Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Pregnant at University
University is a significant experience of every student's life; you’re pushed outside of your comfort zone from the get-go. Whether it’s learning how to live on a budget or how to use a washing machine, university constantly confronts you with new challenges. The idea of becoming pregnant during such an intense stage of life is a daunting one. As someone who has never experienced being pregnant at university, I reached out to a good friend of mine who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this March all the while completing her most intense year at university yet.
By Katie Gaster7 years ago in Families
What They Don't Tell You About Pregnancy
"A baby fills a special place in your heart that you never knew was empty." —Unknown Water Break I'm sure almost everyone out there has seen a labor scene in some sort of movie sometime in their lives. In the movies, it's always way exaggerated when the woman suddenly shoots water out of her lady bits and immediately goes into contractions. As a kid/teenager this always terrified me, maybe that's what the media wants to portray pregnancies to prevent so many teens from having kids. Whatever the case maybe, this is most defiantly not realistic what so ever. When your water breaks, you could either have a drizzle of water come out or more like the feeling of peeing yourself. It all depends on the person and how their bodies respond. For me, it felt like I had peed myself, stopped for a couple seconds and then start again and this time it didn't stop. Following my water breaking, I didn't get the shooting pain of contractions like in the movies.
By Kayla Triplett7 years ago in Families
Raising Love (Pt. 2)
Continuing on with our story, Lennon came home after 56 days in the NICU. I was really wondering how our wonderful pup at home would take the transition, especially since I did not carry Lennon. I know Dogs can sense pregnancies so I was worried that she wouldn't connect with our son. The nurses at the NICU allowed me to take home the blankets that Lennon was wrapped in during his stay. Each night when we said goodnight to our sweet boy, we left with a blanket smelling like him. We would give it to our pup, and each time, she would wag and by wag I mean that tail forcefully wagged, as she smelled what our sweet boy would smell like. I walked through the door and she immediately became a mother to him as well. She gracefully smelled his tiny body and would rest her head on my lap as if she was saying my baby is home. It was the cutest moment ever. Little did I know that it would be the start to a wonderful friendship.
By Madie Bryant7 years ago in Families
My Obsession(s): Kylie Jenner
Hear me out, people, Kylie and Travis have created the most precious family while reigning as individuals. It's hard for any mother or father to maintain their individuality once their child is in the world, but these two have continued their reign as superior celebrities AND giving their everything to sweet Stormi.
By sarah cay smith7 years ago in Families
Raising Love
Hi everyone, my Name is Madie and I am the proud mama of that adorable boy above. Lennon, who will be four in March, has been the light of my husband's and my eyes since the day we laid eyes on him. I watched my son be born. Lennon is all our son, but not biologically. Lennon’s birth mother reached out to me when Lennon was just 11 weeks in her womb. She told me how much she knew I would love Lennon and raise him to be a wonderful person. I try every day to succeed in that. When Lennon’s birth mom called me when she was 32 weeks pregnant, she told me she had gone into early labor. My heart sunk with fear and paralyzing thoughts that this might not turn out the way we wanted. The hospital was able to keep him in for two extra weeks while his lungs were developing more. It was the longest two weeks of my life. Little did I know tougher times were ahead.
By Madie Bryant7 years ago in Families
11 Things About Labour and Birth That No One Talks About. Top Story - February 2019.
Two weeks ago, I gave birth to my first son Roman. He arrived at 6AM on January 8, four days early, on the date I wanted. I asked my belly and he listened. He shares his birthday with Bowie, Elvis, and Stephen Hawking, and I have never been so overwhelmed with love and emotion in my life. Everyone tells you, "You don’t know love till you have kids."
By Samantha Bentley7 years ago in Families
My Sister Saved Me
The day she was born is one of my favorite memories. I dreamed and fantasized about having a little sister. I wanted a little sister so bad because, I mean, what little girl DOESN'T want a little sister? Someone I could play with, someone I could dress up, someone I could teach and be there for, someone who could look up to me and I could show off to...
By Sophia Rosado7 years ago in Families
Family
Anyone can tell you what love feels like but when you become parent and lay eyes on your newborn baby,you feel overwhelmed with true love, you entire soul is filled with what love truly is. You think that the love for you child is at a max but everything they do for the first time, their first crawling,their first step, their first word fills you with more love that you thought couldn’t fill you with but it’s can. Becoming a parent is an amazing thing and makes you realize what love really is
By Taneesha Kingswell7 years ago in Families
