even at 30 and after two kids. I hope they know that they can do anything, regardless of circumstances. I’ll have to do a second one of these after we pull Jasper out of day care next month 😅 Also, I need to come up with a hashtag for these musings. I’m sure #notetoself is taken 🤣 #PMThoughts #motherhood #workfromhomelife #workfromhommom #workfromhomemoms #wfhlife #wfhmom (at Fort Benning, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkMRS-AAlBN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A week ago, I was officially diagnosed with rosacea. Turns out, the acne I’ve suffered through all of these years hasn’t been acne at all. Here’s the difference after two uses of my prescribed cream (that was $60 🤪). I start the rest of my medication today hopefully 🙏🏻. There isn’t a cure for rosacea. So I figured I would document this journey in case someone comes across these one day. If you’re reading this, make an appointment with a dermatologist (and if you’ve already done this, get a second opinion! I could have been managing this for 7 years already). Here’s what I’ve done so far: ➡️ Stoped washing my face twice a day. I switched to a gentle makeup wipe and only wash my face once every couple of days with a gentle cleanser. Absolutely no hot water on my face. ➡️ Researched products and ingredients to avoid. Switch to the Proactive Green Tea Moisturizer. It’s so funny to me that I’m using the same product in my 30s that I loved as a teen. ➡️ Wear sunscreen every day. I’ve been using the TULA one and so far so good. Right now, I’m focusing on getting on top of my current flare up. My next plan of attack after that will be identifying triggers. #rosacea #rosaceasucks #rosaceatreatment #rosaceaskincare #rosaceajourney #rosaceaawarenessmonth #rosaceanofilter (at Fort Benning, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CegZ8ohAesA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy Winter Solstice! ☀️ I figured in the spirit of today I should give these slides from my stories a permanent spot on my feed. #wintersolstice #wintering (at Fairbanks, Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/darrianchamblee/p/CXwk9yCPbSN/?utm_medium=tumblr

A photo dump because I’m feeling nostalgic today. ♥️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CVivEEsPx2a/?utm_medium=tumblr

The Magic Between Us: State of Grace *I really didn’t want to post this 🤣 I’ll be adjusting the posting schedule because I realized that I’d be writing 20,000 words in a few weeks and just can’t keep up with that but if you like it, I’ve posted it to Wattpad and will be updating it there since this is just for fun! #taylorswift @taylorswift #red #redalbum #shortstory #darkacademia #shortstorywriter #shortstorychallenge #shortstorycollection https://www.instagram.com/p/CVduQdWr4B9/?utm_medium=tumblr

Between work and creative writing, I spend most of my day in this space now. It’s not much but I love how this office came together so it needed a permanent spot on my feed. If you have questions for me about how this transition back into working (and working from home) have been, I’d love if you left them below 👇🏻 (at Fort Wainwright) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUJTtEpF2rf/?utm_medium=tumblr

Loaded up on books at the library (not pictured: all of the books I checked out for Jasper) and then scored at the thrift store with even more books. 🤣 (at Fort Wainwright) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTuwKuoP58a/?utm_medium=tumblr

Things I want to remember: How refreshing crisp, rainy air is in the mornings. The joy I feel hearing Jasper say new words. Marlow’s big smiles. The routine of coffee and chaos in the mornings. Being able to hold both of my babies in my arms. #magicmamahood (at Fort Wainwright) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSXHr6FllPs/?utm_medium=tumblr

Posting a few more snapshots from last weekend’s adventure that I swiped from my husband’s camera roll. I don’t completely know who this woman is yet, but I love her. ♥️ (at Prince William Sound) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRMisRRhHs8/?utm_medium=tumblr

Time is a thief. 😭 (at Hot Licks) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQzlL3zAHAV/?utm_medium=tumblr

I wrote this in my journal yesterday and wanted to share it with you all in case someone else needed to hear it too. (at Fairbanks, Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQwJzkuAtOP/?utm_medium=tumblr

