# children

Meet Kristi. She gave birth to her second child just as the world went into lockdown. Through acute isolation and debilitating pain, she sought and found support and strength within herself to reignite her inner light. Hers is a powerful story of resilience.

I learn so much from other mothers and I want to honor their stories. This is the inaugural piece of my Telling Her Story series. Meet Sara. She lost her mother within weeks of welcoming her daughter. Her story of grief, acceptance, and unconditional love will inspire you.

Meet my daughter, Avy. People often ask me how we came up with her name. Her big brother Ryker named her. I always thought he had simply made it up, and then he told me a story that makes me think they have been connected since before she was even born.

I'm pregnant with my second but I'm not a "baby person." I've never really liked the newborn baby smell that most people seem to find so delicious. For me, this smell is tied to postpartum depression, which I know I could experience again.

With every passing year, I felt like I was missing my chance to have a second child. I compared myself to other parents whose children were 2-3 years apart. Our kids will be 6.5 years apart and it feels perfect for us.