Pregnancy

It was the summer of 2012 and our family was happy, healthy, and presumably complete. My husband and I had two boys who were 5 and 7 and I was finally starting to feel like I was coming out of the weeds. You know, those early stages of parenting where sleep is elusive, diapers are part of the budget and no one can make their own drink or wipe their own bottom? Those days had passed. I had just lost most of my baby weight and I was excited about getting back to work soon and making future plans with my completed family. For a couple of years prior to that, my husband and I had talked about being a...

As the arrival of Baby #2 nears closer and closer, I can’t help but think of the vast difference in how I’m preparing (or lack thereof) for everything this time around. Of course last time was different; it was my first baby. I did what most soon-to-be moms do and attempted to prepare in every way possible. I read my pregnancy books religiously. There were registries made with products I thoroughly researched and thought I needed. Showers were thrown, a bedroom was renovated, and the bump was meticulously documented every week. Baby finally arrived and I realized no preparing actually prepares you for such a life-changing event. This time around I still broke out my pregnancy books as soon as...

Disclosure :: Our events would not be possible without our amazing community sponsors. A huge thank you to Baton Rouge General Medical Center for hosting us. Thank you so much to Breast Pumps Louisiana, Associates in Pediatric Dentistry, Smile Generation, Cullen's Babyland and Playland, Lemon Paisley, Pigtails and Crewcuts, Lil Squirts and Drybar.  Last Saturday, new and expecting mothers joined the Red Stick Moms Blog team at Baton Rouge General for a morning of pampering, delicious brunch and endless goodies. Our guests were treated to a beautiful spread of brunch options including seasonal fruit, eggs, grilled cheese, tomato basil soup and even chocolate drizzled bacon! Moms enjoyed tasting Truly Scrumptious Pretzel Crunch and even got to try a new Lemon Blueberry flavor! Thank you to Ambrosia Bakery...

 "When I'm 12 years old how old will the baby be?" I get several versions of this question on a daily basis from my six-year-old while he's staring at my tummy. He'll be a whopping seven years old when this baby is born. When I start doing the math, the age gap between my two little guys is going to be significant. It really didn't worry me until recently. A visit to my parents and a walk down memory lane in watching old childhood VHS's put things in perspective. I am the oldest of three, I have a brother three years younger than me and a sister that's ten years younger than me. To the outside world a hefty age reads two...

         Birth - I could talk about it all day. How you went into labor, your birth story and your whole experience. There are always similarities and differences in these conversations. I have had two babies and two unplanned c-sections; however, I am not disappointed. After learning about natural and alternative birthing methods over the past ten years, I was so excited to experience it in 2014 with my first baby. My friend, who knew a lot more than I did, and I had regular discussions about labor. Coincidentally, she was also pregnant at the time. I had a doula, went to a birthing class, wrote a birth plan, researched everything from hep-locks to vernix and even made a...