I’ve worked outside the home, basically with a career, even while I considered myself a homemaker. A homemaker is all I’ve wanted to be since I was a very little girl. I can’t remember a time in my life I didn’t want to be a woman in her home. I did the career thing in my 20s. It wasn’t without its profit, but it took me close to 4 years after I came home to re-buy into homemaking, to understand it as a glorious work instead of feeling put upon. It took me that long to start viewing it as my vocation.
Never once in my ‘career’ did I feel the invisible connection with women of the past. Not once did I feel rooted. Not once did I–in a Christian way, not a pagan way–feel tied to my ancestors, to the earth, to myself. I always felt like I was pushing against my purpose, even if I couldn’t put it into words.
Now, when I cook, clean, do laundry, hug my husband, make our lunches, beautify my home, run errands, bake, laugh with my sisters, share coffee with my Mom, spoil my nieces and nephews, and enjoy my home I feel connected. Hundreds of women, back to the dawn of time, related and unrelated, have done this exact same work. Hundreds of women have passed down wisdom to me. Hundreds of women have kneaded bread, scrubbed clothes, pondered over dinner, sought to manage a budget, grown flowers, and raised up the next generation while honoring the last. Women after women have done this work. I feel like I’ve found my place, my sisterhood, my purpose. Not outside the home, but in it. Not in loudly demanding everyone’s attention, but in quiet mornings set straight and ready for the day, long lingering breakfasts, grilling in our backyard, our stories, our life. Not in focuing on me, but in focusing on him and us. It’s simple. It’s incredibly hard. It’s challenging. It’s calm. Look back, down the line of women, going back to the beginning, there do I see my mothers, my sisters, my kin. And here, in my home, is where I belong.
Great message! You’re right…that genetic and historic connection is gone in the workforce, severed and sterile. But it can be felt so, so strongly in caring or providing for family. This is a beautiful point.
I’ve wanted to be a homemaker for years and now that I’m here… I’m struggling. There’s a loneliness and adaption that I’m hoping to someday soon overcome. The month before my son was born when I was alone, barefoot and pregnant (literally), keeping my home running, I felt… great. Everyday I felt accomplished. More so than I ever did working. I was happy, my husband was happy, I was creating life. These past 6 weeks with my son earthside has been challenging. For me, my marriage, though mainly I think for my mental health and self-worth. I hope to get back to my hearts desire someday soon, and remember why I chose this life. The satisfaction I received from a day of keeping a well-maintained home full of love and joy. I’m trying my best to give myself grace. Everything takes its own time.
I never thought I’d be the kind of woman who would get emotional as their baby slowly grew… BUT HERE WE ARE. Realizing Emmett has outgrown his coming home from the hospital dino jams nearly broke me being a stay at home mom and raising this little squirt for the past 6 weeks has been the HARDEST thing I’ve ever done. Some days I don’t understand the “reward”… and then when I look at this nugget, happy & healthy, I understand. This love truly is unconditional
If you ever had a baby or your thinking about having a baby, you’ve probably heard a little something about postpartum depression. You may be sitting up late during a three AM midnight feed of your two-month-old baby and googling ‘the signs of postpartum depression’ just out of curiosity, so I’ve created a list based off of research and my personal experience.
This week I actually started to feel pregnant. I mean I was aware that I was, but I started to get all the symptoms that niggle at you and don’t seem to budge no matter what I did.
I’m currrently on holiday in sunny wales, and I’ve all of a sudden found myself sweating LOADS my body temperate is sky high, I could be sat down doing absolutely naff all and still be dripped in wet. Can’t say that’s my favourite look I’ve been drinking loads of water, which does help, but then I find myself needing a wee every 30 seconds haha. The only way around that was to sip my drinks and just add tons of ice.
I was also a bit wary of wearing my bikini in the pool. The last time I wore it was when I was around 11 weeks. I wasn’t very big then, but I feel bloody humungous now! It actually didn’t look as bad as I thought it would. And I’ve definately learnt how to embrace the bump
The best thing about being in the second trimester is being to eat proper again. I love my runny eggs and steak. Obviously you still need to be a bit careful on what you eat, but my hunger has no limits right now proper foodie me! Haha
And alas! I finally felt baby moving. I can honestly say it has to be one of the best feelings EVER! I say that now, but when she’s booting me at 3am further down the line I will probably change my mind.
So I’ve had to write a few posts to catch up with the 20 weeks that have flown by and I’ve completely forgotten to introduce myself
So I’m the mum to be behind this blog.
My names Lauren and I’m 28.
I wasn’t actually planning on ever having children, I was always more career minded and had always set myself goals regarding that.
But hey! I’m not one to turn down a challenge, and I fully expect motherhood to be just that!
Aswell as giving you updates, tips and tricks, I will fully appreciate loads of involvement and others people opinions on things. I’m new to this right? I’m never going to know everything!
The reason I decided to do this blog was because I wanted something my little girl can look back on in years to come. I want to be brutally honest about everything, which will probably put her off parenthood forever
I can’t believe I’ve made it to 20 weeks. It has gone so fast! I was expecting everything to just drag but I’ve been so busy with work and my mum, that I’ve barely gave it a second thought.
I had my 20 week scan at 18 weeks 5 days. Everything was healthy and on track and it seems I have a little thumb sucker
I also had to make sure I was still having a girl, even though I’d already brought a wardrobe full of pink haha.
On the bump front, I feel massive but I’ve been told I’m a normal size for the amount of weeks that I am. I guess I’m just not used to carrying the extra weight around with me.
I love having a bump. In a way it helps me feel even more connected to my little girl, watching it grow week by week. The only downside is finding clothes I like that actually fit.
I found that Asos have the best range of maternity clothes and also new look.
