Mae's Nursery

I had so much fun designing a nursery for Mae, and I’m excited to share it with you! Soon after we found out we were having a girl, I started gathering nursery inspiration. This was a fun process, but with so many beautiful options, I had somewhat of a hard time narrowing it down. Knowing that I didn’t have the luxury of spending countless hours on nursery design (I was still working part-time and caring for my toddler!), I aimed at being decisive and going with my intuition.

This approach worked out well because if I could describe any room in my home as perfect, it would be Mae’s. I absolutely love how sweet and feminine it is. I know childhood Mattye would’ve loved this space, and my hope is that Mae will cherish it as she grows.

A design approach I took that I think made the end result so pleasing was picking the one thing I “couldn’t live without” and building the room around that. I knew I wanted to wallpaper one wall, but the wallpaper I initially loved did not work with the curtain fabric I loved. It was quite a dilemma! So, I simply asked myself what I felt like I couldn’t leave behind, and the curtains won. Seeing the finished room now, I am 100% positive that was the right decision!

I worked with a local boutique, Fireflies & Fairytales (located in The Swanky Stork), to use one of their fabrics to create custom curtains. Their team was a dream to work with. I’ve developed a sweet relationship with their store manager, Shannon, and the customer service from start to finish was personalized and made the process easy. Then, the curtains came in and they were stunning. From the blush buffalo check ruffle to the white blackout lining, every details was just lovely.

Custom is certainly the pricier way to do curtains, but I knew these would be a statement element in Mae’s room, and I could save elsewhere (like by repurposing Fox’s dresser/changing table and glider). I also love any chance I get to support a local business, and investing in this piece just felt good.

Aren’t these curtains what little girl dreams are made of? // Fireflies and Fairytales
Here is a close up of the fabric:

To me, the art of designing a room is having a clear picture of what you’re looking for and being creative with design solutions to achieve that look. As I pinned inspiration for Mae’s room, a vision for the space came to life. The curtain fabric I loved was right in line with this vision, and it directed much of my design. From there, I knew the elements I needed (a lamp, mirror, details, etc.) and I began shopping at stores and online to pull it all together. When designing a space, not everything has to be new or expensive, and I hope sharing how Mae’s room came together will help you see how you can create a space that you love by pulling from resources old and new and in different price ranges to make it shine.

This trio on the wall is made up of a mirror I bought at an antique shop but never found a place for, a painted flower tray my mother-in-law gave me for Mae’s room, and a boxwood wreath I found at a shop in Laurel, MS, on our Babymoon.

We did end up with a wallpapered wall like I originally wanted, and I adore what we chose. It’s a periwinkle blue plaid, and accents the curtains so nicely. My mom used periwinkle wallpaper in my nursery, which made this choice an extra special nod to that.

Y’all. These paintings—I’m obsessed! We love original art in our home and really hoped we could find some special pieces for Mae’s room. I am often drawn to paintings on canvas, but after seeing an Instagram post of a baby girl’s nursery with framed art, I couldn’t get it out of my head. We landed on these original watercolors by Simply Jessica Marie, and they are absolutely perfect for the space. Jessica was so kind and encouraging as we talked about the paintings and framing options. She not only made the process easy but also joyful as she shared in our excitement of expecting our baby girl. I still stare at the paintings in Mae’s room as if it’s the first time I’m seeing them, which is the sign to me that you’ve found a truly special piece of art.

Baby Mae in her room melts my Momma heart! // Photos by Mary Margaret Smith

I’m sentimental by nature, and I enjoy incorporating meaningful pieces into my home. On Mae’s shelves (repurposed from Fox’s nursery), I used flower marker art that I did as a little girl (see the top shelf by her crib), a framed baby shower invitation, my sterling silver baby cup (that I did not polish before these photos were taken! eek!), a photo from my maternity session, gifts from friends like her bear, personalized butterfly teether, and Sunshine book, and a faux magnolia flower I bought in Waco at Magnolia this summer while I was pregnant with Mae.

These sweet letter hooks are one of the first things I bought for her room. Her name is so beautiful and special to me, and since it’s three letters, it makes it easy to incorporate like this. I wasn’t sure what function they would serve when I first bought them, but they’re truly perfect for displaying her hairbows and it makes them super easy to access!

Speaking of sentimental, that pink piggy bank was a gift from Woody’s Mom, Mae and Fox’s “Nonna,” and it was hers as a little girl. She has given several heirlooms to Fox that belonged to Woody as a child, so it was so meaningful for Mae to get a piece from Nonna’s girlhood days.

Finally, probably the most special piece in her nursery is that envelope you see on her pin board. Back in 2014, I took calligraphy classes. I often practiced my calligraphy in different ways, and one day I “addressed” this envelope to “Mae Woodcock, 113 Future Lane, Cutie Pie, USA, 12345.” I wasn’t pregnant at that time, but Mae was the little girl we had talked about and dreamed about when we discussed the future and babies.

