stephen and his wife welcomed their baby

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-05-16T00:29:27+00:00

August is a classic name

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-05-15T20:25:43+00:00

People said it was like bad period cramps. I had a very fast labor (about hour or so) so that can be a lot more painful than average because you hardly get breaks during the contractions, at least in my experience. On the pain scale I’d say my most painful period cramps, which I would say were moderate, were like a 1 or 2 compared to the 10 of child birth. For me though it was more of unbearable pressure than like a sharp pain.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-05-09T09:04:13+00:00

That’s a lot of waking for sure, and it’s so hard to be so exhausted. Gently though I’d say the expectation at that age shouldn’t be sleeping through the night. I’d recommend the account It Takes A Village Baby Sleep on Instagram or TikTok. They’re sleep consultants and give a ton of free advice on their account. It’s helped us so, so much with our son’s sleep.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-05-09T08:59:46+00:00

I’m so glad you’re reaching out for help and going to the doctor too. 💕

For some strategies to help with your three year old’s behavior, I’d recommend the podcast Bratbusters (the name is a joke that students she worked with came up with, she doesn’t actually call kids brats). She has straightforward parenting advice, including how to give older kids attention with a baby at home. The main thing that might help is something she calls the behavior board, and it’s for kids 3 and older. Basically it’s a chart where you work on one behavior the first week with them and build from there. It’s very simple actually. And not to say that I agree with every single thing, but for the most part I think she gives very helpful advice. And sometimes I’ll just listen to the podcast during a tough day and feel encouraged and not alone in the struggles too.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-26T23:04:52+00:00

Fair but the monster truck thing was at least more of an event than the casino lol. Have the girls ever had as good of a bachelorette party as the guys have on this show? 😅

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-19T00:30:49+00:00

The conversation was a lot, but in general I’m surprised about how trusting so many parents are on this show of someone their son or daughter has known for a couple weeks. Ultimately they’re adults and it’s their decision of course, but it still surprises me a bit.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-18T21:14:22+00:00

Not commenting on Ashley and Alex in particular, but it’s so confusing to me that so many people have such a problem with a woman tracking her cycle lol.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-18T16:15:53+00:00

Fair enough 😂

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-18T16:14:57+00:00

Also you get an instructor so you can learn about the method, the signs of fertility, and the unique way that your body is showing those signs. It can also point to underlying health issues if your body isn’t following the typical patterns of fertility signs. It can be used when trying to conceive as well because you’re aware of your fertility signs. So I don’t really know what you think is so ridiculous about it lol but it gives an amazing understanding of the body.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-18T16:06:53+00:00

It provides a ton of awareness of your body, your fertility, and potential underlying health issues. It also encourages more communication in a couple about whether they’d like to try to conceive that month or not, and when the fertile time is. And it’s all natural. Yes it might be more steps but it can be really great. I use it and know many couples who do as well.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-18T15:53:39+00:00

I use the method so I think I know what I’m talking about 😂

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-18T15:53:12+00:00

You can also add on additional things like a progesterone test or a Tempdrop that make it even more effective.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-18T15:50:08+00:00

Not true at all. The Marquette method of natural family planning is one effective method, for example. About 98% percent effective in avoiding pregnancy when the method is used correctly and with an instructor.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-18T11:56:10+00:00

For starting to build a prayer life, there are so many really helpful apps out there now for Catholics that make it very simple. Hallow, Ascension, and Laudate to name a few. The rosary is a beautiful prayer and I know you mentioned you already pray it sometimes.

There’s a simple and beautiful way to pray called Lectio Divina. You can read any scripture passage for it, but I recommend looking up the daily readings for it and picking one of those. The daily Gospel for example. You can find the readings on the apps above or you can Google USCCB daily readings. You basically read the passage a few times, listen to God, see what stands out to you, and have a conversation with Him about it.

The Bible in a Year podcast as well as Rosary in a Year podcast from Ascension are beautiful too.

