motherhood where sleep is a rumor and laundry
is eternal and somehow we're supposed to be raising
tiny humans through it all we're here to laugh
at the chaos cry when necessary and remind you
that none of us actually know what we're doing
this is no manual a mom cast your mom friend
group chat but with microphones welcome back
to no manual mom cast Hi everyone, welcome back
to No Manual, a mom cast. We are so excited you're
tuning in today. And this is kind of fun because
Erica and I are actually recording on Zoom today.
So hopefully the audio is good for you guys.
See, this is a test run. We've never done this
before. Maybe we'll post some videos of it so
you can see what we look like. I don't know.
Also, for context, this is post -bedtime. Both
of us had like rough, I mean, our bedtime wasn't
the worst, but I think it took at least 45 minutes.
Yes. And that's just like the getting to sleep.
That's not like the process of like pajamas and
bath and all that. No, no, no. That's just the
like from when lights out to. Yeah. Everyone
is like not screaming. Yes. Yeah. We are recording
this. It's 915 right now. And yeah, bedtime for
us started at 730. So almost two hours over here.
We're all doing phenomenal. Yeah, we're we're
hanging in. But today we are chatting just like
about the past year. We've been doing this thing
for a year now, which is so crazy. It's so crazy.
Yeah. We'll get into it. Well, yeah, it'd be
like 50 episodes or whatever. But do you want
to start with your mom moment? Yeah. So I don't
have like lots of nights that I just like go
out and do something on my own. But it happens
like maybe once or twice a quarter. I'll like
have a girl's night or something like that. And
my friend Carly, she has a wreath decorating
party every December. And so, of course, December
comes around, and I'm like, you know, have this
in my head. I'll go to this party. And the night
comes, like, getting ready to go, saying bye
to the kids. Like, okay, Lloyd, like, come give
Mama a hug. I'm going to go hang out with Auntie
Carl. And he gives me a big hug, and he's, like,
clearly sad. I'm like, it's okay, buddy. Like,
you're going to have fun with Dad. You guys are
going to get Taco Bell and have dinner and, like,
blah, blah, blah. And he goes, stay home. And...
I was like, what am I supposed to say to my two
-year -old who just told me to stay home? It
was so, so sweet. But also, it's not like I go
out all the time. I need to go out and see my
friends sometimes. But it was just so sad. He's
also never asked me to stay home before. When
I go do other things, I don't know. Again, it
doesn't happen very often. I've never had him
ask me to stay home. But as I was leaving, stay
home. Oh, buddy. You're like, mommy has to go,
but I'm sorry. You're going to have fun. Yeah.
Oh, my gosh. That's so sad. But also, hey, you
deserve the mom's night out. And it was sweet.
And someday I'll be like, you wanted me to stay
home, you know, in 10, 15 years when he's given
me sass. Then I'll have this memory and tell
him that. He asked me to stay home one time.
Yeah, that's cute. Might not be the only time.
That's true. Yeah. Okay, my mom moment. So I
think I talked about it before. Colt chipped
his tooth like, I don't know, that was like three
weeks ago or something like that. Yeah. But for
some reason now he started biting. Like he started.
uh like biting just like Michael and I like playfully
or when he's feeling like he's being shy like
if he's meeting a new person he'll like kind
of like bite us and then um this last weekend
at church we like picked him up from kids ministry
and we know like pretty much all the the people
in his classroom and Cruz's classroom because
they're our kids are there all the time and um
The woman that was, like, running the classroom
was like, hey, like, we don't usually tell parents
this, but I just wanted to make you aware that,
like, that Colt bit a little girl today. And
we were like, oh, my gosh, what? And she was
like, the only, like, reason we actually knew
is because she was crying. And then we looked,
and she had, like, two little bite marks on her
finger. And, like, Colt was, like, next to her.
And so we, like, asked Colt about it, and he
was like. He was like, yes. And we were like,
OK, why did you why did you bite her? And he
basically was like, I didn't want to play with
her. And I was like, there are better ways to
tell people. Yeah, I was like, did she like take
something from you that you had? And he was like,
yes, from the kitchen. And I was like, oh, you
were playing at the kitchen and she grabbed something
from you. And he's like, yes. And I was like,
okay, well, next time, like we can't bite. That's
not good. And so now, like, so that was actually
two weekends ago. So this weekend at church,
like as he goes into class, I'm like, okay, buddy,
like we can't bite anybody today. And then when
we picked him up, he's like, mommy, no, I no
bite anyone. And I was like, yes, buddy. Good
job, buddy. But then he proceeded to tell us
that he pushed somebody. So then we're like,
you know. You win some, you lose some. Yeah,
yeah. I'm like, okay, my kid. Is my kid going
to be that kid in the classroom that's like.
That's biting people. You know, yeah. This is
the last warning for Cole. He can't keep biting.
He can't come back to church, even though you
work here. You're going to figure something else
out. Yeah, yeah. And it's so sharp with his like
shark tooth. Yeah. Well, I mean, kids teeth are
sharp anyways, but then with the chip tooth,
it's going to be even worse for sure. Literally
a dagger. Like, I don't even know. Yeah. So super
fun. Yeah. Biting is just great. Yeah. We're
in a throwing phase. Like everything gets thrown.
