Meet Valerie Metz.
A California beachside based content creator, lifestyle photographer, wife to Zach, and mama to her two kids Hendrix (3) and Rio (9months). I sat down with her (virtually) to hear her authentic truth, her story, her advice, her love. We hope that this conversation either guides you before becoming a mom or inspires you as a mom to know that you aren’t alone. #MomToMom
Q: Please introduce yourself, where you're from, and what you do.
Hi! My name is valerie metz. I live beachside in Costa Mesa, CA and i'm a lifestyle photographer and content creator.
Q: I am inspired by you and your hubby's love and your beautiful family. What's your story?
Thanks so much! My husband and I met when I was 18 and got engaged after FOUR months of dating! We got married really young and waited a few years before we (unexpectedly) added kids to our family. We now have two sweet babes and are in the process of fostering!
Q: What's your birth story? Was it easier with one kid than the other? Seamless all around? Any tips or thoughts you can share?
I had both kids in an amazing hospital with midwives. Both experiences went well- my first one was long and had a few hiccups and scares because it was taking so long to get him out but all went well. My second one was way easier and quicker, I think because my body already knew what it was doing. The best tip I could offer is to listen to your body! I had planned to go as natural as I could. The pain level with contractions was tolerable but I had NO idea I would feel so nauseous and be covered in chills. I was shaking uncontrollably and couldn't get my anxiety down so I ended up getting epidurals both times which calmed my mind and body down.
Q: How old were you when you had Hendrix? And how has the transition been seeing him as an older brother and now seeing yourself as a mommy of two?
I was 24 when I first became a mom! The transition has been really sweet. Hendrix has adjusted amazingly and loves his baby sis so well. He does crave one on one attention and acts naughty to me to get that attention so instead of getting bothered by his behavior, I prioritize quality time with him which always helps!
Q: What's been the most challenging parts of motherhood and the most rewarding parts?
The most challenging part of motherhood for me personally, has been the pressure it comes with. I sometimes romanticize what it would be like to raise kids 2 decades ago before social media. I have to be extra careful with what I allow myself to feel affected by because everyone's opinions will make me anxious and feel like I'm not doing enough. However, it is pretty amazing to have current research on parenting styles and effective discipline. The best parts have been watching my and my husbands personalities in tiny humans develop and it’s also been VERY healing for me to raise kids. There are some parts of my childhood that were rough and being able to learn and grow from those experiences has been redeeming.
Q: Do you feel like motherhood has transformed you in any way?
Yes its taught me (and currently still teaching me) what sacrifice is! I feel like i'm constantly learning to put my selfish and unhealthy aside and be the best version of myself for my family.
Q: What have you learned from your two lil's?
They've taught me to love endlessly!!! Even on bad days, I need to pull myself together and keep loving their pure and innocent souls. such good practice to love on others!
Q: Do you have a specific story or experience you want to share that either challenged you, uplifted you, was a beautiful moment –– anything.
I can’t recall a specific story but everyday is an adventure! (even on hard days) the most life giving moments are when we spend hours at the beach in the sunshine with the waves. our babes love playing there and we are just our happiest there!
Q: Do you have any advice for moms to be, current mamas, or women in general?
The best advice is to ASK FOR HELP! practice and normalize asking for extra hands! It's humbling for our kids to witness that and we take care of ourselves that way. Also listen to your body and your gut- only we know what's best for our families, we are all different!
Q: How do you take care of YOU? Do you have a routine that keeps you grounded?
Oh yes I do! I wake up (almost every morning) before the kids and sacrifice the extra hour of sleep for alone time. I do yoga, sip on some coffee, read, etc. I feel like I can start the day off better that way. My husband is also really good about pushing me to get alone time! I instantly feel refreshed after getting some alone time in or quality time with a close friend! 
all the babies.