Typically I would have left the gender as a surprise but 1. I hate buying white and cream coloured clothing when there’s so much more on offer colour wise…and 2. My mum was very very unwell and I wanted her to choose the name so I had no choice but to find out sooner rather than later.
We opted for a gender scan at a private clinic called window to the womb. The staff there were so nice, they gave me half an hour extra to walk up and down some stairs as baby was being awkward during the first try.
Luckily we did find out…and I’m having a bouncing baby girl
As I said I would have been happy with any gender, but it does feel even more special being a single mummy and having a little girl looking up to you☺️
My mum passed away 2 days later( more about that later) but I gave her 3 girls names I liked and she has chosen her favourite and stick it in an envelope. I won’t find out baby’s name until after she’s born. So I guess there still is a surprise element to everything in a special kind of way.
I can remember just lying there and seeing this little thing moving around on the screen. I think because I couldn’t feel it moving, yet it was inside me, was just very odd! Hands moving, legs moving, it didn’t feel real at all.
I did have tears of happiness though. Just knowing that little life with that little heartbeat was all mine just took my breath away.
I was given the due date of the 18th Jan 2019. Everything looked as well as can be and I walked away happy with 20 odd photos. I did try and send one to “J” but he had already took the time to block me on every social media platform so I didn’t bother trying anymore.
I saw my midwife for the first time around 9-10 weeks.
I honestly thought it would be a really nice experience, oh how wrong was I?!
The room was sooo small and was literally baking. My face was turning to some kind of dewy mush and it smelt so clinical it made me heave.
That being said the midwife was lovely. I think I underestimated how long I’d actually be there for. The amount of questions that were asked, even about “J” and his side of the family. It honestly felt like forever!
And then to top it all off I saw needles I didn’t realise they wanted blood too!
I have a really huge phobia about them, so the midwife got me to lay down and promised it wouldn’t be that bad. “ only a small prick” she goes…SMALL PRICK?! I cried, I was sick and I basically passed out just basically a total baby about it lol.
We did manage to get to the end though. I think I understood everything that was said in the hour. I decided to choose a local birthing centre instead of a hospital to have the baby in. So many of my friends have raved about it. You get 1-1 care constantly, food and a private room. Nice!
I’m not going to sit here and pretend that everything was sunshine and flowers when I found out I was expecting. No offence to anyone who are struggling to conceive but I was actually really upset. Not because the thought of being a mum didn’t fill me with joy, just because I knew I had gotten into a whole new level of crap involving the baby’s dad.
So picture this, 2 weeks before finding out… I met said one, who we will just call “J” for now. Barely spoke to him. I was soooo drunk on wine and beer my uncle had fed me ( yes I blame him for that!) that I took it upon myself to text him after he had finished work.
I think I actually asked if he wanted to go for a walk , which probably would have been the idea thing to do, considering he’s now in a situation he quite clearly doesn’t want to be in!
Anyway “J” didn’t want to walk, instead he invited me over to his place where things got quite out of hand quickly. I will be honest and say I don’t really remember a whole lot of it apart from a few things I will mention in further posts.
Yes I am so ashamed of how my baby was conceived but it doesn’t make me love it any less, believe me ☺️
And there we have it, 2 weeks later, I’m sat on the toilet holding a stick full of wee in actual disbelief.
BABY NAMES I LIKED BUT DIDN’T USE * JACQUELINE TRAVELS
BABY NAMES I LIKED BUT DIDN’T USE * JACQUELINE TRAVELS
WATCH HERE
Hello! I am sticking with a vlog theme this week. On Sunday I posted about life as a Flight Attendant mom, and today I am sharing baby names we considered when I was pregnant. I had a quick flight attendant layover where I didn’t go out and explore, I but I did have time to film this vlog! I like a lot of Italian names, they run in my family, and I share almost all of the names on my…
Today I am talking about flight attendant mom life. Since having a baby I am often asked about balancing private flight attendant life and mom life. It definitely can be done but adjustments need to be made. I am lucky to have support so I can still have layovers, but also a great home life. Thanks for watching and I’ll chat with you all next week!
Hey! So can you believe it’s been 9 months? My baby will be here in less than 2 weeks! Wowwwww! I’ve been through so much these past few months and I think it’s made me a better person; for me and my son. I’m would say my maturity have grown significantly, I mean has to I’ll be responsible so a little person very soon. And even though I’m still technically homeless I know things will work themselves out. It’s been pretty hard trying to find a place during the pandemic and my job let me go back in April because I was pregnant. Well actually my midwife wrote a doctors note stating that I have severe back issues due to my scoliosis so she asked my job to give my 15 minute breaks to just sit down every 2 or so hours. They weren’t having that and told me that same week that they were letting me go. My only source of income, just taken from me because of my pregnancy. So I decided I would start walking dogs again. When I started making actual money to save up a month later someone hit and totaled my car which was my only way of transportation to get back and forth to my walks. I had to spend my all my savings on on towing and other sources transportation (like Lyft or metro - public transportation). So my boyfriend had to get a job ASAP. It’s gets paid enough now for us to get a place but the landlords are making it so hard to move in! Did you know someone has to make 3x their rent to move into a place? I’ve never… I wasn’t saying all of this to complain or for someone to feel sorry for me I just haven’t gotten you all caught up. Besides everything that has happened I wholeheartedly believe that everything will work out for us. Sometimes I worry but there’s no point in worrying and stressing about something you can’t control. I’ll keep this optimism attitude and I’ll keep looking for a solutions for our situation because I refuse to have my baby and not have our own place. Oh!! Last thing, I’m 38 weeks pregnant! Hopefully he comes sooner than later but I won’t rush my little man. I can’t wait to see him! I’m so excited!! :3 well until next time, peace✌︎
