My Pregnancy, My Baby, and the Complications We Didn’t Expect

by CasieBlog, Mom ThingsPosted on No Comments

It’s hard to believe I started a Motherhood blog, but haven’t actually shared my pregnancy story yet. I think part of the reason is that, to be 100% honest….I hated being pregnant.

Yup, you read it here first, I hated being pregnant. BUT, my pregnancy was riddled with sickness, pain and complications. I wanted to be the cute pregnant lady who took pictures every month of their growing belly, to post them on social media and brag about how excited I was. I think there are maybe 10 pictures of me for the entire length of my pregnancy.

My pregnancy was something I wanted for a LONG time. And I’m so thankful I was able to get pregnant relatively quickly. I downloaded a period tracking app, and made sure we could have some fun on the nights that I was ovulating, to give us the best chance. (Ya’ll know how people get pregnant, so don’t come for me clutching your pearls)

I’ll never forget yelling for my husband to come into the bathroom, to hear the response of “Do I have too? I’m comfortable.” (Pretty sure he got a death glare from the bathroom door to where he was laying on the couch) Lo and behold, a positive test. But how can one trust ONE positive test? So I took another, that one showed it as well. I even went to the Dollar General where we were living at the time to get MORE tests…because I had to have the digital and the plain lines just to be sure. (4 tests later…)The next day I made a call to my OBGYN to schedule an ultrasound to confirm a baby was actually there!

The first half of my pregnancy was easier than the second half. Not that much of my pregnancy was easy. I on occasion through my adult life have had high blood pressure. Nothing to the point of needing to be medicated, and generally my labs had all looked good, so nothing of concern. Until you’re pregnant. Very early in my pregnancy, 6ish weeks? I was so unwell I went to Quick Care, just in case. For some reason we did a urine analysis and the nurse told me the results were fine, except for my protein levels being high, which is a sign of preeclamsia. I knew in a few weeks my first ultrasound was coming, so I called my OB and they said not to worry.

So, first ultrasound finally! It felt like years had passed. What a wild experience, to see a little gummy bear shaped…thing….inside my body! My husband and I were so excited! The ultrasound tech even labeled the baby as a gummy bear! I also started seeing the Midwife team this day. I opted for this option as Midwives have more time to spend with you than the OB generally does. Especially while you’re giving birth. But, my blood pressure was slightly high. So out of an abundance of caution, I was put on a plan with additional visits and a few extra ultrasounds, just in case.

Now, for the next big step, how would we tell our parents?

Just like dreaming of weekly belly pictures, we spent so much time on exactly how we would tell our parents. I wanted to wait for the 12 week mark before we said anything. And luckily, that fell inline with Mothers Day! It couldn’t have been more perfect!

Honestly, I couldn’t tell you how we came up with the ways we told our parents. I’m pretty sure I picked my Moms surprise and he picked his moms. (I did all the artwork to make our visions come to life!) (I also can’t find the pictures of what we made….hmmm) Anyways, to make a long story in an even longer story short….We got my mom Candles and made custom wrappers for them. We got my motherin law a tarot deck and make fake cards to give her a fake reading to announce the pregnancy.It was so fun to get to see their reactions and surprise them! (Especially because my Mom didn’t catch on for almost a minute! But I’ll make another post about this.)

As my pregnancy went along, I suffered SEVERE morning sickness. It was honestly debilitating at times. I absolutely pulled muscles from dry heaving, had a hard time eating and even drinking. I could hardly brush my own teeth without gagging. The OB office put me on Zofran, which really didn’t help, but I took it anyways out of sheer hope to get through my work days.

As I started to get a visable belly, I suddenly had this super painful and itchy rash across my chest. (Under where my bra sat). I went to quick care and complained about pain, fever and chills and stomach ache. All of which I was told (by the very annoyed Dr.) that I was pregnant….these things come with the territory. I didn’t think to show her my rash because I get eczema easily and assumed that’s all it was.

But the next day, things really weren’t better. I knew something wasn’t right. So back to quick care I went, husband in tow. This time he helped explain how things were different and we showed the nurse my rash. The look on their face wasn’t a happy one. When the Dr came in (YUP, same as the one before, but I was nice) she told me it was Shingled. (I could tell she was like “oh shit…” by the look on her face when she realized I was back…and it wasnt just me being pregnant.) So, off to the pharmacy with meds I went.

Having shingles…SUCKS. Having shingles at 30, while being pregnant….SUCKS WORSE.

I called my OB office to let them know as I had an appointment coming up and didn’t want to chance getting anyone else sick. The nurse I spoke too said they’d never come across a pregnant woman with shingles, because it is so rare. (Lucky me) I added a link about having shingles while pregnant below.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582747

So I’m already uncomfortable, now I’m itchy and just….in pain. My boss clearly didn’t care nor was he sympathetic to my pain or the fact that I was still throwing up through out the day due to my “morning sickness”. I worked at the same place as my husband so we’d carpool to work. I can’t tell you how many times we’d pull over so I could throw up on the way there or home.

My shingles finally cleared up! At this point, I started thinking about how small our home was.

