Side note- how cute is this tee?? I saw it and had to have it. You can buy it here from So Modish Boutique, AND you can get 15% off your entire purchase with code sheknowschic15

Top 5 Motherhood Moments

1. Pool time. The weather is really heating up here, and we had a 90 degree day this week! Mike had been doing yard work all day and decided it was as good a time as any to have the first swim of the season. Of course, Ben wanted to join, so I pulled up a chair in the backyard and held Charlotte. It was so relaxing to sit and watch them play in the water, and really admire the relationship between father and son. It was a simple moment, but I felt such contentment.
2. Charlotte turned 3 months old this week! Where does time go?! I’ve been taking her photo each month (I did the same with Ben) and it’s so fun documenting her little personality. Her smile melts my heart and she is so sweet and precious. I’ll be sharing the pictures next week, along with a 3 month update!
3. Bubbles in the backyard. Ben is obsessed with bubbles (what kid isn’t, right?) so we spend a lot of time outside doing them. It’s so fun to watch him chasing the bubbles and giggling with delight!
4. Getting my hair done. Ok so maybe this isn’t really about motherhood, but in a way it is. I think it’s so important for moms to take time to themselves. It’s SO hard to get away sometimes, but I always come back refreshed. I need these mini breaks!
5. Probably my favorite moment of the week was with my little 3 year old boy. Backstory: When we were swimming earlier this week (see #1), Ben needed to go to the bathroom but there was no way I was letting him in the house soaking wet. So, Mike took the opportunity to show him how to pee outside. It’s a boy thing I guess. Anyways, today Ben was in the backyard playing while I was folding laundry. I looked out the window to see that little boy with his pants down, peeing in the dirt. I laughed out loud! And of course, sent a pic to my husband. Ben cracks us up and there’s never a dull moment.

I hope you enjoy this weekend with your mom, kids, whoever the special women are in your life. And if it’s a tough one I hope you find peace. I’ll be counting my blessings all weekend long.

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With anything (not just being a mom) it’s so funny how our perspective can chance so quickly. I often find myself looking back and wondering, “Why was that such a big deal to me?” It’s all about perspective, and this too shall pass. I love sharing my perspective on motherhood, but it’s just as much about me as it is my kids and my husband. Here’s where we’re at at two months:

Them

Charlotte is just starting to sleep 4-5 hour stretches at night so that has been amazing for me! She wakes up to nurse and get a diaper change, and then she’s right back to sleep. She usually wakes up 3 hours later to nurse again, and enjoys sleeping in until about 9 (not that I get to, since Ben gets me up!). She has become so much more alert and is turning her head all the time to see what’s going on, especially when Ben is nearby and being loud. She’s so mellow and just hangs out, only fussing if she’s hungry/wet/sleepy. We haven’t had many moments of wondering what in the heck she wants, which is opposite of Ben!

The biggest reward at two months has got to be the baby smiles! Charlotte just started smiling, and I had to wait about 4 days before I got one directed at me. She was smiling at Mike and my mom, but not the one sustaining her life! Ha! But now that she’s started smiling, she won’t stop and it melts our hearts.

Ben has adjusted to sharing the spotlight so well, and we’re so proud of him. We’ve continued to try to fulfill his wants (that are reasonable) and still give him a sense of control. He definitely doesn’t dislike his sister, he seems like he doesn’t really have an opinion on her at this point. That’s okay with me, I’m just glad he doesn’t hate her! I have caught him giving her the pacifier or talking to her, and it’s the cutest thing. I know they’ll be best buds when she gets a little older.

Last, but certainly not least: my husband. Becoming a father for the second time is so natural for him and he takes the lead on many tasks automatically. It’s so different compared to the first time- for both of us. Now we know our roles and what needs to be done, and that makes it so much easier on our relationship. On the days that he’s home he makes me breakfast, does the dishes, and cooks. It’s like a mini-vacation on his days off! We have a mutual appreciation for each other, and I think that’s what makes it go so smoothly for us. Of course there are still times we don’t see eye to eye, but they’re few and far between and easily solved! There’s no one else I’d rather go through parenthood with.

Me

Where do I start? Women are complicated, amiright? The first month was SO hard for me, emotionally, but month two has brought clarity. Maybe it’s that I’m getting a little better sleep. Still tired all the time though- but I’m starting to feel more like myself again. I’ve made a point to talk to and see friends, and carve out time for myself. I honestly think my mood improved as the weather did!

The days that Mike works (which is 72 hours straight) are the toughest, trying to manage two kids on my own. Some nights Charlotte just has to cry while I take a shower, and that’s ok. I still feel sad and stressed hearing it, but as a second-time mother I don’t let the baby hold me back from doing things. With Ben, I’d just skip the shower and wait! Now I’d be skipping a shower for three days, and I can’t do that. She’s actually so easy and I’m thankful for that.

