February 2025 + Maternity Leave Edition
I have no shame in being an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants girl. I can’t be the only one who immediately changes out of jeans and a bra upon the first few minutes of arriving home. I love being comfy and makeup free and am totally in line with the trendy Insta reel about men being married to two different women: there’s “at home Tessa” and there’s “outside the home Tessa.” Even though “at home Tessa” unashamedly sometimes finds her way to Kroger, maternity leave is THE BEST for comfy clothes, all day snuggles and no makeup days. This is my third winter maternity leave and I decided that my mental health recovery this time around also needed to include some wardrobe changes. Here are a few lounge sets I’ve been obsessed with.
Some things like schedules and sleep sacks I successfully reintroduce kid after kid. I’m not one to try too many trendy items, but this little light has been so helpful. It’s on the low light setting all night so that I can easily sneak a peek if Maisy is making a concerning sound. It’s also a helpful and not overbearing light to nurse on the side of the bed during those middle of the night feedings. I recommend to all new mamas!
While we’re on the topic of middle of the night, with my other two kids I had a pack and play beside the bed and constantly got up and put a pacifier back in or held a finger right underneath the nose to check if that little sweet pea was still breathing in that perfect looking sleep (if you know you know). With Maisy I wanted to switch things up and purchased a bassinet on FB marketplace for the side of the bed and boy do I wish I had done this with the other two too! It’s so great to slide right over to my bedside and can easily be moved around the house when needed.
One last tip for the new mamas… don’t fret about a freezer stash or increase milk supply during the first few months at home. With my first two I stressed about having enough milk ready to go whenever I went back to work. I consistently pumped after feedings to increase my milk supply which led to more time cleaning all the parts, dealing with milk bags and measurements and all the things. This time around, it may be the 3rd time mama in me, but I haven’t pumped at all and am not worried in the slightest about my milk supply when I return to work. I even bought a little formula just in case my breasts are empty, and Maisy needs a little fill up if I don’t think I’m getting her full enough for a good night sleep. All that can wait. Enjoy the baby now, enjoy the joy and miracle of breastfeeding and soak in all the snuggles.
One more month until I go back to work. It’s been busy, fun, exhausting and so so sweet. I’m blessed to be able to spend some time at home with my crew. See ya later… on my way to enjoy an infinite amount of snuggles and give a million kisses!
If you’d like to read about something specific related to the first year with baby, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, baby schedules or anything mama related please leave a comment. I love to talk about mama stuff and am happy to share my experiences 🙂
FYI – I’m not benefitting from the above links – just sharing some great finds!
Raising Youngins 
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