Welcome Jenelle, to the Mom Series! Jenelle is a busy working, first time mom. She is navigating the challenges of motherhood with grace and humor. It’s clear that Brady is a lucky guy to have her as his mama!

Jenelle’s take on the Mom Series:

I am Jenelle and I am 31 years old and the mom to the goofiest 15 month old boy, Brady. When I moved back to my hometown, I fell in love with the most handsome, dimpled man I used to sit next to in High School Band and we have been married for 3 years. I am a Band and Orchestra Director and finding the balance between giving my home family and my school family everything they need and deserve is the most difficult thing I have ever done.

Motherhood Journey

We had to try for what seemed like forever to get pregnant. In real life, it wasn’t very long – 9 months. I tracked, I tested my ovulation window, I changed my diet, I stressed. The month that I just said f*** it, got drunk and jumped my husband…we got pregnant. I really don’t know how we ended up pregnant the month that it happened. Fun story – I went in for bloodwork 3 days before taking a pregnancy test because I was headed to The Fertility Center for testing. They tested me for several things, but pregnancy was NOT one of them…I was pregnant.

Unexpected things since becoming a Mom

On a silly note – I have learned that baby boys often have a baby erection in the morning or after a good nap! That is definitely something I was NOT expecting to have to deal with every morning as a mom.

Hardest thing since becoming a Mom

The hardest thing about being a mom for me is the fact that I can always do more and I never feel like I am good enough. I can always be a better mom. There are always dishes to be done, laundry to be folded, diapers to be restocked, lunches to be packed, toys to be picked up, and a million other things. When I am not physically doing something, I am thinking about ways to be a better mom.

Favorite thing about being a Mom

My favorite thing about being a mom has to be watching him learn and grow into a real human! Each new milestone comes with so much joy. Brady’s vocabulary is currently exploding and it is so fun to listen to him learn new words and understand what he actually wants or needs.

Favorite thing to do with your kid(s)

We have a Polaris Ranger and we love to take buggy rides as a family. Since Brady was born, he has always been content while in the buggy. We get ice cream, look for deer, ride around with no destination, and it really is our main mode of transportation on the weekends!

Favorite things do do without your kid(s)

While I don’t do much for myself outside of work and Brady (I should really work on that) one thing I do enjoy is my Thursday night Bowling League. It is a team of moms that run away for the night and most of us are terrible bowlers! We have a few drinks, b*tch about work and our husbands, gossip, and just enjoy being ourselves!

Anything you miss about life pre-kids

The biggest thing I miss about my pre-kid life is the ability to just – be. I am never just Jenelle. Mom trumps everything. And when I am not in mom-mode, I am thinking about all the things I need to do when I am in mom-mode. 

Anything you would tell your pre-kids self

I was so worried that I would never have the opportunity to be a mom that I was always so anxious about getting to the next step in life so I could be a mom. I wish I knew for 100% certainty that I would get to be a mom so I could calm the F down and just enjoy life! (I still need to calm the F down and enjoy life!)

Favorite kid age so far

Things have been really fun since Brady began crawling. I love watching him explore and try new things. He still has minimal attitude so I don’t want to trade him out constantly. And his giggle is just the best!

A must have baby item

My milk never came in to breastfeed (apparently that is a side effect of being on anti-anxiety drugs if you didn’t know – I didn’t) so Brady was on formula exclusively after a week of trying. We would not have survived without the Baby Breeza. It is basically a Keurig for formula. Middle of the night feeding – push one button and you have a warm, mixed bottle. It was my husband’s favorite thing. Whenever any of his dad friends came over he had to show it off. You can adjust the ounces, heat setting, everything. We took that thing on every trip.

Join the Mom Series!

Drop your email below and I’ll be in touch! And if you missed our last 2 volumes – find them here and here!