Ever since my daughter was born I have been doing my best to navigate through being a mom of 2 human kiddos, 2 cats, and a dog. And during the last 6 weeks I finally came to the realization that having kids and pets can be very hard! One weekday morning after I was done breastfeeding and pumping for my baby and finally feeding my 3-year-old son breakfast, even though it was already late morning, I looked around the kitchen (much messier than I ever would have imagined I’d let it get!) and saw my 2 cats following me around for their morning fancy feast and my dog staring at me intently to take her for a walk. I told them “there is only one of me and 5 of you, I’m doing my best!”. And at that moment I understood how some people, who aren’t as committed or as much of an animal lover as I am, would no longer have the desire to care for them all. I’m not saying that I agree with giving up a pet or that I think it’s right but simply that I finally understand how it could happen and why one of the most common reasons animals are turned into shelters is because of a baby.

Life with multiple pets and multiple children can get messy, be very busy, and is a LOT to manage. I’m not too great with the messy or busy part – – chaos isn’t something I enjoy, but my love for all of them and the love I feel from them outweighs my need to have a controlled, calm environment (most days at least!). And as a wonderful friend continues to remind me “the newborn phase is a difficult, sleepless season but it will get easier”. And when I’m up feeding my daughter throughout the night my cats are always there to keep me company (and awake!). And the fact is our family wouldn’t be complete without each and every one of them.

I love that our children will grow up experiencing the love of an animal and understand the bond you can share with them. And while this season may be messier and busier than I am typically comfortable with, I know I don’t want it any other way. In the meantime, I’m going to do my best to enjoy the craziness being a mother to both human and fur babies can bring! #foreverhome