So, guess what we did…that’s right, we put it up for sale. We lived in a one bedroom home on a lake in Maine. I know what you’re thinking, “You GAVE UP a house on a lake?”. But honestly, we didn’t go swimming all that much, we didn’t own a boat, and the lake was kinda, icky. I refused to touch the bottom! We also hardly had a yard, and worried about having a small child that close to the water. Plus, it only had one bedroom, so we wouldn’t have been able to have a nursery.

At this point my body was just, in pain. I was exhausted. We packed what we could, had family and friends help us pack and eventually hired a company to come to toss a bunch of junk. (It’s amazing what you accumulate in a small amount of time.) We even made the decision to hire movers. More so as a need than a want. (I was in so much pain).

While all this was going on, I questioned the amount of pain I seemed to always be in. I called my OB office as the pain seemed centralized to my pelvic area. Lucky me, time to add another condition to the list. I was diagnosed with Pelvic Girdle Pain, or also called, Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. I’ve added a link to really explain this, but the TLDR version, pain and stiffness of your pelvic joints, or pain caused by your pelvic joints not moving in unison.

https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/pelvic-girdle-pain-and-pregnancy

This diagnosis was a hard one. I was constantly in pain, and there wasn’t much I could do to relieve the pain, until baby got here. I did end up doing physical therapy, but that doesn’t solve the problem. It can only help you stretch to try and prevent things getting worse. I got to points where I had to be helped in and out of the car. I used an electric cart at Walmart. (Side note: I was so afraid of people judging me by using a cart that I sometimes CHOSE pain. Why did I care so much? Just because I didn’t have a visible injury, doesn’t mean I didn’t need help!)

At this point, hardly able to walk, still throwing up on the daily, in the middle of a huge move, I spoke with my Dr office about how difficult it had become to do my job. I was an Inventory analyst in a warehouse. I had to walk on concrete floors around a large warehouse. Not something I could do without wanting to cry. They suggested either a new position while I was pregnant, or for my job to give me an accomodation.

I’m not going to get into the details at this time, but needless to say, my job wasn’t happy with my need for accommodations. When ever I asked for help, I was essentially ignored, then when I handed in my accommodation paperwork, I was met with a response that they could not accommodate me and that I would be out of work, without pay, for the remainder of my pregnancy.

So lets add stress, on top of stress, and pain, which causes stress. This was such a huge blow emotionally for me. But not something I am able to elaborate on further at this time. I’m sure at some point in the future I’ll address the drama here, but for now, just know, I went out of work much earlier than expected, without pay. Eek!

Honestly, the rest of my pregnancy (until birth) is a blur. Lots of lonely days, filled with loneliness and puking. Not a great time. My cousin even offered to do a maternity shoot for me, but I honestly hated being pregnant so much, that I turned it down. I just, didn’t want to memorialize something that caused me so many issues (Even knowing it was going to bring me the love of my life)

Since I had an elevated blood pressure at the beginning of my pregnancy, and was put on for additional appointments, I ended up being hospitalized and induced at 36.5 weeks. I went to an ultrasound at 34 weeks and the nurse wouldn’t even tell me what my blood pressure was. But she clearly wasn’t impressed. This was late on a Friday, and I had a follow up with the midwife team the following week. Once I went to that appointment, we confirmed the high BP, confirmed I was 3cm dialated and had an additional ultrasound (as baby girl was NOT cooperating the week before) and was told to come back Monday at 7:30pm.

So Monday night, we arrived at the hospital. My daughter was born on Wednesday, and we were in the hospital until Saturday. (I’ll make another post about birth!). I ended up on Magnesium while in the hospital, (I had blood drawn so many times, they literally couldn’t get my body to give any more.) Then I was on a blood pressure medicine until my 6 week post op visit, to make sure my blood pressure didn’t go all wonky.

Luckily, I didn’t have any post birth complications. I was able to be home with my baby girl and everything has been fine ever since. I’m thankful for the team of mid-wives and doctors I had, during my pregnancy and through my birth. I’m thankful to have a beautiful, healthy, baby girl. And I’m thankful things didn’t get worse with the pre-eclampsia.

Re-making a Website AND Chasing a Toddler? Am I crazy?

by CasieBlog, Mom ThingsPosted on No Comments

Wait, am I CRAZY? I’m going crazy, that’s for sure.

Making a website while being a Stay at Home Mom? Chasing a toddler while trying to craft and design? Keep my late planted garden alive while my daughter pulls the tomatoes off still green?

Will I EVER be happy with how my website looks? Probably not. But I’m going to keep plugging away and making it what I want. And getting back to blogging. Because I need an outlet, and a place to share. (Even if no one reads it) So I’m back at it!

Here goes nothing!

Let the Garden Growing Begin: How A Real Mom’s Budget-Friendly Garden begins!

by CasieBlog, Mom ThingsPosted on No Comments
3 raised garden beds sitting on a lawn with bags of soil

The beds have been built and ready for a while now.

The weather in Maine has decided not to cooperate! (Not really a surprise there, to be honest.)

We got our dirt yesterday! I’m excited to finally get the beds filled and get the garden started! I tried a garden probably 10 years ago, but I’m actually taking it seriously this time around.

