Happy New Year!

First and foremost - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Praise God that we have made it to January of 2022. I remember a year ago telling my husband that I wanted to begin blogging and vlogging my experiences with motherhood, marriage, and my faith. To see where it has come in such a short time is such a blessing. Oh, and before I get to today's topic, I just wanted to express my gratitude for every last person who has ever clicked on my website, read a blog, watched a vlog, or even commented (or DM'd) to support me. I love y'all so much, and prayerfully as I navigate this year of marriage and motherhood, I can continue to receive your support with everything going on.

Now to today's topic...

COVID SUCKS! Yes, I said it. Covid freaking sucks. Covid is the one thing I was hoping and praying that we could've left in 2021, but nope, this Omarion variant is in full force right now (I just love saying that instead of the actual name lol.) In March, it'll be almost 2 years of living through this pandemic, and I just wanted to touch on how it has affected motherhood for myself and so many others. There are many moms/parents out there like myself who've experienced a pregnancy or raising infants in this pandemic, and let me tell y'all, it is so different than what people might think. Let me share some of my experiences:

• When I was pregnant, I immediately found out I was at an increased risk of severe illness, especially when dealing with Covid-19. Only by the grace of God was I able to remain healthy for the full 9 months. However, it was still scary knowing I had to repeatedly go to the doctor and deal with the fear that possibly other Covid patients have been in the very same hospitals and rooms that I had to visit. Not to mention, even as we take our son to the doctor now, covid does still exist. It's real. It's scary. I'm so over it!

• Anxiety is through the roof with a new baby during a pandemic! In a normal setting, after having your baby, I imagine moms would usually wait it out a few weeks before allowing family and friends to visit and see their little bundles of joy. But, not during covid. It's hard because you want everybody to see your baby, hold your baby, give cute hugs and grab at their little feet. But, we haven't been able to do that really. Only a fair share of our friends and family have gotten to see Chaseton and hold him. Even now, as our son is 9 months old, we still really cautious about whom we allow around our son. As much as we want to share him with the world, we also want to protect his health. It's sad that is has to be this way.

• It can be hard to let our baby be a baby. Babies love to touch everything and put their mouths on everything. Normally, before Covid, we weren't the germaphobe type of people. But, thanks to the pandemic, we have to sanitize so much it's ridiculous. Not only that, but we've had to stop our son so many times from touching things that it can make us anxious about taking our baby out anywhere. Don't get me wrong, we aren't ridiculous about it. We just never imagined this being something we would have to consider so often for his safety and health.

• We find ourselves constantly having to ask people, "Can you please pull your mask all the way up?" "Can you please take a few steps back?" "Can you please use sanitizer before you touch the baby?" "Please don't touch our baby if you haven't washed your hands." These things may not be far off from what moms normally did prior to the pandemic, but we have said these things between family and friends almost every. single. time.

These are just a few of the things that parenting in a pandemic has been like for us, but there is still so much more that we deal with on a daily. I'm here to share with you all that it isn't easy at all. I feel for all the moms who have babies, or who have dealt with pregnancy during this pandemic! We simply just have not had it the easiest, but I pray, like everybody else, that this will all end sooner than later.

Honestly, I just wanted to use this space to vent - and to pray for you all because sometimes I struggle heavily with mothering in this pandemic, too.

God, 

I pray for all the moms and parents who have little ones during this pandemic. I come to You today, Lord, seeking wisdom to help us trust in Your plan. I pray that we seek You when we are confused about how to operate in motherhood during these trying times. I pray that you take away all anxiety, depression, and stress that covid has brought to us, our kids, and our families. Finally, Lord, I boldly pray that we are nearing the end of this pandemic! Though I may not see the end, I believe and have faith that it is coming one day soon, and until then, I pray we trust You and Your plan. 

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

- Monie Mommy ♥️

😂 Chase's face.