Some Shananagins - a personal blog

Life

One Year Later

March 12, 2021

Can you believe it’s been a year since COVID locked us all down? This past year has felt like the shortest/longest year ever. Looking back on where I was this time last year, I feel incredibly grateful for the week before lockdown. Sounds strange but let me explain.

March 2020

My mom flew into town for a much-needed girl’s weekend. We traipsed our way around Downtown Charleston. We shopped for baby clothes and celebrated my mom’s 60th birthday a few months early. It was one of the best trips we’ve taken together. And it would be the last time I’d travel anywhere.

The day after my mom flew home, Judd told me that the hospital had it’s first COVID patient and we would most likely see more. I started to get really worried. Here I was 6 months pregnant and just trying to stay healthy in general and now I had a deadly virus to worry about.

That Monday I went to work in my office for the last time before my maternity leave. I gathered all of my work stuff and said goodbye to my coworkers in person. I set up an at-home office and proceeded to work remotely until June 5th…when I went into labor.

Pregnant in a Pandemic

Being pregnant and having a baby during a global pandemic was an experience to say the least. Suddenly every appointment after February I went to solo. My baby shower was switched to a Zoom one and a trip home was canceled because ain’t no way this pregnant momma was flying.

Judd and I wore our masks in the hospital. All of my nurses and doctors all wore masks and face-shields. While most moms have their whole family and friends visit them in the hospital it was just Judd and I. Despite missing my family it made for a really intimate birthing experience.

Being a New Mom in Lockdown

One of the hardest parts of this last year has been the shear loneliness. We live states away from our families so relying on our families was really hard to do. There were days I would feel so lonely in this new mom daze. Plus it’s hard to meet other moms when everyone is in lockdown.

I really turned to my friends on social media. A few high school friends had babies within the last year and we all reached out to each other and kept in touch. It was nice creating a little online community of other moms going through similar first-time situations with our sweet babes.

While this last year has been challenging at times I feel incredibly grateful for my health and the health of my loved ones. I know so many people have suffered during this pandemic whether it be from the virus itself or losing a job/income. 2020 has taught us to take stock in all that we have and lean on each other for support. (Virtually or at a 6-foot distance!)

As we face this new phase during the pandemic, let’s remember that through hard times comes strength and renewal. Lately, I have felt so hopeful that things will continue to get better. They just have to. And when it’s my turn to get my vaccine, I plan to do it with a big ole smile on my face and a selfie to commemorate the event.

Motherhood

Ways to Support a New Mom

September 28, 2020

Shannon Mahaney

Having a baby is life-changing. The hospital sends you home with this sweet, little bundle of joy but no instruction manual. (The nerve!) It’s like being thrown off a cliff and into the parenting abyss. Not to mention as a mom you feel like you’ve been hit by a car post birth. So what are some ways that you can support a new mom?

Bring Her Food

Something that really made a difference for me that first week home was having neighbors and friends bring over food for us. There was no way I was cooking that first week! Luckily we have sweet neighbors who brought dinner over the first night home. Then Judd’s coworker dropped off a bag of pre-made dinner items to get us through that first week. It made such a difference when we weren’t having to cook dinner.

Offer to Clean Her Place

The last thing you want to do after having a baby is clean the house. My mom and mother-in-law came to help us after I had the baby. My mom was there the first week then my MIL came the second week. Both moms cleaned our house and made sure everything was organized that we needed. A clean home really is a happy home!

Be Her Shoulder to Cry On

Those first few weeks are an emotional roller coaster. Between physcially healing and learning how to be a new mom it can be emotionally draining. Be there for a new mom as she may need that shoulder to cry on. I can’t tell you how many times I cried and hugged my mom that first week.

But Give Her Space if She Needs It

Everyone would love to see the baby. But sometimes a mom just needs a little space! By giving her space, it shows her that you are considerate of her feelings while also respecting any boundaries she has. She will come around to visits when she is ready.

Photo by Gillian Claire Photography

Home

An Aviation Themed Nursery

September 21, 2020

Shannon Mahaney

When I found out we were having a little boy, the perfect nursery theme came to mind. I knew that I wanted something minimal yet sophisticated. My goal was for G’s room to be something he could grow into.

Growing up, I would frequently attend air shows with my dad. Those air shows became the inspiration behind G’s Aviation Themed nursery. (All photos by Gillian Claire Photography.)

I asked my dad to send me a few of his aviation photos. The one we chose is printed on brushed aluminum from CG Prints and hangs above our rocking chair. It turned out really cool!

The rocking chair is actually a hand-me-down from my mom. She used it when my brother and I were both babies. It’s wooden and a little uncomfortable so I put this blanket on it and added a small pillow for back support.

The ottoman is from Target and is super easy to move around. I wanted something that was lightweight so we could move it around when we play in the nursery.

One of the first pieces I designed for G’s room were these airport code prints above the crib. The 3 airport codes are the 3 areas Judd and I have lived in with the coordinates underneath.

We found this vintage plane propellor on Sporty’s Wright Bro’s website. It was inexpensive and really solid quality. I love the way it looks hanging above the prints.

Over the crib is a plane mobile I found on Amazon. The mobile is felt so it is nice a light. G loves looking at it when he’s laying down for naps.

For the wall next to the crib, I framed these Wright Brother’s patent prints which I found on Amazon. The prints are on aged paper which makes them look vintage.

