Katherine Kapelsohn

Daisy and Drew are the best of buds. Swipe to see something precious from the other evening. ⠀ ⠀ My crazy and energetic Labrador has transformed into a loving and protective big sister. ⠀ ⠀ I was so afraid of them meeting and what she would think of him. I definitely didn’t want a Lady and the Tramp situation...if you know what I mean. ⠀ ⠀ After trying to figure out what he was, she seemed to become obsessed with him. She kisses his feet and the back of his head whenever she can, and when she enters our bedroom, the first thing she checks is his bassinet. If he’s not in it, she sniffs him out and checks to make sure he’s alright. ⠀ ⠀ Drew had a reaction to some pollen earlier this week, and every time his breathing became more shallow, Daisy would stick her head over the bassinet edge and check to make sure he was ok. ⠀ ⠀ Nothing fills my heart more than to see how these two things that I love so dearly are developing a love for one another. ⠀ ⠀ I think Daisy has a new best friend.

Our pregnancy journey did not look like my plan. The beginning, middle, and end did not go as I had expected. ⠀ ⠀ There were tears and prayers and pain and dreams lost, but looking back, God wove it all together into the most beautiful story. ⠀ ⠀ We had to rely on one another, strengthen our marriage, seek Him in prayer, and trust that everything would be ok...and if not, that He would give us the strength to find joy and keep going. ⠀ ⠀ I had dreamed of a normal labor story. Birthing my first child into the world through force of will, holding my husbands hand, and clutching my little one to my chest upon hearing his first cry. ⠀ ⠀ This didn’t happen to me. It wasn’t in the cards. ⠀ ⠀ Instead, at a routine appointment without my husband, I was rushed into an emergency c-section {luckily he was able to make it there for the surgery}. ⠀ ⠀ I was terrified. The girl that loved obstetrics, who had seen 50+ c-sections before, was literally shaking as I lay on the table waiting to find out if our son was ok. ⠀ ⠀ Andrew’s birth story is special. It’s not like everyone else’s and he has defied all the odds stacked against him. ⠀ ⠀ He is strong and healthy and thriving. ⠀ I am happy and healing and my heart is overflowing with joy. ⠀ ⠀ In the past week that he has been in our lives, my soul has been inspired by his good nature and indomitable spirit. All the challenges, thus far, he has met and made me so proud in exceeding expectations. ⠀ ⠀ Our little guy is such a gift and miracle. ⠀ ⠀ Still soaking in all the sleep and snuggles, but hoping to open up about our birth story in a few days. ⠀ ⠀ xoxo

On Friday April 17th our lives were changed forever when our son decided to make an early entry into the world. Andrew Christopher Robinson entered our lives at 11:10am weighing 5 pounds and 12 ounces via emergency c-section in Arlington, Virginia. We are soaking up all the newborn snuggles and smells and feel blessed beyond measure. More to come on everything that happened in the coming days.

Baby boy, we only have a few more days with you inside and I have to say I’m now at the point where we just want you out. ⠀ ⠀ In part because I can no longer breathe or eat, and in part because your dad and I cannot wait to love on you. ⠀ ⠀ 🌷🌷🌷⠀ ⠀ I think one of the most exciting things moving forward into this season is watching my husband become a father. I wake up each and every day and wonder if it’s possible to love him any more than I do, but I think fatherhood will take it to a whole nother level. ⠀ ⠀ Let’s just try to not make another baby too soon 😂

Dealing with some pretty heavy baby stuff this week. Would appreciate all the prayers for our little guy this coming week as we approach next steps and decide how to proceed. ⠀ ⠀ It's hard when pregnancy doesn't go according to plan. ⠀ ⠀ This one has thrown us some curveballs, but the beauty of this journey is the fact that I know my husband and I are strong enough to bear these small burdens with God and one another.⠀ ⠀ "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."⠀ ⠀ - Ecclesiastes 4:12