I don't know. I mean, it's definitely not as
bad as biting. Although Lloyd has bit Zeta a
handful of times now. Yeah, where it's, like,
everything has to be thrown. Yeah. And he'll
announce it before he does. And this is a side
tangent, but I'll tell the story. We were eating
lunch today. That's what it was. And he was,
like, throwing his food. And we're, like, clearly
he's not eating. So we, like, took his plate
away. And then he was, like, eat, eat, and, like,
asking for his plate back. And we're, like, okay,
buddy. What are you going to do if we give you
your plate back? Row it. Well, at least you're
telling us. Yeah. Thank you for being honest,
but we don't throw food. So you do not get your
plate back unless you're going to eat it. And
he like clearly was like contemplating, like,
I don't know if he was like trying to figure
out how to likes. I don't think. Our kids are
at the age where, like, they even understand
the concept of lying yet. But clearly he was,
like, trying to figure out, like, what do I say
to get what I want? Yes. Gosh, that's so funny.
What a fun time. Yeah. Yeah, Colt is biting Cruz
a lot. And I just feel so bad because I'm like,
he's so little. And, like, Cruz just, like, grabs
things. And then Colt will be, like, wanting
to get it back from him. So he just, like, bites
him. And I'm like. no buddy we do not this is
not how we communicate our feelings yeah yeah
and he doesn't really quite understand like the
like you gotta go and like sit and and not play
with your toys right now because you need to
yeah i i can't just let you like move on from
this without a little bit of a consequence so
i don't know figuring it out but yeah Trying
to figure out discipline and consequences for
a two year old is really hard. Oh my gosh. He
just laughs at me sometimes. Yeah. We have a
bunch of stuff like that where it's like he throws
something and we're like, we literally told you
not to throw that. So it gets taken away. But
also like, do you even care or realize or yeah.
Yeah. Well, super fun times. Yeah. Do you, let's
just hop right in. Like, um, It's been a year.
It's been a year. I feel like we, did we ever
really tell the story of like how our podcast
came about and what was like the idea behind
it? I don't know because I feel like every time
we have guests, we tell the story, but I don't
know if we've ever told it on mic. Yeah. Yeah,
that's true. Do you want to kind of like tell
the story? Sure. Yeah, where this came about.
Yeah, so for me, when I was pregnant with Lloyd,
Stuart had the idea to do a baby podcast. And
it was really just, like, I think I've talked
about this part before, where it was, like, him
and I were going to sit down and have some, like,
questions and basically just, like, record a
conversation of us, like, preparing to be parents.
And we ended up doing that after Lloyd was born
instead of before, which actually I think outworked
way better. Yeah. Yeah, so I think that worked
out better. And it ended up being like a lot
of fun. And I had never thought of myself as
a podcaster, but I was like, oh, I think like
maybe I could do this. But also everyone is a
podcaster and everyone just starts podcasts.
So I was like, if I ever start a podcast, it's
going to be like super deliberate. I'm going
to have like, I'm not just going to start one
to share my opinion with the world. It'll be
intentional. Like I need to have a subject. Also,
I know that like. I am not a personality that
could have a single host podcast. Like there's
nothing that I'm like that even motherhood, like
I love motherhood, but I could not talk about
it just on my own. So for me, there was those
two things where I was like, okay, I could potentially
have a podcast, but I need to have a subject
that's like very specific and thought out. And
I need to have a co -host. And I think one thing
a lot of people don't know is that, like, you
and I, like, we would have said we were friends
before this. Yeah. But, like, not really. Like,
that sounds bad. Yeah. Not super close friends.
Like, we knew each other. The first time I think
we ever hung out one -on -one was when I was
like, hey, do you want to start a podcast? Yes.
Yeah. I guess we had hung out, like, our families
had hung out once or twice before. But, yeah,
so it wasn't like we were super close. But, yeah,
so for me, then, like, Lloyd was born, started
doing this motherhood thing. And one of the things
I just realized was how many moms, like, want
to tell their stories. And there's just, like,
not a lot. I mean, yeah, there's just not a lot
of places to do it. But then also, like, how
hard motherhood is and how weird the Internet
is about it, where it's, like, either. everything
is all put together and we like fake it or it's
the opposite where it turns into this like really
toxic cycle of everything's the worst and we
don't see any joy in it so it's like how can
we like kind of bridge the gap of like yes it's
really really hard but also like it's fun and
it's beautiful and like those two things do coexist
um and then For some reason, your name was just,
like, the name in my mind of, like, oh, I should
reach out to Laura. Our kids are almost literally
the same age. I, like, just, it was one of those
things where your name, like, kept coming into
my mind. So I was, like, okay, I feel like this
is a God thing and not just, like, me thinking
of someone. And then when I reached out to you
about it, we were both pregnant with one -and
-a -half -year -olds, not even one -and -a -half
-year -olds, with one -year -olds. Freshly one
-year -olds. And we did the insane thing of starting
a podcast while we were pregnant with small children.
Yes. Yeah. And we started it, like, I mean, you
were going to go and, like, you were finding
out that maybe you were going to have to be induced
early. So it was like we, yeah, we always had
the thought of, like, starting it right after
the new year. Yeah. And then it, like. we started
it and then it was like, Oh crap, we need to
like, we need to record a good amount of episodes
because like you could be induced sooner than
we like 37 weeks. Yeah. Yeah. I remember like,
okay. So when you texted me, so you, yeah, you
reached out to me and you were like, Hey, this
is, this is going to be a long message. Like,
uh, and also might sound kind of crazy, but like,
I want to start this podcast. And your name just
keeps like popping up into my head. You don't
have to respond right away, but what do you think
about that? And like happy to sit down for coffee.
