No mom shamers YET. This is going to be my first [child]. What I have encountered is people giving me a lot of their opinions. Everyone's different though, and I know they mean well. I'm just trying to filter out the good advice versus the "extra" advice that may or may not be necessary right now.

I'm inspired by moms who keep some sense of their regular lives intact. I know it's a lifestyle adjustment no matter what, but I hope that for the first couple of years, before Hendrix goes to pre-school, we're able to travel a bit with him and keep some sense of normalcy (whatever that means now!).

I'm a realist when it comes to what I know I can or cannot do/handle. I know I want an epidural, I know I have to give birth in a hospital. I wish I could do a natural birth - in a dream world, I could do a water birth in a hospital with an epidural and candles & light music surrounding me. As far as traditional advice goes, I'm going to play it by ear. I haven't gotten there yet!