I love this piece so much because it reminds me of God’s goodness and His gifts to us. One of the verses that has meant a lot to me throughout pregnancy and life with her is Psalm 20:4 “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” I want Mae and Fox both to know that they were desires of my heart, and they are dreams fulfilled for me, and this piece is one very special reminder of that truth.

I hope you enjoyed Mae’s nursery tour! Let me know if there is anything I can further explain or questions I can answer.

Sources

Crib: Million Dollar Baby | Curtains: Fireflies and Fairytales | Wallpaper: Caitlin Wilson | Glider (from Fox’s nursery): Barnett Furniture | Wall Color: Sherwin Williams Alabaster | Artwork: Simply Jessica Marie | Dresser (from Fox’s nursery): Ikea | Dresser hardware: Anthropologie | Mirror, lamp, hamper, and side table: Home Goods | Crib skirt and sheets: Pottery Barn Kids | Accent pillows: Fireflies and Fairytales | Pin Board: Pottery Barn Kids | Changing pad: Keekaroo Peanut Changer | Rug: Pottery Barn Kids | Throw blanket: Caitlin Wilson | Pom Pom Basket: Lulu & Georgia | Hanging shelves: Target and Ikea | Letter Hooks: Anthropologie

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Newborn + Postpartum Faves

The birth of Mae began my second adventure into “newborn life,” and I’m learning so much. I knew it was true, but there is nothing like having two babies of your own to prove to you that every baby is different!

Mae is her own person, and being a little more relaxed this time around is allowing me to enjoy learning her and figuring out what she needs with more ease and confidence than I had as a brand new mom. Part of this process has included identifying some key items that have become “must-haves” for us, and when I find something I love, I gotta share it. There are SO many items out there for Moms and babies, and sometimes it’s helpful to have a friend help you wade through the masses to pick out a few treasures.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of ALL the things you need in newborn/postpartum life (although here’s a little tip—what you actually need is most likely less than what you think you need); I simply want to highlight the items that are either new favorites or have become trusty go-to’s with both babies for us. I’ll say it again, every baby is different, so you have to figure out what works for you, but my hope is that each Momma will be able to find at least one gem from this list!

newborn

Vava Nightlight

I think I will get this nightlight as a baby shower gift for people from now until forever. This thing is amazing! It’s chargeable (and the charge lasts for days/weeks depending how often you use it), portable, and touch-activated making it incredibly convenient. It has two different light temperatures and is dimmable, too. It’s wonderful for late-night feedings and diaper changes when you might not want to make a lot of noise or have a lot of light. It’s also great to travel with if you’re unsure what kind of lighting situation you’ll have.

baby lounger

We have loved the Boppy Newborn Lounger with both babies. It’s lightweight and has a handle so it’s easy to take from room to room or on a trip. It’s a cozy spot for baby with a slight incline so their head is lifted and they can see what’s going on around them. Mae sits in it happily while I’m getting ready, cooking, pumping, you name it! Because it’s so easy to put anywhere, it allows me to be close to her when I’m not able to hold her, and that’s something we both love. I really can’t imagine newborn life without it.

I also wanted to give an honorable mention to the Dock a Tot. We’ve used it with Mae, and so far it’s been great. It’s a pricier item, so we were thankful when a friend offered to loan us theirs. It’s lightweight and easy to transport just like the Boppy lounger, and it’s nice when you need a portable, convenient sleeping spot or to let the baby lay flat and kick around. I don’t think I would pay full price for one, but since we got to borrow this one, I am glad we have it.

covered goods four-in-one cover

This four-in-one cover is one of my favorite items. Both my babies were born in cold weather months, and this is wonderful to put over their car seat to protect them from the cold air and germs. I imagine I would use it in the summer too because it would block out light and any hands that want to reach in to touch baby. Also, it’s a lightweight nursing cover that I take everywhere. It took me a while to get used to using it with Fox, but with Mae it’s been so helpful. Someone actually referred to it as my “magic striped blanket” because every time I pull it out she gets calm (a.k.a. she gets to eat)!

burt’s bees burp cloths

These burp cloths are so soft and ideal in size. With Fox, I had all different kinds of burp cloths, and I ended up only wanting to use my favorites. This time, I have 12 of the Burt’s Bees and I never have to question if I’m getting a “good one” or not. It removes any decision making and keeps me well stocked with burp cloths (a MUST in those early months!).

my brest friend nursing pillow

As cheesy as the name may be, this has truly been a good friend for me with both my babies! I like this nursing pillow because the firmness of the pillow gives me and my baby quality support, the buckle helps it stay in place, and its soft. The pad around the back is so comfortable, and especially as my babies have gone from newborn to bigger babies, the My Brest Friend gives me much needed relief for my back, shoulders, and neck during nursing.

solly baby wrap

There are many baby wraps out there, and I’ve heard positive reviews of many of them, but the Solly Baby Wrap has been the winner in our home. I wasn’t very confident using it with Fox so I only used it a handful of times, but I’ve already used it dozens of times with Mae. It calms her down when she is fussy, and she takes a nap in it almost every day. It’s also really helpful as a mom of two because it gives me free hands to love on and care for my toddler while also keeping Mae content and getting little newborn snuggles. I love getting to be near my girl while having the option to have my hands free.

