Enjoying the small things: a birth story to read

Yesterday I read a birth story from Enjoying the Small Things. The writer, Kelle, just had her third baby and something about how she wrote this story about her new son struck a chord with me. It brought back memories of when Wren and Ellie were born.

Caught napping, so sweet. 

If you haven't already, you should read the birth story of her second daughter, Nella as well. It was the first post of hers I ever read and it was incredibly moving. The photos and emotions that she shared would likely resonate with any mother- her daughter was also born with Down syndrome which adds to the intensity of the story, photos and her experience in that moment.

Waking up from a nap. Not sure why a camera has to be in her face for it. Click!

Despite my gripes yesterday about all the "following" we do with social media, I have enjoyed reading the experiences of other women through their blogs. Blogs have opened a door for mothers especially to share with one another their lives to a certain extent and help us stay at homes feel a bit of connection, even if it's simply being able to identify with another persons words. 

We are certainly in a different era of parenthood than our mothers or grandmothers lived in with the internet in our homes. 

That ability to peek into each other's lives (the good and bad at times) maybe helps us to see how similar we all are with our joys and struggles, if used well.

I loved Kelle's photo of her oldest daughter, Lainey, sleeping with the new baby in the hospital bed- Dash all tucked into her arm (towards the bottom of the post) . However, the photo of her face captured as she holds her son for the first time is SO beautiful too. Talk about looking amazing during delivery, sheesh!

This was my favourite part of her post- I can't summarize it well so here's the direct quote:

"You know, we've come a long way as women.  Our culture recognizes and celebrates our accomplishments, talents and unique gifts far more than it did fifty years ago.  Much good has come from voices for feminism.  And today, we talk a lot about recognizing and valuing our identity outside of motherhood.  I know that's important.  I have no doubt that if I didn't have children, I would have found fulfilment and happiness in other things and I wouldn't have been any less of a woman or lover or nurturer as I am today as the mother of three.

But I can also say that I am an independent woman who is completely and utterly in love with motherhood--so much that yes, my identity is and forever will be intertwined with this gift--being their mother."

Ellie's wisps of hair by her ears are so hilarious.

I couldn't have said it better. Life isn't the same after your children are here, and it shouldn't be. Life with kids is exciting, new, beautiful, fun, interesting, thrilling, boring, challenging, and a million other things. 

My identity is forever intertwined with my children, and it's the same for Kenton. 

We have embraced that and live out of our joy for this new kind of life we have every day the best we can. We are proud and content to be where we're at. (Okay there are some days I wanna pull my hair out, okay? Don't we all even if we don't have kids? haha) 

I'm also proud and enjoy watching those around me in completely different situations (with or without kids) and how they live it out. 

That all being said, I'm going to embrace making a grocery list, shopping for groceries, and trying to stuff my kids into snowsuits for some sun and a walk today. Oh the ordinary things are so ordinary sometimes!

So go ahead and read Kelle's stories, she has a way of conveying her deep thoughts in her blog with her pictures in an inspiring way. 

Have a great weekend!