4 months as Redd's mama

This was shared in one of my HELLP mama groups and it really touched me ☺️Being a mama can be a tough job---to all my mama friends I just want to remind you that you are amazing and the perfect mama for your babes!! 

Today Redd is 4 months old {actually yesterday I forgot to publish this draft #mommybrain ;) On each of his month "birthdays" I find myself snuggling him just a little tighter. Those first 46 hours of his life, when we were apart both fighting for our lives, were some of the hardest of my journey to motherhood and battle with HELLP Syndrome. 

My heart is so full for the other "angels" in our lives who lifted us up on this journey. Most specifically one nurse who swooped in with so much positivity and confidence as they were rushing me to the emergency c-section--she squeezed my hand and told me she was gonna be one of Redd's nurses. She briefly explained some of the possible complications but looked me in the eye and assured me that she would take care of my baby boy. 

I can't even explain how much love I have for this woman!! Unfortunately, Redd did stop breathing and had to be rushed from the operating room and resuscitated. Initially the respiratory therapist was struggling to get the c-pap to seal over Redd's mouth and nose so he was having a hard time stabilizing. Patrick says this nurse literally pushed the respiratory therapist out of the way and held that c-pap just perfectly--she continued to do that for over an hour until the Panda Team arrived and they could switch him to a different type of c-pap. Thank you sweet nurse for doing your job so that I get to do mine as Redd's mama everyday! <3 <3 <3

My 4 month old little buddy wearing a onesie his Auntie Ellen made him :)

My Reasons.....

Our little Redd is 3 months here and rocking his red cowboy boots from his Nana

These cuties are 2 of my biggest reasons to take care of myself. I want to be the happiest, healthiest and best wife and mama for them. Finished up my first round of the 21 Day Fix Extreme the day we took this pic--I had great results. I had stuck with the program 100%. I was so proud of the hard work I had put in over the last 3 weeks!! But you know what? When I first looked at this picture I saw my arm and thought "ah, it's still SO flabby"!! 

I quickly looked at that darling baby guy of mine and reminded myself that the changes my body experienced during and after pregnancy were tough but they brought me him and are SO worth it! I am a brave, strong mama---and so are you!! It is so easy to get down on ourselves and to pick apart all our flaws :( but it is SO not worth it! We need to be kind to ourselves, mamas!!

We are amazing! We are beautiful! We are talented! Let's all work to be less critical and more loving of ourselves! Okay!?

What or who are your reasons to lead a healthy lifestyle?!