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.
5569 comments
https://www.artstation.com/agymanok-2-teljes-filmmagyarul-2024-filmek/profile
https://www.artstation.com/agymanok-2-teljes-filmmagyarul-2024-filmek/profile?dry
https://www.artstation.com/agymanok-2-teljes-filmmagyarul-2024-filmek/profile?FTj
https://www.artstation.com/agymanok-2-teljes-filmmagyarul-2024-filmek/profile?DFT
https://www.artstation.com/agymanok-2-teljes-filmmagyarul-2024-filmek/profile?ftu
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/KenlDX
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/KenlDX?ftu
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/KenlDX?dry
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/KenlDX?frt
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/KenlDX?tuu
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664600
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664603
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664606
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664608
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664610
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664612
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664618
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664619
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664620
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664623
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664633
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664637
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664640
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664641
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664644
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664646
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664647
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664648
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664653
https://www.taptap.io/post/7664656
https://pastelink.net/9mag4br0
https://wandering.flarum.cloud/d/74330-fsafagagsd
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=cdaeed52-9665-40a7-9afa-84b844085aa3
https://cofradesdegranada.ideal.es/articles/jndfgvsbsd
https://network.propertyweek.com/articles/gsrgrsgs
https://community.goldencorral.com/articles/ujtdfhbdhnd
https://forum.instube.com/d/100908-hrbhrdhrbd
https://ticketbud.com/events/6f4c86bc-32bf-11ef-b28f-42010a717037?gfgfh
https://ticketbud.com/events/ee06ecf4-32bf-11ef-ae15-42010a717037?gdrhd
https://ticketbud.com/events/927448f4-32c0-11ef-a982-42010a717037?fruit
https://ticketbud.com/events/e50baf08-32c0-11ef-9632-42010a717037?tujfg
https://ticketbud.com/events/313071ca-32c1-11ef-9bd1-42010a717037?tujth
https://ticketbud.com/events/84547676-32c1-11ef-b614-42010a717037?yjufh
https://ticketbud.com/events/24b1ed86-32c9-11ef-a5e8-42010a717037?ghdfh
https://ticketbud.com/events/b4803332-32c9-11ef-8211-42010a717037?dhjdd
https://ticketbud.com/events/27d8297a-32ca-11ef-8bca-42010a717037?thuth
https://ticketbud.com/events/9e4157ee-32ca-11ef-bce5-42010a717037?ytjuf
https://ticketbud.com/events/0adcbd9e-32cb-11ef-bcfa-42010a717037?ykgjj
https://ticketbud.com/events/60b402ae-32cb-11ef-87d3-42010a717037?yujtf
https://ticketbud.com/events/5f146ab8-32cd-11ef-adcb-42010a717037?tujtf
https://ticketbud.com/events/e575a2d4-32cd-11ef-82f9-42010a717037?dtjhd
https://ticketbud.com/events/34f6c86a-32ce-11ef-88ac-42010a717037?tutfr
https://ticketbud.com/events/716fc9a4-32ce-11ef-89e4-42010a717037?thdtj
https://ticketbud.com/events/b61dab02-32ce-11ef-9061-42010a717037?tuhtd
https://ticketbud.com/events/eeacab62-32ce-11ef-b2ee-42010a717037?djhtt
https://www.taptap.io/post/7657657
https://www.taptap.io/post/7657662
https://www.taptap.io/post/7657679
https://www.taptap.io/post/7657682
https://www.taptap.io/post/7657695
https://www.taptap.io/post/7657697
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?hrgs
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?dryh
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?sggs
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?sggb
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?fjyt
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?djdh
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?hdhd
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?dhdg
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?dhdd
https://www.artstation.com/inside-out-2-il-genio-dello-streaming-ita-film/profile?dhdu
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/LRLYNr
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?srgs
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?sgds
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?sgdf
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?sdfd
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?fdhf
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?srhs
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?dgtj
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?dhdd
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?dhdf
https://www.artstation.com/cb01-guarda-inside-out-2-streaming-ita-2024-in-altadefiniz/profile?dhdj
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/XgmrLy