I did a lot of research on how I wanted to layer the beds. I’m sure I could have filled them to the brim with Raised Bed Garden Soil. But let’s be real, that would get expensive QUICK.

In this economy, I’m doing my best to do things a bit cheaper where I can. It’s not exactly cutting corners—I’d consider it to be using resources wisely.

Early in the spring, I cleared a bunch of the dead leftovers from the garden out front of our front steps. It REALLY needed it and it felt good knowing the lilies would grow back in a clear spot!

I had already built my garden beds and had them sitting and waiting where I wanted them to be. So I took the cuttings and placed them at the bottom of the beds. We also had a rose bush that was so overgrown it was stuck in the siding of the house and it hadn’t flowered in the 2 years we’ve been here. So I got clippers and went to work!

Even with leather palmed gloves, the roses took their revenge.

The thorns on those suckers HURT! But I still won in the end. I used these clippings to fill the bottom of the garden beds along with the lily clippings.

This seems kinda random, but I read to add cardboard! (Plain with no printing on it.) And that it would work like a weed cloth, and will eventually break down into organic matter.

We try our best to recycle what we can, so we always have a ton of cardboard. This was a perfect way to get rid of some in an eco-friendly way! And I’m not a huge fan of weed barrier cloth—I find it only ever works OKAY (and it’s expensive).

We have a planter incorporated into our front steps that had a shrub in it for who knows how long. I was determined to rid the front steps of said shrub. I knew in time it would grow too large and the roots might crack the concrete. (The stairs are fairly old.) I fought with the damn shrub on and off for weeks, slowly getting its roots loosened from the concrete. I got her out in the rain and threw her down in triumph! I’m sorry little shrub. You were cute, but not where you were planted.

Since I wanted to add something floral and pretty, my husband took me out on Mother’s Day to get some plants! I took out quite a bit of the existing dirt and placed it in my raised beds. I figured it would be covered with new soil anyway, so I made space in the planter and repurposed the old stuff. Win-win, am I right? Anyway, I’m getting off topic.

We went to Aubuchon Hardware this weekend to get the soil. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, we figured it’s late enough in the year to get the soil and take advantage of any sales. (For those not on the East Coast, Aubuchon is partnered with Ace Hardware.) I took a long time deciding what exactly I wanted to get and what I could get for the best price. Since I managed a Garden Center at a local Lowe’s for a time, I knew I had multiple options, but it took a bit to decide what amounts of each type of soil I’d need. (I’m TERRIBLE at math.)

So after too much time thinking way too hard (while my husband and toddler were amazed by wind chimes), I went with:

  • 3 bags of Cedar Mulch
  • 6 bags of Topsoil
  • 3 bags of Organic Humus and Manure Mix
  • 3 bags of Organic Raised Bed Soil

These are the exact items I used. (The links are as close I could find online.)

https://www.hardwarestore.com/195541-miracle-gro-raised-bed-soil-15-cu-ft

https://www.hardwarestore.com/665342-scotts-lawn-care-eath-gro-top-soil-40lb

https://www.hardwarestore.com/195543-earthgro-manure-humus-1-cu-ft

https://www.hardwarestore.com/126465-cedar-valley-organics-mucd107-mulch-aromatic-natural-3-cu-ft-bag

Since I already had my base layer of clippings and cardboard, I started with the mulch. I was going to go through the woods and get more branches and organic matter, but I like the fact that cedar is a natural bug repellent. I did read it can change the pH of the soil, so I made a layer of cedar in each bed and tamped it down until it felt firm, but not compact. Then I layered on a bag of topsoil and a bag of the humus/manure mix and mixed those layers together by hand. I tried my best not to incorporate the mulch into it (which is why I did this by hand—with gloves on!). Then at the end, I topped it with a bag of the raised bed soil!

I’m going to start my seeds inside this week. I cut boxes from granola bars in half and that’s where I will plant my seeds! This way I can keep an eye on the little babies while they sprout. Once I transfer them to the garden, I’m going to put toilet paper rolls around them! This way I can keep them safer from certain bugs and slugs. Plus, it will help protect them from any birds or other critters for a while.

Am I overly ambitious? Probably. Excited? Absolutely!

I’l be back with updates once things start growing! I can’t wait to share this with my daughter and have her learn about plants and growing our own food!

Discover 8 different mom types. What kind of Mom you are? Am I?

by CasieBlog, Mom Approved, Mom ThingsPosted on No Comments
Image of multiple clip are mothers with their children doing various activities. With the words What kind of Mom are you?

Being a Mom is my greatest accomplishment in life.

There is nothing I wanted more, and nothing that will ever make me feel as full as being the mother of my daughter.

Being a Mom is an impossible task.

The expectation to be perfect, to have zero screen time, to feed our kids only organic foods—the list goes on and on. From never-ending to-do lists, to misinformation, to ever-evolving trends, the pressure to get it right and be “influencer cool” is real.

But most of us aren’t influencer cool. We cant follow every single trend—heck, I don’t even understand the meaning behind “Sigma” and I feel like the kids have been saying that for a while now! (I’m literally at the age where I don’t understand the cool hip lingo…when did I get so old?).

