charlotte ann
She is here! And we still can’t believe it’s a girl. Miss Charlotte Ann Powless entered the world at 11:01am on September 23, 2023. Weighing in at 8lbs 1oz and 21” long, she’s perfect.
When Neilson called out that it was a girl I was sobbing, shocked but just so relieved she was here safe and sound. We only had one name picked out for a girl and had discussed it when we first started dating. Charlotte was Neilson’s grandma’s name and the name of my cousin, who is the daughter of the Aunt I am named after. Ann is my mom, grandma and niece’s middle name, and we didn’t know it at the time but Neilson’s grandma Charlotte’s middle name was Anne-with an e!
Our sweet girl came home with us the day after she was born, and the first week of her life is a sleep-deprived blur. People were in and out of the house and laundry was done and we were fed. It truly takes a village and we are so grateful to be near family that swooped in to help.
It’s now November and Neilson and I just celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. In Houston, the leaves are not a changing, but we had a rainy weekend which made for cozy naps and brought some cooler temps. We’ve had a steady stream of visitors coming to spoil Charlotte with snuggles, and it’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is almost upon us. The first month after Charlotte was born, Neilson was still in off season so he didn’t have to train every day and we got some time to adjust to life as a family. He’s now back training and Charlotte and I are settling into a routine at home. My day-to-day life feels like everything but also nothing has changed. I can’t even remember our lives without Charlotte cooing in the back.
I’m starting to get back into the swing of things creatively and physically. But I have to say, it is tough. Giving myself the grace to ease into things isn’t something that comes naturally, but is so necessary.
I’m drooling over autumn feasts, pinning holiday decor like crazy, saving favorites here and in whatever the reverse of third trimester nesting is. Fourth trimester speed crafting? Sometimes I get ahead of myself and my crazy projects, and just have to sit with Charlotte and be reminded how fleeting this time is. She’s already chunked up so much in the past 7 weeks. Time slow down!
You know those coffee dates with friends that just leave you feeling filled up and inspired? I had one recently with a newfound friend and her advice was to not worry so much about what other people think and just go for things. If I could sum up my biggest insecurity, it would definitely be worrying what other people will think: if people will make fun of me, if they’ll judge me for getting married so quickly, or leaving my career to follow my husband, if they’ll find my writing and posting annoying. The funny thing is, noone really cares that I do any of those things more than I do. My own self-criticism is holding me back.
All that being said…. I’m starting a newsletter and would love for you to join me on substack for tour de frances!! I’m hoping it’s a less “polished” version of my blog here, sharing weekly favorites and musings but taking a little of the pressure off to have a completed “entry” ready once a month.
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