Introduction to Natalia

Hello friends, my name is Natalia, and I am a first-time mom to a nine-month-old baby boy. I was born and raised in the Willamette Valley, and I graduated from Oregon State University in 2019 with a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. My husband, John, and I have been married for two years, and we welcomed our son, Isaiah, into the world in November of 2022. Motherhood has been an incredible journey, full of many joys and challenges, and I am grateful and excited to have the opportunity to share a little bit about what I have learned along the way through The Parent Voice blog.

I was only a few months into my career when I found out I was pregnant. Although we were overjoyed with the news, it was a difficult decision to decide whether I would keep working or whether I would embrace the role of a stay-at-home mom. I had always imagined myself staying home to raise my children, but when it came down to it, I definitely felt like I was saying a sudden goodbye to a chapter of my life. Ultimately, my husband and I decided that staying home to raise Isaiah was the best choice for our family, and I have been growing to love it. My son brings so much joy to my life, and watching him grow and develop has been an incredible privilege.

My desire with this blog is to spread the message that you’re not alone in whatever you’re experiencing. I want to share some of my experiences, the good and the bad, because maybe you’ll be able to relate to something. I know it made a world of difference when I started talking to other moms who were living through similar experiences with their baby and themselves.

Pregnancy and motherhood are truly an experience like none other. At least for me, they have been completely new territory, and all the books in the world could not have prepared me for their reality. The postpartum period has been an equally difficult journey. Not only have I had to acclimate to my new identity as a mom, but it’s been a process of rediscovering who I am as a wife and individual (all while dealing with physical recovery, postpartum anxiety, raging hormones, and family dynamic changes). Although this season in life has brought me very low at times, it has also left me feeling empowered as I begin to get my head above water again. I feel strong and resilient seeing all that I have accomplished and overcome. My hope is that you feel the same way about yourself. You are strong! I look forward to walking through parenthood with you, and I hope I can share something helpful along the way!

I love to spend my time with my little family. We like to go for hikes, visit the local farmer’s market, go to church, gather with friends, and have quiet days at home. Homemaking and hospitality are emerging passions of mine, and I’m excited to develop those skills as I raise my son.

That’s a little introduction to me and my family! I look forward to continuing to connect with you through this blog. Keep up the good work, parents! You’re doing a good job. Your children are blessed to have you!