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My Open Letter to the Daughter I Gave Away

May 20, 2018 by Kathryn 9 Comments

Darling Daughter,

It’s hard for me to believe that you turned eighteen just a few months ago. It seems like just yesterday that I was eighteen myself, and navigating the difficult journey that took me from child to adult. I remember how confusing the teenage years can be. How they can make you question yourself, wonder what your future holds, dwell on every little misstep you take.

I know that you’ve had a childhood filled with joy and security, but I worry that you might also be feeling a little more lost than other teenagers right now, and possibly wondering how you came to have the parents and the life that you do.

newborn-baby-girl

I know your parents explained to you that you were adopted as soon as you were old enough to understand what that meant. I’m sure they also told you that they love you fully and completely and every bit as much as any parents love their child. I hope you were able to understand how true their words were, and how much of a blessing you were to their lives.

But I know that there’s one question you’ll probably ask eventually, if you haven’t already, and it’s one that your parents can’t answer. The question is, “why?” Why did your “real” mother, the woman that gave birth to you, give you away to somebody else? I don’t know if you’ve ever voiced that question, but I’m sure it’s haunted your thoughts at times.

mom-and-baby

Since the day I gave birth to you, I couldn’t help but notice how many television shows and movies showcased emotional, touching renditions of an adopted child meeting her birth mother for the first time. That question, the why, was always the first one asked. And the answers, always the same, had me scoffing in disgust every time.

“I was young. I didn’t know how to take care of a baby. I didn’t have anyone to help me. I was all alone.” These are true statements for many women that make the choice I made, and a lot of them were true for me, but I can assure you that none are the reason a mother gives her baby away.

baby

The answer to that “why,” the answer I believe is almost every birth mother’s answer to the question, is this: I cared more about what was best for you than I did about what was best for me. I had to decide between giving you the most promising life and future I possibly could…or keeping you with me. And I loved you so much that I was willing to lose a piece of my heart for a lifetime, if it meant that you would have a life of happiness and prosperity and opportunity.

In this age of social media, I’ve been able to learn a bit more about you than you might know. I’ve seen ample proof over the years that the decision I made was the right one. I knew it when your parents sent me some of their favourite photos from your first few years of life, and I know it now, having seen you as a smiling and confident teenager. I’m sure your life will continue to be full of opportunity and I’m sure that you’ll accomplish anything you set your mind to.

baby-sleeping

But through it all, if you ever start to wonder, if you ever start to worry, if you ever start to feel like you aren’t good enough…remember this. Every single day since you were born, I have loved you. And for every single day to come in the future, I will keep loving you.

Letting somebody else take you out of my arms was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I would do it again a thousand times to ensure your happiness. And you will always have the piece of my heart that I gave you the day you were born. From the beginning, and for always, I would do anything for you.

Love Always,

Your Mother

Filed Under: Articles, Family Tagged With: adopt, adopted, adoption, babies, baby, birth mother, birth parents, love letter, mother, mother's day, newborn, to my newborn

Tips and Items to Help Baby Explore the House Safely

May 10, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Media Brand Ambassador Program with Philips Avent and I received Compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

It’s hard for me to believe that almost a year has gone by since I first held my brand new baby boy in my arms. Cormac is now nine months old and as he approaches his first birthday, he’s becoming more and more of a handful!

cormac-gas-station-outfit

I don’t want to stop my baby from exploring the world around him, but I do want to make sure he’s safe as he explores. So, over the last few weeks, I’ve been making some changes so that Cormac’s home is a place that helps him learn without putting him in danger. These are a few of the items and techniques I’ve put on my baby proofing checklist so far. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Articles, Parenting Tagged With: avent moms, aventmoms, baby, baby monitor, baby proofing, baby proofing checklist, baby proofing tips, baby tips, babyproofing, crawling, first1000days, infant, keep baby safe, philips avent, philips avent baby monitor, ptpa, video baby monitor

Four Ways to Reduce Baby’s Colic Symptoms-Giveaway

April 11, 2018 by Kathryn 14 Comments

Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Media Brand Ambassador Program with Philips Avent and I received Compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Through raising and breastfeeding three babies, I’ve been lucky that none of my boys have suffered too much from colic. Aside from some slight fussiness, they were all good-natured and healthy babies.

