Awesome Birth Services
#401 - 14022 32nd Avenue V4P 2J2 Surrey, BC, Canada

These are real issues that many people experience. It’s massively important that we acknowledge them, talk about them, and let you know that you aren’t alone if you ARE experiencing some or all of them. Thanks @thebirthhive for a great post! *Repost from @thebirthhive ... NEW BLOG Not all surprises are GOOD surprises! We know to expect sleepless nights and a sudden onset of rock-hard boobs. But what about all those OTHER sneaky postpartum recovery surprises that we AREN'T expecting post-birth? Get the low-down, and be in the ‘know,’ by clicking on the link in my bio (@thebirthhive). Now dish: were you caught off guard by these, or any other, surprises post-birth?

I was inspired by @suz1634 today to go to London Drugs to purchase the stocking stuffer items on this card for for an elderly woman in need. We picked her card off of the tree where many others like it hung too. At our store they are supporting seniors from 4 local retirement homes this Christmas. I had no idea this was even a thing at London Drugs but I’m SO glad it is! I worked in 3 retirement homes when I was younger and I know just how lonely and isolating the Christmas... season can be for some folks, not to mention that their savings slowly dwindle away, and that it can get more difficult for them to physically get out and about to get what they NEED with each year that passes. Things like slippers, socks, deodorant and shampoo are all items I take for granted. I feel totally emotional that these were some of what was on the list for Miss Tammy today. Ethel, Otto and I spent 2 hrs picking the items on our card (that’s shopping with a toddler and a newborn for ya. HELLO ). I’m glad I can share with my kids just how important it is to share, love on, bless and be kind to one another. Having a generous heart is what matters. I share this all to hopefully encourage and inspire someone else to love, help and be generous to another in need. And Miss Tammy, if you see this, we LOVE YOU!

Over the past few days we have been giving you updates about what we’ve been up to lately in our personal lives. It’s a fun way to help you get to know us better. This is me, Sarah. I’m the 4th team member of ABS. My life has changed immensely in the last little bit. I’ve been adjusting to life with my new bub, Otto (who’s now 9 weeks old ). Ethel is a champion and has been LOVING being a big sis. It’s hilarious to see her have love attacks when she snuggles baby Otto... it’s like I’m looking at myself when it happens. Haaa. There’s no doubting where she gets her intense affection from.

Well HELLO REPOST from @breastfeeding.dietitian I had a whole other post planned today. But saw the post by @chrissyteigen and a fire was lit. This post by @thebalancedboob voices exactly what I was thinking. ... . . SUPPORT IS BEST. Not breast. Not fed. SUPPORT. . . Picking one or the other just pins us against one another, exactly how saying normalize formula pins moms against one another. . . #Repost I interrupt your regularly scheduled post to give you my take on this. If you are not aware the goddess herself Chrissy Teigen wrote a series of tweets asking for formula to be normalized. Well. I. have. some. thoughts. Formula feeding has been a cultural norm for a long time. Just ask your grandmother's they likely were not even given the option to breastfeed. My grandma was told "no Miss that is what we have cows for" Many mothers have never seen another woman breastfeed by the time they themselves try. Had you? Formula companies still have their product handed out to mothers at hospitals and doctors offices for free but there is not equal accessible breastfeeding support for all moms. BUT I think the intention behind what Chrissy said is we need to stop shaming moms for making choices that are different than ours by choice or necessity. Any lactation consultant who is worth anything knows formula is NOT the enemy. It can and should be used to support mothers and babies when needed. Moms there is so much pressure, so much guilt and so much shame. We need to let that sh** go and realize maybe its not that "thing" that needs to be normalized but the way we treat eachother!!!

Adoption changed our lives forever, in a moment, and in the very best way! We became a family! Our hearts exploded with love the second we met her! There was no doubting our love for this precious baby girl! Im grateful we were chosen to love her forever, AND that we can say we chose HER! I’m grateful for His perfect timing and the way our family was created. It was meant to be! Love you, my Ettie Betty girl. ... #worldadoptionday by @alyssakellertphoto

Well, here’s another post about what we’ve been up to lately. But this time it’s a super exciting UPDATE!!!!! Here’s what Karsen has to say: I've been spending the last few weeks having lots of grace with myself as I navigate my way through difficult morning sickness! When I feel up to it I've been enjoying walks with my son, and lots of cozy storytime!... HOORAY and congratulations to Karsen and her beautiful, growing fam. Her precious babe is due sometime in June.

