From Bump 2 Balance

Daycare Diaries: Empowering Working Moms on the Journey

Hey there, fabulous mamas! If you’re a working mom, the daycare decision can feel like a daunting hurdle. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed. When I was pregnant, my mom friends advised me to start touring daycares early and to get my name on waiting lists. Did I listen? Nope! Did I regret it? Absolutely—and yet, it all worked out in the end.

By the time my little Sadie was three months old, I nervously began scheduling tours of in-home daycares and professional facilities like KinderCare. Every call made my heart race, and I found myself in tears before I even hung up. By the time we started the tours, I was bawling—both during and after. Leaving my baby in daycare felt unimaginable, and I desperately wished for a miracle, like winning the lottery, so I could stay home with her. Guilt washed over me; was I being a good mother? How could I abandon my daughter to work?

After Sadie’s three-month check-up, I found myself tearfully asking our pediatrician, Dr. Sally, for recommendations and reassurance that daycare was a perfectly fine option for caring for Sadie. While she didn’t have any recommendations, she did say that daycare was going to be good for her development.

As we toured various daycare options, I learned to trust my motherly instincts. Not every place felt right; some in-home daycares gave me a bad vibe, and while I found one church daycare overly strict, another one had a waitlist for years. A corporate facility was a no-go since they didn’t even take babies outdoors. Most places had long waitlists, and you had to pay just to secure a spot.

Just when we thought we’d exhausted our options, we enrolled Sadie in the only daycare with an opening at the time we needed! Brandon toured it first, then we went together—and let me tell you, we are incredibly blessed to have landed at Ventura Children’s Learning Center. Here’s why it’s a gem:

Daily pictures of Sadie shared via an app, capturing priceless moments.
A partnership in care that makes you feel at ease.
A nurturing environment that supports learning and development across all stages—from non-mobile infants to pre-K.
Positive discipline parenting classes for us parents to learn and grow alongside our kids!
Truly caring staff who make it feel more than just a business.
Fun activities like music classes, arts and crafts, outdoor play (weather permitting!), storytime, and holiday celebrations—Santa and the East Bunny even visit!

How did we get so lucky? I still don’t know! Here’s my wisdom for you: Start looking for daycare while you’re pregnant. It’s hard on you emotionally during pregnancy, but it becomes even more challenging once your baby arrives. If you can, ask friends for recommendations. Unfortunately, we had just moved to Ventura and didn’t have that support.

When it’s time to tour daycare options, be sure to ask questions! Determine what’s essential for your family. For us, outdoor playtime and nurturing child development were top priorities. Your instincts will guide you.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: daycare costs. Brace yourself—we’ll be shelling out around $25,000 for the first year alone. It’s steep, but this cost will go down as she ages. And while we wished for something less expensive, we’ve found that all the benefits Sadie is receiving at Ventura Children’s Learning Center make it worth every penny.

I know that leaving your baby at a daycare is incredibly hard. For me, the first day Sadie started was also my first day back at work. I was in tears the night before, feeling like a failure as a mother. The guilt and shame that washed over me was unreal. Brandon took Sadie that day because I knew I couldn’t handle it emotionally. And remember this golden nugget from Dr. Sally: Babies are resilient! It’s often harder on us than it is for them.

Wishing you all the luck in the world as you search for the perfect place to care for your little nugget while you work. And don’t ever forget—you’re not a failure as a mother!

Lastly, fellow mamas, let’s come together as a community. Share your daycare experiences! What was the hardest part for you?

Bump Bliss: My Top Must-Haves for a Fabulous Pregnancy!

Hey there, fabulous mamas-to-be!

With a few of my girlfriends currently on this beautiful journey of pregnancy, I’ve found myself eager to share some of my favorite products and tips that made my own experience a little sweeter. So, let’s dive into the items that every glowing mama should consider!

When you’re pregnant, it’s easy to forget about your own needs while dreaming of the little miracle growing inside you. I remember when I was pregnant with Sadie, I spent countless moments envisioning her nursery and wondering what she would look like—would she have her daddy’s eyes and my hair? But amidst all the daydreaming, I made sure to prioritize self-care for both me and my bump. Here are the seven items I found to be absolute game-changers during my pregnancy!

