mom to mom with valerie

mom to mom with valerie

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! 


you can follow along to see what val is up to on ig @mammafolk

We are going to continue posting more of these authentic stories, so like, comment, and share to your friends! If you know someone that you think would be a good fit for these interviews, please reach out to us at hello@allthebabies.co so we can tell their story and keep creating a #MomToMomMovement. 

all the babies.
all the love.
all the time.

 

 

Back to blog

12563 comments

https://gist.github.com/DeruYono34/0444125942a40efd6192f826121cbf49
https://gist.github.com/DeruYono34/8ba4c384efdd6f92de7cce19e8e984d9
https://gist.github.com/DeruYono34/d66fc68a056196896b6436ac742a701d
https://gist.github.com/DeruYono34/088be22558cc8ff7386869a613dffeaf
https://gist.github.com/DeruYono34/a28b0885650c96374a465eadad9199e7
https://gist.github.com/NutoYonoha/5b4e637bb627b4b0e620a1b007d88d6e
https://gist.github.com/NutoYonoha/f7b9d00de28ab40560fc2c07f715f3ac
https://gist.github.com/NutoYonoha/fc664dfd660846161800107d9428a1a1
https://gist.github.com/NutoYonoha/8a27efeb71b896a99d7d1ff2c76ddcc6
https://gist.github.com/NutoYonoha/bc560ab0b8d6f8765ee43a358934f684
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/4f8dbad2d51c06760b1c3f38d56de4c9
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/7df39a09a648369f7f0909b7e58d4706
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/df9102c05a1cb36f666271bbeb9a8288
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/dc4b9fcd3fa24717d1cc05ed5f3304c8
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/1ac34ad8454d124621e271a53378445c
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/5d073ae5334a03d2f31808a180a17ee9
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/322f950cd05cb3f7dab5590f2c79fa05
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/d94ec528d32e50141ee6158ee6731569
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/f69b285bb1c39908f0f230f17237a55c
https://gist.github.com/HotoPoliur/dd5cb7c23a59bc6dfc93bdceb3167ef7
https://www.surveyking.com/distribute/12152/link/67105
https://letterboxd.com/berakbauyaa/list/dfegsd5434/
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/KAQqZ2QFByd
https://paste.thezomg.com/381278/16353401/
https://paste.ofcode.org/WbkHwjT2Rtzu5mcx9XNzGb
https://paste.me/paste/d3ef6030-6142-4720-71b3-98a99dcf192c#fd23e2086e1380b4dd4f5910613973690b475130e94938f36c16f0fb612d56ec
https://hackmd.io/CsHwqWPqTtqaZv8Ouqc8vA?edit
https://medium.com/@ayambayayooo23/sdfgqweasz-cb337b67b5dc
https://wokwi.com/projects/442611214377526273
https://www.onlinegdb.com/fork/38klcfgKa
https://ideone.com/KozNfl
https://paiza.io/projects/Y1Mbq2Ehxsnytr-6Y1WHlQ?language=php
https://jsbin.com/ximarewewi/edit?html,output
https://sebsauvage.net/paste/?acb00e56dea9a770#wzQpDdLldgOzANUBlcIugpD40GSQtKQOF92DftfqLWk=
https://www.onlinegdb.com/fork/38klcfgKa#
https://rextester.com/BVBFQG89799
https://telegra.ph/dfgesd-10-28
https://glot.io/snippets/hcg4771o63
https://justpaste.it/85zhv
https://paste.intergen.online/view/b76192cd
https://pastelink.net/k3fw3mz9
https://ivpaste.com/v/ajcs8GatBQ
https://paste.chapril.org/?9988038c3047eedd#AXv7m4NFSmTVgbtZFw1dphgY2B3Yrd7gMHheiEVVCBbQ
https://paste.enginehub.org/hqY1r1ZEp
https://rentry.co/ibpgnm9d
https://paste.myst.rs/kdf035tb
https://paste.laravel.io/dc448bdc-6820-44d1-b078-2dffdac9607e
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/GPFCcv6WbZp
https://www.wowace.com/paste/28ed052e
https://nopaste.ceske-hry.cz/1553802
https://nopaste.ceske-hry.cz/1553802
https://notepad.pw/qPS4jNqGyOjckJcQluYW
https://paste.kodi.tv/ewoluyilab
https://notes.io/ewKe4
https://paste.gd/V28vD8eH

