My Heart's Full: The Unexpected Joy of Our Cherry Girl & What Motherhood's Taught Me Lately

Oh my gosh you guys. I'm just sitting here, holding our sweet Cherry girl, and I'm just… feeling so full. Like, my heart is literally overflowing. I remember it like it was yesterday, seeing that positive test, and just *knowing* in my bones how much I was going to love this little human. I was so excited for her to get here, for our family to grow by one more tiny, perfect person. And now she's here, she's been here for a little while now, and honestly? She's exceeded every single one of my expectations. Every single one. It’s wild how that happens, isn’t it? You think you know what love is, you think you know what motherhood is, and then a new baby comes along and just blows it all out of the water. :,)

I mean, I've been a mom for a minute now, right? Stella, then Ozzy, and now Cherry. Each one of them has brought their own unique magic and their own unique lessons. You'd think by the third one I'd have it all figured out, but nope! Every single time, it's like starting a whole new adventure. And Cherry? Oh, our Cherry girl. She's just… she's something else. In the best, most beautiful way.

That First Feeling: Just Knowing

I remember with Stella, it was all new. Everything was a first. With Ozzy, I felt a little more confident, but still navigating the whole 'two kids' thing. But with Cherry, there was this different kind of knowing. When I saw those two lines, it wasn't just excitement, it was this deep, calm certainty. Like, 'okay, this is our last baby, and she's meant to be here, and she's going to complete us in a way we don't even know yet.' It was a really powerful feeling. I told Tanner and he was just as excited, of course. He's always my biggest hype man, no matter what. He just gets it. We talked about names, we talked about what she'd be like, we just dreamed about her. And now, seeing her little face, her tiny hands, her little personality already starting to peek through… it's like that feeling I had way back then was just a tiny preview of the real thing. The reality is so much better.

The Unexpected Joys of Baby Number Three

You know, people always say the third baby is either the easiest or the one that sends you over the edge hahah. For us, she's brought such a sweet, calming energy. I think maybe because we know this is our last, we're really trying to soak up every single second. I'm trying to be so present, even when I'm exhausted and covered in spit-up and haven't showered in two days. I'm trying to just look at her, really look at her, and memorize every little detail. Because I know how fast it goes. I know how quickly they grow out of those tiny newborn clothes, how quickly they stop being able to fit in your arms just right. It's bittersweet, ngl. But it makes these moments even more precious.

Cherry has this way of just melting your heart. She's so calm, so sweet. Stella and Ozzy are obsessed with her, which is the cutest thing ever. Seeing them dote on her, wanting to hold her, wanting to give her kisses… it just makes my mama heart explode. It's a different kind of love, seeing your kids love each other. It's like my love for them just multiplies. I couldn't imagine our family without her now. It feels like she was always meant to be here, like this was always her spot.

Finding My Rhythm (Again!)

Going from two to three has definitely been an adjustment, don't get me wrong. There are days when I feel like I'm just juggling all the balls and sometimes one or two drop, and that's okay. I'm learning to be okay with that. The house isn't always perfectly clean, the laundry piles up, sometimes dinner is just mac and cheese. And that's okay! My priority is my girls, and making sure they feel loved and secure. Everything else can wait. I used to be so hard on myself about everything, wanting it all to be perfect. But with Cherry, I'm just… letting go a little more. Embracing the chaos, finding the beauty in the mess. It's actually kind of freeing, tbh.

Tanner has been such a rock through all of this. He's always there to step in, to help with the older girls, to let me get a nap in, to just listen when I need to vent. I'm so grateful for him. We're a team, always. And having that support, especially when you're in the thick of newborn life, is everything. He's the best dad, and seeing him with our girls just makes me fall in love with him all over again every day.

Little Moments, Big Love

It's the little things, you know? It's her tiny yawns, her little stretches, the way she roots around for food, her little coos. It's the way Stella wants to read her stories, and Ozzy wants to sing her songs. It's the quiet moments when she's asleep on my chest and I can just breathe her in. These are the moments I know I'll look back on and cherish forever. They're fleeting, but they're so powerful. They remind me of why I do what I do, why I push through the sleepless nights and the never-ending to-do list. It's all for them. For these three little girls who have completely stolen my heart.

I'm so excited to watch Cherry grow, to see her personality blossom, to see what kind of amazing person she becomes. And I'm so grateful for this journey, for all the lessons motherhood keeps teaching me. It's messy, it's beautiful, it's exhausting, it's exhilarating. It's everything. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Thank you guys for always being here, for sharing in our journey. It means sm to me. Sending all my love to you and your families. ❤