And so like when I got that text message, I was
like, I had all, Michael and I had started talking
about like, should we start a podcast? I don't
know what it was going to be about, but never
really had the thought of like doing a podcast
with somebody else or. even like what it would
be about. And I remember like responding to you
and being like, I'd love to hear more about it.
Let's meet for coffee. And so we met at, we met
at, did we meet for Boba first? Yeah, we did
meet. Yeah. We met for Boba first. And, um, you
were just like, you were able to tell me like
your heart behind it. And I think at that point
I was like, okay, like, let's try it. Like I'm
in. No, literally that day. I like. got home
and Stuart was like, oh, so how'd it go? And
I mean, partially I like to prepare for the worst.
So I had a hundred percent prepared for like,
oh, she's going to be polite, but be like, oh,
that's a like super cool idea. But you know,
this season of life, whatever. And so I like
get home and Stuart's like, how'd it go? I was
like, I think we're starting a podcast. Like,
I think that's what's happening. We didn't really
make any like official plans, but I think that's
what's happening. Yes. Yeah. I remember like,
going home and feeling like super nervous about
it already. And just like, like, nobody's going
to want to hear what I have to say about motherhood.
Cause I've only been a mother for a year and
a half. And I remember, I think Michael was like,
you know, that's not necessarily true. Like,
you know, why don't you try it out? And if it
doesn't work out, like, you know, it's not like
you've signed any type of contract you've tried.
Yeah. You've tried something and like, you know,
That's a, it's a great thing to try. And so then
we met at Starbucks again, like a week or a couple
of weeks later or something like that. And, uh,
we were like, all right, like, how do we, how
do we even do this? Like, what do we want to
call it? Neither of us have done this before.
Yeah. Yeah. And then like talked about what dates
we wanted to try to record and like just timeline
of us both being like. pretty pregnant and all
that and yeah um I remember like so our name
no manual I remember we just like put our ideas
into chat GPT we were like and I also think what
would you name this podcast I also think that
it came up with a worse version yes and we were
like yeah that that isn't it but what if we did
no manual instead yeah it was like something
with I feel like the word manual I think manual
for motherhood or something like that. And we're
like, we don't have any answers. So no, that's
not it. No. And so we were like, what about no
manual? Like, yeah. So I don't know. That was,
it was cool to like lock down a name. And then
I, at least I remember leaving that coffee and
I was like, all right, like we're actually doing
this thing. Yeah. And that was encouraging and
also like nerve wracking. What did you, what
did you feel? I mean, I was excited and, but
yeah, I think I felt the same way where it's
like super exciting and like, this is going to
be fun. But again, like what if no one listens?
What if no one cares? What are we going to talk
about? Uh, I mean, I think like we had some ideas
going in, like we knew we wanted to have a balance
of like interviewing moms and also knowing that
like trying to have an interview every single
week just isn't really feasible. Yep. So. Yeah.
Then it's like, OK, what are we going to talk
about? Like, are the things we want to talk about
relatable to other moms? Yeah. That kind of stuff.
So there was definitely nerves there. But then,
yeah, also excitement and glad that you were
excited, too, because then like for me, there
was also this feeling of like, oh, am I super
excited and best in this? And she's just like,
oh, whatever, you know, and like, I don't know
why I had that thought. But, you know, there's
just like those intrusive thoughts of like, you
know. I'm going to put in all this effort and
she's just along for the ride, which like, of
course is not true. But yeah. Um, when you're
jumping into something with someone, you're like,
is that how this is going to go? For sure. And
I feel like, like you said, like where you, you
were nervous that no one was going to listen.
That was something I was like, well, no one's
like, what if no one listens? And Michael's like,
how would people know if no one listened? You
know? Like, yeah. It's not like you're, I don't
know. You're. your listen numbers are out there
or whatever. It's like, if this is something
that brings you joy, which it does like, then
why not give it a try and like, why not do it?
So that was super encouraging. And like, like
I said, I was super nervous. Like really, I was
nervous to like record my voice and like hear
my voice and yeah. And try not to say something
stupid. Stuart makes us sound better than he's
definitely he's told me a few times he's like
I edited it out when you or when Laura said like
this because it just made you sound dumb thank
you thank you for having our back Stuart yeah
it was a dumb moment we have those all the time
especially when we were pregnant and now postpartum
and you're like, my brain just does not function
at a hundred percent. The amount of times we
had to stop for like, I think we were both sick
at one point for like coughing or sneezing or
like, we both were super congested when we were
pregnant. Yes. Yeah. I don't know what that was.
Hormones really get you, but it was not a fun
time. So props, props to Stuart. He's our, he's
our, uh, production guy and just knows all the
things our producer our editor all you know yeah
we wouldn't sound this good without it no um
but speaking of listens so we're recording this
in December which means everyone's Spotify wrapped
just came out and I did have a mom text me and
say that we were her number one podcast this
year which I should have I don't know why I didn't
I think I meant to send it to you and it was
one of those days when Nothing was happening.
But that was, like, super special and fun. Like,
oh, okay. It's not just my mom listening. Cool.
