Katelyn is a first time mama. Her pregnancy was unplanned but the best surprise for her and her husband. She has truly embraced the role of Mama and it’s so evident from her responses that she is in her element. She is married with one son and they spend so much of their time outdoors. I love following her family’s adventures over on her instagram!

Welcome – Katelyn!

Motherhood Journey

I almost feel guilty to say it but my pregnancy with Beau was a complete surprise! I know this is such a miracle and I do not take that for granted one bit. We knew we wanted kids and planned on trying after we celebrated a year married but Beau joined on his own timing. We would love to grow our family soon and I pray the journey stays smooth to do so!

Unexpected things since becoming a Mom

The love you have for your child is truly overwhelming. It’s the most unconditional love of all. It’s a feeling that is “unexpected” even though you know it will change your life, you don’t REALLY know it until you become a mom. It really is an indescribable feeling with how much purpose I experience being a mom. I know I will always be a working-mom and have other priorities for myself, but being a mom has been so fulfilling. The joy, sacrifice, laughter, challenges, and lessons – every single minute of it is filled with an overwhelming love. Your heart really does live out of your body and you can’t explain it until you become a mom! 

Hardest thing since becoming a Mom

Balancing other important things in my life has been extremely difficult in certain seasons. My marriage, career, friendships, familial relationships, etc. It’s extremely life-changing to become a mom and the hormones don’t make it easier at times – haha! You get stretched thin and as mentioned, priorities change. So it can be very demanding to try and wear multiple identities at once.

Favorite thing about being a Mom

Being a mom is the best thing to ever happen to me. I am my best self with Beau, I am so much more patient, calm, joyful and kind – he brings out every quality in me that is good. Making him laugh and watching him learn brings me immense joy. Everything with him is better – the simple things like day to day cooking and big things like holidays. The world is more exciting to watch through his small eyes.

Favorite thing to do with your kid

We love to be outside. I try to take Beau into nature as much as possible, whether that be on hikes, to the beach, on bike rides – you name it. Simply just being on the porch with rocks and sticks is a daily occurrence for us, it’s the best to watch him explore and play in the dirt. 

Favorite thing to do without your kid

I definitely enjoy going on little getaways with my husband – the cliche is true, being out of town with your kids is not a vacation, it’s absolutely a trip! We also like going to restaurants we wouldn’t take Beau to try new foods and chat with each other in an uninterrupted way. By myself I like to prioritize going to the gym weekly, quarterly massages and facials, and seeing girlfriends whenever possible for sushi or brunch!

Anything you miss about life pre-kid

I miss traveling. Even though my husband and I have gotten away overnight twice since having Beau (he is 2 on October 14!) it’s still really hard. The first time we left him overnight we cried on the way to the airport and spent a significant amount of money to change our flight and come home early – LOL! It’s just not the same. You miss them and worry about them when you are gone. I also would say I mourn my old career plans from time to time – I was in graduate school when I got pregnant in my internship with 3 courses left to be a School Social Worker and that got really halted and doesn’t look promising to return back into my life. I have deviated back to my old career to better provide for my family (financially, emotionally, physically, etc.).

Anything you would tell your pre-kid self

I don’t think I would tell myself anything? It really is a learn as you go kind of experience in my mind. I think that a mother’s instinct is the most pure and true sort of thing, and you just need to dig in and listen to it. 

Favorite kid age so far

Every age brings so much sweetness. For the littles, I loved months 6-9. I also remember my husband and I looking at each other around 16-18 months and being like, “oh my gosh how does it get better?”. But where we are now is SO fun – which is two weeks until Beau is two. He is so talkative and silly, it’s the best to watch his mind expand in front of our eyes. 

A must have baby item

I loved the Baby Bjorn carrier for cleaning your house, hikes, cooking, travel, basic walks, getting groceries – literally anything. That is the GOAT from like 2 months to 12 months. I used it daily! 

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