Sleepers with hand covers

Newborns tend to have fast-growing, sharp fingernails that are hard to cut, and these sleepers make protecting them and you so easy! I especially love using these at night when she might scratch her face the most, and they’re also nice when nursing so she doesn’t poke me with those sharp little nails.

zutano baby shoes

After two months of tiny little socks falling off Mae’s feet constantly, I finally bought these Zutano booties with an Amazon gift card we were given, and they’re fabulous! They stay on her feet so well and keep them warm. I got the fuzzy style for her first pair since it’s winter, and I plan to get the cotton ones for spring/summer.

Spectra Pump

A friend recommended this pump, and I was very intrigued because she said it helped her express more milk and was quieter than other pumps. I still had my pump from Fox, and figured if I wanted this new one, I’d have to buy it or receive it as a gift. Then, a friend who saw it on my baby registry told me she got the same one and it was covered by insurance. After looking into it, I was so delighted to see that my insurance covered it, too. With her recommendation, I ordered it through Aeroflow, and it was a pleasant, streamlined experience. I love this pump for many reasons: it has a massage mode and expression mode to help simulate how your baby eats, a handle for easy transport, a timer to see how long you’ve been pumping, a nightlight, and two options for adjusting the frequency and intensity with which it expresses the milk. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it comes in pretty colors.

postpartum

gilligan & o’malley nursing bras

In my second season of nursing, I have been much more savvy with my nursing bra situation. I have lightweight bras to wear at nighttime and more structured bras with better coverage for daytime. But, my favorite one by far is this one by Gilligan & O’Malley of Target. It is comfortable enough to sleep in, but also has enough coverage and structure to wear with clothes (and I think the color is pretty!). It appears they have limited quantities remaining, but I’d recommend this brand overall for comfort and price point.

Witch hazel

A friend and fellow Momma who happens to be a nurse gave this Witch Hazel to me at my baby shower for Fox, and it’s been a staple for me both pregnancies and postpartum. Its very helpful for postpartum healing (specifically for a vaginal birth), and it’s an overall great way to clean and soothe sensitive areas. I have used both the bottle and these pads (which are the same ones they gave me in the hospital).

rainbow light prenatal vitamins

These are an obvious item on a pregnant and postpartum woman’s list, but I just love this brand so much I wanted to share. I have used them in both my pregnancies and postpartum, and they’ve worked well for me.

no bake lactation bites

I think I ate my weight in these lactation bites after I had Fox, and I’ve loved them with Mae, too. They taste delicious, have ingredients to help with milk production, and are great snacks when you’re starving but don’t have time to eat much or its the middle of the night and you need something small and quick.

gap-fit maternity leggings

Postpartum clothing could be a post in and of itself, and honestly, its so subjective. It depends on how your body changes, if you go back to work or stay home, what climate you live in, what time of year your baby is born, and plenty of other factors! But for me after having Mae, these Gap leggings have been my uniform. I like them because the fabric is comfortable and breathable and nice enough to wear out and about. The maternity panel isn’t too big so it provides good coverage and support postpartum without falling down. I ended up getting two pair, and I’m so glad I did because I haven’t managed to get back in my regular laundry routine just yet. ;)

So, there’s my list! I imagine it will be ever evolving, but I hope it’s helpful. I’d also love to hear any favorites you have that I should try!

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Welcome Mae Elizabeth Woodcock

Three days past her due date, we were filled with joy and excitement to welcome our daughter, Mae Elizabeth Woodcock, on October 30.

Fox came early, so reaching and surpassing my due date and knowing the “baby could come any day” was new territory for me. Everyone kept asking if I was so ready for her to come, and honestly, I was patient. I was excited to meet her for sure and ready to have some of my pregnancy discomforts subside, but I knew she was coming soon, and I felt patient for the right timing. Honestly, I was mostly concerned about what her actual birth day would be. Expecting an October baby for months, I was hoping she would be born in October, but not on Halloween. I had a feeling she would be born in the 20’s (and actually had guessed the 26th), but she came just out of the 20’s and just before Halloween, with a perfectly round numbered 10/30 birth date. It was perfect.

With my Dad hanging with Fox, Woody and I went to what would be my final pre-baby appointment at 40 weeks, 2 days, on Monday, October 29. I was 3 cm dilated, and we made a plan for me to come in for a stress test November 1 if she hadn’t made her appearance yet. In addition to Halloween, I was also hoping she wouldn’t be born on our anniversary (November 3), but both were certainly possibilities at this point. I went to sleep that night and woke up at 3:55am, repositioned in bed, pulled my knees up to get cozy, and there came the gush. About three to four gushes to be exact. I turned on the light and sat up, went to the bathroom, and confirmed that my water had broken.

With the breaking of my water, my adrenaline quickly kicked into gear. I felt excited and energized that this moment we had waited for was here! I woke Woody up in the process, and after we talked about what was happening, he asked if he could go back to bed. Ha! I think he was remembering the lengthy labor process with Fox (about 30 hours total) so it was an understandable question. With Fox, we had both slept after my water partially broke in the middle of the night, but this time my body was moving along much faster. I could already tell a slow morning to labor at home was not in the cards, and going back to sleep certainly wasn’t for either of us.