Do you have a screenshot of that? You should
send it to me. Yeah, I'll take a screenshot and
send it to you. Okay. Yes, I love that. That's
super encouraging. I was kind of curious about
that whenever I've been seeing people Spotify
-wrapped and, like, their podcast things. I'm
like, you know what? I bet Michael's grandma
has us as number one. Yeah. Because I think she's,
like, And on my side of the family, she's like
our most frequent listener that I know of. Yeah.
I know my mom listens. Yes. And then Stuart always
listens to make sure that it actually, like,
of course he edits everything, but then he makes
sure that it sounds good when it's released as
well. Nice. Yeah. And I also always listen because
I'm like, I just, like, what did I say again?
I forgot. The amount of times I'm like, wait,
what episode did we release this week? Yes. So
many times. Yeah. Oh, yeah. OK, what has been
like your most memorable episode that you that
we've recorded? So the memorable one and like
maybe not a great way, but turned out really
well. What our listeners don't know is when we
recorded with Stephanie Kane. Yes. I think we
released her episode in like April or May. It
was a while back. We had so many technical difficulties.
Like to the point where once we were done recording,
we were like, we don't know if we're going to
be able to release this. That's how bad it was.
The audio was just super messed up. It was just
a mess. We stopped like every five minutes throughout
recording that episode because. We just, yeah,
had so many issues. We've never had issues like
that for any other guest. We've had like a couple
of like one -offs, but never like to that caliber.
No, it was to the point where like in our ears,
like she sounded like a robot to me. It was crazy.
It was cutting out. It was just like, it was
terrible. The thing is, like, if you haven't
listened to Stephanie Kane's episode, you should
definitely go back and listen because her story
is so impactful. And her story is about the loss
of her child through suicide. And it just, like,
it felt totally, like, I think you had said this,
like, totally like the enemy was trying to just
tear apart that episode. And it was super discouraging,
but also, like. just the, our conversation with
Stephanie was so impactful that I was like, it
made us both sad. Like thinking that we wouldn't
have been able to release that episode. Yeah.
So then with that and with Stuart, who is our
magician, he, he worked on, I mean, that was
probably the episode he's worked the most on.
Um, and somehow he saved it. Like I kind of know
what he did. I think. It boiled down to he got
rid of all of her audio and ramped up your mic
that her voice picked up through. I think that's
what he said he did. Oh, dang. So, but he, yeah,
worked his magic and saved the episode. But,
yeah, so that's like a crazy memory where, yeah,
again, we were legitimately like. okay so what
happens if we can't release this episode like
we're gonna be so sad for starters um and i think
she was also one of the first guests we had that
wasn't like a friend friend because that's definitely
where we started like our first guest was my
mom so we're like we know like she's for sure
gonna say yes and then you know our first few
guests were people who it's like we're pretty
close with and you know if there's issues or
whatever they're gonna be And not that Stephanie,
of course, was very understanding. But we were
both like, we feel so unprofessional. I know.
I know. Yeah, I felt like, yeah, it felt like
that we were just like, I'm so sorry. Like, this
is way more technical difficulties than usual,
which it totally was. Doesn't usually go like
this. Yeah. Yeah. And we also haven't had that
experience since. I know. Which is crazy. That
was wild. It was just a one -off. crazy moment
yeah yeah yeah what about you what's one of your
favorite episode memories okay so I think I don't
know about favorite episode but um like I think
whenever I got honestly I got to share my story
like that was one of our first episodes we recorded
too was our stories um and like how we got to
become moms and my story is just like We had
been praying for a baby for a really long time.
And I don't know, I like after four years, we
got pregnant through fertility treatment. And
it was just it was cool to be able to tell my
story. And I've gotten probably 10 or so people
who have reached out just saying how like impactful.
my story has been for their story being similar
to ours with infertility and just like hearing
about our faithfulness. And then that, you know,
we did get pregnant and we were able to have
a child. And that has been encouraging for, for
people who like, there's a few of our listeners
that are still trying to have a baby. And so
I think that was just a really memorable moment
for me of like, I don't think I'd ever really
had a platform in that sense of getting to share
our story and have people who are in similar
seasons of life hear it. I think that was not
necessarily a fun memory, but just impactful
and has stuck with me throughout this last year.
Yeah, that's awesome. Infertility is such a common
story, which is super unfortunate. So I do think
it is really cool when you or anyone can share
that story and people can go, oh, okay, one,
I'm not alone, but then also there is hope. Yeah,
yeah, that's so true. Yeah, for us it was like,
I don't know, we felt so alone in it that it
is so common. It's like way more common than
you would even think. And I feel like it's becoming
more and more common. So, yeah, it's just cool
to have a... have a place to tell our story and,
um, and to see, like, see God's grace through
it. So yeah. Yeah, for sure. Yep. Okay. What,
um, who other than Stephanie, who has been your
favorite guest to have? Okay. I'm going to pull
up our episodes so I can remember who he had
on. Cruz just woke up. So we'll see how, uh,
how Michael does to get back down. Yes. All right.