I feel like the most common “Mom types” I see are the Crunchy and Scrunchie moms. They dominate social media tags and are included in Instagram handles. Do I fall into one of these categories?

I suppose if I were to label myself, I’d consider myself as a Scrunchie mom.

My child is vaccinated and I wholeheartedly support vaccines. I can understand peoples fear, but the scientific information is out there, it’s available to the public for free. We have almost eradicated diseased due to the invention of vaccines.

If you’re on the fence, check out the link below from UNICEF featuring Dr. Mike. If you haven’t heard of him, Dr. Mike is an American physician who immigrated from Russia as a child—and yes, he’s also a social media personality. (He was even voted Sexiest Doctor Alive by People magazine in 2015! And 10 years later, I’ll say it’s still true.) He shares a lot of fun, informative content on YouTube and is a strong advocate for children and transparency in medicine and vaccines.

https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/doctor-mike-vaccines-lets-not-let-misinformation-win

I also use disposable diapers. I allow my child to watch some television (mostly music and nursery rhymes that we sing and dance to—but she also loves cat videos. That’s probably thanks to my inner millennial). We watch a lot of Bounce Patrol—they only fuel my dream of moving to Australia (a story for another day!).

We also do our best to get outside every day. I think it’s important to get the fresh air, enjoy nature, and learn about the world around us—including how we can protect and preserve it. We can learn about worms, birds and other various bugs. (I HATE bugs…) But we love to get dirty, play in the sprinkler, and blow bubbles into the wind.

My daughter is a year and a half old and we’re still breastfeeding. I count myself lucky to be able to breastfeed at all, and I 100% believe that fed is best. The stigma behind not breastfeeding, using formula, or breastfeeding “too long”….it’s all just noise. Honestly, breastfeeding was my biggest postpartum fear— but luckily, she latched and was ready to go as soon as she was born!

We also chose to do baby-led weaning. If you have food, you BETTER be sharing. Shes also more of a savory food kind of kid. She literally threw a piece of donut the other day in the back of the car—so I stopped and got her french fries. That’s right, donut and french fries. (But you know when the “We’ve been in the car too long and if I don’t get a snack I’m gonna scream” moment is coming…and we were moments from it!) But when we can afford it, I’ll get the organic fruit and veggies.

I had a medicated birth (kinda), but all the power to those who don’t! I had a very complicated birth, and the epidural didn’t work (the pain is REAL)! But ended up medicated in the end. (The last hour) (I’ll link my birth story once I finish writing it!)

I even co-sleep with my child. It started out as a necessity—the only way I was getting any rest was with a mattress butted up against her crib. But that turned into sharing a bed. And at a year and a half, we still do this every night. It works for us for now, and I love how close it has made her and I.*

This is just a snippet of my beliefs as a mom.

A reminder that, at the end of the day, we really aren’t all that different. That each and every one of us is doing the best we can with what we know—and that we are learning as we go. There is no manual for motherhood, we get to learn as we go and pick up the pieces as they fall.

At the end of the day, I feel like most of us fall into the Scrunchy mom category. We do the best that we can, with what we have, and the resources we have access to. We want our children to have better than we did when we were growing up.

It’s OKAY for us to have different opinions than other moms. Every child is unique. Every child Is different and needs different care. I stand by the choices I make as a parent. I love my daughter more than anything I’ve ever loved before, and I will always do anything in my power to make sure she has everything she needs, and knows she is loved beyond measure.

So, regardless of whatever Box the world tries to fit you into, regardless of how the world tries to stereotype us, scare us, or shame us—stand strong. We are mothers. We brought life into this world. We get to shape it. We get to enjoy watching our children learn and play, grow and thrive. Motherhood is a gift, don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.

Don’t let the naysayers get you down. Do your research on the world, but also follow your gut. You got this Mama, and I’m right here with you.

*Just a note that I’m not a doctor or a specialist in any way. None of this information is to be taken as advice, but is an insight as to how I go about my life and what I do with my family.

Dear Body, I see you: A love letter to my Postpartum Body.

by CasieBlog, Mom ThingsPosted on No Comments

Let’s be real, the pressure to “bounce back” after having a baby is REAL.

To lose the “baby weight”, to “exercise” to “eat right” or “diet”. I mean, celebrities bounce back to their pre-baby bodies, so why can’t I?

The number of these posts I see on social media is astounding- and honestly heartbreaking. Look at this article about how “incredible” these celeb “transformations” were. Or the article explaining how to get your body back.

Celebrities that Have Bounced Back after Having Children
5 Ways To Get Your Pre-Pregnancy Body Back

Let’s get real for a minute.

I know we all want to look and feel out best, but we grew an entire human AND an extra organ! And if you’re in the US like I am, you employer likely only allows you 6-8 weeks of maternity leave to “heal” your body. Never mind bonding with your child or get used to life as a new family.

I’m sure the majority of us don’t have a Nanny, or a Cook, or a Maid (and if you do, more power to ya – I’m jealous!). We don’t have a personal trainer or a plastic surgeon on call. We don’t have endless hours to spend at the gym, or the extra money to buy that trendy smoothie everyone is raving about.

