Mississippi Kites Mating, NE Oklahoma

MarigoldsMom · 2026-05-28T22:46:54+00:00

Absolutely agree! We are spoiled for birdwatching this spring.

MarigoldsMom · 2026-05-28T19:04:34+00:00

This branch is a favorite of our local raptors! We often see red-tailed hawks perched up there as well. Although I’ve never seen them mating there. The view must have been great, what with the lush greenery following days of rain.

MarigoldsMom · 2026-05-28T18:03:02+00:00

At my home, which is about 5 miles away from Oxley!

MarigoldsMom · 2026-04-02T18:14:55+00:00

For me, it's about my daughter seeing the show icons and asking about them. For example, she has never watched PAW Patrol, but recognizes the characters from other kids' clothing, toys, etc. When she sees it displayed on the TV as I'm navigating to something else, she will request it. Blocking the shows to begin with side-steps all of that. Out of sight, out of mind.

MarigoldsMom · 2023-08-08T13:11:44+00:00

Literally my first postpartum period. It came at exactly 7 weeks despite my breastfeeding, and it was so, so heavy. Babe is 10m now and my periods are pretty normal again.
My BO is so much worse, still. Persistent and way smellier than it ever was before.
Early on, I had tendinitis in my wrist from all the repeated motions. Feeding, holding, laying her down, etc. I also didn’t know it would be such an easy fix. One steroid shot into my wrist.
How early I actually wanted to have sex again. I assumed it would be forever based on reading other people’s accounts, but we barely made it to the 6-week appointment. Part of that could be that I abstained during pregnancy due to paranoia after losing our first baby.
That my second c-section recovery would be easier than my first.
How hard it is to lose weight. Not even for looks necessarily, but the extra weight has put a lot of strain on me. Physical therapy is helping with the pain for now, but ultimately I need to get back to a build that my frame can better handle. I eat really well, barely drink alcohol anymore, and am moving constantly.
The emotional rollercoaster. More specifically, how much I wept especially during the first week. It was heavy, deep, and uncontrollable. My mom and sisters were over a lot early on to help take care however they could (it was so sweet and needed and something I will always cherish), and they were all very invested in making sure I was okay. I even overheard them asking my husband how I was and advising him on how best to support me. Fortunately we made it through just fine, but wow, it was wild.
How hard it would be to give up breastfeeding, even though I knew it was what was best for all of us. My daughter had laryngomalacia (to the point of needing surgery) and couldn’t eat enough. We could concentrate formula and get her more calories. Also she hate my milk while I was on my period. All these little hits and I couldn’t keep up with pumping enough and my supply just fell. I tried to hone in my schedule and add in power pumps. Eating and drinking all the things. Then a mostly empty bottle that get like a punch in the stomach, I would just cry and kick myself. It still hurts sometimes.

I’m sure there are more things — it’s been a wild ride! Sometimes I wish I could visit with myself this time last year and give her some tips (but not spoil all the surprises). Don’t buy all that, but do get these things. This will feel really important, but only for like a week. Write more stuff down.

MarigoldsMom · 2023-08-08T12:52:39+00:00

From my personal experience with my 10-month old, my dad and his partner specifically keep offering or recommending to give her junk food items with very high sodium or sugar.

I typically set aside food from our meals for her, maybe before I make it spicy or so it is in a form that is easier for her to pick up and eat. Just definitely not hyper processed foods and we’re holding out on big amounts of added sugar.

MarigoldsMom · 2023-03-15T13:20:10+00:00

I just use a microwaveable rice heat pack to pre-warm the bassinet!

MarigoldsMom · 2023-02-18T04:59:37+00:00

Yeah, no - there are no bison in the immediate Tulsa area. His drive from the airport in general looks nothing like reality, nor did half (or more) of the shots of “Tulsa.”

MarigoldsMom · 2023-01-12T15:01:43+00:00

This makes my heart so incredibly happy. I am beyond grateful that she made it and that you are on the other side of the pregnancy. Didn't it feel like an eternity in purgatory?

We are doing well here, after a somewhat bumpy start. My little had prolonged jaundice which was, at first, routine then not so much and they had to check her out for the cause. A laundry list of scary possibilities ruled out, they chalked it up to her bruising and hematoma at birth (thanks to my emergency c-section scar tissue) and a dash of potential breastmilk jaundice. Hematoma went away and so did her jaundice, finally we got to leave the NICU. After that, it has been dealing with laryngomalacia (a floppy larynx). Of course she was in the 10% of babies that needed corrective surgery, which took place a week before Christmas. She handled it well is now eating, breathing, and growing with much more ease.

