I know, firsthand, how hard it is for parents to admit they're suffering. I made it through and I can barely talk about it almost a year later. So I'm forcing my own hand (or fingers, rather). This month is National Mental Health Awareness Month and I am determined to get my story out in the hopes of helping another parent recognize their symptoms and seek help earlier.

Below is Part One. Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 (or who knows how many since I haven't written them yet). I have never felt so vulnerable as I do standing on the precipice of this blog series. Thank you for reading.

My stomach turned imagining the dread these parents must feel, waiting for the next bowel movement. Imagining the pain another mother goes through as she drags rough toilet paper or a wet rag across an angry diaper rash before putting the soiled diaper back on her baby. Or the father who rushes to the convenience store, discovering he has enough money for just 18 diapers.

The calendar still says February, but the weather in the Queen City has us feeling like spring! While we aren’t complaining about the warm temperature, severe weather and power outages may be just around the corner. Now is the time to prepare to safely feed your little one in case of an outage - before you are caught in the dark!

We brought zam zam water, a holy water of sorts, and Khayyam gave me sips of it when I was able. We also brought dates, an homage to the laboring Mariam (Mary), may god be pleased with her--as her labor story in our holy book mentions her at a palm date tree and that they gave her energy for the great work. I tried to mutter prayers, as it is said in our faith that the prayer of a laboring woman is guaranteed God’s ear so to speak.

Looking for something sweet for your sweetie (see what I did there)? Today's Top Ten lists our favorite sweet treats, perfect for that special Valentine in your life! There's something for everyone!

Is your special someone expecting a baby soon?

Check out our top ten Valentine's Day gifts!

Add these calorie burning sweat sessions to your routine on those days when you don't have the time or an adequate number of gloves to get to the gym.

Christy was a client of mine last year who overcame some seriously tough twists during her labor (You're 10 centimeters! Just kidding... still 7!) to birth her sweet baby boy, Ashby, at Mercy Hospital in Anderson. She blogs over on Eat Clean Live Simple (go give her some love) and she's kindly written her birth story for us to share and enjoy.

I’ve also wondered how it would feel to tell her that we now share a second bond: we have each lost a son. I held my second son, Lincoln, in my arms as he took his last breath.

“YOU’VE HAD 5?”

“YES, I’VE HAD 5.”

I know how to burn bacon in the oven, how to organize a family of 7 in a house built for 3, how to run a half marathon… I know about so many things, but not many as intimately as recovering from a cesarean.