Last weekend we tried our first camping trip as a family of 4. ⁣ ⁣ 💫 It did not go as planned 🤣 💫⁣ ⁣ (I vlogged it, hoping to share soon). ⁣ ⁣ We couldn’t find the number to call to get fire wood which meant no dinner. The toddler wouldn’t go to sleep and it was also way colder than we were expecting. Our saving grace was that Marlow slept through basically the entire thing! ⁣ ⁣ At one point Justin asked me if I was having fun. Obviously, my first reaction was to yell an emphatic NO! (Seriously, at one point around midnight I packed up both kids and almost left him there for the night). ⁣ ⁣ But then I stopped and said, “It might not be the most fun camping trip we’ve ever had but it will sure be memorable.” ⁣ ⁣ Having kids doesn’t mean you can’t do anything anymore. It just means that what you want to do might look different. Shopping trips might be slower paced, camping trips or traveling might be a little more stressful, you might have to ditch a rigid schedule and go with the flow. But it is so worth it, every time. ⁣ ⁣ Swipe ⏭ to see a throwback picture from Jasper’s first camping trip last summer!⁣ ⁣ #camping #campinglife #campingwithkids #campingvibes #camping⛺️ #campingcollective #campinglove #campingadventures #campingstyle #campinglife⛺️ #adventurefamily #getoutside (at Chena Lakes Campground) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQOoEdnAzGq/?utm_medium=tumblr

Our first anniversary we were so broke after welcoming a new baby and a cross-country PCS that all we managed to do was go out for dinner and write each other letters. ⁣ ⁣ Our second anniversary was marked by a global pandemic and our first deployment. ⁣ ⁣ Yesterday we celebrated our third anniversary by celebrating our sweet friends at their own wedding. ⁣ ⁣ In a moment on the dance floor, I jokingly asked Justin, “Want to get married again?” And he looked at me and with a smile said, “Every day.” ⁣ ⁣ Alternate caption: Mom and Dad clean up nice. (at Palmer, Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPgadYSguOy/?utm_medium=tumblr

Stop judging a mom’s postpartum experience by how quickly she gets her body back. ⁣ ⁣ Just because my body “bounced back” in less than 6 days doesn’t mean that postpartum isn’t messy (and like really, you should feel how squishy my belly is 😬). ⁣ ⁣ I have literally peed through my adult diaper once since being home (my first time trying to juggle both kids solo , just being real with you guys🤣). My boobs are sore and swollen and I’ve already staved off mastitis once (formula feeding from birth has been the BEST decision for our family but I’m ready for this milk to be gone 🙅🏻‍♀️). But sure, I look like myself again. ⁣ ⁣ Don’t get me wrong, both of my pregnancies and deliveries have completely changed my perception of and love for my body. But that doesn’t mean that everything else is immediately sunshine ☀️ and rainbows 🌈. ⁣ ⁣ Every postpartum body is beautiful and very mother deserves to feel supported during the fourth trimester. Let’s steer the conversation away from the bodies and back to the mother. ♥️ (at Fort Wainwright) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO0o8gCgvfp/?igshid=1lchf4fwr52wu

Welcome to the world, sweet Marlow girl ♥️ (at Bassett Army Community Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/COmBkQ3AteN/?igshid=1kmk7mckrzlj7

This is 29.⁣ ⁣ I could have woken up this morning upset that I’m spending my second birthday in a row alone with a toddler but I decided to switch my mindset. ⁣ ⁣ I GET to wake up and spend my birthday alone with my toddler, who I’m just a few short weeks isn’t going to be the baby anymore. 🥺⁣ ⁣ In a way, it seems fitting to start the final chapter of my twenties this way. I’m excited to see what this final year before 30 has to offer. ♥️ (at Fort Wainwright) https://www.instagram.com/p/COLR5ECgT5k/?igshid=ysrcz1i203gw

I had a PA tell me today that I should put breast milk on my son’s eczema. ⁣ ⁣ At almost 37 weeks pregnant I once again had to state that I wouldn’t be breastfeeding this baby, after telling her I had stopped breastfeeding my son after two weeks.⁣ ⁣ She continued to push, saying that breast milk “does wonders” for the skin and gall, TRIED TO TELL ME TO LET MY MILK COME IN ANYWAYS in order to slap it on my sons skin. ⁣ ⁣ 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m so tired of the push for breastfeeding first and concern for the mother second. ⁣ ⁣ There are MANY reasons why I will not be breastfeeding my second baby and you know what? I don’t owe anyone an explanation into that. You don’t either. ⁣ ⁣ Fed is best and if formula feeding from birth is what I know to be the best route for my family. If you’re currently pregnant, stand firm in your decision and don’t feel like you have to explain yourself, ever. ⁣ ⁣ The conversation can simply end with, “Formula feeding is what is best for our family.” #fedisbest https://www.instagram.com/p/CN8Ny1xAykH/?igshid=1fqcbczae4s7t