Jesse Coulter

I'm excited to finally share with you a fun project I worked on with The Container Store! After redecorating Walt & Whitney's nursery for the One Room Challenge, there was only one thing missing, an organized closet. Their closet was a complete mess! The Container store and their Elfa system to the rescue. You can see the full post here on The Container Store's blog.

Photos by Kayla Snell Photography

If you are on Instagram you likely follow some accounts with amazing photos. If you are a mom than you know of those accounts of moms who make life and their kids look AMAZING! Don't get me wrong, I definitely think it's OK to post positive and beautiful aspects of your life. I enjoy following those accounts, and I'm guilty of it as well. However, lately I've been sucked in to the thought of only posting pics of my kids that are "Instagram Worthy". You know what I mean...kids dressed in boutique baby moccasins and outfits that cost more than anything I would wear. 95% of my kid's outfits are generic clothes from Carter's that aren't special in any way. My advice to anyone struggling with this as well as myself, don't worry about keeping up with the Joneses. Be yourself on Instagram, and show the true side of your life whether that be ugly or pretty. My favorite IG accounts are those of people who share their REAL stories. I feel connected to them because I can relate.

I've enjoyed sharing my story and getting advice from other moms on Instagram. I've been desperate for any tips that can help with getting my babies to sleep, get through gas pains, colic and more! With my first child I would google my questions and these days I just ask the amazing women online. During the days and nights that I find myself at my wit's end, I find so much strength through women encouraging me even if I've never met them.


What are some of your favorite Instagram accounts? I love following these amazing moms Kelsey, Jen, Indiana, Lindsay, Alexis and many more!

After Walt and Whitney were born I immediately lost almost 30 pounds, and I felt great. Fast forward a month, and now I feel bigger than when I was 9 months pregnant...I know that sounds crazy. I had a huge belly, but my stomach was tight. It feels like someone let all the air out of me, and I'm a droopy balloon. With all that being said, my clothing options are limited. WARNING women who have just had a baby, DO NOT try on your pre-pregnancy jeans! I made that mistake, but have come to terms that it's going to likely take a year to get back to my normal shape. It took my body a year with Turner. However, I have a feeling it's going to be a bit challenging finding the time to take a work out class.

Sweater: A&F. Jeans: Old Navy (Maternity). Boots: Kork-Ease. Jacket: Ross. Scarf: Forever 21

Tunic: Old Navy. Cardigan: Target. Jacket: Ross. Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Aldo (This photo was taken prior to weaning myself from pumping...hello boobs!)

Tee: Old Navy. Jeans: Cotton On. Shoes: Birkenstocks. Sunglasses: Forever 21. Diaper Bag: TwelveLittle.

I've been wearing leggings a ton, but it's starting to warm up here in Texas so on to shorts and dresses. I've also been wearing my maternity jeans a lot, but decided to bite the bullet and buy a pair of jeans even though I plan on losing weight. I spotted THESE American Eagle boyfriend jeans online and fell in love. I immediately went in to the store and tried on a pair. It was like heaven was shining down on me...they fit like a glove and made me feel great. They are comfy, stretchy and figure flattering...and only cost me $38! You've got to try on a pair!


I've found that doing my hair and putting on jeans makes me feel a bit like myself again, even if I'm not 100% comfortable with my body. Mamas, did you experience this after you had kiddos?

Prior to having Walt and Whitney, I made the decision that I was going to try my hardest to breastfeed. I struggled breastfeeding Turner and only lasted 5 weeks. You can read about it here.

Photo: Kayla Snell

A week before the twins were born, I had a lactation consultant come to my home for a consultation, and after she left I felt semi-confident. The twins were born vaginally at 36 weeks, and about 1-2 hours after they were born, I was able to breastfeed each one individually. Because they were premature their latch wasn't great, but thankfully I had a great lactation consultant in the hospital that helped me work on it.

I spent 2 days in the hospital and headed home.  My milk came in great because I started taking my placenta pills. I had two placentas thanks to the babes, and I loved using Hill Country Placentas to encapsulate them. Lisa, the owner, is seriously the sweetest and personally delivered them to me the day I came home.  I would highly recommend placenta encapsulation if you are pregnant. Thankfully, their latch was much better than Turner's so it wasn't as painful, BUT it took forever. I fed each one of them individually, and it would usually take an hour to an hour and a half to feed both.  I spent hours and hours in my nursery glider by myself. I constantly worried if they were getting enough to eat.


After a week of breastfeeding, I went for a long walk and sobbed. I was physically and mentally tired. I prayed and talked to God and I came to the conclusion that I wanted to stop breastfeeding, and instead I would try to pump exclusively. Thankfully I had rented the hospital pump the week prior, so I began to pump every 3 hours. I bought an awesome pumping bra that allowed me to have my hands free. Bottle feeding twins + a needy toddler + pumping = NO LIFE. Once again I went for another walk in my neighborhood and I decided I wanted to stop pumping. The only reason I lasted a week, was the thought of how buying formula for twins would kill our budget. I broke the news to Alex that I wanted to quit pumping. He replied that prior to having the babies, I told him I would want to give up, but to not let me. I replied....screw that, I'm done...and ultimately this is my decision. He supported my decision, because a crazy and unstable wife is not what he wanted.

