Pregnancy

Unexpected Motherhood | WIRL Project

My Most UNEXPECTED Reaction to Becoming a Mother

This is just a little story about me, it’s kind of personal and very honest. I hope that, maybe someone who is, or has felt the same is given some piece of mind knowing that there is someone else out there like them! So I’ll start off by saying something you probably aren’t used to hearing from a woman…I never dreamed of having children or being a wife. Shocking, right?!? M...

Read More »
Premature Baby Preeclampsia | WIRL Project

Leaving Your Baby at the Hospital – Two Weeks as a NICU Mom

15 Days. Fifteen days that felt like an eternity. Having a child in the NICU is a long, emotional roller coaster that nothing can prepare you for. Luckily, my story is a good one, and we now have a healthy 19 month old. However, I’ll never get back those minutes, those hours that I could not hold him, I could not kiss him. I wasn’t the first, second, or probably even the third person to hold my so...

Read More »
Twins | WIRL Project

Twin Life: What It’s Really Like

My toddler and I had a great thing going. We napped when we wanted (yes, we). We came and went as we pleased. I had a kid-friendly, work-from-anywhere business that I could do with him in tow. 18 plane rides by the time he was 2, and monthly 4ish hour car rides to see mom and family in DC – he was used to being on the go. We had fun. We loved the non-stop adventure. Thankfully, my husband was pret...

Read More »
Twins | WIRL Project

Being a Twin with Twins: What It’s Really Like

My name is Caitlin and I am a fraternal twin. This is my story. My sister’s name is Chalise. We grew up in a small town in northwest Pennsylvania. We had a pretty normal childhood with amazing parents and two older sisters, Alison and Amanda. Once we reached high school, we started having different friends and different interests. Chalise is very smart and very talented. She was always the star of...

Read More »
Preeclampsia | WIRL Project

Preeclampsia: What It’s Really Like

  Don’t you love when someone points out to a pregnant woman that she looks “terrible”? Who do they think they are telling you that you’re swollen, puffy, look tired, or even that you look “painful”. I think people who aren’t, especially those who have never been, pregnant say these things as if it’s somehow comforting for a second or third trimester pregnant lady to be reas...

Read More »
PPD Forces Changes

PPD Forces Changes

  My beautiful baby girl just turned one in March, and motherhood has forced it’s fair share of changes on me, the least of which being my pants size. The elephant in the room is Postpartum Depression. I was diagnosed with Postpartum Depression (PPD) four weeks after I had my bundle of joy. I wanted to be happy, but I couldn’t stop crying. The bottom line is that postpartum depres...

Read More »
Anonymous WIRL

Pregnancy and Anxiety

  I feel like these two things do not go well together. Anybody else? Having anxiety is one thing, and being pregnant is another. But having both…is a whole new ball game. I could go on and on, but someone who understands/has/deals with someone with anxiety knows how awful and traumatic and debilitating it can be. Now if you’ve ever been pregnant WITH anxiety you’ll understa...

Read More »
Sperm, Meet Egg!

Sperm, Meet Egg!

  It happens all the time and it pisses me off! People who don’t want to (or shouldn’t be allowed to) get pregnant, do, and those who want to get pregnant, can’t! Why! Why? WHY!? You see people who are unfit to be parents, juggling six kids they can’t afford, and it’s sickening. But yet an educated, mature, couple who are capable and ready to have a baby, can’t. Then there’s this scenario, th...

Read More »
Infertility – 1 Samuel 1:27

Infertility – 1 Samuel 1:27

A little over a year ago, my husband and I shared this video with our family and friends. For anyone struggling with infertility, please don’t give up. It’s worth it all. I’m hesitant to post this because I’ve been on the other side – constantly seeing success stories while I was still waiting for mine. But I want to encourage people to keep fighting the good fight. T...

Read More »

The Best and Worst of Three Prenatal Workouts

Pregnant, avoiding the gym at all costs, and trying to decide which at-home workouts will give you the most bang for your prenatal buck? Well, look no further: I’m sharing with you my three favorite at-home pregnancy workout videos – and I’m going to tell you the best and worst of them both. I’ll answer your burning questions, such as: Which instructor will make you want to punch her because of th...

Read More »