Contractions picked up quickly, already averaging about five minutes apart by 4:30am. My excitement turned to focus as labor was intensifying and I was trying to breath through it. I told Woody to go ahead and call my Dad so he could be at the house with Fox. Then he called the doctor on call who told us to head to labor and delivery. My plan had been to labor at home as long as possible, but as my labor quickly progressed and I got more uncomfortable, I was ready to be settled wherever I was going to be to give birth to our girl.

It felt like it took forever to gather my few remaining hospital items between contractions. It was hard to focus on anything but labor, and I kept having to stop to breathe through a contraction. My Dad arrived at some point in this process, and at 6am, we left for the hospital.

My Dad wanted to take our photo as we left for the hospital because he knows me well and knew I’d want it later. I was smiling here, but I remember at the time this was the last thing I wanted to do! I was just focused on what was happening in my body.

Upon arrival, they sent me to the OB Emergency Department to examine me and confirm that I was in labor (a fact I very easily could’ve confirmed for them, but I know, I know, it’s part of the process). Once the doctor checked, it was confirmed that my water had definitely broken and I was 6 cm dilated. Yay! Finally my nurse, Amber, came to get me and take us to our room where I would labor and deliver sweet Mae.

As I had with Fox, my hope was to have a “natural birth” (no epidural) with Mae as long as my body and my baby would cooperate. Having done it before wasn’t as comforting as I thought it would be, and instead I felt intimidated and unsure. It was hard to focus on getting through the moment because I was thinking about what was to come and fear crept in. Also, with this labor moving more quickly, it got intense faster, which was a new experience. There were times I looked at Amber and Woody and said, “I can’t do this,” but they were so supportive and encouraging to help me push through.

I also took advantage of some medicine they offered to help dull some of the pain. I could still feel it all, but kind of like laughing gas at the dentist, it helped calm me and ease me through the contractions. It only lasts about an hour and half, but it provided some very welcome relief.

I’ve learned that when I am in labor, I do not like to move around. I like to get in one position and stay there. I was most comfortable with my legs stretched out and my back leaned against the elevated bed. There were times I tried to stand or walk, but that it made it more painful. I even labored on the heated toilet seat, but overall couldn’t stay there long. One time they rolled my bed over to the bathroom so I wouldn’t have to walk across the room, and that was wonderful.

The hospital had a doula on staff, and she came to help with my labor, too, and I was so grateful for her experience and guidance. She suggested different positions and breathing that I did my best to try, but I just wanted to sit in my same position. With the sitting position I preferred, she helped me tilt my hips to better open up the path for Mae to come, and I feel like it made a difference.

The contractions started to really be one on top of the other with little to no break in between. I can remember the nurses and doctor trying to ask me things or talk to me, but it was difficult to do anything but focus with eyes closed as I breathed through each wave, the intensity signaling that my baby was coming soon. I finally got enough of a break for my doctor to check my dilation, and she said “I can’t feel any cervix at all, she is fully at a 10.” I was glad, but the pushing was one of the hardest parts for me with Fox, so I knew there was still some work ahead of me to get baby girl here.

I did not want to deliver on my back if possible because that position was challenging for me when I delivered Fox. The process of turning from my back though was one of the hardest parts of labor. Being on my side was excruciating and I just kept crying “Help me” to everyone in the room. I could feel the pressure of her coming and it was the most desperate I felt throughout the entire process.

I finally gathered my strength and hoisted myself up on my knees, gripping the sides of the hospital bed. From here, I pushed as my team encouraged me. I remember thinking surely her head was almost out, but they said to keep going because they could see a little of her head. I think I audibly asked, “Just a little?!?”

At this point, I was very vocal as I used all my strength to push. They were having trouble getting the monitor to read her heartbeat because she was so low in the birth canal. At one point I knew it was getting serious and time sensitive when they put an oxygen mask on me and said that if she didn’t come soon, we were going to have to try another way because her heart rate was dropping (which was due to her umbilical chord being wrapped around her neck, which they saw once she arrived). My sweet doctor even asked if I could turn over and I remember emphatically saying, “NO!” (Those are the things that after the intensity of labor is over you think, “Oh my, did I really talk to my doctor like that?!”)

Knowing this was my final chance to get my little girl here without medical intervention, I dug as deep inside as I possibly could, mustered every bit of will and physical strength and pushed a few more times and delivered Mae. I so clearly remember the mix of pain and relief as I felt the smooth, but stretching sensation of her head coming out and then the wobbly feeling of her shoulders and body to follow. It was a miracle, and she and I had worked together to do this. She was here!

It was a delicate turn to get me from my knees to my back since the umbilical chord was still attached, but we did it, and within seconds, I laid my eyes on my daughter for the first time. The first thing I thought was, “you’re so beautiful!” She was feminine in her features and sounds, and meeting her is still one of the most awe-inspiring things I’ve ever experienced.

