Allie Boss | "How does she do it?"

We had such a great success with our very first interview last week that it brings me great joy to welcome Allie – A mother to Rosie, wife to Josh, who is a newborn photographer and loves a great DIY. I came across Allie's Instagram from the weekly mother's circle loop and I absolutely fell in love with her daughter Rosie and her beautiful farmhouse IG feed. A life much different than mine, but one I truly admire. Even though we are quite different, we are the same. We have the same emotions, same struggles and in all honesty, it reminded me how grateful I am to have my babies. The love for her daughter shines through, and after having a rather difficult day, her words and genuine love for motherhood helped me get through.

Audio courtesy of Anabell Ingleton @pregnancyperfect | www.pregnancyperfect.com 

Tell us about yourself: Where do you live, age, marital status, number of kids and business.

Hi my name is Allie Boss. I live in the Grand Rapids Michigan area. I'm 24 Years old and I married my best friend Josh September 15, 2014. We just had our first miracle baby, Rosie Jane. We went through a year of fertility to have our baby girl but learned a lot about patience and Gods timing while trying to conceive her! I am a newborn photographer and own Allie Marie photography. I love a good DIY, I love to sew but never use a pattern and taught myself about two years ago. I love the country, we live in an old farmhouse built in the 1800s and I love antiques! 

Describe a day in the life of you.

Life has recently changed a lot for us. Going from owning your own business doing what you want all day to having a brand new baby needing you all times of the day really is a lifestyle change. My daughter Rosie is 8 weeks old so as of now I'm just trying to soak in every last bit of newborn stage. I know it will be gone here any day and it makes me so sad. With it being sick season and her being almost a month early we stay home a lot! I don't care to go out in the snow anyways so she's the perfect excuse to stay nice and cozy inside all winter! 

Do you have help? A Nanny or Housekeeper? Family?

No I do not! I stay home/work from home so I do it all! I wouldn't have it any other way though! This is the stuff I've dreamed about since a child. Being a wife and mother, cleaning, doing laundry, and making dinner. I think it's just what I'm used to though. My mom set such an amazing example growing up! Being a mom now I'm not quite sure how she did it all so flawlessly but we always had home cooked meals, a spotless house, and laundry done… I really look up to her! 

How do you manage to have “me” time?

This is something I'm really trying to figure out being a new mom. Typically my me time right now is a nice bath at the end of the night when my hubby is home and can take our baby for a while. I'm exclusively breastfeeding right now so Rosie is basically attached to my hip... But I don't mind one bit. Being a mom that's what it's all about right? ;) 

 
How do you manage to make time to stay in shape? Do you workout? Diet?

I currently don't work out. I used to run here and there but thankfully I have some good genes and my body bounced back pretty quick after pregnancy! I've always been on the more petite side but being pregnant changed my body in many ways. It's no where near perfect or where I would love it to be but I don't think any women is truly happy with their body. We all have something we are insecure about. Mine have always been my arms and skin.  It took me a while to be ok with all the changes but I come to love this new body I wear. It's a constant reminder of what I went through to get Rosie here. The subtle stretch marks on my thighs, the line that still is lingering down the front of my belly, that extra little jiggly pouch that I'm sure won't ever be the same, the wider hips then pre baby. These are all things I’m learning to find beautiful. My body carried a baby for 9 months and the proof of that I'm proud of, we all should be. Pregnancy is something not all women can experience and during our struggle I know I would have gave anything to wear that body proudly. Pregnancy is such a beautiful thing! So here I am today, proud of the body that's marked, stretchy, sagging and forever changed…for the better.

 
Do you get ready every day? Makeup, hair, and curated outfits?  If so, how do you do it with children? 

Ha. Nope. Since we barley leave the house it's sweat pants, tank tops, and messy buns for this mom. Typically no makeup, spit up down my shirt, breast milk stains, b.o., probably forgot to brush my teeth till bedtime. Thankfully I have an easy baby so when I do need I get ready most of the time she is happy to sit and watch or snoozes right through it!

 

Has your style changed after motherhood?

Truthfully no. I worked from home and rarely got ready as it was. My job is to pose naked newborns. Meaning pee, poop, spit up or whatever fluid came out landed on me! Also it's about 90 degrees in my in home studio when I shoot, so yoga pants and tanks have been my life for the past couple years! I do like to get dressed up and put on makeup when we go out though. I love free people and anything with lace and flowy! 

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Soda. Or candy. But mostly soda. I don't drink it as often now that I'm breastfeeding but when I do drink it, it's typically when I take a bath at night and unwind. I'm such a sweet tooth. 

 
If you breastfeed, how do you schedule your day around feedings and outings?

I'm slowly getting the hang of this! Typically I try and feed Rosie, get myself showered and ready, feed her again and go. Since she's still so sleepy she usually sleeps the whole time I'm gone but on occasion I'll have to feed out and about! She's such an easy baby, which has made this an easy transition! Josh and I do date night once a week where us three go out and I'll feed Rosie before we leave and she sleeps till we get back home! It's a fun little family outing I look forward to every week!

How many hours of sleep do you get a night on average?

Since Rosie came about a month early I was up every two hours for an hour. I didn't sleep much and the bags under my eyes didn't/don't lie. The past two nights she has slept 5 hours in a row and this mama feels like I'm a new women! Typically all together I'll get 6 hours interrupted!

 

What is a priority for you, and what gets sacrificed? For example, everyone looks great but the house is a disaster, or the house is clean but work deadlines get pushed back.