From childhood, we’re immersed in images of the “perfect body”.

(Granted, things have come a long way since the early 2000’s when I was a kid.) It’s nice to see models out there with stretch marks, soft bellies, and even actual plus size representation. But still to this day, I don’t really see anyone who has my body shape. (Before and after giving birth). And honestly? That’s OKAY. It’s a bit frustrating, sure, but that doesn’t mean I have to look like those models to like how I look or to know I’ll look good in something I want to wear.

I used to be, 110 lbs in high school. Then my metabolism caught up with me. Right before my due date with my daughter, I hit 200 lbs. The midwives were great to measure in kilograms, but I know how to roughly estimate what that would be in lbs.

It was a scary number to me.

How could I have been so small, and now I’ve almost doubled that? I’m twice the amount of people I was. But I also remind myself, I graduated high school 15 years ago! (My reunion is coming up!) Of course my body isn’t going to be the same it was when I was 17. Just like my personality and my character and my soul, I’ve grown. I’ve changed. I’ve matured. And that’s not a bad thing!

I could spend all day stressing about what I’m going to wear, how I’m going to fit into the smaller sized jeans at the back of my closet, or count the calories I’ve eaten each day. (All things I’ve done in the past.) Or, I could realize that the size I am now (165lbs…ish? I don’t think we even own a scale) is an okay size to be.

Sure, I’d love to loose 10-15lbs. But it’s hardly even spring here in Maine. We’ve had a couple nice days, but it’s been raining just about every day here. It’s hard to drag a toddler out into the 55°F weather and expect her to enjoy her time outside.

Yeah, we could exercise inside. But I’d rather not have her using me as a jungle gym while I try to do yoga in the living room. (Having 2 dogs and 2 cats don’t help either.)

So instead, I’ll focus on what’s actually important.

Playing with my daughter.

Teaching her fun things.

Teaching her new words.

Letting her try new foods.

I’m really lucky that she wants to try everything we eat. She’s more of a savory kid then a sweet one. (Idk who she got that from, it wasn’t me or her father).

I also refuse to let her grow up mentally fighting with herself over her body. That battle is hard enough as it is with everything that’s thrown at us from outside sources.

Instead, I’ll teach her to enjoy all kinds of foods. To show her that it’s okay to have sweets, in moderation.

We’re going to have a garden this year and I want her to be involved, so she gets the satisfaction of growing her own food.

Instead of hating her body, I want her to love her body.

And for me to teach her to love her body, I am choosing to love mine.

To love the lumpy parts and the bumpy parts.

To love the stripes on my belly and the new shape of my breasts. (Breastfeeding really does a number on those puppies!).

I love my slightly crooked nose and that one eye that squints just a little more than the other. I love the way I laugh and the way I talk. I love that my body created another human! That it did the work it had to bring her into this world and in my arms.

Why should I speak so badly of the marvel I lived through?

(Even if I did loathe being pregnant, but that’s a story for another time.)

My body (for the most part) is healthy. It tells me when something is wrong or if I’m sick. It’s full of love and happiness and believes in the goodness in other people. My body is part of what makes me, me!

One of the biggest moments in my life that made me learn to love the body I have, is realizing that it’s the only one I get.

I had a friend who hated being in pictures because of how they looked. They hated their body, their smile, their laugh. One day, I saw a post on social media that said to Take the picture anyways, so future generations can remember you.

This still sticks with me.

Someday, we all leave this earth. Pictures are the only tangible proof that we were here.

If I were to be gone tomorrow, I wouldn’t want my biggest regret to be that my daughter wouldn’t remember my face.

My smile.

My crooked nose.

My slightly squinty eye.

I want her to be able to share photos someday with the people she loves. When I’m long gone from this earth and that’s all she has left. Photographs and memories. But if I waste my time, hating the body I’m in, I don’t get to be present with her. I’ll deny being in the pictures that could hold a strong moment of love. So I will choose to accept my body, as it was when I was younger, as it is today, and as it will change as I get older.

Dear Body,

Thank you for bringing me on this journey of life. For growing with me, both to adulthood and into motherhood.

Thank you for growing my child, my most precious treasure. For allowing me the privilege of bringing her into this world.

Thank you for adapting, for being ever changing. For allowing me to see, to think, to feel.

Even though our journey together hasn’t been the easiest, I thank you for toughing it out with me.

Thank you for weathering the hardest days, the heart break, and the breakdowns.

Thank you for holding me steady through growing, both physically and mentally.

Thank you for guiding me through this life, for fighting through health conditions and illness, in order for me to become who I am today, and for who I’ll be tomorrow.

I promise to honor you and appreciate you as we age. I will keep you healthy, (within my control) and do my best to take care of you through the rest of this life. I promise you accept you as you are now, and as we will be tomorrow. In time, I may want to change some things, but only to the betterment of both of us.

Love,

Casie

I hope that this speaks to you.

And that if you’re still struggling with your body, I hope you can take something from this and be a little kinder to yourself.

You deserve self love.

You deserve peace.

You deserve to be remembered in every way possible.

I promise you are worthy, no matter the season your body is in.

