On January 16th, 2021, we welcomed our little girl into the world! Kennedy McColl Dorsch, born at 6:55 p.m., weighing 7 pounds 2 ounces and 21.5 inches long. It is absolutely crazy when they hand you your baby for the first time… I honestly had never seen anything or anyone so beautiful in the my entire life. And each day since then, I feel like my heart gets bigger every day. I can’t imagine loving her more… and then I wake up the next day and somehow I do.
Becoming a mother really had been a magical experience for me. But it’s also been a difficult one. I can write a more in-depth post on this later if you guys would like, but gosh it is HARD. I have cried every single day since her birth, both happy tears and sad. Most days I can barely find the time to brush my teeth, let alone get dressed or do my makeup. My house is a mess, there are piles of laundry everywhere and on top of that, both Chris and I are battling sleep deprivation from not sleeping at night. Every second of the day is accounted for and revolves around this tiny little human. I keep telling myself that this phase is temporary, and everything else (like cleaning the house and doing the laundry) can wait. But the baby snuggles… they are my priority right now!
I definitely plan on sharing her birth story on the blog, but let me know if there’s any other posts you’d like to see. Kennedy says she is so happy to “meet” all of you!!!
xoxo
Congratulations! You are both so beautiful!
Welcome baby Kennedy! She is just beautiful!! So so so happy for you guys. I can’t even imagine how tough the newborn stage is… hang in there! <3 Praying it'll keep getting easier!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Congratulations! She is beautiful. Welcome to #momlife- you will wear it well 🙂
I’m so happy for you!!!!
Congrats Mom and Dad and WELCOME Baby Kennedy!! She is beautiful! I can totally relate to the struggle of having a messy house and a baby to take care of. I never wanted to sleep during the day because that’s when I wanted to clean! It’s hard! I’m thinking of you <3 Looking forward to more posts about motherhood 🙂
Aww such a beautiful little baby girl 🙂 welcome to the world little Kennedy!
Xx Janine
https://walkinmysneaks.blogspot.com
All the parenting books need one only page and it needs to say “this is just a phase” because that sums up everything. If you keep reminding yourself that you’ll be okay. 😉
Such good advice. These moments go relatively quickly when looking back. Look up the song ‘it won’t be like this for long’ by Darius Rucker. It’s so true!
congratulations!! 🙂
Congratulations!! She is so precious!!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
She’s absolutely beautiful, just like her Mama! Hang in there. Like you said, this crazy phase is only temporary. Enjoy her baby soft skin, her smell, her cute little facial expressions, and everything in between. I personally do not have any children, but I’ve always heard it goes way too fast. You’re doing great Mama!
Congrats ! She is beautiful . It is hard at first and it seems as if you don’t even remember what you look like in the mirror or when you can get a quick shower (if and when you can !) BUT trust me , time flies . My one and only (God blessed me with one being I was 35) Is seven now. How is he seven , I Ask myself sometimes ?! It feels like yesterday I was nursing him . Life may seem very chaotic at the moment, with sleep deprivation and exhaustion, but trust us , enjoy these moments . They pass to fast .
She’s so beautiful! So happy for you and Chris! Every pile of laundry and sleepless night is worth it for that sweet little girl. The first couple months was the hardest with my son, but every time I would look at him, I would understand and know, he’s why I’m on this earth. Now he’s going on 9 months and he’s still the light of my life. Hang in there mama, you got this! Much love!
She is absolutely adorable! Congrats all around!
Congratulations! It is a life changer for sure. And some days are so incredibly hard, but so incredibly amazing at the same time. Sleep will come and you will miss these days. My son is now 4 and I look back and say “Why was it so hard… he could barely move around, now he’s all over the place!” Enjoy every second!! Being a mother is truly the best feeling.
She is so beautiful. I’m loving seeing her on your story and your moms. Yes, the sleep deprivation is the worst, but it will pass. I’m so glad your mom is with you this week. That will help tremendously. Snuggle, snuggle, snuggle. XOXO
She is adorable.
She is absolutely gorgeous! The time goes so fast! My babies are 13 and 10. Enjoy 💕
so so sweet Caitlin! you did good mama and you’re still doing good! give yourself grace and as you said, all those other things can wait + this phase will go quick, I am sure of it!
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
i think it would be really helpfull to do a real post about post partum…
My son is 14 month old and no one told you what to expect… and i think it would have been less hard if i knew what to expect…
So i think you would help a lot of future and new mom who feel alone and think they are bad moms because they are so lost….
