Thankful moms

Parents Helen and Brent Shultz (pictured with 11-month-old Jillian) say they are most thankful for the family and friends they call their “village.”

Buzz Baby is a column about life with babies from the perspective of a first-time mother. If you have baby stories to share, leave a comment under this article or email [email protected].

At the end of this month, we sit down, with family if we’re fortunate, and give thanks.

The message of Thanksgiving is all over the stores this time of year. Fall décor and little signs with the words “Give Thanks” and “Fall Blessings” are everywhere you go.

If you ask a new mom what she is thankful for, chances are her list is especially long.

I certainly feel thankful. My twins are 1 now, and it’s been quite a ride with lots of help from our family. To a new mom, small gestures can mean so much, like a friend dropping off coffee, or a neighbor stopping by with a home-cooked meal.

I felt so much gratitude when my mother-in-law, Terry, said to me one day that she was sending her beloved housekeeper to my house to help me with the babies, and it was her treat.  It may not have seemed like a big deal to her, but it was to me.

Recently, I spoke to some Buzz moms to find out what they are thankful for.  

The adage goes that “it takes a village” to raise a child. Stay-at-home mom Helen Shultz and her husband Brent, a finance attorney, say they agree with that. The couple has an 11-month-old baby girl named Jillian.

The parents of 10-month-old Alice (pictured, with grandfather Gerry Bracht), Jenny and Dawson Bracht, say they are thankful for their families who supported them through a rough pregnancy.

“I’m most thankful for [the people] who’ve been our ‘village’ through pregnancy and the first year of parenthood,” said Helen. “Their love, advice, sense of humor, compassion and friendship has meant the world.”

In her first year of motherhood, Helen says she appreciated the simple gestures, such as texts, packages, hand-me-down clothes, meals and Facetime calls. “Family, church members, Bellaire Young Mothers group and friends kept our little family fueled and fed for many months.” 

Family members who babysit quickly earn their way to the top of the favorites list. “My brother [Lu] comes over weekly to babysit on Sundays so that Brent and I can go to church and sometimes lunch afterwards,” said Helen. “It’s nice to be able to enjoy some quality time together and know that Jillian is in good hands.”

Casey Croley, a teacher, and her husband Anthony have a baby boy named Henry. Casey is thankful for her own mother, Kathy Hall, and her unselfish hard work to help her family manage day-to-day life. “I am so thankful for my mom. She is ‘Super Grammy,’” said Casey. “She takes him to and from school, keeps him while I’m at work, and loves on him when we can’t be there. She also somehow manages to fold our laundry and help keep our house from falling apart.”

Jenny and Dawson MacLennan, who own a ranch in Colorado (Jenny grew up in Houston and moved there last year after marrying Dawson), had a healthy baby girl named Alice last December. During her pregnancy, Jenny experienced a scare she will not forget and she says she’s most thankful for their parents, who helped out when they had a curveball thrown at them.

“I was feeling short of breath at 32 weeks pregnant but had been [nauseous] the entire pregnancy, so I didn’t think very much of it,” said Jenny.

At her next appointment, Jenny explained her symptoms to her doctor. Her doctor listened to her vitals and detected that something was not right. She was sent straight to the emergency room. There, scans revealed blood clots on her lungs.

“I spent eight days in ICU, not knowing if we would have to deliver Alice early,” said Jenny. The frightened, expectant mom was ultimately sent home, still pregnant. The next two months would be a roller coaster.

“We made it through countless doctors’ appointments,” said Jenny. “The plan that was eventually developed was to stay on blood thinner, allow the blood clots to diminish and induce at 39 weeks.”

The plan worked, and Alice arrived, a healthy, full-term baby. Jenny says she is most thankful for supportive parents. “My parents [Barb and Gerry Bracht] spent most of November and December in Colorado last year, doing anything that they could to help us,” said Jenny. “Dawson’s parents were also integral to our success. Dawson’s Mom, Sue, spent many days at the hospital with us, and his Dad, David, tended to the ranch. We also had many prayer warriors across the country.”

Being a new mom isn’t the easiest job in the world, but with support, even from strangers who hold doors for strollers (yes, they do exist), things fall into place. For that, this mom is thankful.

Editor’s note: Is there somebody you are especially thankful for this season? Give that person a shout out under this story or email [email protected].