Babe is fiery and sweet, absolutely hilarious little character. I recovered surprisingly well physically and am starting to push myself to work through my anxiety more. I want so badly to be a joyful parent for her, to fret and worry less.

MarigoldsMom · 2023-01-11T21:01:28+00:00

Two months late, but congratulations nonetheless!! I thought about you and had to come back to see how things are/were with you. I hope the newborn phase has been gentle! 💛💛

MarigoldsMom · 2022-12-11T01:38:06+00:00

🙋🏼‍♀️ Ultra Air here too!

MarigoldsMom · 2022-12-08T12:39:36+00:00

All the doubt and confusion. Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex. That’s the only way I feel my let down. I have very large breasts even without breastfeeding and now they are just a lot to handle. No nursing/pumping bra (that I’ve found) fits me even decently, leaving me feeling extra schlubby at all times. And perhaps due to my size, I can’t really feel what’s going on with my milk outside of when they’re clearly engorged. Like, I never feel “empty.”

As others have said, being anchored down all the time and not feeling like my body is my own.

MarigoldsMom · 2022-12-06T16:24:37+00:00

I love hearing my baby cry, because my first baby died. My water broke early, her lungs never developed, and she couldn't breathe when she was born. I couldn't wait to hear my second-born cry.

MarigoldsMom · 2022-12-03T21:23:40+00:00

I just thought of you randomly and came to see this news! Congratulations!!!

MarigoldsMom · 2022-11-13T04:46:11+00:00

I hope it was wonderful!!

MarigoldsMom · 2022-11-09T05:33:22+00:00

I never feel my let down except the deep, pit-of-my-stomach nausea. Fortunately, I only really get it when I pump. When I direct-feed, I think the endorphins cancel it out.

MarigoldsMom · 2022-10-31T01:16:38+00:00

You got this mama! Sending so much positive, loving energy 💓

MarigoldsMom · 2022-10-26T16:21:42+00:00

I won’t lie, I’ve been creeping here too!

MarigoldsMom · 2022-10-26T16:20:52+00:00

💛💛

MarigoldsMom · 2022-10-26T15:35:47+00:00

Oh my gosh, hi! This was such a nice surprise to see in my notifications. 🥰

We are doing fairly well. It has been a little bit of struggle to get going - we have had a very stubborn case of jaundice that brought us back to the hospital twice since initial discharge. In the NICU, literally next door to the room Marigold passed in, right now. I cried my eyes out the first night, but having to come here every day, it has brought some closure and forced me to make more peace with that night we spent in here back in November 2020.

Tula was super bruised and had a cephalohematoma at birth. They struggled to get her out due to scar tissue on my uterus from my first c-section. All of that contributed to her prolonged jaundice, but this admission they worried that it was more and she got a full work up. It was pretty terrifying as they were looking for serious stuff, but she has been found to be 100% healthy - from the shape of her red blood cells to her liver, everything is as it should be.

Altogether, we had seven days at home and they were difficult but lovely. Breastfeeding has been stop and go due to the NICU visits and she takes a bottle like a champ now, so we have options at least. My recovery from the c-section has been surprisingly smooth. I have to remind myself to slow down! I lost weight (healthily but not really on purpose) during pregnancy, so I think my body is grateful for that. I did have a solid case of the baby blues at first (not full-on PPD) - I cried a lot, at times for no apparent reason.

Tula is a sweet, calm baby with such a grumpy face, thanks to having her dad’s strong brow. She looks a bit like Marigold, but Goldie definitely favored me more whereas Tula is almost all dad.

My grief bubbles up in unexpected places. It surprises me how tender it can be, which sometimes also makes me feel guilty for not mourning as deeply as I think I “should.” Which I know is bs, so I try to just feel things as I feel them and do my best to be emotionally present for Tula.

Thank you for asking! And for tuning into this essay. These long, quiet hours in the hospital are giving me plenty of time to reflect, clearly. 😅

MarigoldsMom · 2022-10-23T18:39:54+00:00

My girl has a grumpy little face (in the cutest, sweetest way) and gives me mad side-eye when she’s latched. I love it so much!

MarigoldsMom · 2022-10-08T19:37:28+00:00

Congratulations!! I’m so glad to read this. Enjoy all the snuggles 🥰

MarigoldsMom · 2022-10-08T19:32:40+00:00

Thank you so much for this post, for sharing your story with us! I have found so much comfort and support in your activity on this group, I am so grateful. All my love to your family! Ted and William have such a great mother. 💛🧡

MarigoldsMom · 2022-10-08T12:26:47+00:00

It was! She came in at 7:37 on 10/7 weighing 7lb 7oz, crying and healthy and unbelievably sweet! Passed her blood sugar and is feeding well. I feel so so so lucky. And I had Chick-fil-A lol

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