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.
12416 comments
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726239/?ref_=lsedt_ov
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726239/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726239/?gfy
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726239/?fgh
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726239/?ght
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726239/?hgt
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726239/?hgj
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726437/?ref_=lsedt_ov
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726437/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726437/?awz
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726437/?dfa
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726437/?fhz
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726437/?fhp
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726437/?gfq
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726499/?ref_=lsedt_ov
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726499/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726499/?hgy
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726499/?uyr
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726499/?jhs
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726499/?hje
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726499/?guw
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541726499/?hev
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722099/?ref_=lsedt_ov
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722099/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722099/?gfh
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722099/?bhj
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722099/?zfx
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722099/?fhw
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722099/?fdt
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722099/?jkx
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722527/?ref_=lsedt_ov
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722527/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722527/?gje
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722527/?fax
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722527/?vcg
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722527/?fxa
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722527/?fdq
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722743/?ref_=lsedt_ov
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722743/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722743/?ghf
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722743/?izx
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722743/?lgz
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722743/?vjx
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722743/?hiq
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls541722743/?fgm
https://medium.com/@icebeargemoooy0002/https-www-imdb-com-list-ls541726239-ref-lsedt-ov-e3ee7a8785fc
https://www.bankier.pl/forum/wiadomosc-zapisana?post_id=67014277&obs=&emal=&st=1&thread_id=
https://wandering.flarum.cloud/d/74788-fgygfc
https://community.soundcore.com/c/speakers
https://www.asteriskguru.com/tutorials/comment_add.php
http://www.hartmanice.cz/en/vlozit-komentar/
https://searchtech.fogbugz.com/default.asp?Suggestions.1.311873.0
https://peoplefirst-hamburg.de/index.php/guestbook/index/index
https://www.tadalive.com/forum/thread/37984/mcvbcmfgxktgrkxdgcmvb/
https://pastebin.com/5QET8P76
https://jsbin.com/sipasuwuho/edit?html
https://yamcode.com/untitled-94306
https://paste.gd/CO0VZYEB
https://dev.bukkit.org/paste/9c4f415a
https://pastelink.net/4jsstpdj
https://paiza.io/projects/BkpFPXLs9mhC2gjm63eo4A
https://hybrid-analysis.com/sample/633a2d2487e1ce186a685d4453bf75d09e1b0d34797563c0c7dd2e8f38a403b9
https://matters.town/me/drafts/RHJhZnQ6MTA3MDc1NA
https://etextpad.com/public/lg4jogs7av
https://glot.io/snippets/gxhyv2cqaj
https://jsitor.com/rUQiigzQhj
https://ctxt.io/2/AAAYHFpQEQ
https://jsfiddle.net/8njrx4fo/
https://www.lacartuccia.ch/g%C3%A4stebuch/
http://www.redirect-fp1.com/guestbook/
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674045
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674046
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674048
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674052
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674054
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674060
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674063
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674069
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674073
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674077
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674081
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674085
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674088
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674093
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674096
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674100
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674102
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674106
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674109
https://www.taptap.io/post/7674113
https://pastelink.net/z1iaocj4
https://paste.chapril.org/?8d972ca5192a49e1#HeBSaz8CS99ovnaeaC7F7cqGTaypkpiGoxH8iJCXxoht
https://wandering.flarum.cloud/d/74813-hrdxjhnxdjn
https://my.talladega.edu/ICS/Academics/BUS/BUS__368/2016_SP-BUS__368-FT___2/Collaboration%5d%5d%5d%5d%5d%5d%5d%5d%5d.jnz?portlet=Forums&screen=PostView&screenType=change&id=8623c235-8f92-4610-bea0-141f85374106
https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/articles/jntfzxergzs
https://network.propertyweek.com/articles/ghdhbrdhgrd
https://community.goldencorral.com/articles/hrdzse4gasegb
https://forum.instube.com/d/101285-gtrdzhbrdzjhnzd
https://hackmd.io/lGgp_z5fQTCtuLCD40vVcQ
https://github.com/setewgfestes
https://kamuadahja.github.io/dasbliopa/
https://kmjiuja.github.io/fratsa/
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls541723601/
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls541723855/
https://portaly.cc/DeepNightTheTwoofUsEp5
https://portaly.cc/KnockKnockBoysEp6
https://www.artstation.com/ver-intensamente-2-online-en-espanol/profile
https://www.artstation.com/ver-intensamente-2-online-en-espanol
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Ev3Pxn
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/PXdWPn
https://www.artstation.com/ver-la-casa-del-dragon-temporada-2-capitulo-3-latino/profile
https://www.artstation.com/ver-la-casa-del-dragon-temporada-2-capitulo-3-latino
https://www.artstation.com/intensamente2completaonline/profile
https://www.artstation.com/peenak4-fullstory-thai-hd/profile
https://www.artstation.com/peenak4-hd-thai-fullstory/profile
https://www.artstation.com/divertida-mente-2-2024-filme-completo/profile
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/AlAnl5
https://www.artstation.com/verbadboysrideordiecompletahd/profile
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/YBN2bb
https://www.scoop.it/topic/ver-intensa-mente-2-2024-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol-y-latino-castellano
https://demo.hedgedoc.org/s/W2AeIt_-c
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/85027-dscfgt
https://github.com/setewgfestes
https://kamuadahja.github.io/dasbliopa/
https://kmjiuja.github.io/fratsa/
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls541723601/
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls541723855/
https://portaly.cc/DeepNightTheTwoofUsEp5
https://portaly.cc/KnockKnockBoysEp6
https://www.artstation.com/ver-intensamente-2-online-en-espanol/profile
https://www.artstation.com/ver-intensamente-2-online-en-espanol
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Ev3Pxn
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/PXdWPn
https://www.artstation.com/ver-la-casa-del-dragon-temporada-2-capitulo-3-latino/profile
https://www.artstation.com/ver-la-casa-del-dragon-temporada-2-capitulo-3-latino
https://www.artstation.com/intensamente2completaonline/profile
https://www.artstation.com/peenak4-fullstory-thai-hd/profile
https://www.artstation.com/peenak4-hd-thai-fullstory/profile
https://www.artstation.com/divertida-mente-2-2024-filme-completo/profile
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/AlAnl5
https://www.artstation.com/verbadboysrideordiecompletahd/profile
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/YBN2bb
https://www.scoop.it/topic/ver-intensa-mente-2-2024-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol-y-latino-castellano
https://demo.hedgedoc.org/s/W2AeIt_-c
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/85027-dscfgt
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/RyPP0X
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/n033PE
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/KennZW
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/OG88Yw
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/m8rrkv
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/g0kk6E
https://www.artstation.com/voir-film-unptit-free-online/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-film-unptit-free-online2/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-film-unptit-truc-free-online/profile
https://www.artstation.com/film-voir-unptit-free-online/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-film-unptit-vf-free-online/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-film-unptit-2024-free-online/profile