But of the three of them, Cormac has definitely been the one with the most digestive issues. From constant hiccups to spitting up unusually large volumes of milk, I’ve made more than one trip to the doctor about my unique youngest son!

baby-boy

That’s why I’ve incorporated some ways to help minimize any colic symptoms that might appear. If you want to help your little one feel better when his stomach is sore, these are the techniques that have been working for me: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Articles, Parenting Tagged With: #aventmoms #first1000days, anti-colic, anti-colic bottle, avent, baby, bottles for colic, colic treatment, colic treatments, infant, philips, philips avent, prevent colic, ptpa, ptpa approved, ptpa seal of approval

Tips and Advice on Choosing the Best Baby Bottle for Your Little One

April 2, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Baby gear has come a long way over the years, and that’s especially true of baby bottles. The standard bottle has evolved from a clunky and somewhat dangerous glass bottle to a lightweight and shatterproof plastic design with an infinite number of specialty shapes, nipple designs and sizes.

While some women do manage to stick solely to breastfeeding a little one, the vast majority of parents will use baby bottles at some point…even if only when a baby is finally old enough for other beverages! So choosing a bottle that works well for you and for your baby is a must.

boy-bottlefeeding-baby

Why Use a Baby Bottle?

Ideally, babies should be exclusively breastfed for at least six months. But there are still occasions when mothers need to have a bottle handy, whether because mom is still working or just enjoying a night out. Thankfully, affordable and easy-to-use breast pumps mean that Baby can still get the breast milk he needs. Make sure to use a baby bottle that protects the breast milk quality! And when your little one is older, a baby bottle is handy for letting him drink water, milk or juice before he is able to use a cup.

What Kind of Bottle is Best

There is no shortage of choice when it comes to finding the best baby bottle. But no matter what brand you choose, a good baby bottle should have some features no matter what. It should be comfortable, and include an anti-mastitis breastfeeding latch. It should be made of high-quality, BPA-free material and be easy to use. And, perhaps most important, the perfect baby bottle should have multiple sizes and nipple designs to suit babies at different ages.

Tips for Bottle Feeding a Baby

While some babies may be happy to hold their own bottle as they eat, bottle feeding should still be a time to bond with Baby, so make sure to still play an active role! Keep a proper hold on the bottle to help minimize the air that is swallowed, especially if your baby suffers from colic. And make sure that bottles and nipples are properly sterilized for newborns!

Benefits of Baby Bottles

There are so many occasions when using a baby bottle makes life a little bit easier for a busy mom. But while baby bottles can also help feed Baby when Mom is away, they also give a dad and extended family members the chance to bond with baby a little bit more. While Mom takes a break, Dad gets the chance to interact with the baby in a very special way. If your little one uses a baby bottle, consider handing over one feeding a day to a family member.

baby-with-bottle

With so many different baby bottles to choose from, finding the best baby bottle for your little one can take some trial and error. If you also breastfeed, make sure the nipple flow on the bottle mimics the slower flow of breast milk. And if you’re planning on bottle feeding often, choosing a bottle with a design that’s comfortable to hold is a must. In the end, a bottle that you and your baby both enjoy is the most important consideration of all.

Filed Under: Articles, Parenting Tagged With: baby, baby bottle, baby bottles, baby gear, baby supplies, best baby bottle, bottle, bottles, infant, newborn

Why the Pello Floor Pillow is My New Must-Have for Babies-Giveaway

January 8, 2018 by Kathryn 157 Comments

When I have a baby in the house, I always seem to discover a few new products that become instant essentials for me. From the flushable diaper liners that make cloth diapering less of a chore to the adorable bandana bibs that help me deal with way too much drool, there are so many things that make caring for a baby a little bit easier.

And my new personal favourite is the Pello floor pillow! This unique circular pillow has quickly become my baby’s favourite spot to sit, play and even just relax, thanks to its doughnut-shaped design that helps keep Baby Cormac comfortable and secure.

baby-resting-in-pello

The Pello comes in an array of designer colours and fabrics, so I chose the blue-toned Nathan Floor Pillow to review. The reversible pillow has a comfortable blue minky fabric on one side and a smooth fabric featuring a trendy blue and white dot design on the other. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Reviews, Reviews and Giveaways Tagged With: baby, baby floor pillow, baby gifts, baby must-have, baby pillow, infant, infant must-have, must-have, must-have baby products, newborn, newborn must-have, pello, pello floor pillow, pello pillow, pillow

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