This is such a good and important point. I think society glosses over the postpartum experience so often that, like you said, people end up not knowing what to expect. Wishing you well!
that’s exactly it! everyone telling it’s going to be natural, you will know, it’s the best moment… but no, not always… i love being a mom but i think i would have enjoy it more and stressed less if people where honest… and if they told about the bad as well as the good!!!
and she is absolutly perfect… i can’t wait to follow you in this new adventure !!!
So many congratulations! She is beautiful and seems like such a happy baby! I bet you and your husband are over the moon. Enjoy this time – they grow up right before your eyes!
She’s so beautiful, congrats to you and Chris! You will have SO many comments like this, but it truly does get easier. I promise. I cried every day for a month with our first. Breastfeeding didn’t come as easy as I had envisioned right away, so was defeating until I got the hang of it. I felt very accomplished the days I was able to take a shower and put on clean clothes. I always laugh when I look back and think that we had beautiful nursery that we didn’t use for months, not even to change diapers. My first was born in November so it seemed like it was always dark outside. I had no idea if we should be eating breakfast or dinner because the only time that mattered during the day was the last time she ate. Hang in there, one day at a time. Even though it doesn’t feel like it when you haven’t slept more than a few hours here and there each day, fast forward a month from now and it will feel like it went by in the blink of an eye. So happy to hear your mom is there for a week, there is absolutely nothing better than support from family.
xoxox
Congratulations!!! She is beautiful! I know it is so very hard!!! I have 2 boys. I remember how exhausting it is and how becoming a mom just turns your world upside down.Hang in there and enjoy these moments. She will settle in and your life will get back to normal. Love to you all!!!
Such a precious little girl! Congratulations! The first few weeks are hard for new parents. You are trying to adjust and get acquainted with this wee one! You will get in a routine before long and things will get easier. Best thing is give yourself some grace, actually lots and lots of grace. Loving, bonding and caring for Kennedy is your priority, the house and everything else will be there tomorrow!
Congratulations, she is beautiful!! It’s a magical time and is also challenging, especially with your first because you’re making a complete life adjustment. Just take it day by day, try not to compare what things were like before to what they are now, and be ready to adjust as your baby’s patterns will change (especially throughout the first year). Remember to reach out when you need to and talk about how you’re feeling. You’re finding a new normal- and it does get easier 🙂
Awe Caitlyn, I’ve followed you for years and this post is by far my most favorite yet!! I know how you prayed and hoped for this wee one and now here she is! Congratulations on a perfect and beautiful daughter, welcome! You are already so loved!
Kisses, Brigette
Congratulations on the birth of your healthy, beautiful daughter! I am so happy for you…but can totally relate to everything you said, lol. As the mom to a now 19 year old daughter, I can tell you that I remember those sleepless, stressful, “everything is a mess” baby days very well. Is it weird to say that back then the time seemed to pass so slowly, and yet so quickly at the same time?!? The early years are so hard, but they are so worth it, and all too soon she will be off to start a life of her own. I know you and Chris will cherish these days, hard as they are, as much as my husband and I did. 🙂 Best wishes to you and your family for continued good health and happiness!
Kennedy is the MOST Beautiful. I follow your precious mama and I loved seeing CiCi’s reaction when she first laid eyes on her IRL. Such a JOY!! My mom is my best friend and I have always loved your relationship. Enjoy the time with her there this week!
Wow she is so beautiful just like you! You are already a great mother. It’s amazing how god blesses us with that gift right away to be a great mom. I admire you so much and even more now that your a mommy 😭 lol. Congratulations.
It will be so cool to watch her grow.
Congratulations!!!!
Congratulations to you both she is beautiful ☺️ , don’t worry I know how you feel I was scared to shower so I would put the baby in the carrier and have him at the entrance and would be able to shower super fast and I would always peek out to make sure he was ok not know you will get in a routine when she is on a sleeping schedule and you will have more time for you, enjoy each moment because time goes by so fast he is now I. College and is still by beautiful little boy!!!
She’s absolutely beautiful! Congratulations!!
Congratulations !! Beautiful baby and family! As an expecting mother I would love to see a blog post on your “can’t live without” products for newborns. Congratulations again and can’t wait to continue following your mommy journey!
Congratulations !! Beautiful baby and family! As an expecting mother I would love to see a blog post on your “can’t live without” products for newborns. Congratulations again and can’t wait to continue following your mommy journey!