Things I cant live without

by CasieBlog, Mom ApprovedPosted on No Comments
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

My Stanley Quencher 😍 My biggest craving during pregnancy was things being ICE cold.

PINK cotton tshirts. I’m pretty sure I have them in every design. They’re soft and a little “oversized”, so they are super comfortable chasing baby or running errands!

Birkenstock’s. Look, I know they’re expensive. But I promise they’re worth it. I wear mine year round….yeah even if it’s snowing. (I’m a little crazy it’s FINE) But the comfort is unmatched and they last for basically forever. If you want Birkenstock’s but for a lower price, the EVA sandals are also amazing. (And Trendy ..I think…idk ask a Gen Z).

Caffeine. Any and all of it. From Red Bulls, to Monster to ice coffee. (I ONLY drink cold beverages!) I even buy drink packets to make my own energy drinks at home to save some money!

https://benable.com/Motherhood_Overloaded/things-i-can-t-live-without

Honey Garlic Chicken and Rice

by CasieBlogPosted on No Comments

Ok, I already know, everyone is going to judge me for using Boil in Bag Rice. Get your laughter out now. Get the criticism and judgement out now. I’ll wait.

Cool, got it out? Ok good! Lets be real, someday’s we just need a good set it and forget it so I can walk away and do other things and not think about part of dinner cooking. I also do NOT have the space for a rice cooker.

You know when you’ve had chicken too many times in one week and you’re just, OVER it. This recipe is perfect for those times. Its flavorful, filling, and just some thing a little different.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 bags Boil in Bag Rice
  • 1 Chicken Breast(per 2 people), butterflied and cut into bite sized pieces
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1/4 Tbsp Onion Powder
  • 1/4 Tbsp Ginger
  • 2 Tbsp Flour
  • 2 Tbsp Corn Starch
  • 3Tbsp Butter
  • 2 Tbsp Veg Oil

Sauce

  • 1/3 Cup Honey
  • 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vin
  • 6 Shakes Fish Sauce
  • 1-2 Tbsp Minced Garlic(Measure with your soul)
  • Shake of Red Pepper Flake
  • (My daughter added oregano lol)

Instructions

  1. Make your rice (Boil in bag, or rice cooker or however you choose!)
  2. Butterfly Chicken and Cut into Bite size Pieces
  3. Put Cornstarch and Flour on a deep plate or in a bowl and add in Spices; mix it all up
  4. Coat chicken pieces in the flour/cornstarch/spices mixture
  5. Melt Butter and Oil over Medium
  6. Add your chicken and cook until golden brown, you’ll need to flip halfway through
  7. While the Chicken cooks, make your sauce
  8. Add all sauce ingredients together, I did this in a 2cup measuring cup and mixed it with a small whisk (a fork would work)
  9. Once the Chicken is cooked, move it to the edges of the pan so the middle of the pan is clear and turn the temp down to medium low
  10. Pour your sauce into the middle of the pan and let cook for a couple minutes, it should get fairly thick. If its too sweet for you, you can add half a cup of water.
  11. Mix your chicken into the sauce
  12. Servce over rice!

Thats it. Its honestly so simple, but so good! I like the fish sauce but you can leave it out!

Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese That Kids and Adults will Love

by CasieBlogPosted on No Comments

Who doesn’t love Mac & Cheese?
I mean, I guess people who don’t like cheese… but I try not to think about those kinds of people. (I’ve met a few) I feel like cheese can bring people together, especially in this out of control world we live in right now. I mean, my daughter practically lives off cheese sticks. Who doesn’t want something cheesy, melty, salty, and oh-so-gooey — especially when paired with noodles!

This recipe is perfect for busy nights when you need something comforting but easy, or when your dinner plans suddenly change — like mine did tonight. I was all set to make enchiladas with leftover rotisserie chicken… but when I went to grab it, it had mysteriously disappeared. (Thanks, husband!)
Luckily, I had just gotten my grocery order, and Mac & Cheese was the next best (and maybe even better) option.

I feel like everyone has their own way of making Mac & Cheese, and I’ve tried it all — different cheeses, different noodles, adding chicken, bacon, vegetables… you name it.
Tonight’s version turned out so good I had to share it. I started with an online recipe but ended up adjusting quite a bit. And honestly? It’s my favorite one yet.

Ingredients for Mac and Cheese

  • 1 box of pasta (elbows, shells, or whatever you love)
  • 1 stick of butter, divided in half
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 blocks of cheese, shredded.  (This time I used cheddar, and Gouda…. But use what you have or enjoy)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh grated of nutmeg (optional, but highly recommended)

Ingredients for Crumb Topping

  • 1 cup crushed crackers (like Ritz, I used one stay fresh pack)
  • 1½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1Tbsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2Tbsp Paprika
  • Remaining 1/2 stick of Butter

Instructions for Cheesy Goodness

(Side note: I always ask myself if I should label this “Instructions” or “Directions” — I guess either works, but “Directions” makes me think of driving somewhere and I promise you don’t need a GPS to find the ingredients you need for this.)