huity7

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151056694/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052129/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157898750/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157816026/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157835378/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157866874/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052199/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151079649/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151076894/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157862622/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157815844/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151056208/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157880508/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036054/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157815890/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151018534/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052185/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151001830/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157862643/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157816086/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151006956/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157887251/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157846391/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052187/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052183/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157880557/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157835322/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036835/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157898736/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036833/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157844716/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151054798/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036836/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157844712/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036832/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072856/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157881621/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157819092/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157832690/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052305/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059584/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157832695/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151073776/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151018520/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072000/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885569/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151030814/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157898739/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157819094/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157846389/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157843657/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059702/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151073776/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151018520/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072000/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885569/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151030814/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157898739/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157819094/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157846389/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157843657/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059702/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157843651/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157815885/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059704/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151074476/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072009/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885524/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059771/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157893679/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151076551/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151030837/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157836248/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885905/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151006917/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059773/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885528/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072053/

IPEH

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151056694/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052129/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157898750/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157816026/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157835378/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157866874/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052199/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151079649/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151076894/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157862622/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157815844/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151056208/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157880508/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036054/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157815890/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151018534/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052185/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151001830/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157862643/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157816086/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151006956/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157887251/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157846391/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052187/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052183/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157880557/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157835322/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036835/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157898736/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036833/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157844716/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151054798/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036836/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157844712/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151036832/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072856/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157881621/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157819092/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157832690/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151052305/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059584/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157832695/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151073776/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151018520/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072000/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885569/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151030814/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157898739/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157819094/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157846389/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157843657/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059702/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151073776/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151018520/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072000/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885569/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151030814/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157898739/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157819094/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157846389/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157843657/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059702/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157843651/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157815885/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059704/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151074476/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072009/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885524/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059771/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157893679/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151076551/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151030837/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157836248/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885905/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151006917/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151059773/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4157885528/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151072053/

viorvangh

https://gist.github.com/Sotilalis47/e2e935050d35b49610802c1cf771233f
https://gist.github.com/Sotilalis47/71bd1c161906fc7e90191f3e8abdfedd
https://gist.github.com/Sotilalis47/bd2961fb61869c8675e3fc792f0abe2f
https://gist.github.com/Sotilalis47/0380c3d0e293633038831509f7ab9bfc
https://gist.github.com/Sotilalis47/7c4d875b809ea80cd0bc2dc5d92d838d
https://gist.github.com/Sotiropis47/29bd9a3f1c41e08ee01ac858f0e48867
https://gist.github.com/Sotiropis47/602587cc79cf27394cda93ab4c0b9106
https://gist.github.com/Sotiropis47/8fe33206b012ee1ca9aab777dcb3d90f
https://gist.github.com/Sotiropis47/53056645cdadb59f76e191a180257f0d
https://gist.github.com/Sotiropis47/6fef8a4400b63c01b5a9f1ed6f5b057f
https://www.surveyking.com/survey/xksn9
https://letterboxd.com/berakbauyaa/list/dfhere5r35/
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/vIInMkcNZfh
https://paste.thezomg.com/380467/02296176/
https://paste.ofcode.org/CnYuahvWkkR48X7Cg28mV6
https://paste.me/paste/5db45c31-45dc-4786-4d81-1f6554a74ea4#e00b5e500f48ef180a4331a30a7664bb0863d9525fd7ec2092cda012b3ba09d1
https://hackmd.io/W—rj99JTMCuuW18WYEpIA
https://medium.com/@ayambayayooo23/dgwsd-87e24f339682
https://wokwi.com/projects/445795299496467457
https://www.onlinegdb.com/fork/38klcfgKa
https://ideone.com/nhR6mY
https://paiza.io/projects/MnA1TIvSRAGeFUkqTZIRZw
https://jsbin.com/dawequpoja/
https://sebsauvage.net/paste/?067cb66b42883bfb#fd5fRqxojwaDDzc3py0pLJgWCluYfFG3owx9z4n4In4
https://www.onlinegdb.com/fork/38klcfgKa
https://rextester.com/QOVYY36328
https://telegra.ph/dsgtwesd-10-25
https://glot.io/snippets/hcd545sbu7
https://tempel.in/view/S2y4xme0
https://justpaste.it/5dshm
https://pastebin.com/Hg5NVHKU
https://paste.intergen.online/view/91defc9e
https://pastelink.net/xlg59cpf
https://ivpaste.com/v/NlKFvnVZ3m
https://freepaste.link/8idimh8xho
https://paste.chapril.org/?37ac8891a0f6ed88#6RKgPkjnebz4RHvE28sQvj5uJzC9QXiy3NKGpfrgBSVo
https://paste.enginehub.org/uMPDoxw5K
https://rentry.co/3ykk4pkn
https://paste.myst.rs/iqifxa5e
https://paste.laravel.io/f10c78a0-9aba-47a3-a43f-a40d2ed4017a
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/sNnKtI84bYk
https://www.wowace.com/paste/5ff4aaac
http://nopaste.ceske-hry.cz/1553484
https://paste.vpsfree.cz/jvLDdrLr
https://notepad.pw/0f96TqCdRbYB4BlhaXyl
https://paste.kodi.tv/loqanupeva
https://notes.io/ew6NE
https://paste.gd/9PIY8fcA

