Posts in Motherhood
A Mother's Promise
A Mother's Promise

I have spent many years thinking about the type of mother I want to be and when I became pregnant, I became more focused on what I would want to teach my child. Recently, I accepted a challenge to make a #MothersPromise to Winter. To collect the thoughts I have had throughout my time on this earth as a woman and now mother, I wrote the following letter in her baby book. I never want to lose sight of this promise I made to her, so I also printed it out and put a copy in the desk drawer at my work. I read it from time to time so that I won't lose focus of the steps outlined in the following letter to keep my promise.

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MotherhoodTerra LaRockbaby, pampers, motherhoodComment
Moonage Tempe

Around Christmas, when Winter was a mere six weeks old, we took a 20 hour road trip to Tucson, Arizona for my little sister's college graduation. I think back to that time with Winter and chuckle a little at my "very new mom" thoughts. This road trip was the first time that I pumped milk and fed Winter a bottle. I spent hours leading up to the trip playing out every possible scenario in my head. Where would I pump? What if she cried the whole time in the car? How in the world would I change her diaper at a gas station? These pondering thoughts became less of "what if" and quickly morphed into "well, we're doing it."

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Motherhood, Plants + AbodeTerra LaRockart, artisan goods, gallery, lifestyleComment
What's In My Diaper Bag

I’m trying to live a more purposeful, minimalistic lifestyle, but I have always been one to put sentimental value on materialistic things, collecting and archiving EVERYTHING. In some cases, I’m very grateful for this, saving memorabilia such as tickets to the first concert Perry and I went to together (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros), my Phoenix Suns basketball card signed by Dan Marley (who was also my first crush!) that I got when I was nine, and my childhood blanket.

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Motherhood, FashionTerra LaRockmotherhood, fashion, diaper bagComment
Maternity Pictures

At 32 weeks pregnant, our good friend Joni, Perry, our dog, Rio, and I set out to Evergreen, Colorado to document the belly bump. Our first stop was Evergreen Lake. When we arrived, there was the sweetest father/son duo fishing on this patch of rocks that Joni had scoped out earlier. She wanted to shoot there because it had great light. We mustered up the courage to kindly ask them to move down the lake a bit so we could get some shots.

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Motherhood, FashionTerra LaRockmotherhood, maternity, pregnacy Comment
Nap Time with Winter

Now that Winter is four-months-old, our routines are getting more defined and predictable. Winter has yet to consolidate her naps, so she’ll usually sleep for 20-45 minutes, play, eat and repeat within a three-hour time frame. I definitely do not get much done during her naps, not only because she doesn't sleep for very long, but also because I end up spending at least 15 minutes peaking through the crack of the door to look at her or take pictures.

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MotherhoodTerra LaRockbedtime, nursery, newbornComment
Winter's Arrival. A Birth Story.

Winter,

This is the story of how you came into the world. You may not understand all that I am going to explain to you but if and when you decide to have your own kids, I want you to know how you were born and I want you to understand that it will remain my favorite day in the world because it's the day that I finally met you, my sweet girl. We kept your gender a surprise. I wasn't too thrilled with this idea at first but your father explained how important it was that he too feel as connected to you as the immediate maternal bond is. He conveyed how romantic it would be if he could present you to me by saying, "Here is your son" or "Meet your daughter". Because I am such a hopeful romantic, I swooned at the thought of your father's introduction and agreed to wait to know who you were at birth.

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Motherhood, MarriageTerra LaRockbirth, motherhood, pregnancyComment
With Winter + Ergo Baby
With Winter + Ergo Baby

Winter and I start our mornings out nice and slowly. If we have somewhere to go that day, she’s usually the first one to get dressed. We co-slept up until Winter was two-months-old but now that she sleeps in her crib, I have to soak up the bedtime snuggles while she's awake. I will always treasure these quiet mornings we had together when I was on maternity leave.

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MotherhoodTerra LaRockmotherhood, baby wearingComment
A Working Mama

I started my maternity leave five days before my due date which was October 28th.  I had envisioned myself working two days past my due date because Halloween sounded like a good end-date but after a particularly challenging Friday, my husband took one look at me and said, "You're done. Let's get you nice and relaxed so you can have enough energy to have that baby". My employers agreed to the start date and my arduous wait for Winter's arrival began. She was nine days late and I needed to be induced (I'll share my birth story another time). I had only been with my employer for a year and half before taking maternity leave which meant I had accumulated a lousy two weeks of paid leave. I am so grateful that I have a career, yet I have to say that the USA maternity and paternity laws are lacking in so many ways. From the time Winter was born, I got exactly 88 days before going back to work (well, 89 if you count that the my first day back was a snow day and I did not have to work). That's 2,112 hours which looks like a big number yet feels like the fastest roller-coaster ride of my life.

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Motherhood, FashionTerra LaRockmotherhood, lifestyle, working mother Comment