Valerie is a writer, nurse practitioner, and mother of three. Valerie shares in this episode about the amazement she found in her first year, along with the vigilance and control she felt she needed to hold on to during and after her baby’s NICU stay.

Mika is a licensed pediatric speech-language pathologist and a mother of two young boys. She is the owner of A Speech Storey – a pediatric private practice specializing in early intervention and speech sound disorders in Southern California. Mika values play-based therapy, parent education, and family-centered care. 

A very special guest on the podcast today - my sister, Marci! Marci is a first time mom to baby Marek and shares in this episode about how this emotional first year of motherhood has transformed and humbled her. Marci thought life would be “pretty much the same, but with less sleep”. The reality? “Everything about my life changed”.

Megan talks about what her first year as a mother has been like and how her training and work as a creative arts psychotherapist has set her up to bond and connect with her son. Megan talks about getting to establish a playful, fun, loving, and openly affectionate family culture with her son, how communication has strengthened her relationship with her husband, and navigating adjusting ambition and work-life balance as a mother and business owner.

Dr. Anne Welsh, a mother of four and a clinical psychologist, executive coach, talks about learning how to let go and grow through her motherhood journey - in her career, relationships, and in self-compassion. She gives wonderful insight into some of the deep struggles new moms face with all of the shifts that come with becoming a parent.

Dr. Kelsey is a pediatric audiologist with a passion for connecting and supporting families of children with hearing loss. In this episode, she talks about how she helps parents and their babies in the first year, how she became interested in audiology, hearing development and milestones in the first year, and what to do if you have concerns about your baby's hearing.

Berenice talks about all of the adjustment that she and her family went through in that first year. Shares about her experience with postpartum depression and anxiety and what it looked like to get help - eventually - and some of the grief she experienced with an unexpected pregnancy that threw off her timeline and expectations of motherhood, along with the fun and joy of a full household.