I feel like I want to give a speech like an award winner and thank all the people that helped me. But first, I want to honor and thank Woody. He was incredible throughout the entire labor and delivery. I know that what I did was hard, but I think his job is hard too. He stayed by my side, helped communicate on my behalf, and kindly coached me as I labored. He felt so close to me, and him by my side is one of my most vivid memories from that day.

I also am so grateful for my nurse, Amber, the doula, and my doctor as well. I know they experience babies being born all the time, but as a Momma, there is something about the people who help you bring your child into the world that makes them extra special people in your life and memory forever. From the beginning, it truly does take a village.

Brother and sister meet for the first time

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! And, if you’re an expecting mom, let me just encourage you—you can do it. Birthing a baby is both one of the hardest and most cherished things I’ve ever done and probably ever will do. There are so many ways to safely bring a baby into the world, and as you read other people’s stories, remember to make your choices based on what matters to you and what is best for your family. There is no prize for delivering a baby this way or that, and every story—every mom, every baby, every pregnancy, every birth—is unique. You can read more about how I made decisions for birth in this post, but most of all, do what is right for you and your baby. As always, I’m cheering you on!

Do you have a birth story you’ve shared somewhere? If so, I’d love to read it, so share in the comments!

Photos by Rachel Coffey

Why I chose a natural labor and delivery

When it comes up in conversation that I had an unmedicated birth with Fox, people usually respond in similar ways, "Wow, you're my hero. That's amazing." It's certainly a nice sentiment, but I usually respond with "That's very kind, but if there is one thing being pregnant and giving birth taught me, it's that there's no easy way to bring a baby into your family. Whether natural, epidural, c-section, or adoption, there are hard things about all of them."

Having a baby is a special and intimate experience, unique to each woman, child, and pregnancy, and while an unmedicated birth was a great path for our family, I don't consider "natural labor" to be the sainthood of childbirthing that its sometimes treated to be.

The truth is, while its valuable to be educated and have plans (or hopes) heading into giving birth, we simply cannot control it. I am so grateful that my body and my baby cooperated with a natural labor, but I know that's not always the case. 

It can be hard not to have hopes or expectations about how birth will go, but what I try to keep at the forefront of my mind is that I want a healthy mom and healthy baby most of all. Also, while there are some medical interventions that would not be my first choice, I'm so very glad I live in a time and place where those options are available and safe. 

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Before I continue, let me also say that nothing in this post is intended to offer medical advice. This is simply my thought process and my story. As always, you should definitely consult a medical professional for any of your birthing decisions. 

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My mom had both me and my sister without medication. When she had me, she said that the hospital wouldn't even give her the epidural until she was dilated 7.5 centimeters, and at that point she figured she might as well just go all the way. With my sister, she had a natural labor with a midwife and home birth. She says that if she had ever had another baby, she would've chosen a home birth again. My sister and I are 10 years apart, so I remember a lot about the beginning of her life, including my mom's birth plans.

Having always known my mom had natural labors, it was an option that stayed at the forefront of my mind. In the months and years leading up to getting pregnant, and certainly once I was pregnant, I really had to do some digging into my motivation for choosing a natural labor.

Was it to "fit into a club?" Reach a goal? Impress myself? Impress others? Do what I think was expected of me?

Deep down, I was scared that I couldn't do it, and that maybe I didn't want to. However, over time, and through research, I realized that a natural labor actually was the most appealing to me. If I could help it, I preferred not to undergo the surgery of a c-section, and the epidural didn't sound appealing to me either. I didn't like the idea of the needle in my back, not being able to feel what was happening, being numb after birth, or the possibility of it not taking at all or only partially working, all of which I only knew about from friend's experiences or what I learned in birthing class.  

Probably the thing that confirmed my decision the most was that I did not talk to a single person who'd had a natural birth who wouldn't choose to do it again. Having never given birth, I wasn't sure what to expect, but that caught my attention. On that note, I certainly had many friends sing the praises of the epidural so I wasn't completely closed off to that either (again, with no experience in giving birth, you can only think about it so much because you just don't know the full story!).

So, my plan going in was to go natural as long as I could, and if at any point I felt like we needed to get the epidural I could. Also, if I ended up needing Pitocin to help my labor progress, I was pretty certain I would elect to have the epidural because I've heard contractions on Pitocin are very intense with little break in between, adding another factor to going natural. And, with my main goal of healthy mom and healthy baby, I certainly would not deny a c-section if it were the best way to keep both me and my baby safe.

My labor was long, but healthy, and Fox never showed any signs of distress. Now that we know his personality (calm and content), that is not surprising at all. Unmedicated contractions and pushing were certainly intense, and I do remember asking Woody, "why did I say I didn't want the epidural?' and at one point telling my nurse that maybe I should just get it. Both of them, very in tune with my heart in the matter, were so supportive and encouraged me to keep going, and looking back, I'm glad I did. 

Fox had a healthy arrival, and once he was here, any pains or discomfort from my labor seemed to fade into the background. All of the sudden, what had felt so intense and all-consuming seemed like a small thing compared to the enormity of meeting our baby boy. 

