Sep 27, 2023

Labor of Love: Angie's Journey Through Motherhood

Every mom has her own unique journey. From the first heartbeats of pregnancy to the life-changing days that follow childbirth, it's a path forged with tears, smiles, challenges, and moments of unparalleled joy.

Here, in Estella's Labor of Love series, we dive deep into Angie Williams' heartwarming journey. Residing in Provo, Utah, this 28-year-old content creator is the embodiment of a modern-day mother who tackles challenges with grace and wraps her world around her little daughter who is twelve months young.

Jump to:

The Early Days: When Reality Hit
Conquering Challenges: Sleepless Battles
Treasured Moments: Finding Refuge in Each Other
Dreams and Hopes: Charting Her Own Course
Words of Wisdom: Granting Grace
Blending Cultures: Montessori Meets Brazil
Trusting Quality: Estella's Promise
Check out Angie's full interview here!

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The Early Days: When Reality Hit

Angie's introduction to motherhood was a whirlwind of emotions. Sleepless nights, overwhelming changes, and the anxiety of not knowing if she was doing everything right. But amidst the chaos, the love for her newborn daughter stood strong.

“Every night felt so overwhelming with a crying baby and being sleep deprived. Everything felt like the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I wouldn’t change it for the world or ever give up the hardships I was going through,” Angie recalls. “Despite every desperate moment I had, my love for my daughter would wipe every tear from my face and give me the strength to overcome my weaknesses."

Conquering Challenges: Sleepless Battles

For many moms, sleep deprivation can feel like an insurmountable mountain. Angie too faced this uphill climb. Her determination to find balance led her to gentle sleep training. This not only helped both mother and baby get much-needed rest but also deepened their bond.

“Sleep deprivation was the most challenging thing I ever went through. Never sleeping and getting enough rest but still having to care for my new baby was so overwhelming,” says Angie. “I was able to find help through gentle sleep training that only made me connect more with my daughter and taught me how to better help sooth and understand her needs.”

Treasured Moments: Finding Refuge in Each Other

Amid the exhausting days, moments of pure love and connection shine the brightest. Angie paints a picture of one such instance. She was feeling incredibly drained and needed to take a break, so she lay on the floor. She was soon joined by her daughter, who sought solace in her arms. It was in that moment that she realized that she was her little one’s safe space– no matter what.

Dreams and Hopes: Charting Her Own Course

Angie’s aspirations for her daughter stem from her own life. Growing up under the weight of expectations, she hopes her daughter can chart her own path.

“My biggest dream for her is that she grows up to be her own person,” Angie says. “My mother had so many expectations for me and even decided what I should major in college when I was still a baby. I grew up hearing that I was gonna be a doctor and I felt so obligated to that in order to make my mother proud that I didn’t really think about what I wanted until I was 23, was finishing my bachelors degree and didn’t feel happy about it. So I just hope my daughter can pursue whatever she wants just because it’s what she wants and not because she’s living under someone’s expectations.

Words of Wisdom: Granting Grace

No two motherhood journeys are the same. For new moms seeking advice, Angie's message is clear: "Allow yourself some grace." Perfection is a myth, and every mother is doing the best she can with what she knows.

Blending Cultures: Montessori Meets Brazil

Drawing from her Brazilian roots and a keen interest in Montessori parenting, Angie fosters an environment of independence and exploration for her daughter. It’s a blend of cultural heritage and modern parenting philosophy.

Trusting Quality: Estella's Promise

In her odyssey of motherhood, Angie showcases that challenges and joys often go hand in hand. Every struggle faced strengthens the bond between mother and child, making the journey truly a 'Labor of Love'.

Ensuring her daughter has quality products is paramount for Angie. She speaks highly of Estella's organic baby gift sets, specifically highlighting the Organic Baby Gift Set. It mirrors her commitment to providing only the best for her child.

Can you describe a moment during your pregnancy or early days of motherhood where the term 'Labor of Love' felt most real to you?

It felt real during the first couple of months. Having my life completely changed by a newborn when I had zero idea of what I was doing or if I was doing it right. Every night felt so overwhelming with a crying baby and being sleep deprived. Everything felt like the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I wouldn’t change it for the world or ever give up the hardships I was going through. Despite every desperate moment I had, my love for my daughter would wipe every tear from my face and give me the strength to overcome my weaknesses.

What's been one of the most challenging moments you've faced as a mom, and how did you overcome it? How did this experience shape your journey as a mother?

Sleep deprivation was the most challenging thing I ever went through. Never sleeping and getting enough rest but still having to care for my new baby was so overwhelming. I was able to find help through a gentle sleep training that only made me connect more with my daughter and taught me how to better help sooth and understand her needs.

Every day brings its little joys and moments of love. Can you share a recent day-to-day moment with your child(ren) that reminded you of the beauty of motherhood?

I was having a rough day and I was very tired. My daughter was cranky and I decided to lay on the floor and take a breath for a moment. My daughter laid on my chest and we cuddled for a while. It was such a sweet moment to realize that I’m her safe place no matter what.

As parents, we all have dreams, hopes, and aspirations for our children. What is one dream or hope you deeply hold for your child, and why?

My biggest dream for her is that she grows up to be her own person. My mother had so many expectations for me and even decided what I should major in college when I was still a baby. I grew up hearing that I was gonna be a doctor and I felt so obligated to that in order to make my mother proud that I didn’t really think about what I wanted until I was 23, was finishing my bachelors degree and didn’t feel happy about it. So I just hope my daughter can pursue whatever she wants just because it’s what she wants and not because she’s living under someone’s expectations.

Looking back at your journey so far, what advice would you give to a new mom embarking on her own 'Labor of Love'?

Allow yourself some grace. There are no perfect parents on this world, so don’t beat yourself too much trying to fulfill an unrealistic expectation.

Occupation: What is your current occupation? Do you work full-time, part-time, or are you a stay-at-home mom?

Content creator & social marketing specialist.

Cultural or Ethnic Background: If it's relevant to your story and you're comfortable sharing, could you mention your cultural, ethnic, or any other background that has influenced your parenting journey?

I’m Brazilian and I’ve been implementing the Montessori parenting in our lives.

Parenting Philosophy or Approach: Do you follow a specific parenting philosophy or approach that guides your daily interactions with your children?

The Montessori philosophy that encourages independence.

Fun Fact: Please share a fun or interesting fact about yourself or your family.

My daughter is the 34th grandchild in the family on her dad’s side 😅