 Usually laundry gets sacrificed but as long as my kitchen is clean (and sometimes living room) we’re all happy here! I try and keep a balance but know that typically there's a load in the wash that I have to wash three times before it makes it to the dryer. Then it usually sits in a basket clean for a day or two... Or three. 

 
Do you cook meals every day for your family? If so, how do you plan them?

Before Rosie I tried to have a meal every night after josh got home from work! Now I’m slowly getting back into that habit. I wouldn't say every night but most. We try and eat healthy so were always making homemade meals. Lately Josh has been helping more in the kitchen and it's been something fun we have done together since Rosie's birth.

 
Have you ever felt like you are loosing yourself to motherhood and or life? If so, how did you bounce back?

Absolutely. The day we got home from the hospital I lost it. I was a wreck. The life that I knew was long gone. Picking up my purse and heading out anytime anywhere without any hassle or care was gone. I felt like all a sudden my life was over. I was so scared of this life I had to take care of around the clock and she depended on me all hours to feed her and keep her alive. I never expected to feel this way either. I'm a newborn photographer and I nannied for three years. Kids have been my life. I felt so lost and out of body for a good two to three weeks after birth. Everything made me nervous, I had bad anxiety and I never thought things would feel normal again to me. I'm happy to say motherhood feels so great now. Ever since being a kid this is all I've wanted and it scared me half to death thinking that I couldn't enjoy it the way I always hoped. People were right; it gets easier. You find a new normal. I wouldn't trade this. The extra challenges while trying to get ready and out the door are worth every bit. I lost myself when I gave birth but I found a new me, a stronger me… one who cares about more than just myself–one whose main priority is family and being a better wife. I know this is the role I've always been meant for. I haven't lost anything; I've gained so much more.

Does hubby help you with anything particular? If so, what and how?

My hubby has been wonderful! Truly wonderful! Works all day and comes home and helps with any dinner if needed, will do a load or two of laundry if I'm behind, will watch Rosie so I can get a little me time in the bath. He's been super dad and I couldn't be luckier!

How do you manage motherhood and marriage?

Making sure I have time for my hubby. Typically once Rosie is down for the night we watch a movie, talk and catch up, relax together. We do date night once a week even though Rosie comes with she sleeps the whole time and we get to catch up on each other and enjoy time together! This is something I look forward to each week and think is super important! 

 
Do you work? Do you work in an office or at home? What does your work consist of and how do you get it done during the week?

I'm not back to work yet but I work from home. I have a studio in our house where I do newborn photography! It's nice I get to work when I want and, as often I want. It sure has it's challenges though. If I'm behind on work I can't just leave it at work and come home, it's got to get done. Before maternity leave this past year I have found a really good balance. I only shoot during the week (weekends are for family and relaxing). I only edit til 4/5:00 pm when I start dinner. I didn't wanna work once Josh was home. I did that way to long and it affected our marriage and our time together. This worked out so much better and made us both happier! 

Have your circle of friends changed now that you're a mother? if so, how do you meet new mommy friends?

Not really. I've met a ton of moms here on IG. This community has been so very wonderful to connect with other mommies. Motherhood can be challenging and sometimes lonely so it's nice to feel like you can connect with and relate to others. I've met so many moms recently that I stay in touch with, ask any questions about motherhood ect. It's been really wonderful being a new mom and connecting because I've got plenty of questions ;) 

What’s the least favorite household chore you dread doing?

 Laundry. Period. 

 
Describe a recent experience when you didn’t have it “all together” and how you handled it all.

Not sure I have one time in specific. I think just all the nerves and anxiety after leaving the hospital. I did a lot of praying. I knew God would help me through this and I had to trust in him for his help! Being a mom isn't easy; anyone who says it is, is either lying or well lying. Everyday has challenges some days more then others but at the end of the day when you tuck your baby in, or after a long day and they look at you and smile... I know it's all worth it. The worry, the chaos, the struggles, the learning curves, the lack of time for yourself, the lack of sleep, the shower you didn't get, the food you didn't have time to eat… It's worth every single bit. 

Fill in the blank: As a mother, it's a luxury to __________________

 Sleep. For sure sleep. 

What is your philosophy on balance and does it exist in your home?

I think my philosophy has been to make time for each other. I think that's key to keeping a healthy relationship and quality family time. Having a date night once a week, putting your phone away for a night, making sure we sit down to have a dinner, Watching a movie together, etc. I can tell when we start slacking on quality time. We aren't as close, we fight more and our relationship takes a hit! 

 
What are your dreams outside of motherhood that you would like to accomplish?

My number one dream has always been to be a wife and mom. That's all I've ever wanted. My dream is to not work again. To be a stay at home mom, raise a big family, live on a farm and grow a lot of our own food. May seem kinda silly but I really crave and love the simple life. I know many people have big dreams to do big things but honestly mine is just to be a mom and to have a big family and to raise them to know and love The Lord! 

What is one thing that keeps you sane?

My husband. Without him I'm usually about one step away from losing my mind! He's the glue that keeps me together most days! 


What is one question you'd like to ask our mommy readers who can answer in the comment section below?

What's the most important thing you wanna teach your kids!?

Thank you so much Allie for sharing a glimpse of your beautiful life and being so honest about your struggles! Rosie is so lucky to have such a sweet mama like her don't you think?! To see more of her lovely feed – follow her @alliemboss