I then began the process of weaning myself from pumping...OUCHHHH!!! It took about a week to wean myself, but still to this day I can express milk in the shower. It's crazy how a woman's body works.


I don't feel guilty of choosing to formula feed...not one bit. I am physically and mentally in such a better place. I don't dread the nights as much, and I have been able to get out of the house for more than a few hours and not worry about feedings. Thankfully we have gotten a ton of free formula samples from our pediatrician, so we haven't had to spend too much money on formula. We did have to buy our first box because the babies have been super gassy and needed a gentle formula. We are estimating our formula expense to be around $250 per month.

If you are a mom struggling with mommy guilt because you've given up breastfeeding....Please don't! You are doing the best you can do, and ultimately are making the best decision for your family. Your physical and mental state is important. Stand strong in your decision, and know that your baby will be just fine on formula.

We made it to 1 Month! It hasn't been as difficult as I thought, but it's all due to the help of my mom and other family. My in-laws took Turner during the first week, and that was a lifesaver. Turner has been one of the hardest parts of the transition, because he is constantly wanting attention and needing our help (putting on clothes, going to the bathroom, getting food, bathing, bedtime, etc). My mom helped me with the night shifts, and allowed Alex to sleep through the night, then my mom and I would try to take a good nap during the day while Turner was at daycare. After 3 weeks, my mom went home and we were on our own. That's when it really got hard. We've had a TON of support from friends as well, and have had a few meals a week brought over to the house.

Adorable organic outfits by Rainy Lain

Sleep:

• 2-3 hour stretches. Oh, I can't wait until they start sleeping longer!

• For the first 3 weeks they slept in a MamaRoo and RockaRoo, but now have transitioned to Rock n' Plays. I use a sound machine to play white noise.

• They both sleep in their room, and I don't use a monitor. I wait till I hear one of them crying before I get up. I'm such a light sleeper, so I wouldn't sleep a wink if I heard Walt grunting all night.

Eating:

• The first week I breastfed them, the second week they had pumped breast milk supplemented with formula and by week 3 were drinking formula only.

• We are feeding them Enfamil newborn formula, but have switched to Gentlease since they have been so gassy the past week. Whitney is much more gassy and can barely get comfortable eating, and has a very hard time sleeping due to gas pain.

Growth:

• Clothing - Newborn
• Diapers - Newborn

Likes:

• Sleeping and eating (sometimes). What do most babies like other than these at this stage? 
• Whitney takes a pacifier, Walt not so much.  
• Taking naps on my chest

Dislikes:

• The process of being swaddled. Walt usually grunts and tries to get out a few times during his naps, but I know that it ultimately helps him sleep better.
• Walt absolutely hates having his diaper changed, and has the highest pitched scream the second a wipe touches his bottom.

Fun Facts:

• Walt:
• My jumpy one. He reacts so easily to sounds, and throws his hands up constantly. He's also my grunter...constantly making noises.

• Might have torticollis, so we're watching him closely. I he has a hemangioma forming on the left side of his noise. I noticed it when he was 3 weeks old, which is about the same time Turner's began to form.

• Whitney: 
• She has the cutest double chin, and I'm OBSESSED with her strawberry blonde hair.

• Also has a hemangioma like her brothers, but hers is on the bicep of her right arm

• I love putting tiny bows on her. I currently have RosieOutlookTX and TinyTurban bows. I only have a small window to dress her how I want, so I'm taking full advantage.

For over 5 years I've struggled with pelvic floor pain, later diagnosed as Vaginismus, and many of those years I felt extremely isolated and alone when it came to my problem. I would tell some friends and family, but I still felt alone because no one else had experienced it. The only thing someone can say is, "I'm sorry. That sucks." It's really hard to this day to hear women talk about their sex life, because I'm usually the only one who struggles with this pain.

I finally decided to write about my experience on Austin Moms Blog, and then I recorded a podcast with my friend, Jess Lively. I immediately felt liberated and terrified at the same time. Since the blog post and podcast went live almost a year ago, I've received dozens of emails from women who struggle with Vaginismus and other pelvic floor issues. Every email I receive brings tears to my eyes as these women I've never met pour out their hearts to me. They share some of the most intimate stories and secrets of their life...to a complete stranger. But we are connected, and we understand each other's struggles. I've always been an open book, but talking about such an intimate topic is tricky. I'm so glad I shared my story, because I've been able to encourage others and help them to find treatment in the form of women's physical therapy. Their emails help me to feel not so alone.

I guess what I'm trying to say in this post is...share your story. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable.