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.
5604 comments
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683538
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683542
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683545
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683546
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683550
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683556
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683560
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683564
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683568
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683571
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683573
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683576
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683578
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683581
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683583
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683586
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683589
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683592
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683597
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683600
https://pastelink.net/3587c2kf
https://demo.hedgedoc.org/s/FX4-D0WBr
https://tempaste.com/RQ86e9yEEq4
https://wandering.flarum.cloud/d/75296-gzsrdhbrtzdhb
https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/articles/bdzbndzbndz
https://network.propertyweek.com/articles/gbzdntfzdgbzd
https://community.goldencorral.com/articles/bzrdrgvbrzfvsd
https://forum.instube.com/d/101664-grzedrbdbhrdzgrv
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/85804-gdzhbrdzhb
https://community.thoracic.org/news/hrzxhrtdfgb
https://hackmd.io/bz_Yg36fTSes_OIuFfVSsQ
https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/78490-grzhbrzdhnrdz
https://click4r.com/posts/g/17246049/grzshtbrdfhd
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683353
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683354
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683357
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683360
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683363
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683365
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683371
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683376
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683378
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683382
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683387
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683393
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683399
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683401
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683404
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683409
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683411
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683413
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683415
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683418
https://wandering.flarum.cloud/d/75264-gzsdhbrdzbhrdz
https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/articles/gvsdzhthntfd
https://network.propertyweek.com/articles/hhntgfxdgbdf
https://community.goldencorral.com/articles/hbdzbdz
https://forum.instube.com/d/101646-gbdrzrdzbnd
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/85774-gbrdzhrbzdhb
https://community.thoracic.org/news/gbdzrhbrzdb
https://hackmd.io/DZkdSXwjS62jVT05x25msA
https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/78445-gazrgbf
https://wiredforwar.org/topic/2955/dgdsvdsv
https://www.scoop.it/topic/kalki-2898-ad-hindi-2024-fullmovie-download-free-720p-480p-and-1080p-by-mutiarael
https://www.scoop.it/topic/hindi-dubbed-kalki-2898-ad-movie-download-free-filmyzilla-720p-1080p-hd-by-mutiarael
https://www.scoop.it/topic/kalki-2898-ad-hindi-dubbed-fullmovie-download-free-mp4moviez-720p-by-mutiarael
https://www.scoop.it/topic/kalki-2898-ad-hindi-bollywood-fullmovie-download-free-720p-480p-1080p-hd-by-mutiarael
https://www.scoop.it/topic/kalki-2898-ad-2024-fullmovie-filmywap-mp4movies-free-hindi-download-720p-1080p-hd-by-mutiarael
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683053
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683054
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683058
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683061
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683066
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683069
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683072
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683074
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683076
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683082
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683090
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683092
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683098
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683102
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683106
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683108
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683112
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683116
https://www.taptap.io/post/7683118
https://demo.hedgedoc.org/s/2h2pS9xyV
https://tempaste.com/dED20hbvsWS
https://pastelink.net/7rbsmxak
https://wandering.flarum.cloud/d/75239-grdzhtzdjntfx
https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/articles/gdzhtdzhdtzh
https://network.propertyweek.com/articles/htzxhrfzxjnyhxr
https://community.goldencorral.com/articles/thzxhtzxjhn
https://forum.instube.com/d/101629-tzhzhtxhtrd
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/85736-gvzghbrdzhbdrt
https://community.thoracic.org/news/fgvsbhrdzbdrz
https://hackmd.io/HYNAa3ZjQQ2ptkALNEhSBA
https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/78352-htfxjmntxfmxtf
https://wiredforwar.org/topic/2951/htxfjntfxjmntfx
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682865
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682869
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682871
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682875
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682878
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682883
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682886
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682892
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682894
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682897
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682908
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682912
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682916
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682921
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682924
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682926
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682930
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682935
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682940
https://www.taptap.io/post/7682945
https://tempaste.com/Fdbx72v6LNX
https://pastelink.net/w4dtecjq
https://demo.hedgedoc.org/s/fwzDslYem
https://wandering.flarum.cloud/d/75221-ghrdzhbrdz
https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/articles/gbdzhrbdzhnrdz
https://network.propertyweek.com/articles/hxzjntgfnj
https://community.goldencorral.com/articles/hbrdxjntfxjmntfx
https://forum.instube.com/d/101625-hdjhntfxjntfx
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/85683-ghrdzhnzdjntgf
https://community.thoracic.org/news/hgredzhrdjhntfg
https://hackmd.io/2VeEF6wAS3GGt3I36Cn4eg
https://click4r.com/posts/g/17245123/hbdxzjhntfxjntfxjhn
https://forum.freeflarum.com/d/78339-hxjnhtfxjmnfxjmn