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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / lifestyle / mamahood / Life with two children.

Life with two children.

January 6, 2015 · 11 Comments
Filed Under: mamahood, Maxwell, Natalie

natalie maggie whitley

What would life be like with two children?, I often wondered. The first six to eight weeks after Natalie was born were hard, for sure. They were hard for different reasons and on different days. Some days I felt very victorious during the morning hours, but like a complete failure in the afternoon. I’m going to shift all of those thoughts and say it was the flux in my hormones that caused it, because let’s face it: hormones are a beast ;)

maxwell maggie whitley

But now we’re at nine weeks old. Natalie has grown into her body a bit more and sleeps 6-7 hours/night before waking to nurse (yessssssss). Maxwell is communicating with us at crazy awesome levels and as the weeks pass his vocabulary grows. My mama instinct says these two things are HUGE in helping me feel like we’ve reached a sense of normalcy ’round here.

natalie maggie whitley

And it’s almost like that’s all that matters. When everyone gets the rest they need it’s easier to move through the day with a smile on our faces. Communication has always been a huge part of my life (y’all know I love to talk), and similarly when Zack and I are having a low-communication day, everything else feels “off”. So whenever Max struggles to communicate with me, of course life instantly feels 10x more difficult; talking something out is how I process life.

The way I feel today is vastly different from how I felt just a few weeks prior. I’ve taken the pressure off myself so I can “just be me” and it’s crazy how much that has helped. I’ve loosened my grip in certain areas and tightened up in others. This month, as part of my “one little thing”, I’m focusing on moving forward. That means I’m sharing how I feel more often, taking more photos, and letting the small creative moments actually happen throughout the day (when I have time to be creative)! I’m holding back less, and it feels so good.

maxwell maggie whitley

I’m excited for the months to come when I feel EVEN MORE awesome at being a mama of two. Natalie is growing each day and will soon interact with Max. And Max, my firstborn, is sharing with us what interests him, which is so exciting. Everyone is learning something each day and it’s my goal to recognize and celebrate just that.

I mentioned to Zack the other night that I wasn’t sure what my purpose was for life “right now”. There’s a lot going on right now and it’s not as clear as it used to be in years past. Come morning, however, I had such a different perspective on my purpose and refreshingly, a different outlook on the days to come.

natalie maggie whitley

Related: having two babies makes me feel like I’ve hit the jackpot of mamahood. I’m able to tap into the lessons I learned with Maxwell and apply them to taking care of Natalie. I know what to be concerned about and what to let go. I’m more confident and less afraid, but definitely more emotional. There’s so much good to being able to experience another healthy pregnancy, VBAC delivery, and post birth at home.

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11 Comments
Filed Under: mamahood, Maxwell, Natalie

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Comments

  1. Jessica says

    January 6, 2015 at 9:37 am

    *hugs* I can’t believe how much Natalie looks like Maxwell, just with dark hair. Well, I can considering she’s his sister, lol, but holy smokes! She is just adorble! I wouldn’t be surprised if people mistake them for twins when they’re older and the small age gap isn’t as obvious.

    Maggie, I just want to say that I love your outlook on life. So many challenges have come your way with Natalie entering your family and a whole new dynamic has taken over, but you present yourself with such poise and positivity that I simply love hearing from you, whether it be on FB, Instagram or your blog.

    Keep being inspirational! I need some of it :D

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 6, 2015 at 2:16 pm

      It’s one of best things to giggle about — how much these two kiddos look alike as infants. She even makes the same facial expressions he did, priceless!

      I so appreciate your positive comment, thank you! I don’t always have poise to begin with but I’d like to think once I process the situation I exhibit a bit at the end :)

      Reply
  2. Paige says

    January 6, 2015 at 9:42 am

    What a beautiful, heartfelt post. All the things you mentioned — those are your purpose in life right now. Sounds like you have had quite a journey and it seems to get better every day. Go girl!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 6, 2015 at 2:16 pm

      Yes — you’re totally right! ♥

      Reply
  3. KPS says

    January 6, 2015 at 11:19 am

    Any tips (either mentally/emotionally or physically) for a VBAC hopeful like myself? I’m 3.5 (the half is important!) weeks away from #2 and I’d love to have a VBAC

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 6, 2015 at 2:29 pm

      Does your medical practitioner know you are hoping to VBAC? Multiple times during the pregnancy I discussed with my OB how my body was progressing/adapting for a VBAC — it’s important your practitioner knows your delivery plans. I also reminded myself I may not have a VBAC, although it’s amazing to me what we can accomplish when we dig deep into our souls for energy/strength.

      Because Natalie came so fast (she was born less than two hours after we pulled into the ER entrance) my body didn’t have time to register an epidural, which means YES I felt all of the pain of labor & delivery. But what else that means is I could feel what I was doing during each push. I knew how to adjust myself to help her descend. With Natalie I pushed for less than 30 minutes.

      With Maxwell, I was in labor for over 30 hours with over 4 hours of active pushing. I had an epidural but couldn’t feel a thing I was doing, and he was finally born via c-section (for multiple reasons).

      I’d encourage you to not get an epidural. The pain of labor & delivery is intense, but it helped my body know what was going on safely and more quickly than my previous experience with an epidural. Whatever you decide, however your baby is born, I pray you a healthy and enjoyable experience :)

      Reply
  4. Ahsamon says

    January 6, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    You are truly inspiring, Maggie! I rarely comment but always read your posts. I love how honest and real you share your life. I appreciate your reminders of the beauty around us and your tips to recognize and experience it all (and your tips for dealing with the harder times). Please keep ’em coming. Thank you! :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 6, 2015 at 2:29 pm

      Thank you :)

      Reply
  5. Leslie Zimmerman says

    January 6, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    I love this post. One day, I hope I have another kid to apply the lessons I’ve learned with my first. One kid is fun, but two sounds so much better. And maybe three or four ;D

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 7, 2015 at 7:30 am

      That’s our hope, too :)

      Reply

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  1. BabyBjörn has polka dots! says:
    January 29, 2015 at 3:01 am

    […] next thing I know I’m laughing out loud with happiness. You guys, she makes the best faces (remember this one?). She and Max are both super expressive with their eyebrows and I love it a whole lot, especially […]

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

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It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
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Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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