As for our Baby Girl due this October, I'm hoping to have an unmedicated labor again. My heart is in the same place as before: healthy mom, healthy baby is top priority. I'll labor unmedicated as long as my body and baby cooperate, and from there, we will pray and make the decisions necessary to safely deliver our daughter into our arms.

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If you're pregnant reading this and considering your own birth options, I don't know that I feel qualified to offer advice, but I can share the things that help encourage and prepare me heading toward labor and delivery:

• Ask questions, gain knowledge: The more I know going into it, the more equipped I will be to ask the right questions and take the best steps for me and my baby.

• Don't compare myself to other women: My story is my story, and I know God has a plan for this baby and this birth. As much as I may be familiar with other people's stories, I don't know the whole picture, and making such important decisions out of comparison will not be helpful.

• Be empowered: I trust the doctors, and I also know that I am my best advocate. I don't have the knowledge or experience they do, but I can ask questions like "what would happen if we don't take that route?" or "can we wait to decide for 30 more minutes?" or "are there any other options that are safe to consider?"

• Be flexible: We just can't control all the aspects of childbirth. Being informed, empowered, and asking questions will help me, but at the end of the day, maintaining flexibility is so valuable in staying calm and focused on the priority of delivering my baby in a safe, healthy way for both of us.

I hope my story helps encourage you as you think through and prepare for labor and delivery. It truly is a beautiful thing and an amazing gift. God made our bodies to carry and deliver babies, and I believe there is nothing to be afraid of. As always, to the new mommas, longtime mommas, hopeful mommas, expectant mommas, and future mommas, I'm cheering you on!

All photos from the day Fox was born by Mary Margaret Smith

We're having a baby!

Children are a gift from the Lord -Psalm 127:3

We're so excited to be adding another little Woodcock to our crew this October! Some of my friends laugh that I was basically ready to have another baby the moment Fox came out of the womb. While I wasn't actually ready, the desire for another baby was already planted in my heart. And in his 16 months, there have been days I've looked at Fox and said aloud, "you make me want to have a million babies!"

I'm not one of those women who has felt her entire life that she was put on this earth solely to be a mother, yet I have always imagined and dreamed of children. Woody and I weren't in a rush to have babies when we got married. Although we were somewhat "older,", me in my late twenties and him in his early thirties, we figured the days of having kids super young had already passed so we might as well enjoy our first few years of marriage before adding little ones.

This ended up being a great path for us, and we're so thankful for the 4+ years we had growing just the two of us. And now that we're in baby mode, I have the attitude of embracing it fully and keeping those babies coming! 

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The Road to Baby Two

We talked regularly about taking steps toward Baby two once Fox turned one. Of course we would have to see how we felt once we reached that point, but that was where we both felt comfortable. 

His birthday is in February, but come November, I was starting to feel antsy to be pregnant again. I tried to be patient, feeling as though Fox's first birthday was really the right plan. I not only felt it was "our plan," but it's what I had a peace about from God up to that point as well. In a sense, I didn't feel fully "released" to take steps towards getting pregnant yet, I just wanted it. 

Then, in January something surprising happened. When my body let me know I was not pregnant that month, I felt disappointed. Knowing we hadn't really been "trying" I was surprised to feel this way. I prayed about it trying to be honest with God about my feelings. Even though I was disappointed, deep down, I didn't feel like the timing was right. And, there was a sense of knowing God had the right child at the right time for our family. God often speaks to me through giving me a peace in my spirit, and as I prayed, I felt in my heart Him give me a peace of "Fox's first birthday." This confirmed for me what I had been sensing all along, that we could pursue another baby when Fox turned one.

What is so beautiful about this story (and I'll share it without TMI--afterall, we all know how babies get here!), is that over the next several weeks I would not only learn that I was pregnant, but that our baby was likely conceived on Fox's first birthday. 

I know, that might've still been TMI, but it's an important part of the story!

When I realized this, I sat in awe. God had told me "Fox's first birthday," and in my human understanding, I took that as when we could start "trying," when in fact He was telling me when our baby would be conceived. This brought so much peace to my heart. After a very hard year in my faith walking through postpartum depression and anxiety, experiences like this with God mean even more to me than before. 

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Rarely does a day go by that I don't think about how precious the gift of life is. I love being pregnant because I feel so close to creation, and more importantly to the Creator. Pregnancy also keeps me very aware of how BIG God is, how beautiful His design for life is, and how little control I have.

There are so many different paths and stories of motherhood, and I often feel conflicted trying to make sense of it all as I pray for my own babies, believe with friends for babies, and mourn when things don't go the way we all wanted. This makes it hard for me to talk about pregnancy and babies without acknowledging that we all have our own stories, and that there is space here for every story.

 If it comes to your mind, we welcome your prayers for our baby girl to be healthy and strong. I pray often that she would be whole, complete, lacking nothing, and we welcome anyone to join us in that prayer. 

If you're pregnant or at any point in your journey of motherhood (a journey that begins long before having a child in your arms) I'd be happy to pray for you, too. Just leave a comment or send me a message. 

