This is a sponsored conversation, in collaboration with P&G & Babies “R” Us.
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Giving birth to my oldest was life-changing, I’m sure most, (if not all), new Moms would say the same. Here was this tiny, helpless, little human depending on me for everything. Luckily, I had it pretty “easy” as a new Mom. I worked from home, so I didn’t have to worry about re-entering the workforce, or maternity leave. I adored my newborn, and everything associated with motherhood.
My baby demanded all of my time, all day-every day. From sun up to way past sun down; I was at his beck & call. He ate three times a night and was an extremely slow eater. Four ounces of formula would take him nearly an hour to drink. As you can imagine, I was sleep deprived in a hurry.
When our baby was about 9 months old, I realized I didn’t really have much of a life outside of caring for my son. Things I used to do before having him, I just wasn’t doing anymore. I was in a rut.
I’d stopped being me. As long as my baby was happy, loved, clean & well-fed- I was happy … or so I thought. The first time I went shopping without my little one, it hit me, I missed just having me time & doing all the things I used to do before delivering my bundle of joy.
It’s pretty easy to lose your sense of self after having a baby. Don’t ever feel like there’s something wrong with you because you’re not quite yourself now that you’re a Mom. Heck, not even Olympic athletes are exempt from this phenomenon; as I found out for myself after spending some time with 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist & new Mom, Dana Vollmer.
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For as long as I can remember, watching the Olympics has been special. As a child, I’d sit on the floor in front of the TV and just take it all in. The athletes were representing our country & always made me feel proud to be an American. I spent countless hours watching the gymnastics events, track & field, and swimming competitions. The SWIMMING COMPETITIONS!
So, here I was, standing in Babies “R” Us with four other fantastic bloggers & Olympic swimmer and new Mom, Dana Vollmer … trying not to go all fangirl on her. We got to ask Dana a few questions about motherhood, self care, and gettin’ your groove back after having a baby. But first, Dana gave us a little tour around Babies “R” Us & showed us a few of her must-haves for baby. 
Did you know that when you register for the Baby Registry at Babies “R” Us, you’ll earn up to 10% back on purchases made from your registry? No limits! You can use it to purchase whatever you want in the store. That’s like free money! That moola will come in handy when you need to buy Pampers for your baby. Dana told us her little man wears Pampers, so I bet she used some of her Baby Registry money on cases of Pampers Diapers. She also told us how much she likes that she can visit Babies “R” Us & actually touch, feel & try out big ticket items like strollers & car seats. That’s really crucial when you’re 6’1″ and your hubby is 6’6″ tall! Dana said the first stroller they’d ordered somewhere else, just didn’t cut the mustard, because the handles weren’t made for tall folks.
Babies “R” Us has everything imaginable – I couldn’t get over all the cool products they had stocked. (I’m hoping to be invited to a baby shower, just so I can go on a shopping spree!)
After our tour, we sat down with Dana & chatted one on one. Here’s a little video of our time together:
Dana’s parenting philosophy is admirable and I really believe she is rockin’ motherhood. She shared with us that she’d retired from competitive swimming after having her baby … but she really missed it. This is someone who’d been training & competing for years. I can’t imagine giving up something like that, and apparently she couldn’t either! She decided she wanted to get her groove back & return to her first love: competitive swimming, and hopefully another shot at the Olympics!
Dana told us it was really hard to get back in shape after having her son. Can I just tell you how much I loved hearing that? Here was this Olympic athlete saying, “You know what? It is hard.” I already knew that, but hearing it from her validated my feelings & postpartum experience. Dana told us she began her vision quest with simple breathing exercises to help tighten her post-pregnancy belly, then slowly made her way back into the pool. None of it was easy, but she didn’t give up.
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After an entire year away from swimming, Dana Vollmer qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games! At the time of our meeting, she hadn’t qualified yet & was extremely hopeful she’d make the team. Not only did she make the team, but I watched the other night as she won a Bronze medal in the 100m Butterfly & a Silver medal in the 4X100 Relay! I was cheering her on from my living room and gave her a virtual high-five. I felt like she was out there representing all of us Moms! Watching her compete & swim faster than her competitors (many of whom were much younger than her), was so frickin’ cool – she set her mind on a goal & she achieved it. She’s won 2 medals, got her groove back & the Olympics aren’t even over yet!
Dana Vollmer, you are an inspiration to little girls, women & Moms everywhere… ok, ok … boys & men too. You’re a living example of what hard work & perseverance can accomplish. Keep on doin’ you – you deserve a gold medal for being a rockstar Mommy! I’d also like to give a shout-out to P&G & Pampers, for sponsoring Dana’s Olympic journey & helping make her dreams come true!
*photo credit: facebook.com/babiesrus
**photo credit: facebook.com/danavollmer