One of my favorites, which actually you weren't
here for, and this was honestly just like kind
of fun for me, was when we had Claudine on. So
you didn't get to meet her, but she used to be
my youth group leader. And then it was one of
those things where I grew up and we stayed in
contact and we became. friends and she has preteen
girls or i think one of them just turned 13 um
and it was just like so encouraging to hear her
talk and just like have that conversation of
like okay so you first of all survived this but
then she was just super real of like the effects
parenting has on your marriage and you know just
some stuff like that that I think people don't
always talk about so I think that was like just
like a fun conversation for me to have with you
know someone who who I love and yeah yeah what
about you super cool okay kind of biased but
I think having Michael's grandma On was my favorite
episode. And that was kind of like a last minute,
like she was in town. So we were like, we decided
to record last minute with her just to, so she
actually raised Michael. And so, yeah, it was
just cool to talk to her about her story of raising
her own kids and then having to raise her grandkids
too. And it's just like, like you said, really
personal touching, like to my life. that I get
to hear about how my husband was raised. And
yeah, I think that one definitely sticks out
to me. And then also, um, recording with Ambry.
So she came on and talked about, um, so I worked
with Ambry at Flatirons for a while, probably
a year and a half or something like that. And
she, uh, talked all about postpartum and like
postpartum depression. And I just think she is
so wise with her words and so eloquent and just
like so thoughtful and has really thought through
like her postpartum experience and how she's
now supporting and helping other moms walk through
postpartum and how like, you know, all of us
can help moms who are walking through postpartum
and what, yeah, how that really can affect. every
aspect of your life. So I think that one really
sticks out to me too. Yeah, that was a good one.
And I think like similar to your story, there's
like postpartum depression is just so lonely
because people don't talk about it. And a lot
of times you just don't even know how to start
to talk about it. And I think a lot of women,
and this is part of her story is just like, don't
even realize like. this is what's happening.
And so I think with her sharing that gives like
almost permission to a lot of moms. Um, I hope
it does to go, Oh, like maybe this isn't normal
and maybe I do need help. Yeah. Um, which like,
I hope that is helpful for a lot of moms. What's
your favorite episode that we recorded? Just
the two of us. Ooh. Or your favorite one to prepare.
OK, now I got to go to our episodes. Hold on.
Yeah. OK, I think the one like this is going
to sound really bad. I think the one that I just
felt most like passionate about was the one about
mom rage. Honestly, like I feel like I I just
had a lot to say about that. Yeah. And. Yeah,
I think that like our conversation just really
flowed really well with that episode, mostly
because I felt like I like before we recorded,
I was like, I'm the only one that feels this.
I don't know. Like, this is just me. And I'm
going to sound like a crazy person when I talk
to Erica about this. I'm going to sound like
a terrible mom because who gets mad that their
baby won't sleep? Yes. Yeah. And so I think that
one. like was one of my favorites for us to record.
And then I also have liked like the, the what's
saving our lives ones. Those are fun to record
just because different seasons have different
items or different things that are like saving
your life in that, in that time. Yeah. What about
you? What's been the most fun for. The two of
us. I do like the What's Saving My Life. I think
there have been a couple that, like, I don't
know if anyone likes to listen to them, but they're
just, like, fun for us to do. Like, we did Why
My Toddler Cried This Week, and I think that
was just fun to be, like, explain, like, this
is what my week looks like. Is my toddler...
I think I texted you, like, two nights ago. I
was like, and Lloyd cried, not because we were
out of Cars pajamas, but because the Cars pajamas
he wanted to wear were dirty. Yes. We still had
multiple other pair. It was just the ones that
he wanted were dirty. Yes. And that just shows,
like, the reality in, like, kind of a funny way,
too. Yeah, so I think that one was a funny one.
Expectations versus reality was also a fun one.
It was a good one. just uh again it's like funny
but also like almost how much you've like grown
as a mom things are different yeah um like i
never expected my kids to sleep in my bed but
the reality is that if any of us want to sleep
here we are all sleeping in the big bed yeah
oh yeah um what is what was your thoughts on
like doing the book review I like didn't. So
I thought it was kind of fun, but I also like
going into recording that I was like, I don't
know what we're even going to talk about. Yeah.
But I think it was good and like covered a lot
of things that like we maybe wouldn't be able
to make a full episode on, you know, like lots
of little stuff that's like, oh, I want to talk
about this, but you know, we're not going to
have a full episode on. No, I can't think of
anything that we talked about in that episode.
I know. Right. Where it's like, oh. maybe we're
not gonna have a full episode on screen time
but like that's like something that we might
talk about for five minutes and we can include
then so that was fun we also have another book
that we talked about maybe reading and reviewing
so maybe we'll do that yes yes yeah let us know
what you guys think of that episode well that
two episodes and see if yeah we should do another
okay I think one thing we should bring back this
year is more dad casts Yes. I love that you and
Stuart have done more of them, like when my kids
are sick or I can't hop in. You've done a couple
of them with Stuart. So, of course, we told the
story of this last, as we're recording this,
the last episode we released was the one where
your kids were sick. So Stuart and I just like
in a day, we're like, okay, what are we? Because
we couldn't record the night that you and I had
planned to. Stuart had something to do. So we're
like, okay, we're going to record the next night.
And we had a couple that we were like, okay,
that would actually be really fun with the four
of us instead of just the two of us. Because
I think there were a couple that were like, if
it's just the two of us, that ends up being like
maybe too serious and like maybe we're going
to go to bed fighting. But if it's the four of
us, then it ends up being like a funny thing.