One of the questions that’s looming over my head is what my work situation will be for the following school year. The good news is that I’ve got options. The bad news is that I really have no idea what I want. I know I want to work less and that’s about it. I have a couple of things coming up that will end up making the decision for me, so I’m being patient. I know God has a plan, and that comforts me when I’m feeling stressed. This is one of the things that my perspective changes on weekly, so I’m taking my own advice and knowing that it will all turn out okay.

After two months I still feel super busy and the days are packed. I am so thankful for this blog. I have a creative outlet and it’s something that’s all mine. It’s a work in progress, but it’s so much fun to see it grow! I’ve made so many new friendships and reconnected with people because of it!

Looking Forward

Two months have flown by since our little girl changed our lives, but each day gets better and gives me something new to be grateful for. Every single night, as I lay down and reflect on my day, all I can say is thank you to God for getting to live this life.

The post Two Months as a Mother of Two appeared first on She Knows Chic.

Of course, I had to have Katie of Kate Fretland Photography  capture this special time. I first met her when I was looking for a maternity and newborn photographer while pregnant with Ben. Since then, she’s captured our family many times and become a friend. It can be daunting having your picture taken, but she puts our family at ease and my three year old just adores her.

When we were planning this session, the weather was horrible here in Northern California and we had weeks of rain. We had actually rescheduled because of the weather, and on this particular day we did as well. Later that afternoon it cleared and Katie and I decided it was worth a shot. I personally was panicking because I could feel that Charlotte would be here soon, and Katie was going to be out of town in a few days. I knew if we didn’t make it happen this day that I probably wouldn’t have maternity photos of Charlotte, and that was something that really upset me.

Lucky for us, the evening turned out perfectly and I will cherish these photos forever. There’s something about Katie and our family and she always makes the magic happen for us. Her work speaks for itself, and I hope you love these photos as much as we do.

P.S. You can follow her on Instagram here, her work is always gorgeous!

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If you read my post about being a mother of two, then you know that my hormones were all over the place. Thankfully everything evened out right around two weeks, and I feel so much better. Although being up every few hours at night still messes with my emotions at times! I’m pretty used to running on less sleep, with the help of large amounts of coffee of course!

Right now my biggest struggle is when the husband goes on shift for three days (he’s a firefighter). I can totally manage two kids on my own- it isn’t super fun but I’ve got it under control. The tough part is feeling lonely when you’ve spent the day with the same two people (a 3 year old and 1 month old) and they aren’t great conversationalists. I am so lucky to have my mom and sister who keep me company and are always offering to come over and help. My next step will be getting the two kids on a routine and getting out more often. So many of my friends have kids so I need to get it together and schedule some play dates!

The weather is warming up here and the days are perfect to get outside and play. And besides, when you look at these two, who can not be happy?

The post One Month appeared first on She Knows Chic.

photo by Kate Fretland Photography

Happy Wednesday! We’re halfway through the week, which used to be something I looked forward to when I was working ;). Now, Wednesdays are the last day that the hubby has off before he goes on shift for three days, and then I’m at single-mom status for a few days. (Side note: I have so much respect and admiration for single mothers who make it happen.) We are going to take it easy today and have lots of family time, which is all I need right now.

If you read my post about becoming a Mother of Two, then you know that my hormones were all messed up! Having a baby is such an emotional roller coaster, and one where you have no control. I’m so glad that I can say I’m feeling MUCH better and not crying at the drop of a hat. Right around 13-14 days, everything evened out and I started to feel more like myself. I knew that would be the case, but those first two weeks are so hard and when you’re going through it, it’s tough! Being sleep-deprived and adjusting to two children still isn’t easy, but at least I feel like my head is a little more “right.”

Charlotte has been such an amazing baby and hardly cries, which is way different from Ben. Ben didn’t have colic or anything, but I always felt like he was high maintenance. Charlotte isn’t totally quiet- she grunts all. the. time. We thinks she’s just gassy, and hoping that stops as she grows. (I have gas drops on my Target list, has anyone tried them?) She’s up every 2-3 hours at night to nurse, and thankfully she goes right back to sleep. She does take about 20 minutes to nurse and burp, so I’m up for a decent amount of time, and the morning always comes too soon. Ben comes in to get us up around 7 so I have no choice but to get going! Those were the days with Ben when I could sleep in with him until 9. Two kids changes things!

One thing that I was so scared of was how I would love two children. I was worried that I’d have to love Ben a little less in order to love Charlotte, and I’m so glad to say that’s not the case! (Of course, everyone told me that, but I needed to experience it!) Mike and I were talking last night about how amazing it is that your heart just has the capacity for more love. I still love Ben as intensely as I did before Charlotte was here, and I’m falling more in love with her each day.

These two are so special and I am so thankful to be their mother.

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