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Hello visionary!

If you’re new here, I’d love to take a moment to introduce myself.

I'm Kelsey, and my journey to motherhood wasn't the story of ‘we got pregnant on the first try!’. 

It took us 7 months of trying to get pregnant only to find out that at 8 weeks, we were experiencing a heartbreaking miscarriage.

2 months later, I got pregnant again and on December 25th, 2023 we welcomed our beautiful boy, Freddie. 🍼

I know the suffering that many women face behind closed doors - the hopeful attitude when you’re ovulating, the disappointing negative pregnancy tests and days when you get your period when you really don’t want it, the pain of losing a pregnancy and having to go through a miscarriage, and the sheer elation when you make it to 12 weeks in a pregnancy. 

I've lived those highs and lows. And during those rollercoaster months, a sense of belonging and feeling less alone was what I craved the most. 

I wanted resources, I wanted to watch miscarriage vlogs on YouTube to see how other women experienced it, but above all, I wanted to be assured that in this journey, I was never alone. 💞

So come join me. Whether you've tread a similar path or are currently walking it, let's share the warmth and support each other needs. You've got a friend in me! 💕

#VisionaryMama

When I found out that I was pregnant with our first baby, my mama friends bombarded me with suggestions for must-have baby items!

• From bassinets to breast pumps,

• Sitz baths to swaddles,

• Bottle warmers and baby bath tubs,

• Strollers and stretch mark remedies,

• Diaper bags and dressers

• Teething toys and thermometers

• Carriers, car seats and crib sheets,

Needless to say, I felt a tad overwhelmed…

On one hand, I was incredibly grateful for the offers and to know I could borrow so many of the essential items, but it also brought a wave of anxiety as I realized the immense world of baby gear I was about to dive into. 

I had no idea what I would need and what I could turn down - especially being a first time mama who never really considered these things until now. 

If I’m being completely honest, I found myself ignoring the text messages and saying ‘I’ll get back to you’, because it felt incredibly daunting.

It wasn’t until my friend Krista sent me a well-laid out spreadsheet where I saw all of the essential items in one place that I started to get my ducks in a row. This single document was my anchor, pulling everything I needed into clear view and making the journey into motherhood feel that much easier.

And as time progressed, and more of my friends sent their master lists, I realized I wanted to begin compiling my own that I could one day share with all of you!

• Want to know which diaper cream I used, that was 100% natural? I got you!

• What were the items I used most in those first few days after a very intense natural birth? I’ll tell you!

Now, as I write this blog post many months post-partum, I feel quite confident sharing my essentials with you because everything is tried, tested and true! 

The items I used everyday are marked with a ‘visionary essential’ and I’ve also shared some personal anecdotes of why I included various items and how we utilized them!

Stroller and Car Seats

• Stroller

• Stroller Adapters

• Stroller Cupholder

• Stroller Organizer

• Stroller Cover/ Winter Sleeping Bag

• Car Seat - Bucket

• Car Seat Adapter

• Car Mirror

• Baby Carrier (newborn)

• Baby Carrier (5+ months)

• Baby wraps

• Diaper Bag

• Bike and Run trailer - Double

Nursery

• Bassinet

• Bassinet Sheets

• Video Baby Monitor

• Wearable Sleepsack (NB)

• Sleepsack (6+)

• Swaddles

• Sound Machine and White Noise

• Snuggle Me Organic Pillow

• Blankets

Feeding

• Burp Clothes

• Dispoable Nursing Pads

• Reusable Nursing Pads

• Lanolin Cream

• Breast Milk Storage Bags

• Hakka

• Nursing Cushion

• Pacifier and Teether

Bath

• Infant Bath

• Shampoo and Soap

• Washclothes

• Hooded Bath Towels

• Frida Mama Scrubber

Care

• Diapers

• Swim Diapers

• Diaper Cream

• Bum Cream

• Wipes

• Wipe Warmer

• Lotion

• Thermometer

• Teething

• Nail Clippers

• Vitamin D Drops

Home

• Rocker and Bouncer

• Activity Gym Mat

• Play Mat

• Diaper Bin

• Dresser

• Rocking Chair and Glider

• Zippered Onesies

Mama

• Stretch Marks

• Hospital Bag

• Food for labour, delivery and post partum

• Post Partum Products

• Pelvic Floor Therapist (for when you’re ready)

• Knix Maternity Pack (underwear, bras, and tanktops)

Bathroom Cart

• Nursing Pads

• Perineal Spray

• Perineal Balm

• Depends

• Pads from Moon Mama

• Panty Liners

• Nipple Balm

• Perineal Spray Bottle

• Padsicles

Nursing Cart and Station

• H2o Bottle

• Coffee Mug

• Drink Bottle

• Phone

• Book and Kobo

• Magazines

• Blanket

• Burp Cloths

• Coasters

• Supplements

• Lip Chap

• Hand Moisturizer

• Toys and Books

• Pain Meds

• Hair Elastics

• Snacks

• Nursing Pads for Bra

• Airpods

• Pen and Journals

The truth is, as new parents, we don't always know what we need until a problem presents itself - so go easy on yourself if you don’t feel fully prepared.

Even as a Type A Entrepreneur I never felt like I was fully ready, but I certainly loved leaning on my community for all of their tips & tricks!