With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I wanted to express my gratitude towards Earnest Dad. When I first brought Earnest Boy home from giving birth, I often took the time to tell Earnest Dad how much he helped me and how much I depended on him. He was such an amazing help, I was falling asleep nursing and he was bringing me water. I was crying and hormonal, he was being my shoulder. He did so much and I realized early on how blessed I was to have him. 

For Valentine’s Day, I want to give him a HUGE thank you. Thanks for being my crutch when I couldn’t steady myself, for being my voice when mine was lost; thank you for changing diapers when I could find the energy and for being patient when I could not keep it all together. Thank you for being so loving, forgiving, honest, kind and strong. Thank you for going out of your way for making this Earnest Mom feel special, beautiful and loved. 

You are such an amazing father to our children, you take each diaper change in stride and when it is your turn to take the kids you are such a champ. You are such an amazing husband, you take my desire to be a better person and help me grow it. Honestly and earnestly, this whole life that we go through I could not imagine going through it without you. Thank you for being my partner in life, in parenting and in love. 

x. 

earnest mom. 

I cannot believe that earnest boy is turning 6 this April, it has literally flown by!  As a first time mom, I read all the books a first time mom should read, went to all the classes and tried my earnest to be as prepared as possible. I thought I did a pretty good job of it too, right up until I became a parent two times over. Once earnest baby joined the equation, my earnest mom eyes were opened. Here are 5 pieces of advice that i would go back and tell myself 6 years ago. 

1. It’s Okay! This one changed my life the second time around. Too tired, it’s ok. Not enough milk, it’s ok. Messy house, it’s ok. If you are happy, baby is happy, then it is ok. We as moms put so much pressure on ourselves to do EVERYTHING that those first few months can become overwhelming when our main focus should be recovering and baby!
2. Accept help. Similarly to the above mentioned, with my first I had to do it all. Cloth diaper, exclusively breastfeed, work full time, keep a pristine house and make sure laundry never built up. On top of it all, as I said before I felt I had to do it all. And when I didn’t, or actually couldn’t I felt like I was failing. Asking for help from earnest dad and sharing the pressures I was feeling was such a blessing and relief all at the same time. 
3. Read the car seat instructions. Until my second child, I did not really focus on the car seat. The one thing that would save the life of my child if ever needed. Seriously, install with both car seat and car manuals and if you aren’t sure call the car seat company. NEVER buy a used car seat as accidents comprise the safety of seats and a used one cannot be guaranteed safe. Also, check expiration dates as the safety standards change and an expired seat is no longer safe. 
4. You are enough. I am enough. I may not always have everything together and I know I am often scattered or do not meet all goals in one day, but I have learned to take things one day at a time. As long as I have done my best at being the mom I want my children to have, then I am enough! 
5. Last but not least, take time for you. Whether it is a twenty minute shower when daddy gets home, a coffee and solo trip to the book store or a date night…take time for you. Do not let yourself get lost in all the mommy things that can quickly take precedence. I know that once I stopped feeling guily about not being with my child every moment of the day, I was able to feel a bit more myself by having some time with just me or other grown ups. Set time aside, once a week, once a month or evey other month; whatever time you can spare, do it! You will not regret it. 

Any tips you could share with your first time parent self? Please let us know!

x. 

e.m.