Meet Cheryl: A Beautiful New Chapter in Motherhood 💛

An honest conversation about second pregnancies, motherhood, family, and preparing to welcome a new little one.

Every pregnancy brings its own unique experiences, emotions, and challenges. And when you're expecting your second child, the journey can feel completely different from the first.

Today, we're excited to introduce Cheryl, one of our Simply Nursery moms, who is preparing to welcome a baby boy into her family!

After nine years, Cheryl is experiencing pregnancy all over again, this time with a different perspective, new experiences, and a very special big sister waiting at home.

As she prepares for this new chapter, we had the opportunity to ask Cheryl a few questions about her pregnancy, motherhood, family life, and the excitement of welcoming her baby boy.

We hope you enjoy getting to know her story!

1. What has this second pregnancy been like for you, and how has it felt different from your first?

This pregnancy has involved carrying a much more active baby. My baby moved around a lot more during the third trimester, whereas my daughter was less active during my first pregnancy. I definitely slept more during my first pregnancy, too!

I also think my age played a role in making this second pregnancy more difficult, especially with a nine-year age difference between my pregnancies.

2. You're now preparing to have a little boy after having a daughter. What are you most excited about as you imagine your life with two children?

I'm most excited to see how my daughter interacts with her baby brother and how she embraces her new role as a big sister.

She has always demonstrated nurturing tendencies with younger children, so it will be exciting to see those qualities shine even more with a sibling of her own.

3. As a mom who loves healthy food and cooking, how has becoming a mom influenced the way you think about food and creating healthy habits for your family?

Becoming a mom has changed the way I think about cooking, especially when it comes to encouraging my daughter to eat healthy foods.

Since she tends to be a picky eater, I've learned to get creative and sometimes "hide" certain ingredients in the foods she enjoys.

For example, when I make snacks or desserts with chocolate, I often make my own chocolate and blend in ingredients like avocado or zucchini to incorporate more greens into her diet.

I also like finding healthier alternatives to some of her favorite treats. I make my own versions of Twix and Butterfinger bars using premium ingredients, making sure they taste just as good, if not better, than the originals!

4. With a little girl already at home, what are some of the ways you're preparing her for the arrival of her baby brother?

I've started giving my daughter simple chores to help with our daily routine, such as putting plates and dishes in the sink after meals and helping carry and organize things around the house.

I'm also teaching her how to help keep the house safe so her baby brother won't encounter potentially unsafe situations.

Another fun part has been showing her some of the things she'll be able to help with once he arrives. We've even practiced using the baby carrier with one of her teddy bears so she can learn how to hold and carry her baby brother safely.

I've also shown her where everything will be in the nursery so that when I need something, she'll know where to find it.

It's been wonderful watching her get involved and prepare for this new role!

5. Looking back at your first pregnancy and everything you've learned as a mom, what is one piece of advice you would give to another mom expecting her second baby?

My advice would be to go easy on yourself if you can't do all the same things you did during your first pregnancy.

I tried to push my body to do the same things I did the first time, including household chores and daily routines. I kept wondering why everything felt more difficult, but I think it's important to remember that our bodies change over time.

After nine years, things may not be as easy as they once were, and that's completely okay.

Be kind to yourself, do the best you can, and remind yourself that you don't have to get everything done.