What an important thing to remember. Thank you @heavyeyeshappyhearts for your post: Why do you think your baby isn't sleeping at night? Over the course of 6 years in sleep coaching I can tell you... I have heard pretty well every hypothesis in the book. Too hot, too cold, paci falling out, diaper is uncomfortable or full.. babe is suddenly starving, and/or they don't know how to get themselves back to sleep. I've quite literally heard it all, and yes.. definitely some of the...se can be factors to consider in why your baby is not sleeping. But another thing to consider is their real and genuine need to exist emotionally in your love in the middle of the night. Our children are not capable of self-regulation. For this reason, seeing a parent in the middle of the night can be an absolute necessity. Self-regulation is developed through years of attuned care on behalf of the adult caregiver. And guess what?! Some of this attunement happens in the middle of the night. - @heavyeyeshappyhearts There’s no ONE way to do things, and remember that you don’t have to parent the same way as your friend/family/neighbour. It’s normal if your baby needs you. It does not mean you’re doing something wrong, or that something is wrong with them. There’s so much focus and pressure on your baby sleeping through the night. If it works for you to give snuggles, don’t doubt yourself. Sleep isn’t the only ultimate goal when you have a baby (although that is a nice bonus too). I would like to also point out that the plan that you make for sleeping/feeding your baby has to work for YOU and your mental health too. In order for us to take care of our kids we have to take care of ourselves. Decide what works for you and your family, and embrace it.

My very own I DID IT! photos. For years I’ve marvelled over other photos like this where the Mama’s expression says I did it! My baby is here! It’s over! I’m proud of myself! Little did I know that one day I’d get a moment like this for myself. Part of my preparation for my birth was visualizing this very moment, over and over again. Looking at other beautiful pictures during my pregnancy that captured such moments (that priceless look on Mamas faces) gave me hope, in...spired me, filled me with determination, and allowed me to see/feel/dream what MY very moment would be like. These photos accurately portray the moment that Otto arrived earthside: Peace, quiet, intention, present, and deep gratitude. Exactly the way we’d hoped and worked so hard to achieve. Thank you to @semiahmoomidwives for holding the most sacred space for me as I birthed little Otto. You held onto my dreams with me and helped make them happen. You always made sure I felt in control and heard Thank you to my Doula, Karsen, for knowing exactly how to support me in alllll the ways without ever needing to ask me. You just knew. Your hand and your gentle voice was everything! AND thank you to my love, my first ginger, my darling hubby, for being my constant, my cheerleader, a believer and a dream holder. @robtbo I couldn’t have done this without you! I’m thankful this was OUR birth experience. by @alittlewilderphotography

Practicing what I preach Even though it’s grey & wet outside, we bundled up and took a slow walk on the property to get some fresh air and look at alllll the things. Ethel was fascinated with the brine unit as she watched the salt and water mix together. I share this with the prenatal classes I teach, and with all of our clients, so I know it’s good advice when I say 30 mins of fresh air a day can help with your overall wellbeing AND can help to decrease the chances of de...veloping postpartum depression. Being a Mum of two is keeping me BUSY, and that’s why I’m choosing to take extra care of myself physically and mentally. Sure sure, I may know most things when it comes to the 4th trimester & all things postpartum because of my professions, but that doesn’t mean they can’t ever apply to me too. From one learning Mama to another, you got this...you’re doing this...and you’re not alone!! Try and get some fresh air today when you can Comment below if getting outside and spending time in nature has made a difference for you too.

This is 34 Celebrated a day late with my little fam jam because I woke up yesterday with a severe case of mastitis. Ugh...happy birthday to me. Ha! But today I’m feeling much better and my hubs took us out for dinner at my fav local restaurant (thank you @robtbo )... Ethel was excited to be out for dinner again...it’s been waaaay too long. She even graced us and the entire restaurant with some sweet dance moves Ps- boys are not pictured here as Otto was sleeping and Rob was capturing these precious moments. Pps- first time out for a meal with BOTH kids and it was a WIN!!!