Thanks for sharing in this exciting announcement with us, friends.

All photos by Rachel Coffey (love her!)

Fox's Blueberry themed First Birthday party

I started thinking about Fox' first birthday months in advance. I love planning thoughtful celebrations, and I was extra excited to celebrate our little boy. 

Looking back, I think focusing on planning his first birthday also helped me process my baby turning one. It's a wonderful thing to see your baby grow, but I'm especially sentimental, and so having fun planning this event was a great way for me to slowly take in this milestone.

I have also loved arts and crafts since childhood, but I don't do it as much now, so the chance to get my hands into some creative projects was really fun.

Also, it's worth mentioning, I realize some might consider this "over-the-top" for a first birthday. Fox may not remember it, but I will. He'll also have the photos to enjoy. A first birthday is about the baby, but it's also about celebrating your family reaching one year of raising your child. That is a big deal to me, and I wanted to celebrate! A celebration should reflect what's important to you, and this party did just that for our family. 

I hope that you'll enjoy the details and find a couple ideas that make your next party even more fun and meaningful for you and your guests.

Theme & invitations

A theme is always the starting point for me, and I began dreaming of this long before Fox was near 12 months. Knowing he probably wouldn't have many specific interests at one, I felt free to select a theme that fit him and that I loved. Somehow, the idea of a blueberry themed party came to me. Next, I thought of the rhyme for the invitation and from there it was a done deal.

I LOVE paper invitations and working with my friend Kayla on this resulted in one of my favorite invitations ever! 

I used a local printer to create poster-sized version of the invitation as a focal point for the party! Then, I framed it in a frame I already had. I love how it turned out.

venue

Fox's birthday is in early February, and while I loved the idea of an outdoor party, I knew indoor was the best choice for the time of year. I chose our home because it cost nothing, and I could start decorating days in advance if I wanted. It was also really special and intimate to celebrate such a special occassion where we live. 

One of the ideas I was most proud of was how we made our home extra kid-friendly that day. We have built in bookshelves in our living room that are normally filled with beautiful and breakable items. For the party, I completely cleared out the bookshelves and loaded them with toys and books. I wanted the kids to come in and feel instantly at home, and from seeing how they all quickly gravitated toward the collection of toys, I think it worked well!

Fox and Ruth are buddies. Ruth's Mom, Rachel, is one of my dearest friends, and I prayed that we would be pregnant at the same time. Long story short, these two nuggets were born two weeks apart to the day. Seeing them grow together makes my heart so full.

Decor

This was the most fun! I quickly discovered that our blueberry theme was very versatile and easy to work with. I decided to use shades of blue with lots of navy and royal blue (with a few bright pops of color here and there) and incorporated gingham, stripes, and a beautiful vintage blueberry runner I found on Etsy (for under $20!). I also found some items that were fun and simple DIYs like party hats, hanging blueberries, and a photo mobile that thankfully turned out really cute! DIY was good for both our budget and my creative side.

I learned a new DIY party trick, too. I had never heard of a "Pom Pom Maker," but they are quite a handy tool. I picked one up at Michael's and used yarn to create pom poms that I turned into garland, party hat toppers, and toothpick toppers for an extra pop of blue on the food table.

I also added some color to the space with inexpensive, easy-to-make paper chains and crepe paper streamers. These make a big impact and are so easy to do! 

I personally think every party looks better with a little fresh greenery. I spent less than $25 on some flowers from the supermarket, clipped a few greens from my own yard, and made arrangements to add life to the decor.

The photo mobile was a DIY project almost gone wrong, but thankfully it came together! I bought three wooden embroidery hoops and some decorative trim and ribbon with hopes of a cute decor piece. After playing around with a few options, I used some Artifact Uprising prints I ordered and some paper blueberries I made to create a mobile for above the kids table. It turned out to be a cute way to share some of our favorite memories from Fox's first year.

I had so much fun making party hats! They were a little more time-consuming than I expected, but they turned out so cute, it was worth it. I looked for some solid color hats to start with, but I couldn't find any so I downloaded a template on Pinterest. I used an acrylic craft paint and pencil eraser to embellish them with dots and stripes. I added the pom poms to the top with hot glue and did elastic chin straps for the kids hats and yarn ties for the adults (to accommodate different sizes). Everyone looked so festive in them!

Food

This is not my specialty, but I really wanted the food to be delicious, kid and adult friendly, and to include some GF options because we had a few GF guests coming. The blueberry themed leant itself to a picnic style lunch, so I decided on a sandwich station for the main item. I got specialty bread at Whole Foods, fresh sliced deli meats and cheeses, and fresh toppings. I must say, it turned out to be so delicious! 

I also had some themed food like "blue potato chips," "blueberry and friends" mixed fruit, chocolate blueberry clusters, and blueberry muffins. I made some specialty items in advance and froze them until the day of the party like the "Fox is One" cookies. It was a good way for me to do something special and sweet that would take no effort on party day.

cake

I originally planned to make the cake and Fox's smash cake, but as the party got closer, I reasoned with myself. I enjoy a lot of party planning elements, but a cake makes me nervous! Outsourcing this was a GREAT decision. I worked with a local baker that specializes in small celebrations, and this cake was AMAZING. Everyone agreed, especially the birthday boy!