huity7

https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/a4d108c40e6f7ce3898611b8cfd80e8f
https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/728d17c645fd76c001fd438d8684949b
https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/5a1ab0328e37c43a77b1465d95c6bbc9
https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/ddbb98ffc1414dd576b43a5314e60c10
https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/77588ab9c00a6c50541120b80e706b87
https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/b66cee67cd27122bdf145b0e3fccebc1
https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/cc40243f63536985415cd161e3994279
https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/4e73e10357964451b9734b2903d3dfed
https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/8e4067afd32ffac0639a09ba964be1eb
https://gist.github.com/DekuraSor42/4c1f587a41be87c7c7aeb5dadcababce
https://www.surveyking.com/survey/iipdc
https://letterboxd.com/berakbauyaa/list/gfhrt6456/
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/KWwBZkIxgUh
https://paste.thezomg.com/380913/76149272/
https://paste.ofcode.org/XSCj85tcqkrg6DfRQ358UN
https://paste.me/paste/f21cad76-0036-422b-50df-f23844db51ed#9e9e384ddd2bd6c2b92013430683aacc66446437be87a8505f19ee01591b4938
https://hackmd.io/3H3p9HeMTm2aQ2ev2P_4eQ
https://medium.com/@ayambayayooo23/sfdwz-817a4d50edfb
https://wokwi.com/projects/445890101756179457
https://www.onlinegdb.com/fork/38klcfgKa
https://ideone.com/vg0n6m
https://paiza.io/projects/yqfuONh8mTv06Qye-_jX2Q?language=php
https://jsbin.com/facebolise/edit?html,output
https://sebsauvage.net/paste/?01c16ebe28c518eb#GXHkx/wwwpCiTAQ8QaldyH7La7fcceq2mEkt3frJ/l4=
https://www.onlinegdb.com/fork/38klcfgKa
https://rextester.com/OXEW33284
https://telegra.ph/dgwesd-10-26
https://glot.io/snippets/hceaq2rxo4
https://tempel.in/view/qEa6HY22
https://justpaste.it/bfwq7
https://pastebin.com/NheRPa6T
https://paste.intergen.online/view/746890e8
https://pastelink.net/uby7kcje
https://ivpaste.com/v/50sxOmhnnR
https://paste.chapril.org/?033c21728763c336#CFvohVBxGr8wpiRnbzcY8yGPiNrtRqGq6ydHyrvFJMJy
https://paste.enginehub.org/18X3ikNP9
https://rentry.co/vcgff4mf
https://paste.myst.rs/x82c75nx
https://paste.laravel.io/6e7e7589-c2d0-4f0e-ba8a-0aafd15da462
https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/nPitJ5CxEde
https://www.wowace.com/paste/e6de3218
http://nopaste.ceske-hry.cz/1553579
https://paste.vpsfree.cz/UjgE6pnM
https://notepad.pw/share/fu4H5OgqrmK5pc7ouoLP
https://paste.kodi.tv/sogahaxeqi
https://notes.io/ewMEX
https://paste.gd/Jpza1VWC

huity7

Leave a comment

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!