He is Risen 🌷 Happy Easter friends! I was on a call with my church this morning and I felt so uplifted and inspired afterwards. I am going into a really hard week personally with a lot of things running through my head. I am sure all of you are dealing with new stressors and situations right now as well. I talk a lot on this platform about Joy. Joy is one of the things I hope to share and inspire others to seek through my social media. What is so beautiful about joy, is the fact that you can find it no matter what your outside circumstances look like. You may not be happy. You may be experiencing hardship or loss or financial struggles, but you can still have a joyful heart even if happiness is hard to find. On our call this morning, my pastor said that he felt like people "need a win" right now. I SO felt this, and I am sure many of you will as well. I am not sure what you are going through at home, but I definitely feel like I need a win right now. Amidst all of my plans, the way I thought life was going, and my hopes, God placed the COVID-19 pandemic. He also placed Easter, right in the center of it all. How beautiful is it that amidst something that COULD get us so down, God has given us the biggest win of all. I hope that can inspire you this week moving forward. Love you all.

I have been really committed to staying fit during my pregnancy this year. I know that prevention is the best medicine both for my mental health and my physical health. Keeping my body strong during this pregnancy has been so important to me, and staying fit will be so important to my journey towards recovery post-baby. One thing I have started implementing is Move Mode by @Headspace. You have all heard me talk about them as a mindfulness program that I believe in before. Several of my friends have started using them and they've had really positive experiences also! Move Mode incorporates mindfulness meditation and workout motivation! They are led by two Olympians and are SO good. Whether it is intentional consistency or mindful cardio circuits, I think my workouts have only been improved by collaborating with @headspace. If you have been struggling to commit to physical and mental health during this season, or if you do not see the connection between the two, make sure you check out the app and swipe up via the link in my stories for more information. As part of the COVID-19 response, Headspace also just announced that they have teamed up with Governor Cuomo's office to offer free meditation and mindfulness resources for New Yorkers called 'New York State of Mind'. Swipe up for more info. #ad #Headspace #selfcare #mentalhealth #wellness #loveyourself #health #mindfulness #motivation #healing #meditation #mentalhealthawareness #inspiration #anxiety #positivevibes #healthylifestyle #selfcarethreads #life #relax #happiness #wellbeing #instagood

With a little one on the way, taking care of my first four-legged child has not been forgotten. Daisy Mae is and always will be my best friend. Taking care of her and looking out for her health are some of my top priorities.⠀ ⠀ As the weather begins to change and sunshine brings warmer days, I encourage you to remember to gear up for flea and tick season. ⠀ ⠀ Daisy is an adventure pup, and she tromps through the woods, the fields, and the lakes. She is fearless in her exploration and adventurous spirit, but the creepy crawlys that she brings in with her have no place in my house. ⠀ ⠀ This year I've teamed up with PetArmor @PetArmor to prep Daisy Mae in the best way, to never stop exploring. I researched the best ways to keep her safe and keep her from being a vector to my own family and our soon-to-be here little one. ⠀ ⠀ Now we can plan backpacking trips and beach days to our hearts content, free from worry. ⠀ ⠀ #YouAreYourPetsArmor Swipe up in my story to learn more #ad #PetArmor

The Nursery is Done!⠀ ⠀ Amidst a week and time of uncertainty, getting this room completed before our son arrived was a little win.⠀ ⠀ I have a whole reveal video going live on April 13th and will be sharing the link to my stories that afternoon in case you want to check it out.⠀ ⠀ It is a storybook Winnie the Pooh theme and I find myself sitting in the room, holding my tummy, and rocking in our glider cherishing the moments I have left with you on the inside. ⠀ ⠀ I don't know what these next few weeks will bring for our family and your birth, but I know that my heart is filled with joy in those little moments.⠀ ⠀ Love you so much already little one.

Pregnancy Update: baby is still incubating, but he’s sitting in all the wrong positions. He’s been breech almost my entire pregnancy. He decided to rotate about two weeks ago, but now he’s transverse with his head on the right side of my belly button and his booty on the left. ⠀ ⠀ I’m hoping he decides to complete his rotation soon, but little man seems to be too comfy. ⠀ ⠀ All my pregnancy plans have completely changed as of late, but it’s just one more reminder that I am not the author of this story and it will be beautiful in it’s time. ⠀ ⠀ “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope and a future”⠀ ⠀ ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Trying to get out and go for a short hike today. We aren’t on shelter in place orders yet but I’ve been self-quarantining for a while for the safety of others and the baby. ⠀ ⠀ What are you guys up to today. I keep finding myself texting friends and asking if they have plans for the weekend...mostly because my plans are so boring that I’m hoping I can live through them vicariously. Unfortunately, everyone’s schedules are about the same at the moment!⠀ ⠀ What are you up to over the next few days? Any recipes you’re trying out, games you’re playing, or friends you’re going to FaceTime? ⠀ ⠀ Let me know below!