It's funny if you don't know this about our kids.
if we all don't know it but if it's just you
and i then you know you'll hear about this later
so yeah we had a couple of uh of ideas that we
came up with for those that we were like oh one
of them was parenting strengths and weaknesses
we call each other out um so we're like that
would be funny with like a group because otherwise
it's just kind of like well you don't do this
yes just like a passive aggressive yes we're
like maybe we don't do that just the two of us
this is all right right yeah yes yeah yeah those
that I mean whenever I'm not able to hop on like
I feel like I'm just like another listener where
I get to like drive to work and like listen to
you and Stuart and it's like fun for me but I
also uh prefer when I'm on the podcast as well
so sorry sorry Stuart love you but He's just
a fill -in. He knows that. Yeah, right. Right.
Okay. What else? Let's see. Oh, my gosh. One
of the two episodes that really stood out to
me, too, going back to guests, was when Ellie
Flowers was on. Yes. And her story just about,
like, foster care to adoption was one episode
we did. And then her HBAC, so home birth after
C -section. um that story too was just i don't
know her story is just super powerful very complex
and i mean she's just like has a bajillion kids
and so it yeah it was just cool to hear her story
a little bit more in depth um actually someone
on instagram was saying that she's preparing
for a v -back And so I, like, did a shameless
plug and I was like, okay, I've got two episodes
for you. I've got Laura's episode and I've got
Ellie's episode. Yes. Because you both had successful
V -backs and, like, positive stories about them,
too. You know, because, like, sometimes it's,
like, not a positive story, which is still, like.
Yeah. That's just not the episode I'm going to
send to someone who's preparing for one. For
sure. Yeah. So, but, yeah, that was super cool
to be able. I don't know if this. mom even saw
it, but, uh, I was like, here are like two stories
of successful VBACs and that, that's super cool
to be able to share and encourage people with.
That's cool. Yeah. It would be interesting. I
wish there was a way to know if like she listened
or whatever, but yeah, that is cool. Yeah. What
else has stood out to you this year? So I feel
like this has kind of been like having a kid.
In that, like, so we've done this for a year
now. And when I, like, reach out to people to
be guests, I'm still like, hey, so I just started
a podcast. Because it doesn't feel like it's
been a year. But also it does. You know, where
it's like, it feels like we're still on our,
like, third episode. Yes. And just figuring it
out. But then also, I'm like, have we ever not
been doing this? I know. like it just kind of
feels like a little routine for me now like we
pretty much record I would say like every other
week it's kind of like the rhythm and it's funny
because Colt knows now like when I'm like okay
mommy's gotta go record her podcast and he like
will grab my headphones that I bring over to
your house and like hand them to me and say have
fun at your podcast like it's fun it's funny
which is also funny because I was thinking, I
was like, I don't think Lloyd has any idea because
usually. He's usually napping or sleeping, right?
Yeah, he's either napping or Stuart just like
takes him to go to sleep. So that's right. Either
he's sleeping or he's just like having going
to the playground with dad or something like
that. So I think he has zero clue. And someday
he'll be like, mom, what the heck? You've talked
about me. I think this will be fun to like. to
show our kids years from now, like, hey, if you
want to hear about how you were as a toddler
or a baby or whatever, you can go back and listen
to like all these episodes of mommy and her friend
from 15 years ago talking about motherhood. And
I just, I think about that sometimes and I'm
like, what kind of like a great, I don't know.
almost like a scrapbook for them to look at or
listen to. Like a journal. Yeah. Yeah. So that's
fun. But yeah, same thing. It's like, it feels
like this is like just part of our, I don't know,
part of a rhythm for me now. Like this feels
like we've been doing it for forever, but also
feels like brand new too. Like we're still trying
to figure it out in a sense, like figure out
what to talk about, figure out how to not just
like, talk about the same things over and over
again yeah and it's not sound like a broken record
we definitely have weeks where one or both of
us are like i have this great idea and we're
the other one's like yes i'm bored and like we
both like know exactly what to talk about and
then we have weeks where like so we need to release
an episode do you have any ideas because i do
not i don't my mind is blank do we just hit record
and see where it goes honestly like I mean there's
been a few times where like let's just do like
general life updates because that's like the
reality of where we're at and I think like what's
so great about like this podcast not to like
toot our own horns or anything like that but
like I think this is just like we're being real
like we're moms just like we're super stressed
out we're so like overworked overtired And yet
we're still taking the time to do something for
ourselves. And this is something for us and for
other people. But ultimately, I think that this
is a good outlet for us. And yeah, I think we've
just been able to be real and vulnerable. And
the hope is that whoever's listening is encouraged
in some sense and that they feel like. Oh, Erica
and Laura are like just as stressed out as me
or Erica and Laura are more stressed out than
me or whatever. Yeah. Right. Look at them. They're
a mess. Look at, I mean, come on, look at us.
This is unwashed hair for seven days and you
know, it's just my hair on Saturday. So yes.
Hey, what, what day is today? Tuesday. That's
pretty good. I don't know. I don't know I I think
the ultimate goal yeah is for people to feel
encouraged by this in some sense and I I feel
like for the most part I feel like we've been
able to do that and capture that and um hopefully
this in this next year we can get even more people
to feel encouraged and and listen to what we
have to say even though we know nothing about
anything so yeah yeah we're just figuring it
out another thing that I think has stuck out
to me is just like, we've gotten better at interviews.
