Meet the Girl Behind the Blog

Hi!  Welcome!  I’m so glad you’re here!  Pull up a comfy chair, grab your caramel macchiato, latte, mocha…whatever caffeinated goodness you love…and join me on this exciting journey.

My name is Stephanie and I can pretty much guarantee you’ll never see me without a Starbucks coffee in hand.  I am a self proclaimed

“Starbucks Addict & Pinterest Fanatic”

who loves Mumford & Sons, reality TV, Pottery Barn, Chocolate, my Erin Condren Life Planner, Traveling, Bucket Lists, and anything Rose Gold.  This is the story of my blog…

My coffee addiction began in nursing school 12 years ago. Long hours of studying and years of clinicals drove my caffeine dependency!  ?

I had always wanted to be a nurse.  I would play hospital when I was a little girl, and even drew self portraits for school of me as a nurse (my mom still has these drawing! ?).

So, it’s not surprising that I was beyond ecstatic when I graduated from nursing school and officially became an RN!  It was the biggest accomplishment of my life at that point in time.  It felt like a dream.

 I’ve worked in many settings as a nurse, but I think I’ve found my home as a Mother Baby nurse.  The writing was kind of on the wall…I’ve always been obsessed with babies!

You see, I was the one in high school who loved to babysit; would read “Parents” magazines as a hobby; did a speech in 11th grade about the McCaughey septuplets; and was pretty much crazy about babies, babies, babies!

I love helping new families as they enter into the first few days as a family.  It’s such a precious time in their lives, and I’m honored to be a part of it.

{Here’s some post for new Mommy’s here and here! ?}

I always wanted to be a nurse, but most of all I wanted to be a wife and a mom.  Enter into the story… My handsome hubby..

We met in junior high.  He became my best friend, then high school sweet heart, boyfriend for 10 years….yes, I said ten years…and then finally my husband.  We planned our destination wedding in 6 weeks!  Yes, you read that right! It was quite the challenge for this former bridal consultant.  But all the stress and crazy planning were worth it. We had the most beautiful fall wedding on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan.  It was truely romantic and just a tad chilly at 60 degrees. “Top 10 Tips for Destination Brides” & “Mackinac Island Wedding Guide” coming soon! 

We are proud Michiganders at heart, and if you’ve never heard of Mackinac Island, it’s the “Crown Jewel of the Great Lakes”. The movie “Somewhere in Time” was filmed on the island. It’s a place known for horse drawn carriages, chocolate fudge, and the annual Lilac Festival held every June.  It’s my absolute favorite place in the whole world.  Every year we ride bicycles around the island, relax in the Adirondack chairs, and stargaze on the lawn of Mission Point Resort where we were married.  It honestly is a magical place! “Pure Michigan Bucket List” & “Mackinac Island Must Sees” coming to the blog soon! 

So, I had my dream job, and my hunk of a man, so all that was missing was a baby of my own.  And, that’s where the story of this blog begins…

After years and years of “trying” (6+ years to be exact) we are still waiting for our miracle baby.  A year and a half ago we got a glimmer of hope that faded just as quickly as it came.  After many doctors visits, medications, injections, painful procedures and tests…we finally got our BFP…”big fat positive” in the infertility world.

We basked in the joy that we were finally going to be a family.  “Finally, a Christmas being pregnant, what a blessing”, I thought, as many of you who know infertility all to well understand exactly how hard holidays can be.  I can finally celebrate Mother’s Day; and decorate a nursery; and share crazy “guess what nonsense my kid got into” stories with all my friends who were already in the “all inclusive” Mommy Club.  I talked to the baby every night and prayed over that child.  Even though he/she was only the size of a poppyseed, he/she was our first child.  And with that status, came a lot of love, and hopes, and dreams.

“Sometimes the memory of that day still knocks the wind out of me.”

 And then our world stopped.  I miscarried.  Just as quickly as that life entered ours, he/she was gone.  We had an angel.  Heaven felt closer.  But, we were devastated.  Even though I hadn’t been pregnant for very long, our lives had already changed.  We were Mommy and Daddy.  I had that overwhelming feeling of being responsible for another human.  I’d rushed to the bookstore to buy the book, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” because I suddenly felt dumb and unprepared for carrying a life.  Our families had shared in our joy and were ecstatic to be grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins.  It was gut wrenching having to recant our exciting news.

“My Infertility Journey” & “The Story of Our Angel” coming soon!  Needing encouragement right now??  I hear ya!  Check out “When God Seems Far Away”! Hang in there, sister!

The next few weeks and months were awful. The holidays were approaching, which is my favorite time of year, and I dreaded the thought of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  As the new year came, I was really expecting a year of sadness as we counted down the months and weeks to the impending due date…4th of July, 2015.  Much to my surprise, that next year, was really the best year of my life. I felt the prayers and support of our friends and family uplifting me, and I carried on by the grace of God.  I found encouragement in other women who were experiencing this same difficult walk through infertility and loss.  It’s a club we never asked to be a part of, but the bond is strong.  We pledged to not live that year in grief, but instead focus on the joy-filled moments.  We made countless memories as we embraced our life together.  I like to call it,

“Bucket-Listing our way to Parenthood!”

I want this blog to be a safe place, a haven, an oasis for those dealing with the stressors along the way to Mommyhood, and hopefully eventually through Mommyhood.  This can be a place for grieving, a place for inspiring, a place where we can encourage each other on this journey.  Cause, seriously, I know, I understand…I’ve been there. I’m here to tell you that you are loved, you are not forgotten.  You have worth and purpose outside of being a hopeful mom.  I’m here to encourage you to have faith and not give up hope….there is a plan in place that will make sense one day.  You are not broken…I need to be reminded of this daily, if not hourly.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future”  Jeremiah 29:11

So, welcome to Lattes, Lilacs, & Lullabies a place where we’ll discuss everything baby…from making a baby, to having a baby, to what to expect during those first few days with your little one. (I’m pulling knowledge and advice from all my labor & delivery and mother baby nurse friends…you’re welcome!) Also expect other fun things like Bucket Lists, Travel, Pinterest Recipes and Projects, and inspiration for around your home!  So,  welcome, again!  We’re glad you’re here and hope you’ll stay awhile!  Now grab another cup ‘o joe, and let’s get started!

Want to know more about the girl behind the blog?  Check out “10 Facts About Me”!