We went with a blueberry cake (think blueberry muffin with icing!). It was gorgeous and delicious and all the things. Also, one of my favorite aspects of working with local vendors is the special touch you get. Rebecca of Bec's Cakes had some leftover cake from leveling out the cake layers, and knowing our party theme, she turned them into the most adorable blueberry cake pops ever! Y'all, she did this for us as a gift. I was blown away. Also, everyone who ate them was obsessed with how delicious they were. She also told me that she prayed for our family as she baked for us, and well, that just had this Momma in a puddle. 

Party favors

I just love a good party favor. I had the idea to do some sort of oversized stuffed blueberry, and my talented friend Mary and her insane knitting skills quickly came to mind. She knit the most precious collection of blueberries for the kiddos to take home. I bought little berry baskets at Michaels and set up a station for the kids to "Go Berry Picking." It was simple and sweet and the kids really liked it!

sentimental details

One of the elements I knew I wanted to incorporate into Fox's first birthday celebration (probably since before he was born), was a photo garland of his monthly photos. I always enjoy seeing the progression of children growing, and these photos and the memory of taking them, are some of my most special treasures from his first year.

We were also gifted a Kid's Legacy Prayer Journal for Christmas, and I thought this was the perfect place for guests to write a note to Fox.

I've mentioned that I'm sentimental, and you're about to see what I mean. I had the idea to create an item for the party that could be a usable keepsake in our family. I went to our local pottery painting studio, and with the blueberry theme in mind, I decided to do a fruit bowl. We kept the design simple with blueberry clusters on the outside and a simple blue check pattern inside. And, the best part? The blueberries are made of Fox's thumbprints (insert cry face here). It's the sweetest thing, and it turned out better than I could've hoped. The employees at the shop were SO helpful in getting Fox to cooperate with the fingerprinting! It did take a couple trips, but it was totally worth it.

I also got the idea from my friend Emily to create a birthday tradition that returns year after year. I decided to make a special birthday plate at the pottery studio, too, that I imagine him eating pancakes or cake from every year. The polka dots inside the party hat are Fox's thumbprints, and they're just so cute. We also did his full handprint on the back of the plate and on the bottom of the bowl and wrote "Fox's first birthday February 2018."

When I first picked up the pottery, I was so pleased with it, and I still am! I kept looking at Fox saying, "look at the art you and Mommy made together!"

I mentioned earlier I love creating things, but if you're thinking, "I can't draw a thing," not to worry! The employees at DIY pottery studios can be very helpful in bringing your vision to life. At our local studio, they'll hand letter pieces for you with your kids handprints. It's a great option even if you don't feel artistic!

I also selected a "Happy Birthday Banner" made of a good quality felt as an item that can return for Fox's birthday every year. It may not always fit the party theme, but I love the idea of hanging it in our dining room on his birthday morning every year as we prepare to eat pancakes on his birthday plate!

photography

Excuse me while I step up on my soapbox for this one. 

I just can't say enough about the gift of photography. It's an extra investment, but it's so, so worth it to me. When I look back at the photos of Fox's first birthday party, I feel transported back to that day with all our special people. I even get to experience little moments of the party that I wasn't part of that day.

Our friend Mary Margaret took photos at the hospital the day Fox was born, did his newborn photos, his six month/family photos, and his first birthday photos. We love having her with us for these special moments, and she captures our family so perfectly. My mom has even joked at Christmas and other family gatherings, "When is Mary Margaret arriving?" It's an added luxury, I know, but in my opinion, photography is worth saving for, friends! 

This moment with these two is too precious for words.

The birthday boy eating a blueberry. I cannot handle the cuteness!

Thanks for sharing in our boy's first birthday fun! I hope you take away an idea or two that you can use at your next party. 

sources

Photography: Mary Margaret Smith Photography / Food: Whole Foods, Publix, Trader Joe's, and homemade / Cakes: Bec's Cakes / Invitations: illustrated by Kayla Nortune, printed by Printswell / Linens: blueberry runner on Etsy and striped tablecloth and runner handmade by Fox's Grand B / Happy Birthday banner: Amazon / Paper plates, napkins, cups, straws, and metallic "1" balloon: Gygi / Blueberry tissue balls: Amazon (green leaves added were DIY) / Pom Pom Garland: DIY / Party hats: DIY / Berry baskets: Michael's / Knitted blueberries: You Me Serendipity / Fox's overalls: Osh Kosh from Kohls (similar)

First Birthday Party Inspiration

It helped me to view other blogs as I was deciding what was most important for Fox's birthday, and I wanted to share them with you. You'll see from these that there are many different ways to plan a meaningful party, it's all up to what matters most to you and your family and what works for the season you're in.

Nancy Ray- Milly's first birthday
Rhiannon Bosse- Lachlan's first and second birthday
Emily Thomas- June's first birthday
Emily Ley- Brady's first birthday
Lisa Kirk- Charlie's first birthday