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Mother’s Day 2020
The one constant across all my mom friends and of my mom role models is this: You love your child unconditionally, through the best times and the worst times, and beyond. That love can hurt; it can also heal. "Being there" can harbor different meanings at different moments, and it's not always obvious and straightforward.
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Navigating through the pandemic, widow life, and other questions.
Considering the fact that over the past 4 months, I lost my best friend and gained the terrible title of widow at the age of 33 (almost 34), got quarantined in my new apartment because of a worldwide pandemic, and share a bed with a one-year old, crib-hating ninja warrior (who I love, dearly), I’d say I’m doing alright; I’m still kicking over here.
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MY RESPONSE TO COVID-19
When you’re in the trenches and forced into an alternate reality, it gives you little time to complain or lament; in effect, you’re just trying to figure out how to adjust and survive.
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Grief Myth Busters According to Xtina
Grief is a person experience, unique to the individual and situation. These are the myths I've busted about grief.
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Bryson’s First Trip Around the Sun: What I learned during year one
As much as 2019 really bit the big one, something very, very special happened: our son Bryson was born.
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A Tribute to My Husband, Matt
This is a tribute to my soul mate, my husband Matt who was taken away far too soon from all who loved him.
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MY LABOR AND DELIVERY BLOG
Our son was born on January 14th, and this is my labor and delivery story.
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40 Weeks Pregnant: Pregnancy Update and Birth Plan
Well friends, contrary to my prediction of an early delivery, I am just about 40 weeks pregnant, going on 1,000,000 weeks pregnant. I was SO SURE I’d go early. Unfortunately, my son doesn’t share my same sense of anxiousness and haste. This last month has been mentally, physically, and emotionally draining. However, it’s all worth it because sooner or later (pray for sooner), Pistachio will make his entrance into the world. So, for my final pregnancy blog, at least this time around, I’m giving you a bit of an idea as to what 40 weeks pregnant is like, how we’re doing, and my “birth plan.” So what’s the deal Christina?…
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36 Weeks Pregnant: The Final Month of Pregnancy
Well friends, we are in the ninth inning of this pregnancy, and I’m looking forward to closing it out for the win. Seriously. I just surpassed my 36 weeks pregnant marker, and I’m now officially in my 37th week of pregnancy. I can 100% verify that I am ready for things to get moving. To be fair, I’ve had a relatively easy pregnancy. Yes, there have been aches, pains, fatigue, nose bleeds, and swelling…but it could have been a lot worse. I dodged Gestational Diabetes, I only threw up a few times, and I’ve had a normal, healthy weight gain. Most importantly, Pistachio is looking like a healthy little cherub. It’s…
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Baby Boy Names I Love But Won’t Be Using (This Time)
It is on friends. We have about six weeks (give or take) left of this pregnancy and then we meet our baby boy! Of course, we have a million things left to do. Like what, you may ask? Like pregnancy classes, hospital bag packing, nursery prep, and all of the other fun things that I’ve saved until the very last minute just so I can, naturally, panic during my last few weeks. Probably not the most effective way to manage my anxiety, but it is what it is. At least we have a name picked out. I finally ordered the first piece of clothing with his name (the cute little…