1. Boil the Pasta
Boil your noodles in salted water until al dente.
Remove from heat, strain, and set aside.

2. Make the Cheese Sauce
Melt half a stick of butter in a Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot.
Once melted, whisk in the flour.
Cook over medium-low heat for 4–7 minutes. (I like mine a little darker for a nuttier flavor.)



Lower the heat and let the béchamel cook while you grate your cheeses.

(Fun fact: A béchamel is one of the “Mother sauces” of the culinary world! — you’re basically a pro now!)

3. Add the Cheese
Bring the heat back up slightly (medium-low).
Add your shredded cheese a few handfuls at a time, stirring gently after each addition.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.
(If you have white pepper, now’s the perfect time to use it — no black specks!)

4. Secret Flavor Hack
Grate a little fresh nutmeg into the cheese sauce.
It adds a cozy little umph! (I learned this from Good Eats with Alton Brown — he even keeps nutmeg in his pocket!)

5. Assemble
Taste-test the cheese sauce — quality control, obviously!
Pour the sauce over your noodles in a baking dish, or stir the noodles directly into the Dutch oven if you’re using one.

6. Make the Crumb Topping
Melt the remaining half stick of butter in the microwave.
Crush your crackers (this is a super fun step for kids!).
Mix the crushed crackers and panko into the melted butter.
Add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning and paprika.
Stir to combine.

7. Bake
Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the top of the Mac & Cheese.
Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sides are bubbly.

Final Thoughts on this Mac

And there you have it — cheesy, cozy perfection.
Honestly, this might be my favorite way to make Mac & Cheese yet. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, a cozy Sunday meal, or anytime you just need a little cheesy happiness.

If you try it, let me know how it turns out! (Bonus points if you add bacon… just saying.)

The Guilt of Wanting a Break from Motherhood

by CasieBlog, Mom Things, Prompts and MusingsPosted on No Comments

Is Break even the Right Word?

Because as soon as I say break, I feel the guilt rise, my heart drop, and a twinge of sadness creep in—for even wanting to be away from my baby. How could I possibly want time apart from the person I created? The one I longed for, dreamed of, and, at times, suffered to bring into this world.
How can I want to step away when she looks at me and smiles, or laughs, or yells out Mama?

I find myself feeling jealous of my husband.
He gets to wake up and shower—alone.
Get ready for work—alone.
Make breakfast—alone—without a toddler pulling at his pant leg or needing to balance a baby on his hip to stir eggs with one hand.
He drives an hour to work and an hour back—alone.

I remember those days—headed into the city, music on, or maybe a true crime podcast in the background. Alone in the car. Some days I hated the commute. But most days? I appreciated it. It was time to decompress—especially on the way home. I could get out my daily frustrations with music blasting or by diving into the twisted world of Ted Bundy.

These days, my commute is from my daughter’s room to the living room and kitchen.

It’s listening to Wheels on the Bus 1,000 times (in a row), while she asks me to switch to a different version 15 seconds in. It’s teaching her that crayons are for coloring books—not the floor.
It’s eating the rest of the mac & cheese she didn’t finish (or gave to the dogs). I still get some of my music, but only if her mood allows it. Will she want Post Malone today? (Honestly, most likely—she’s loved him since she was tiny.) Or will it be Bounce Patrol singing about the alphabet and animals? No true crime podcasts or TV unless it’s during nap time—and we’re down to one nap a day.

After the third or fourth meltdown—over something small, like not opening a cheese stick fast enough, or because I had the audacity to sit on the toilet without her in my lap—I feel myself needing a moment to myself. But those moments are rare. Even showers aren’t guaranteed “me” time. We don’t have a tub, so most nights I end up showering with her. Sink tubbie time? Exhausting. (She’d stay in there for hours if I let her.)

Lately, my husband has had to travel for work. I’m happy for him—these are great opportunities.
But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t daydream about being the one to go. A solo trip, even for a day. A hotel room. Takeout. Trashy TV. Maybe a sleeping pill and eight uninterrupted hours of sleep—something I haven’t had since pregnancy. (At no fault to my husband). But then comes the guilt.

How could I spend 24 hours away from my entire world? I’ve never even spent a night without her—not since the day she was born. But still…I need a break. Or… do I?
Is break even the right word?

Some space? Yes.
To not be needed for a little while? Absolutely.
To not have to think? Even better.

But Break feels harsh.

Merriam-Webster says a break is “to separate into parts with suddenness or violence.”
Yikes. Not exactly what I meant.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break

I haven’t touched a thesaurus in years, but I looked. I found “pause,” which already feels better.
Even “hesitate” pops up—and funny enough, that word fits too. Because every time I think about taking a break… I hesitate.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break#thesaurus-entry-1-5

I probably haven’t looked at a Thesaurus in years. Can you think of the last time you did? I appreciate how it gives a list of the ways you may use the word break. I felt like a pause, was already a better word than break. I also find it funny that the word hesitate comes up. Because every time I think about a “break”, I also find myself hesitating.

Still, none of the words seem to really fit.

Because let’s be real: as moms, we’re usually the default parent. We carry the mental load.
And if your household is anything like mine, sometimes the only “break” in your day is a solo shower—if you’re lucky. So when those rare, extended moments of silence come? They feel like a breath of fresh air. Maybe breath is the word I’m looking for.