Prenatal Vitamins: Your doctor may recommend a specific brand, but I found my holy grail in a Whole Earth & Sea Women’s Prenatal and Dr. Formulated Prenatal DHA. Yes, they’re both a bit on the larger side, but I didn’t experience nausea with them. Remember, your baby is a nutrient thief—your body even takes calcium from your bones to nourish them! So, keep yourself topped up!
Body Cream & Oil: I swear by my stretch mark cream, StretcHeal, paired with a body oil like Burt’s Bees or even coconut oil. Lathering up morning and night not only left my bump super soft but also turned into a beautiful bonding ritual. I’d talk to Sadie while I applied it, telling her how excited I was to meet her. Such a special moment!
Nipple Butter: Let’s be honest—your nipples will go through a lot during and after pregnancy! I loved using the Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter because it was neither smelly nor goopy. It was gentle for both me and Sadie during breastfeeding. Any nipple butter is definitely a must-have in those early months of breastfeeding!
Compression Socks: I started rocking compression socks early in my pregnancy, especially while working from home. They kept my legs feeling light and helped prevent swelling. Totally worth it!
Walking: Get moving, mama! Regular walks kept me feeling great. Early on, I enjoyed yoga, then when I could no longer do the poses I switched to aquatic aerobics. It was a blast, and I felt so much lighter (and less nauseated) in the water!
Hydration: Let’s not underestimate the power of H2O! I drank tons of water—seriously, it was my go-to drink! I’d occasionally sip agua frescas, but water was my hydration hero.
Nutrition: Your diet is crucial for your growing bump! By some miracle, I craved fresh foods—think salads, seafood, veggies. I couldn’t get enough of shrimp and yellowtail salad, grilled octopus, and an abundance of avocados and mangoes. Give in to your cravings, but try to balance it out with nutritious choices. Eating the rainbow is key!

While these may seem like basic items, they are important for both you and your baby! It’s worth mentioning that I found most of my items on Amazon and other retailers, proving that self-care doesn’t have to break the bank.

Honorable Mentions: Music, massages, and a pregnancy ball! I had a great time curating a playlist for Sadie, featuring everything from upbeat tunes to soothing sleep sounds. To this day, we kick off our mornings with energetic tracks and wind down at night with calming melodies. Toward the end of my pregnancy, I indulged in “prenatal massages,” which felt absolutely heavenly. Additionally, my trusty pregnancy ball became my best friend, helping me stretch and alleviate discomfort.

In the end, cherish this time nurturing your bump and creating a bond that only you and your little one will share. It’s an incredible journey, and I hope you savor every moment!

Does this list resonate with you? Let me know in the comments below!

From Fear to Joy: A Heartfelt Exploration of Pregnancy

Whether this is your first pregnancy or your second—or even your third—you’re likely to be swept up in a whirlwind of excitement and joy. Yet, alongside those blissful feelings, a wave of fear may wash over you. Fear of losing this precious joy, fear of inadvertently harming your baby, and fear of the unknown after your little one arrives.

As I embarked on my own journey into motherhood, I’ve learned that the initial fears accompanying pregnancy often linger, like a persistent little shadow. You acknowledge them, but they don’t just vanish.

The fears you experience during pregnancy are unlike any other you may face later in life. In those early months—particularly during the first trimester—you have little control over your baby’s development. Trust me, mama, I know how scary that can feel. The possibility of miscarriage looms large, and the sheer beauty and excitement of bringing life into the world can often feel overshadowed by anxiety.

During my first trimester, I focused intently on avoiding stress and worry during those crucial early weeks. Having experienced a miscarriage before, I was all too aware of the heartbreak that can accompany pregnancy. When I discovered I was pregnant again, the fear of losing that precious life was overwhelming. In those moments, I turned to prayer and sought reassurance for a healthy baby.

As I passed through the first trimester, a sense of relief washed over me, allowing my fears to gradually ease. I finally felt ready to embrace my pregnancy fully. I could relax and enjoy my growing bump, and that’s arguably the best advice I can share with expecting mothers, especially new mamas: Relax and savor every moment! Relish the first flutter of movement, the unmistakable kicks, the adorable hiccups, and everything else that comes along with this miraculous journey.

As you move beyond the bump stage, it’s perfectly normal to feel some level of fear as a mom—it’s simply part of the gig. Embrace these feelings and grant yourself grace. I’ve found it helpful to acknowledge my fears by saying, “Okay, fear, I hear you. I understand your concerns, and I appreciate your vigilance.” Recognizing these emotions allows you to navigate parenthood with a bit more ease.

I’m no therapist, but as a first-time mom, I’ve come to accept that I will stumble at times. I won’t be able to do it all; there will be times when I can’t spend as much time with my baby girl as I’d like, and I’ll inevitably make mistakes along the way. Managing your fears in parenting also means choosing your battles wisely. What truly matters to you as a parent? If you’re pregnant, is your focus on maintaining healthy habits? Once the baby arrives, will you prioritize a particular brand of diapers, co-sleeping despite your partner’s reservations, or limiting screen time until your child reaches a certain age? Whatever the case may be, concentrate on the battles that are genuinely worth the stress. After all, we cannot control every single aspect of motherhood—from conception through the endless journey that follows.

As parents, we must accept that perfection is an illusion and that stumbling is an inherent part of parenting. Yet, amidst the challenges, you will uncover immeasurable joy in caring for your precious little one—whether it’s the delightful coos of a newborn or the adorable antics of a toddler. Over time, you may find that the fears you held at the beginning gradually fade into the background. Remember, while those fears may never fully disappear, they will become just a small part of the unforgettable adventure that is motherhood.