On a shelf near the window in G’s room, I added this Parks & Rec print as well as a few model airplanes from my dad. It’s little touches like this that really pulled the room together theme wise.

Above the changing table, we added this white peg board with baskets for essentials we would need. The sign has G’s name on it. I found it on Etsy. The cross stitch was a quarantine hobby I took up back in March. I love how industrial the peg board looks!

We were so happy with how G’s nursery turned out. It’s minimal decor yet vintage style made this room look sophisticated but perfect for our sweet little boy. It will be so fun watching G grow into this room!

Motherhood

What It Was Like Having a Baby During a Pandemic

September 18, 2020

Shannon Mahaney

2020 has proved to be one insane year. Something I did not plan for at the start of it was having a baby during a global pandemic. It added a few challenges like no partners in doctor’s appointments. It canceled well-made plans like our baby shower in Florida.

As a first time mom-to-be, having to adapt to the new normal of pregnancy during the pandemic wasn’t too bad. I had no expectations especially when it came to labor and delivery so it wasn’t much of a change. Today I thought I would share what it was like having a baby during a pandemic.

Cancelled Birth Class

We had signed up for an in-person birth class and hospital tour in April. When COVID hit, the hospital immediately cancelled the classes for the months leading up to my due date. I was a bit scared that I didn’t have the knowledge about birth so I decided to opt for an online birth class.

Motherly.com offered their birth class free during COVID. (They are still offering it for free!) I signed up eager to ease my labor and delivery worries. I am so glad that I did! The birth class is taught by a midwife and her approach of labor and delivery is such a positive one. I believe the class made such a difference in my own attitudes towards it.

A Zoom Baby Shower

Since my baby shower in Florida was cancelled, my mom planned a Zoom shower for our family and friends. To be honest, I was skeptical that it would be enjoyable. Zoom can be a bit awkward. It was so much better than I could’ve hoped for!

Our family and friends joined for some games, a nursery tour and even a lullaby competition. While I missed being able to hug them all in person it felt so good to see them on Zoom.

Ultrasounds Solo

The pandemic hit when I was about 6 months pregnant. I had already had my anatomy scan which my husband was able to attend. But my final ultrasound at 36 weeks was one I attended alone. I brought my camera and took a video to send to Judd. I missed having him there to hold my hand as the doctor informed me that I could have the baby early. (Which I did…at 37 weeks.) Some days, I go back and watch that little ultrasound video.

If you’re currently pregnant and are a little upset that your partner cannot attend the ultrasounds, bring your camera or Facetime the session so they can be there in spirit. I found it easier to endure the loneliness of it all if I had a video to share.

Temperature Checks

Every time I visited the doctor’s office, I had my temperature checked as well as a health screening. I’d fill out a little questionnaire asking if I had been around anyone with COVID or if I had traveled. We were asked to wait in our cars so the lobby at the office was completely empty. I never once felt like my health was at risk.

At The Hospital

When we went to the ER the day I went into labor, the hospital staff at the entrance took our temperature and handed us masks. They were very friendly and instructed us on what to do. We waited patiently for the L&D nurse to come and wheel me up to a room. Everyone in the ER was socially distance appropriately.

We kept our masks on until we came to our room. We had the option to remove our masks if we felt like it. Since I was in labor, I took mine off. But every nurse, lab tech and doctor that came into our room had a face mask and face shield on.

I was allowed to have Judd in the room with me. Originally my plan was to have my mom there as well. But my hospital only allowed one person in labor and delivery. While I missed having her there, it made labor and delivery a really intimate moment.

Having a baby during a global pandemic can seem really overwhelming. I won’t lie…there were days I would break down crying because the pandemic really changed what I thought my pregnancy would be. But I had an incredible support system in my husband, family and doctor’s/nurses that helped me get through it.

If you are currently expecting, please know that it is totally okay to be upset and mourn the pregnancy you thought you would have. Lean on your friends and family. Make the best of a crazy situation because once your baby is here…it will all feel worth it!

Life

August 2020 Life Update

August 18, 2020

Shannon Mahaney

Long time, no talk! My last post was back in May and I decided to take a break. I was training a lot on top of my regular workload for maternity leave and also preparing for Baby Mahaney’s arrival. So today I thought I would share what’s been up these last 3 months…

I Had a Baby

Baby Mahaney or “G” made his debut 3 weeks early on June 6th. We were caught a little off-guard as I was in high denial that he was coming early. (I literally told Judd that morning I was in labor that he wasn’t coming.) I’ve grappled with whether or not to share my birth story on here. I most likely will but for his privacy, I have chosen to keep pictures of him off the blog. It’s not fair to him to post them as he can’t give consent on the matter.

I’m Adjusting to Motherhood

Over the past 10 weeks, I’ve been adjusting to motherhood as a first-timer. The first 3 weeks were really tough. Luckily we had my mom here for the first week and my mother-in-law here the second week. They helped us out so much those first few weeks!

My intentions were to take a break from writing when G was born. I’m incredibly grateful that my employer gave me 12 weeks for maternity leave so my goal was to savor every minute of it. So over the last few months, I’ve been adjusting to motherhood and finding my footing.

What does this mean for the blog?

I won’t be posting quite as much as I was before. Between motherhood, working full time, and attempting to have a little me time…my posts will be fewer. But it’s good to be writing again.

I still have some pregnancy content that I plan to share in the next few weeks which will include a birth story. I’m so excited to share that with you guys!

Photo by Gillian Claire Photography