Let’s be real - as beautiful as it is, pregnancy can be extremely hard. Your body literally goes through a major transformation within that 9 months. You endure an entire physical and lifestyle change that can be daunting yet exceptional.

Here are a few things to be cognizant of that may help you navigate pregnancy a bit easier.

I’m over two years postpartum now, and last year I released “Back to Me” on the blog (be sure to read it if you missed it) where I shared how finally I was starting to feel more like myself again.

When I wrote that blog post - I thought things had finally taken a turn and I had gotten back to me… but then realized …

I was trying to get back to the wrong version of myself. My pre-pregnancy self was broken and in need of healing.

But after I had my second baby I found myself searching for her. For the last “me” I remembered.

But after that realization, and understanding that my healing journey was not yet over - I finally listened when I heard God say, “Get back to me”!

It’s hard to believe this time last year I was a stay at home mom, homeschooling my toddler. Looking back it feels like that stage flew by in like the blink of an eye. To say I miss it is an understatement. Being home with my boys was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

Though I am now a working mama again trying to balance mom life and my corporate job; I know ultimately the goal for our family is for me to eventually return to being a SAHM, solely focusing on the kids and the household and homeschooling our babies. Here’s a little peak into how homeschooling went for us last year...

Let’s be honest, sometimes squeezing in self-care as a mom is hard – nearly impossible. There are rarely moments that I’m not working, tired, tending to the kids, or when there isn’t something on my to-do list that needs to be crossed out. Sadly, I often times struggle with prioritizing myself. But mamas – sometimes we just need a BREAK!

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

We need to pour back into ourselves and not feel guilty about it! The past few months I have been more intentional about recognizing my needs and prioritizing a little self-care.

Often times after a baby we face that daunting identity crisis of learning mom you an understanding the you that you used to be will no longer exist in that same capacity.

Because with motherhood comes those inevitable challenges. Sleep deprivation, never ending to do lists, etc. And it’s so easy to lose yourself in motherhood. But one thing I learned is that part of being a good mommy is being whole. And being whole means realizing there is more to us than “just” being a mommy. There are layers. We wear so many hats and we were and still are a whole person outside of our kids. We are creators, entrepreneurs, friends, daughters, artists .. and the list goes on.

So no, we aren’t “just” a mom - we are SO much more.

Happy New Year everyone!! Hopefully we are all entering the new year refreshed and have had an opportunity to pray, reflect and set intentional goals to truly live a more purpose-filled life.

I thought this topic was fitting because as we enter 2023, whether you are setting your New Year’s resolutions or just your 2023 goals and visions in general, purpose is a huge factor in how we should align the goals we wish to tackle this year and further forward.

So, are you currently living in your gift(s)? Have you found YOUR purpose?

So the past few months I have taken a break from the blog, and been adjusting to new changes in the Butler household.

If you’ve been following Simply J. Leigh for awhile, then you know all about the rollercoaster I was on after having my second son Jayce last year and then ultimately making the decision to become a stay at home mommy. BUT about a month ago I made a huge decision that has been surprisingly refreshing!

After I had Jayce, honestly, I was a mess! Between postpartum, juggling a job I truly wasn’t invested in and managing a toddler andddd an infant - I knew something had to change!

So, in January of this year my husband and I stepped out on faith and I resigned my corporate job to be a stay at home mommy to our two boys and I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions we could have made!

After a baby, most women are eager to get back to that pre-baby body they once had. Prove to the world that you still got it! That moms are sexy too!

In a society that values and encourages the snap back culture, moms are now putting this unnecessary pressure on ourselves to bounce back.

I didn’t recognize myself after I had my babies. Especially after my second baby. I felt like such a different person. Mentally and physically. And it was a little scary.

A lot of moms don’t speak too much on the postpartum journey. A lot of times we suck it up and smile because we think we have to. Because we fear others will judge us. Because we think we’re “supposed” to be happy and that we’re supposed to be ok. But remember mamas, it’s ok to not be ok.

As mothers, we know the golden hour after the delivery of our baby to be the one hour of uninterrupted mommy and baby time to bond privately, get that initial skin to skin contact, and breastfeed. Before all of the anxious family members take turns seeing the baby for the first time as well. We all look forward to this moment. The pivotal moment where you finally hold your baby after the long awaited 9 months. The bliss and the love. It’s irreplaceable.

But does every mom truly experience this same blissful bonding moment?

April is cesarean awareness month, so I felt obliged to talk about this topic since for my first born I did end up having an emergency c-section and for my second I had a scheduled c-section.

Labor and birth is unpredictable. As mothers we want to plan every step of the way. But ultimately it is our bodies and our babies that guide the way.

Never did I understand just how hectic having two under two would be until it hit us full force and there was no turning back, lol.

Storytime is one of my toddler’s favorite times of the day, and since he was born I have always made it a point to ensure we read books with characters that looked like him.

Right now I’m sitting in it.

In motherhood.

In being a wife.

So I’m sorry if I’ve been estranged. If I haven’t reached out to friends and family as much as I should.

Phone calls and hang outs have lessened. And my nights consist of bedtime routines, cooking, cleaning, nursing, and quality time with my husband.

March 2020.

Need I say more.

In a blink of an eye I became a work from home/stay at home mother.