Yesterday, I texted my husband and said that when he got home, I needed time alone.
I wasn’t in the right headspace—after a full week of solo parenting—to show up for him and our daughter. I told him I needed a little trip to the store. Alone.

He immediately responded: “When you get back, you can shower alone too.”

It wasn’t a spa day. It was still a chore. But just knowing I could wander the aisles aimlessly? That I wouldn’t have a toddler screaming from the cart or trying to bolt toward the bananas? That I could just exist, by myself, for a bit. That was everything.

What I really need is just a moment of peace. To clear out the clutter in my brain. To exist outside of motherhood, even if just for an hour or two. Because at the end of the day, I’m more than just a mom. I’m more than just a wife. We all are. We are our own, individual people. Maybe unwind is the right word. Or reset.

Break feels too negative. I don’t want to escape my family. I don’t want to be away from my daughter. Break just doesn’t fit the emotions I actually feel. I don’t want to escape my family. I don’t want to be away from my daughter.

I just need a rest.
A pause.
An exhale.

So I can ground myself—and come back better.
A better mom. A better wife. A better me.

We’re a One-Income Family—Here’s How We Make It Work (Barely)

by CasieBlog, Mom ThingsPosted on No Comments

When we decided I’d stay home with our daughter, we didn’t exactly have a financial roadmap, or any sort of plan to survive on one income. We just knew that daycare was too expensive, my job situation wasn’t working, and our daughter deserved the kind of care only we could give her. So we took the leap—and then we started figuring it out as we went. This post isn’t a guide or a “how-to” (because I’m not that mom), but it is a look at the real things we’ve done to make one income work in 2024-2025.

Let’s be real- it’s the question on everyone’s mind: In 2025, how is any family supposed to afford having one parent stay home and care for the kid(s)?

I’ll be honest—some weeks are just plain hard.

Technically, my husband’s a “white-collar” worker. He’s in Health and Safety at a milk company, (and working on getting an OSHA degree) while it’s a solid job, climbing the ladder takes time. Like any good elder millennial, we know it’s all about the long game—waiting for people to retire or move on so you can take the next step up. So in order to make life more comfortable, we have to bide our time until the next step becomes available.

Originally, the plan was for me to go back to work after six weeks of leave. But between the drama with my employer and the eye-watering cost of daycare, it didn’t make much sense. I’d basically be working just to cover childcare. So instead of handing most of my paycheck over to a daycare center, we decided I’d stay home and care for her myself. She’d get my full attention, and we’d raise her exactly how we wanted.

The first few months were rough—I won’t sugarcoat it. At one point, I was so deep in job boards and cover letters that I ended up rewriting my husband’s resume and applying to jobs for him. That’s actually how he landed the role he’s in now. Total win-win: better pay, and a company that values what he brings to the table and actually supports his passion for the work. A place with an actual future, and it allowed me to stop looking for a part time job, or one of those ever elusive “work from home” jobs that I’m convinced don’t actually exist.

After a while, I started looking at our subscriptions and non-essential bills. Did we really need Netflix, Peacock, and Crunchyroll? Were we even using half of what we were paying for? I asked myself: could I swap name-brand foods for cheaper versions, or just make them from scratch instead of buying them pre-made? Could we save money by switching our car or homeowners insurance to a different company? These were all things I looked at—and yeah, I made some cuts and tweaks where I could.

Next big thing? Meal planning. And I’ll be honest—meal planning isn’t always easy, especially when you’re not someone who can eat the same thing every day. (That’s me.) I try to keep a good rotation going. Meanwhile, my husband could happily eat the same five meals forever and not complain once. (Idk man, he’s weird.)

I usually shop at Walmart and Hannaford (yeah, Food Lion for some of you). I find produce and meats are often cheaper at Hannaford (and the quality seems to be higher), while Walmart wins when it comes to “center store” stuff—aka the pre-packaged and non-perishables. (Sorry, I used to work in a grocery store’s corporate office, old habits die hard.)

Each week I check the Hannaford flyer—Walmart doesn’t do flyers—and see what’s on sale in terms of meat, fruits, and veggies. From there, I either pull from my own recipe stash or do a quick Google search for something that’s easy and budget-friendly. Then I build my carts online—usually on my laptop, not the app—and either schedule a grocery pickup or use my cart as a digital shopping list and head to the store. Sometimes it’s nice to get the baby out of the house, but let’s be real… when I go in person, I tend to spend more. I see a snack I like or something I could maybe make, and into the cart it goes.

Could I be saving even more? Probably. And yeah, I’d love to monetize this blog someday. But I’m not here to sell you anything. I don’t want to be one of those moms pushing a “passive income course” or charging you for tips on how to “keep your toddler calm.” That’s not me.

I want to build a community of moms who get it—who are in the thick of it, like me. I’d never want to take someone’s hard-earned money, especially if there’s something I can teach or share for free that might make your day even a little bit easier.

This blog is still new and finding its rhythm. But my hope is that, over time, it can be a space that inspires you in your own journey through motherhood. I won’t be your typical influencer mom—but I will be honest, real, and a little silly along the way.