OMFG! She is just the Cutest whittle Miss! HEAPS of Congrats!
Congratulations!! She is perfect and beautiful! You look AMAZING!!!
She is stunning! You will learn to adapt. You will learn to set priorities and it will be great!
Congratulations and nice to meet you Kennedy! You are both beautiful! Hang in there as it really is a phase. All of the things mentioned are secondary to your health and well being. It will and does come together. 🤗
Welcome to the world baby girl! & Congrats Caitlin and Chris!
She is such a doll and lucky to have you both as parents. I know that this time can be hard, but I’m sure you’re giving it your all and doing the best you can and that’s what matters. Stay strong. You’ve got this and so does your husband. Give yourself all the grace and enjoy all of the snuggles with sweet Kennedy! <3
Like I mentioned in a DM I sent you, I feel like a proud friend, even though we don't really know each other. I'm just so happy for you and this new season! Wishing y'all all the best on this new journey of parenthood!
xx
Key
https://storiesbysuddreth.com/
Congratulations!!! She is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for being so open and honest. You’re going to be the best mom!
I’d love to have a post on what you’ve used and what has helped you after going home from the hospital!
So beautiful and happy for you. Kennedy has a special Mommy.
Caitlin, she’s adorable! You are rocking this and you’re doing a much, much better job at momming than you may think you are. I’m a postpartum RN and an IBCLC and I tell my families that the first 6 weeks (minimum!!!) are the best kind of bedlam and chaos, but that it’s just craziness and milk everywhere for awhile. If the house is still standing at the end of the day and mostly everyone is still alive, you’re killing it. This is your time to revel in the hot mess and cry as much as you need to! I can’t tell you how much everyone goes through this and if someone says they didn’t, they probably just forgot. You may not enjoy everything about this time and that is perfectly ok and so normal!
You and Chris are forging a new kind of teamwork and I hope you both can give yourselves grace and forgiveness when things (inevitably) go a little sideways. We’d love to hear your birth story when you have time, and we’ll be here when you return – take time for yourselves and please don’t feel like you have to rush back. Congratulations to you both on your sweet, perfectly beautiful little one!
Congratulations!
Praying you guys get some much needed rest soon. 🙂
Natalie from Austin
Congrats girl! So glad you are connecting with your girl! She’s beautiful.
I’m a mom of a 14 month old and from my own experience as well as talking with other new moms, no one prepares first timers for the struggle of breastfeeding. We are only told “breast is best”. I saw on your Instagram you mentioned struggling with breastfeeding. Maybe a real life, honest post normalizing the struggle. Motherhood is HARD! If we normalize difficulty more we can help people feel less alone.
You are in the thick of it but YOU ARE A GREAT MOM!
How did you guys decide on the name?
It’s so hard at first. But time goes by so fast! When you are ‘in it’, it seems to last forever, but it is truly fleeting, which you will not realize until they are grown. Your perfect home, clothes, hair, and makeup will take a backseat for a,while, and it’s ok! My son is 21 and I am currently babysitting a 10 month old for a friend, and it’s exhausting!! Congratulations and good luck! Just take it a day at a time. No matter how prepared you think you are, you never really are prepared for the reality! I remember sobbing when my husband went back to work, thinking ‘ I can’t do this!’ , but I did, and you will, too!
Congratulations Dorsch Fam! Once you have had the time to try out all of the baby products, I’d love for you to do a post on what baby care products you are using and liking (i.e. shampoo, soap, lotion, laundry detergent, etc.)! I know you do your research to make sure you’re using clean and baby-safe products, so I’d love your input. Enjoy these special moments! ❤️
Welcome Kennedy!!!
I don’t think anyone can completely prepare you for your first newborn baby. It’s IS so hard. I cried every day with my first, too. But now he’s five and, along with my other children, he brings me so much joy. It is all worth it in the end. 🙂
So sweet. Thanks for sharing your journey with everyone!
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow
For babies grow up, much to our sorrow
So settle down cobwebs, Dust go to sleep,
I”m rocking my baby, and babies don’t keep!
It’s a big adjustment, the birth pangs don’t stop after birth! Be patient with yourself.
God Bless you and your new little one.
Hi! Love meeting your baby girl.
Could you share the things you’ve done for a smooth recovery and how you’ve bounced back so fast? I’ve gained (what seems to be) so much weight and it makes me nervous! Thanks girl. I could use all the tips.