When all your hard work finally pays off. 💅 Sorry, Brendan—she knows who does the real heavy lifting around here. 😂
Drop a 🙋🏻♀️ if your baby said ‘mama’ first!
He actually spends as much time as he can with Ava during the week, but he usually only gets about 30-40 minutes with her before bedtime. He also does the dishes every night and helps around the house (major points for that). But when I really want to get things done…it’s on the weekends when he’s home. He’s always thrilled 😂😂 It’s also when we get to have our family time, so usually when Ava’s napping I’ll put him to work. 😜
•
•
•
•
🙋🏻♀️ Hi, I’m Mary @bewellwithmary_ Pediatric nurse turned stay-at-home mom, passionate about holistic health & wellness. I’m here to keep it real with marriage and motherhood, sharing the humor, beauty, and messy moments along the way. 🤍
Follow along for more ➡️ @bewellwithmary_
My husband on his way to inform me that our daughter has a poopy diaper… since he changed the last one a week ago, it’s obviously my turn.
💩 Ever since she started solids, his smell threshold has hit an all-time low. 🤢😂
One thing I did not expect as a first-time mom? Just how much sleep deprivation would affect me—physically, mentally, emotionally. Ava didn’t start sleeping through the night until after Thanksgiving, and I didn’t realize how awful I felt until I finally started getting real rest again.
Since then, I’ve made it a priority to take care of myself so I can show up better for my family. Here’s what I’ve been doing:
✨ Getting up before Ava – Having quiet time in the morning helps me feel refreshed and ready for the day. The days I don’t? I feel it.
✨ Going to the gym 4-5 days a week + daily morning walks – Moving my body gives me energy and keeps me feeling strong. Plus, that morning light is so good for your health in so many ways:
☀️ Regulates your circadian rhythm for better sleep
☀️ Boosts mood & reduces stress by increasing serotonin
☀️ Supports hormone balance & immune function
☀️ Enhances energy levels naturally
✨ Going to bed earlier – Prioritizing rest makes everything in my life better.
When I wasn’t getting sleep, it was very hard to prioritize myself. I could not get up earlier, because I was already so exhausted and drained from lack of sleep. I wanted so badly to start waking up earlier and doing the things I used to in order to show up better.
If I had to go back to that, I would say prioritizing morning light and movement would have been my top priority and going to bed when Ava went down. Reminding myself that it is just a phase and it won’t last forever. Taking breaks and allowing Brendan to help so I could get out for a walk or something by myself every day. Allowing myself to just “be” and relax or rest when Ava napped. If you are in this phase, please please please, just remember to do little things for yourself that help you feel better. It is so important, and I didn’t do that enough and I feel like I missed out on truly cherishing certain moments, because I was so focused on just survivin
Motherhood is beautiful and so fulfilling, but let’s be real—it can also be overwhelming. These 3 simple habits have helped me feel less stressed and more in control of my days.✨
1️⃣ Go to sleep earlier & wake up before baby (even 20-30 min makes a huge difference!)
2️⃣ Get outside & move daily—especially in the morning for mood & energy
3️⃣ Clean the kitchen before bed—waking up to a mess = instant stress
Which one do you already do? Or what would you add? 👇🏼💬
Save this for later & share with a mom who needs it!
•
•
•
•
🙋🏻♀️ Hi, I’m Mary @bewellwithmary_ Pediatric nurse turned stay-at-home mom, passionate about holistic health & wellness. I’m here to keep it real with marriage and motherhood, sharing the humor, beauty, and messy moments along the way. 🤍
Follow along for more ➡️ @bewellwithmary_
These little moments are everything. Watching Brendan make Ava laugh like this fills my heart with more happiness than I could ever put into words. So grateful for this sweet season of life and the love and laughter that fills our home. She’s got him wrapped right around her little finger, and it’s the truly the sweetest thing to see. 🤍
•
•
•
•
🙋🏻♀️ Hi, I’m Mary @bewellwithmary_ Pediatric nurse turned stay-at-home mom, passionate about holistic health & wellness. I’m here to keep it real with marriage and motherhood, sharing the humor, beauty, and messy moments along the way. 🤍
Follow along for more ➡️ @bewellwithmary_
But did you die? 💁🏻♀️
For the record, I haven’t hit a single curb and bonus, I can get us there faster. 😂 He never lets me drive anyway and honestly, I’d much rather be the passenger princess 👸🏻 – less stress, more relaxing!
Who else terrifies their husband when they drive? 🙋🏻♀️
I still love him so much though. Memory of a goldfish, heart of gold. 🐠💛
•
•
•
•
🙋🏻♀️ Hi, I’m Mary @bewellwithmary_ Pediatric nurse turned stay-at-home mom, passionate about holistic health & wellness. I’m here to keep it real with marriage and motherhood, sharing the humor, beauty, and messy moments along the way. 🤍
Follow along for more ➡️ @bewellwithmary_
I tried warning you…I’m not wrong often…jkkkkk(sorta)😬🤣
Anyone else?
•
•
•
•
🙋🏻♀️ Hi, I’m Mary @bewellwithmary_ Pediatric nurse turned stay-at-home mom, passionate about holistic health & wellness. I’m here to keep it real with marriage and motherhood, sharing the humor, beauty, and messy moments along the way. 🤍
Follow along for more ➡️ @bewellwithmary_
It doesn’t happen often, but when it does this is how he reacts! 🤣 💪🍼
Does your husband have these ‘legendary’ dad skills?
Cold weather doesn’t mean we’re hibernating!
Getting outside for winter walks is so good for both baby and mama. Here’s why we’re all about bundling up and braving the chill.
❄️fresh cool air helps clear your baby’s airways and can even improve sleep quality later on.
❄️exposure to daylight boosts vitamin D and supports their natural sleep-wake cycle (and yours too!)
❄️it’s an immune boost! Bundling up and breathing crisp air strengthens resilience.
❄️for mamas, winter walks reduce stress, improve circulation, and give a much-needed mental reset.
Regular outdoor time, even in the cold, helps babies build their immune systems and stimulates their senses-new sights, sounds, and feelings of the world around them. Plus, it’s a little slice of peace for you. 🌬️
How do you keep up with outdoor time in the winter? I’m all for layering up and making it happen. Plus, Ava LOVES walking in the snow! She has her cozy little bunting bag and the plastic cover I use keeps the wind and snow out!
Drop a ❄️ if you’re in, or if you’d like the links for the bunting bag and plastic cover.
•
•
•
•
🙋🏻♀️ Hi, I’m Mary @bewellwithmary_ Pediatric nurse turned stay-at-home mom, passionate about holistic health & wellness. I’m here to keep it real with marriage and motherhood, sharing the humor, beauty, and messy moments along the way. 🤍
Follow along for more ➡️ @bewellwithmary_
Why is it that every time I talk about saving money, he suddenly ‘needs’ more ammo or finds another Carhartt jacket that’s ‘just perfect for the season’? Like, sir, your closet is basically a walking Bass Pro catalog at this point. 🤣
I’m over here trying to be financially responsible, and he’s out here living his best life with clay pigeons and ammo. Budget: 0, Husband: 1.
Ladies, do your husbands do this too, or is it just mine?
•
•
•
•
🙋🏻♀️ Hi, I’m Mary @bewellwithmary_ Pediatric nurse turned stay-at-home mom, passionate about holistic health & wellness. I’m here to keep it real with marriage and motherhood, sharing the humor, beauty, and messy moments along the way. 🤍
Follow along for more ➡️ @bewellwithmary_
Motherhood + Health & Wellness + Hydrogen Water Gal
