CO Featured Mom: Meet Julie

Motherhood is a journey as unique as you are, so it can often feel like you're doing it alone. Here at Colored Organics, we love to unite you together, even if it's only virtually, to share some wisdom and camaraderie on the rollercoaster journey of parenting. We are so excited to share some motherhood insights from Oregon-based mama, Julie!

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF!

WHAT'S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING A PARENT?

There were so many aspects of parenthood that were taken from us when Renly died -- hearing your baby cry for the first time, the sleepless nights, looking in your rearview mirror and seeing your baby sound asleep in their carseat, new milestones, endless dirty diapers and spit-up stained clothes -- we waited 9 months to experience it all and then she didn't come home with us. The most rewarding part of parenthood for me is being able to do all the things with Jack that we didn't get to do and never will get to experience with our girl. Watching my baby boy grow up is a gift I won't ever take for granted.

Jack is wearing the Classic Cruz Jogger in Thyme and the Classic Portland Pullover in Natural!

WHAT IS THE MOST SURPRISING THING ABOUT PARENTHOOD?

Every parent ever talks about how fast the first year flies by but I never realized just how fast until Jack was here. I blinked and now my baby is almost a year old!!

WHAT DOES SELF-CARE LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

I look forward to doing my skincare and makeup in the morning. Just taking five to ten minutes to make myself look put together - even if it's just throwing on a little c serum, tinted moisturizer, and mascara - gives me a little extra confidence for the day. As a mom, it's really easy to neglect yourself but I really see a difference in the way I feel when I put on a little makeup versus when I don't and that little extra confidence boost helps me show up as the best version of myself for my husband and my son.

WHAT CHORE WOULD YOU FOREVER OUTSOURCE?

Dishes. 100%. I feel like half of my adult life has been spent doing dishes. Anyone else? It also doesn't help that I'm not a "clean as you go" type of girl so our kitchen always looks like a tornado came through every time I cook.

Jack is wearing the Classic Short Sleeve Tee in White and Nixie Seersucker Shorts in Shore Stripe!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF COLORED ORGANICS?

Some of the first baby clothes I bought when we found out we were pregnant with Renly were Colored Organics. I watched a documentary called "Stink" a few years ago and it talked about how many harmful chemicals are sprayed on baby clothes; since then, I've made it a priority to shop safer and sustainably when possible. I love that Colored Organics cares about people and the planet and that they're free of toxic chemicals. We've loved every single piece we've gotten from CO!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN EXPECTING MAMA?

We live in a world where there are so many different voices trying to have a say in the way we live - especially when it comes to being a mom - home-birth vs. hospital birth, co-sleeping vs. bassinet. breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding, do this, not that. It's overwhelming. You know your baby better than anyone else. Motherhood is not a "one size fits all." There's no "right way" to raise a child. Give yourself grace. You got this.

To see more of Julie's motherhood journey, follow her onInstagram!