The Hendrick Family- Colorado Springs Family Photography

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Names?

Brandon, Megan and Natalie Hendrick

When was she born?

July 22, 2016

Where did Natalie get her name?

I had the name “Natalie Claire” picked out for a few years. I have always loved the name Natalie, and it doesn’t hurt that she has an amazing name sake in one of my former students. A young woman who beat the you-know-what out of ovarian cancer at an extremely young age (she had just started COLLEGE!). Claire is the main character from the Outlander series of books. I adore the books, and the more I read them, the more I knew I wanted to use that name. When we found out I was pregnant I asked Brandon what he thought of the name. He immediately fell in love. We were very relieved to find we were having a little girl, because we could not agree on a boy name to save our lives!

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How has life changed with a new baby?

This one is hard to answer; I hardly remember life before Natalie! We still do the same things, but they look a little different. Chores, errands, outings, hikes, ect., are done with the baby being worn by one of us. My gym time is in the evening now, when Brandon is home to stay with the baby, instead of first thing in the morning. Life has a slower pace, but at the same time we do individual things more quickly (gotta get that laundry folded before the baby realizes she is not being entertained!). The thing that has changed the most is the “down time”… It only exists in brief amounts squeezed in between when Natalie goes to bed and when she wakes up for the first time. And it goes without saying that we get significantly less unbroken sleep. But also… life is so much more full and beautiful.

Best thing about being a mom?

The love. I had no idea this kind of love existed. It is beyond description.

Hardest thing about being a mom?

The best thing about being a mom is the hardest thing. The love. It is impossible to love someone this much without also being terrified. I want nothing more than to protect her from every single amount of suffering the world has to offer but I know I can’t do that forever. And I am absolutely gutted by the thought of her being in pain or losing her. There’s a quote that compares motherhood to allowing your heart to go walking around outside of your chest… and it’s so accurate!

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How long did you wait before having kids?

We had been together for seven years and married for three when we decided to start trying. Some medical issues prevented us from being successful for another year and a half, but we are thankful it wasn’t any longer than that. Natalie was born about a month after our five year wedding anniversary. We often talk about how crazy it is that getting pregnant at any other time would have meant a completely different child. We can’t imagine not having Natalie; the timing, in the end was perfect.

Any suggestions for new moms?

Let go of your expectations. Motherhood looks pretty different from how I pictured it, especially because Natalie is a very intense baby. But you can’t fight it. You have to be willing to let go of things outside of your control and just go with the baby’s flow. It took me a long time to figure that out, and life became so much easier and so beautiful once I did. And, most importantly, trust yourself. You know your baby better than anyone.

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Do you plan on having more kids?

Right now, I feel like Natalie would make a great only child and that I will make a great mother to just one child. But she’s still very very young, and Brandon wants a second kid…so get back to me in a couple of years 🙂 (I did tell him that he would have to bribe me with something REALLY good…)

How much sleep are you getting?

Not much! Natalie loves to sleep but is not an “easy” sleeper. She needs cuddles, she is restless, she nurses frequently. I’m not willing to do sleep training yet, so I’ve just had to get used to it. But things are at least better than they were at the very beginning. That newborn sleep deprivation is BRUTAL. And since she won’t nap during the day without me right there, I have a great excuse to drop everything and nap twice a day myself. No guilt.

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Any go to baby products?

A good wrap and/or carrier!!! I don’t know how I would survive without babywearing. Plus, baby head at a close enough level to kiss and smell constantly is a great mood booster…

Moments that have taken your breath away?

The moment she was born and placed on my chest. Every time she smiles at me. The way she and her daddy look at each other. And whenever I remember the dark times in my life when I thought she would never be a reality. She is so much more than I ever imagined.

Any other piece of advice?

Hire a doula for your birth. JUST DO IT. Go straight to a convertible car seat. Stay minimal when buying baby gear, especially until you know what your baby actually likes. Give baby led weaning a try; it’s a ton of fun. And remember that you will never ever ever regret holding your baby “too much.”

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