In fact, most moms don't need the majority of the stuff they're gifted with.  And there are gifts out there that Mom needs but never gets.  We're often so focused on a new baby being born that we forget a mom is being born, too.  Below is a list of alternative gift items that could benefit mom in the postpartum period.  In turn, I think her baby will reap those benefits, too.  Happy mama = Happy baby.  Take a look...

Every year around this time, all of my sweet family members ask me the same question.

"What do you want for Christmas?"

As I get older, my Christmas list gets shorter and, really, more practical.  The stuff that I used to ask for is just that.  STUFF.  Nothing too special about it, other than the goodness of feeling loved that comes from receiving a gift.  Nearing 30, I'm more about learning, experiencing, growing, and giving back.  I think I enjoy giving gifts more than receiving them.  BUT, considering how I worry about acquiring too much, I'm often stumped about what I should get others.  I want it to be something they can make use of without feeling bogged down by all of the STUFF that comes with the holidays.   

Do you feel the same way?  Do you have someone in your life that you want to celebrate but don't know how?  The gift of support in the home may be the perfect way to say "I care."  It looks different for every family, but that's the beauty of it.  It's versatile, functional, and important.  

Keeping a household operating smoothly is challenging, whether you work outside of the home or stay at home with your babies.  Help with the laundry, dishes, meals, errands, and the like can make a huge difference for all families.  Throw a new baby in the mix and sometimes it seems impossible to stay on top of things.  Simple tasks like eating a hot meal or taking a shower take a backseat so mom and partner can care for their new babe.      

That expectant mama you know doesn't really need another baby blanket, and her kid will most likely outgrow that adorable, frilly outfit in 2 weeks.  But she'll probably need help laundering her baby's cloth diapers.  Or maybe she wants to attend a childbirth education class with her partner but there are no class openings at the local hospital.  It's possible she has only a few close friends in town and needs help coordinating a meal train.  Maybe she just needs company- someone to sit with her, listen to her story, and validate her feelings.     

These are all tasks that I can and would love to help out with.  Blissful Transition is now offering perinatal support and home organization in the form of gift certificates.  This support may be geared towards the prenatal and postpartum periods but is not limited to new families.  Please contact me if you're interested in giving this valuable gift to someone you love.  

I almost put these lamps up for sale.  While I loved them in their original state, the paint was chipping and the lamp shades were huge.  Since we were downsizing, it was hard to make them "fit" with the rest of our home decor.  

Instead, I bought a couple new lamp shades from Target, removed the paintings from the front of both lamps, and repainted them using blue and silver spray paints.  I love the outcome and am glad these still belong to me! 

Just because I like to organize doesn't mean my living space is 100% awesome all the time.

Nope, far from it.

This is my bedroom on a Friday morning.  Such a hodgepodge of craziness.  Many of you who don't know me don't know that my family is currently in transition.  We sold our house in September and are currently living at my mom's house until my husband lands a new job.

That means we're living in my old room (more recently, my brother's old room) in the basement.  Bebe guns, motocross collectibles, and all.  Some days, it drives me nuts.  It's a weird feeling.  Being in your childhood home but not really feeling like you're "home." 

Today, I'm embracing this space and where we're at.  I'm looking past the imperfections, which incessantly raise the questions, "What's next?"  and "What are you doing here?"  Honestly, I don't know what's next for our family.  But as long as I am surrounded by people that love me, does it really matter?  My son isn't old enough to remember this phase of his life, but I know one day I'll fondly recall him being able to wake up and give big smiles to his mammy (my mom).  This place is where he first started crawling, giving kisses, and saying, "Mama."  How can I complain about that?

If you're in transition, too, don't let it bother you.  Embrace the uncertainty.  Fighting it and wishing things were different will only leave you feeling fatigued and unsatisfied.  I think that being mindful in this state pushes us to think about what's truly significant to us.  It helps us acknowledge how amazing it feels when we reach where we aspire to be.  It makes us feel human, because not all days are good days and that's okay.

What can you appreciate about your not-so-perfect place?