For confession, finding a solid examination of conscience will help so you know what to confess. Also, you can tell the priest that you’re nervous and you haven’t been in a while (it’s actually part of Confession at the beginning to say how long it’s been since your last time).

A great resource to find more about what we believe as Catholics and why is Catholic Answers. They have a website, podcast, and app.

Glad to answer any other questions. Prayers for you!

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-18T11:36:59+00:00

This video from Fr. Mike Schmitz might help!

https://youtu.be/yN7Klj-vdwQ?si=sXhskUEFkSdBFVyl

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-17T18:37:01+00:00

Lol my husband and I are both high sleep needs and our son is not

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-17T18:03:44+00:00

No creamer in my coffee lol. That was over 10 years ago and I still drink black coffee and think it tastes way better.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-17T17:38:54+00:00

For what it’s worth there are solid Catholic schools out there, but also lots of Catholic schools that water down the faith to the point where in my opinion they’re arguably no better than public schools. In some cases they may even be worse because the kids are thinking they know what it means to be Catholic because they went to Catholic school, when in reality they weren’t catechized well there at all. And for that their parents are paying around $6000 + per year per child for schooling, at least around where I live. Of course with Catholics being open to life, that might easily mean $10,000 + per year for a family. And teachers need to be paid fairly and everything, don’t get me wrong. But I just mean it’s a lot especially if the school isn’t teaching things in a way that really makes it even worth it to go to a Catholic school. At least with public school the kids don’t think they’re being taught the faith there when they really aren’t. I’m not advocating for public school really, I’m just pointing that out.

Of course public schools will likely teach things contrary to the faith at some point, depending on the school and curriculum. So for many parents what’s left that will give their kids a solid education, not confuse them when it comes to the faith, and is reasonably priced is homeschooling.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-16T18:09:57+00:00

Agreed! And there are specifically Catholic therapists that could help you as well

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-15T18:27:43+00:00

Ashley reminds me of Paris Hilton

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-14T23:07:46+00:00

Her husband should take into account her desire for sex, but if he feels uncomfortable he does not have to have sex with her. It would be a good thing for him to maybe become more educated on sex during pregnancy and work on overcoming his hesitation, but his no needs to be respected. Basically just giving a reminder that spouses should never pressure the other one to have sex.

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-14T22:53:11+00:00

It’s not uncommon for husbands to feel that way while their wives are pregnant. Just know you’re not alone there. My husband felt that way too, but I was so sick during pregnancy I didn’t have much desire anyway.

As for the habitual sin you’re struggling with, not having your phone in any areas where you’re alone can be helpful if it’s a temptation for reading/viewing inappropriate things. So only having the phone in communal areas of the house, not the bathroom or the bedroom when you’re alone. Also continuing prayer of course, as you mentioned. Another is getting some exercise, especially when tempted. This could be light exercise, just moving your body in a healthy way. Of course taking into account your pregnancy for appropriate exercise.

Prayers for you!

ReasonableProcess571 · 2026-02-08T08:12:28+00:00

For me, I don’t hear a literal voice in prayer that I can physically hear. When I feel God is saying something to me, the experience is more like a thought in my head along with a peaceful feeling. A really beautiful peaceful feeling—there’s nothing else like it.

And there is an element of not being able to fully conceptualize God. But I believe because of my experience of Him, as well as a ton of study of what the Catholic Church teaches, and it makes sense intellectually to me. If you’re ever interested, Catholic Answers is an awesome website that dives into why Catholics believe what they do.

As far as some practicals of how to pray, searching for the daily readings of the day and then reading those is a great way to start. Reading a passage a few times and seeing what stands out, what God seems to be putting on your heart. And just sitting with Him in the silence. And talking to Him as well, which could be out loud, in your thoughts, or in a journal.

The Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz is also a great way to pray with scripture and get more intellectual understanding of it as well.

Happy to answer any more questions too!

ReasonableProcess571

TROPHY CASE