12264 comments
https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3626915877421056/
https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3626917758566401/
https://www.honor.com/mea-ar/club/topicdetail/topicid-3626918664470529/
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sPrQ4KEyb40
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hLOQn8XaMF0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sIHZapYz5bI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/ubTJllrsMiI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/n1UzNMtN-nA
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hKZOyq4Crv4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/gsX4i_I0yI4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tAxjTFC6KRY
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/oYN2Iypaa5o
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/ueYwoF56hvk
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/sfgKoYZcvdI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/tNAK6qrv94w
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/kOLMgP1i6EI
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/qAfZ8WO3_Ho
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/mXDLxr16Sng
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/pJ0CBOOLSQc
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jnMPJ33Hm8s
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/p7mGOkUIpgQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/hL0suy8C2NQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/nQLhDr1fJCs
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/iknhDmyCcM0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/jWgoYGIH9R0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/n_X-U01eHho
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/vuPWX_rKgqQ
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lGNacKxM320
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/lsBxbSwEeF4
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/s-NA3bWqgJY
https://lookerstudio.google.com/embed/s/loAoRu5ZGqA
https://plotly.com/~filmsonline4k/0/films-voir-terrifier-3-streaming-vf-fr-complet-et-vostfr/
https://plotly.com/~filmsonline4k/1/voir-terrifier-3-streaming-vf-fr-gratuitement-en-francais/
https://plotly.com/~filmsonline4k/2/voir-films-terrifier-3-2024-en-streaming-vf-en-francais-vostfr/
https://plotly.com/~filmedublado4k/0/assistir-sorria-2-filmecompleto-dublado-em-portuguese/
https://plotly.com/~filmedublado4k/2/assistir-terrifier-3-br2024-filme-completo-dublado-em-portugues/
https://plotly.com/~filmedublado4k/3/assistir-terrifier-3-2024-online-dublado-e-legendado/
https://plotly.com/~peliculaonline4k/0/pelisplus-ver-terrifier-3-2024-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol-y-latino/
https://plotly.com/~peliculaonline4k/1/cuevana1-ver-terrifier-3-online2024-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-y-latino/
https://plotly.com/~peliculaonline4k/2/ver-terrifier-3-hd-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol-y-latino/
https://plotly.com/~filmsonline4k/3/filmul-terrifier-3-2024-filmul-online-subtitrat-in-romana-hd/
https://plotly.com/~filmsonline4k/4/terrifier-3-2024-filmul-online-subtitrat-in-romana-hd/
https://plotly.com/~filmsonline4k/5/terrifier-3-film-online-subtitrat-in-romana-1080p/
https://findaspring.org/members/henriettajsmith2/
https://profile.hatena.ne.jp/prias6525/
https://about.me/prias
https://bento.me/filmhd4k
https://wokwi.com/projects/412289902559326209
https://hackmd.io/@newstoday/SJdC26GeJg
https://graph.org/mgn-dgrtg-10-20
https://jsitor.com/hakThEOqvS
https://jsfiddle.net/nbftdhqo/
https://jsbin.com/jagelevoke/edit?html,output
https://paste.ee/p/2ipU0
https://snippet.host/edueto
https://pastebin.com/JGDwYnzg
https://pastelink.net/bh94ldv8
https://www.etextpad.com/5r5tlnl8q5
https://rentry.co/s3fk7ebq
https://justpaste.it/dnlbc
https://yamcode.com/untitled-107642
https://paiza.io/projects/op98NoKiEt1_9x-ZQbR1wQ?language=php
https://bitbin.it/iosKl15q/
https://paste.intergen.online/view/cc5dad28
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/df887652