Like, I mean, obviously that's going to come
with like doing things more, but I think Stuart
mentioned it to me. Cause again, he is our number
one listener. He was like, you know, you guys
make a good team because the way you interview
people is different. So like the kinds of questions
Erica asks and the kinds of questions Laura asks
are different. And so it like makes this like
really full interview. Yeah. Which I was like,
oh, that's really cool and really good insight
because I don't think that's something that I
would necessarily say. Not that I think he's
wrong. I just like wouldn't notice that. Wouldn't
pick up on it. Yeah. Yeah. And yeah. And I think
we've gotten like really good at kind of like
bouncing off each other. Yeah. And again, like
that comes with. getting to know each other better
and again like i mentioned at the beginning before
we weren't like super close friends or anything
like that and a lot of our friendship has literally
been on mic yeah just because we're both so busy
that that's when we see each other yes and then
there's of course late night texts of like how
did your day go mine was terrible i was like
i'm up at 3 a .m again yeah yeah yeah here's
here's a meme on instagram yes that's that's
a lot of our uh friendship at this point but
yeah um yeah but that we've just like learned
to like bounce off each other and again whether
it's episodes that we're recording just the two
of us or like trying to continue an interview
and not have like an awkward pause or whatever
yeah which is is cool and fun and encouraging
Yeah. And also shout out to Stuart for editing
out the awkward pauses that have happened and
will continue to happen, I'm sure. I think there's
one that we released like a week or two ago that
there was just like a solid two minutes where
I was like, I forgot my train of thought. Hold
on. Okay. No, that's not what it was. So I think
he, he made me sound smart in that moment. Just
like complete brain fart. Thanks Stuart. Yeah.
Yeah. I, I don't know. I feel like I feel so
grateful and encouraged by this podcast and just
like the confidence I think that it's brought
me in just in motherhood and also like my ability
to communicate. my thoughts or just what's going
on I feel like I've never really had a place
obviously like this to to talk about my I don't
know what I know or don't know or what I'm learning
and I feel like encouraged by that that and just
yeah super grateful super grateful for you just
being my co -host and also like for thinking
about this over a year ago and and like walking
through the door of like stepping out in faith
and and just going for it and and yeah just for
asking me I'm just super grateful for it and
it has been like my biggest hobby I guess for
this last year and just a super fun like um place
and opportunity that I would have never ever
done on my own so yeah thanks to you yeah well
thank you for saying yes and not just like Laughing
in my face or leaving me on read. Oh my gosh.
That would be, yeah, that would be terrible.
I have left people on read before, but not you.
Thanks. It's been super, I don't know. It's just
been super fun. And I don't know, I sound like
a broken record, but just super grateful for
all the different conversations we've had, like
hearing different people's stories. And I hope
that this next year brings a lot more people's
stories. just a lot more of us figuring out like
how to make this thing work and how to uh make
motherhood work and or not work but yeah you
know this is called no manual yeah we don't know
what we're doing we do not yeah yeah I mean I'm
really excited for this year and I hope we have
some cool stuff coming up we I know we have one
episode that we've been like trying to make happen
for like three or four months a long time yeah
but it's just there's a lot of pieces to it yeah
there's a lot of pieces to it and then we were
like we're gonna record in November and then
it was halfway through November and you had some
stuff come up and I was like this isn't gonna
happen and then it's holiday so we're like we're
for sure not gonna make this happen in December
so you know maybe in January we'll find time
to honestly we'll make it happen at some point
but yeah so I know like we have a couple of ideas
that we're excited for yes and then yeah i'm
excited to see who we can get on yeah yeah if
you're a listener and you're like interested
in coming on to our podcast now that hopefully
we're figuring out this zoom thing like even
if you live in a different state it would be
cool to yeah get some other people out of state
on here and also just be prepared like to record
at like 10 o 'clock at night just because that's
just what we have to do Yeah. During nap times,
something like that. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Do you
have anything like that you hope for specifically
for this upcoming year? Like an episode that
we do or just like something that happens? I
don't know. Uh, I don't know if there's a specific,
specific thing I'd love. I actually would love
to have my mom on the podcast and she is a listener
of ours, but she, um, So she has dealt with chronic
illness and I just think she's the strongest
person that I know. And I think that people would
be encouraged by her story. And so I hope that
I can make it work for, or make it work for us
to have her on the podcast this upcoming year.
Yeah. How about you? Well, I know at one point
we talked about having your mom on, but it was
just, again, like a timing thing, which is like
one of the things that sucks is a lot of times
it's like, We have 30 seconds this week that
works for both of us. And so, you know, sometimes,
especially when it's like an out -of -town guest.
Yeah, it's too hard. I don't know. I mean, I
think there's like a few topics that I would
love to be able to, that like I personally can't
speak to. But I know if we had a mom who's willing
to speak to them, it would be so encouraging
for others. honestly, some of the ideas I have
are more sensitive topics. So I'm like, I get
it if you're going to say no. So yeah, I guess
that's kind of my hope is that we can get more
moms on that feel called, I guess, to share maybe
their harder story. Because again, with things
like infertility or postpartum depression, those
are a lot of these quote -unquote taboo subjects
that just like aren't talked about are the ones
that kind of need to be talked about the most
um just to you know again maybe not even bring
comfort just to be like okay it's not just me
yeah so I think that's kind of one of my hopes
yeah we'll see yeah yeah I love that Yeah. I
do think like, like Stephanie Kane's episode,
I think you said was one of our highest listened
to episodes and her story is. Ambrys was another
one too. Ambrys too. Yeah. And so I think those
topics, like moms are yearning for those topics
and like want to hear about them, but it's, it
is hard to talk about like, yeah. So yeah, I
think that would be really good for us to, to
kind of go down that Avenue a little bit more.