“More than whimsy, JOY is a weapon we use to fight life’s battles”⠀ ⠀ Spread some joy and happiness today. Get outside and spend time in nature. Make an ice cream Sunday. Snuggle your doggo. FaceTime your family. Have a dance party. ⠀ ⠀ Spread smiles and not panic during this #COVID19 crisis.

My thoughts and feelings have been all over the place with the current world situation. ⠀ ⠀ I do think it’s important to acknowledge the mental health struggle effecting everyone self-quarantining, those trying to work from home as their kiddos burst in on meetings and conference calls, those without homes, those with unsafe homes, and anyone that is struggling with healthcare and mental health treatment on their own during this time. ⠀ ⠀ I’m an extrovert, and staying inside by myself with limited interactions even with my husband, has been so hard. He’s exposed to a lot at work, and with me being immunocompromised, we’re trying to be as safe as possible until everything passes. ⠀ ⠀ I know one thing that we’ve struggled with is just being honest and open with one another. We need to remember we are on the same team and that all of this will pass if we can have faith, peace, and hope. ⠀ ⠀ I snapped at him the other day because we went out to get last-minute supplies and he put his hand on his mouth — picking at an itch. ⠀ ⠀ Should he have waited to wash his hands? 100% yes. ⠀ ⠀ Should I have gotten so upset? 100% no. ⠀ ⠀ I talked to him after we got home and I explained that I wasn’t actually mad, but that I was scared. Despite the fact that most of my days I am totally fine, happy, and not living in the shadow of fear, when I look at the news too much and let my mind wander and get dark and twisty, the fear comes back and twists into other emotions. ⠀ ⠀ I encourage all of you to rely on one another during this time emotionally, even if you cannot physically. ⠀ ▪️Be honest with how you’re feeling. ⠀ ▪️Do mental health self-checks ⠀ ▪️Don’t let fear, depression, and anxiety morph into anger ⠀ ▪️Create a routine and make a task list!⠀ ⠀ How are you coping? How are you feeling today? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

COVID-19. It’s sweeping the world. Tell me where you guys are with this entire experience...⠀ ⠀ Are you?⠀ ⠀ ▪️feeling prepared and taking it seriously⠀ ▪️thinking it’s being blown out of proportion⠀ ▪️ afraid for your family because of the panic ⠀ ▪️concerned for others but know you’ll be ok ⠀ ▪️not sure how you feel⠀ ▪️happy because you get to work from home ⠀ ▪️not stressing because #yolo⠀ ⠀ I am a mix of a few of those right now and just processing my emotions has been draining me emotionally. This combined with the pregnancy hormones has had me NOT smiling like the picture above would imply. ⠀ ⠀ That said, I do think we need to stay calm, be at peace, and love others during this time. ⠀ ⠀ Help those less fortunate, don’t panic, and take all the extra time that so many of us now have to do some yoga, breathe in the fresh clean air of nature, and be mindful amidst the mayhem. ⠀ ⠀ I want to hear how you’re feeling and how your family is responding. This is going to be a theme this week. Let’s talk some feelings and let’s process our emotions out loud and with the support of this community. ⠀ ⠀ See more to come in my stories and my post tomorrow about how I’m feeling about the virus. ⠀ ⠀ Love to all of you. ⠀ ⠀ “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”⠀ - 2 Timothy 1:7⠀ ⠀

Currently sitting at the OBGYN waiting to hear baby boys heartbeat again. ⠀ ⠀ I don’t think that ever gets old. I try not to be the sappy mom that cries every time they hear it, but it really is a miracle inside of me. ⠀ ⠀ What are you up to today?!