https://dictanote.co/n/1089905/
https://onlinegdb.com/lZ75w8E6y8
https://rom.curseforge.com/paste/153c728c
https://www.wowace.com/paste/0b931247
https://wow.curseforge.com/paste/0af2852a
https://sharetext.me/axll1e0l2j
https://www.pixiv.net/novel/show.php?id=23244899
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/43cc23e6-a668-4853-ae9a-bacf0e3daab1/page/K1AGE?s=gqK83QuFHU0
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/4a9258e1-1793-47a7-9b8e-4991ffd6ca2d/page/beAGE?s=skJJCR_jmAg
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/221d51d9-6062-49de-9c98-53aeba39ee2a/page/EhAGE?s=itx7Mr4Ofvg
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/2467b5e4-3d03-4e98-bc03-b1ee5cf0b803/page/AjAGE?s=kQ4gEXt3QZo
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/e388d6a7-903b-4225-b353-6b79bb571344/page/ekAGE?s=tVm4pg4sRrs
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/95eae8eb-78b2-4901-9097-a9666f08c7ec/page/CnAGE?s=k03bb8H_jds
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/02d3547a-0453-46ea-831a-6efe429fed2c/page/EpAGE?s=nid9-1iNYTA
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/281c8764-5a66-4a00-a052-29b1184cd595/page/HrAGE?s=jaNzynO9R2c
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/1400c718-0202-42f7-a661-d775b8853e23/page/wsAGE?s=jMVsfQUPsLc
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/9ba29c38-9d64-4dce-b29a-0a75046717b0/page/BuAGE?s=ut-D3rbolfw
https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/a6e83518-2f31-4163-9385-dfe875bf77b8/page/L3AGE?s=otHDid5VnJc
https://m4rv3l.outgrow.us/terrifier-3-hd-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-latino-subtitulado
https://m4rv3l.outgrow.us/smile-2-hd-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-latino-subtitulado
https://m4rv3l.outgrow.us/venom-3-the-last-dance-hd-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-latino-subtitulado
https://m4rv3l.outgrow.us/my-hero-academia-youre-next-hd-pel-cula-completa-online-en-espa-ol-latino-subtitulado
https://tech.io/snippet/goNSOaz
https://rextester.com/LUIQWR82197
https://bitbin.it/G0hFjkDi/
https://bitbin.it/G0hFjkDi/raw/
https://paste.ee/p/v04yC
https://justpaste.it/hy80u
https://ctxt.io/2/AAB4ZhOZFw
https://issuu.com/amirah123/stacks
https://jsitor.com/5_pzPh7gHg
http://paste.jp/0b55ba50/
https://rentry.co/x36hncux
https://freepaste.link/public/wacborvjnw
https://penzu.com/journals/31329148/102349141
https://medicine.ju.edu.jo/Lists/ConfReg/AllItems.aspx?
https://pastecode.io/s/igu2t70t
http://www.codyjhughes.com/guestbook/
https://jsfiddle.net/ho6jfu87/
https://www.taptap.io/post/8373395
https://paste.thezomg.com/233523/72944163/
https://paste.toolforge.org/view/9eb51bef
https://telegra.ph/juyjmuymju-10-20
https://etextpad.com/oybgqpfcjk
https://www.onlinegdb.com/
https://www.nehannn.com/artist-detail/715.html?sasla
https://forum.instube.com/d/159649-i87i87
https://glot.io/snippets/h11a72gs5i
https://hackmd.io/KQE09HMESdGw8dyiss4wNA
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/view/b97040c8
https://paiza.io/projects/m6RNaZGKcjdH9Z0-4wVWvw
https://rentry.co/znb46w88
https://bitbucket.org/santuy213/workspace/snippets/4qG8o6
http://www.shadowville.com/board
https://yamcode.com/untitled-107628
https://wokwi.com/projects/412280961058288641
https://github.com/Terrifier3-HorrorCrime
https://github.com/Terrifier3-Horror
https://github.com/Terrifier3Film2024
https://github.com/Terrifier3-Christmas
https://github.com/ParkerFinn-TVSmile2
https://www.honor.com/mea/club/topicdetail/topicid-3626832704798720/
https://www.honor.com/mea/club/topicdetail/topicid-3626833039851520/
https://www.honor.com/mea/club/topicdetail/topicid-3626833207623681/
https://github.com/Terrifier3-HorrorCrime
https://github.com/Terrifier3-Horror
https://github.com/Terrifier3Film2024
https://github.com/Terrifier3-Christmas
https://github.com/ParkerFinn-TVSmile2
https://www.honor.com/mea/club/topicdetail/topicid-3626832704798720/
https://www.honor.com/mea/club/topicdetail/topicid-3626833039851520/
https://www.honor.com/mea/club/topicdetail/topicid-3626833207623681/