Yeah. So. I think if you're listening to this,
like, please reach out to us. Let us know. We'd
love to hear your story. We'd love to hear, yeah,
your journey in motherhood and would love to
potentially have you on the podcast. So, yeah,
reach out on Instagram. But, like, if you think
no one wants to hear your story, I don't think
that's true. If you're like, I have a, like,
boring story. Some of the story is boring. Yeah.
We all think our own story is boring and then
we start to tell it and other people like that's
not true. But also like that's relatable. So
yeah. So even if you think no one wants to hear,
but you feel inclined, like you want to share,
please reach out to us. We would love to have
you on. Yes, please. Okay. Well, you know, it's
been a great one year of this podcast. Can't
believe. Yeah. I can't believe we made it a year.
And can't wait to see what happens in another
year. Yeah, me too. Yeah. Do you want to share
your mom win of the week? I would love to. So,
oh my gosh, yes. Okay, this was this last Sunday.
So on Sundays, now for church, Michael has to
leave before me because he, so he has, he's the
middle school director. And they now have a middle
school group at the 9am service. And so he has
to leave at like 7, 7 .15. on Sundays in order
to get to church to set all that up. All that
to say, I'm getting the kids ready for church
on my own, which is fine. I do that a lot of
the times where I'm like getting them ready to
go somewhere on my own. Of course, Sunday morning,
I swear Saturday nights are usually the hardest
night's sleep for my kids. I don't know why that
is. I don't know if it's like overstimulation
from the weekend. Exactly. They know we have
to go somewhere. And so This last Sunday morning
was just like, I was so frustrated. I was so
sleep deprived. I just was getting so mad and
Colt was like not putting his shoes on. And so
he like ran upstairs. I ended up having to like
force his shoes on and force him in the car,
which like, I do not love to do that at all.
But like, you know, we're on a time crunch. Like
I work at the church too. So I have to get there
before nine. as well because I'm an employee
and I need to be there when church starts. Yeah.
For my job. And so it just was a situation where
I was like, okay, we like, sorry, buddy, we got
to go. And I just was getting really frustrated.
I could tell he was super frustrated. And so
on the way to church, I was like, I just need
to listen to some worship music. And so I turned
on, he really loves the song. What a God by SEU
worship. And he like, he's sitting in his car
seat. I could see him like on the camera and
he's like, mom turn it up turn it up and so like
turned up the music and then he like a few minutes
later he yells again mom turn it down turn it
and so I turned it down and he goes mommy I love
you I was like I literally started to cry I was
like after the morning we just had I cannot believe
like my child just said that to me and just gave
me so much grace and I just like was like crying
in the car I was like I need to pull it together
about to go into work but it just was like so
sweet. And I was like, he just like sees, he
like forgets all that and just sees past that.
And I just like totally felt the Lord in that
situation. And also was just felt so loved by
my child, even though I felt like I was so mad
at myself and that, yeah, that was just really
sweet. Yeah. So sweet. Yeah. Yeah, and also I
think just, like, a reminder of how many times
we're like, I'm the world's worst mom, and, like,
our kids are probably frustrated with us in the
moment sometimes, but, like, they still want
us to be their mom. Yeah. Yeah, that's so sweet.
So sweet. Okay, what was your win? Mine's not
as sweet, but Zeta started clapping this week,
which is just so cute. I love it. And she just
claps randomly, and then we encourage her, and
she, of course, stops clapping whenever we encourage
her, but she just, like, I don't know. Like,
Lloyd didn't start clapping this young. I don't
even remember when he started clapping, but there's
something about her just being so little that
it's so cute, and I love it so much. Oh, my gosh.
Okay, so, tangent. Cruz also started clapping
this week, but he likes to clap in the middle
of the night. And so he, yeah. So he'll like
sit up in bed and I'll just wake up to him and
he's just sitting there and just like practicing
his clapping. And I'm like, this is so cute,
buddy, but not at two in the morning. Maybe at
2 PM instead of 2 AM. Yes. And also started wavings
and he like, will like look at his hand and he's
just like, trying to figure it out. And it's,
but I feel you. It's so cute when they're so
little. Yeah. I don't know why it's so cute,
but. It just is. And they can't quite like clap
exactly. Like their, their hands are a little
bit off and yeah, that's so cute. And Zeta is
such a cute little peanut. That is just adorable.
Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well, yeah, guys, thanks for
listening. Hopefully you have been listening
since the beginning. If not, like go back, listen
to episodes. Find something that resonates with
you. Like, I feel like we've hit a lot of different
topics in motherhood. So, yeah, we'd love to
hear what you want to hear about this next year
and hope you feel encouraged by this podcast.
And I know we feel encouraged. So hopefully you
do, too. Yeah. Thanks for listening. And we'll
see you next week. See you next week. Well, that's
enough oversharing for today. If you enjoyed
hanging out with us, hit subscribe so you don't
miss the next round of chaos. And if you're listening
while hiding in the bathroom from your kids,
no judgment, we see you. Thanks for joining us
on No Manual Momcast, where motherhood is messy.
At least we can laugh about it together.