Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess

Happiness {The Real Kind}

After Zoey was born I experienced mild postpartum depression for about two weeks. I was fully expecting to feel the same way after Zander was born. I am feeling really blessed to have dodged that this time around. I actually asked Kris a few days after Zander was born – do you think there is a condition that is completely the opposite of postpartum depression? Like do I feel happier than I should and in a few weeks my happiness is going to ‘come back down to earth’. Am I experiencing a type of postpartum euphoria all due to hormones??

It has been almost five weeks and I am still on a high. Knowing the way my love for Kris and Zoey has just grown and grown, I kind of feel like maybe the joy my family brings me might be a permanent thing. It doesn’t feel like a happiness that lasts till the novelty wears off.

Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess

I AM NOT SAYING MY LIFE IS PERFECT AND I FEEL HAPPY ALL THE TIME.

My life is far from perfect (and I about that here). If there is a way to accomplish what used to take me one day, in less than three, it is a mystery to me. I have dirty laundry coming out my ears. There is a constant stream of moments throughout the week where I feel overwhelmed, sometimes even to tears. Like when Zander screamed and cried the other evening for almost two hours straight for no apparent reason and we could do nothing to comfort him. Or when Zoey spilled about a million packing peanuts on the floor (on purpose) right as I was trying to get dinner ready and the house clean for Kris to come home to, and then while I was in the process of cleaning that up, she spilled an entire smoothie all over the floor too… And then Zander started the hunger scream that only ends when my boob is in his mouth. That was fun.

Overall though I just feel SO happy and SO blessed. These past almost five weeks have really hit home to me that there is NOTHING better than family.

Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess

Kris is my closest friend. He knows what to say when I am feeling discouraged. He is the most positive, hard working person I have ever met. And I am not just saying that because he is my husband. It is rare to come across a person who works SO hard and complains so little. Every day he does things for our family that would make me so stressed and anxious, and he acts like it is nothing. To me he is perfect.

Zoey is my best little buddy. She is so independent 99.9% of the time and then there are moments where it is so clear how much she needs and wants me that just melt my heart. Like when all I have to do is pass her a glass of water or make her a sandwich for her to say, “Hey mommy, I really love you. You are my best friend!”. It really doesn’t get better than that. She is a constant source of joy and energy.

Zander is my angel boy. He is such a calming influence in our home. He loves to nurse, cuddle and be close. I can’t wait to get to know him better.

Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess

Looking back on my life, starting a family seemed like a natural decision. It was the way I was raised, the values I was taught, they led me to make this life changing choice. I was unaware of the amount of joy this life would bring me though.

A few years ago Kris said something that has never left me. I was talking about how it would be so cool to have the success in music I have always dreamed of, along with the money and fame. He said, “That would be nice, but do you think Taylor Swift is any happier than you are?” I have contemplated that so many times. If someone said to me I could instantly trade my current life now, for a life filled with recording music, preforming, money and fame – but it meant going back in time and choosing not to start a family – I wouldn’t hesitate to reject that. There is nothing on earth that could make my life more meaningful than the people that surround me make it.

Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess

I have just realized recently that although there are a lot of things I want, there are a lot of goals and dreams I am still working towards, there isn’t much that could make me more happy than I am now. So much of my life I have spent wondering when I would ‘arrive’. But if the goal is happiness, I am already there. Now can I just freeze time please?!

Keep scrolling for more pictures or…

SkipButton


Baby Hammock Swing: Hushamok | Sweater: Forever 21 | Jeans: Old Navy | Boots: Kamik | Teddy Bear Snow Suit: Carters


READ NEXT: What it is really like to be a mom.

Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael BurgessHappiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael BurgessHappiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael BurgessHappiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess Happiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael BurgessHappiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael BurgessHappiness - The Real Kind - by Rachael Burgess

11 Responses

  1. I’ve heard about this postpartum depression and my sister even had it for about 1 month, it was awfull, almost destroyed her marriage. I’m really happy for you to be feeling all-right. I noticed the beautiful ring by the way.

  2. I loved this blog post and it caused me to reflect about some of the happiest people I know. One was my mom, who had more serious challenges in her life than most people do. She surrounded herself with people she loved and seemed to love and serve everyone that came within her orbit. As a child, I saw some of her ‘flaws’, but they didn’t prevent me from wanting to become the kind of woman she was. Her children and family were her greatest treasures and we always knew how much she loved us. Your mom is another woman who impresses me with her capacity for recognizing the ‘tender mercies’ that bring joy to life. Although very talented, she’s always found her most fulfillment from her family. It doesn’t surprise me to see that you have inherited some of that same kind of wisdom. I can’t wait to meet your latest little blessing.

    1. Aww reading this made me tear up. I always wish I could have known your mother better, but somehow I feel really close to her and like I do know her despite being so young when she passed away. My mom is amazing like that, you and her both have always been such great examples to me. I hope you get to meet Zander sooner rather than later. LOVE YOU!

  3. Rachael, that is a brilliant “swing” for your child. I’ve said it before but I LOVED Dustin’s comment on holding one of his boys. “Just thinking i am holding/raising one of my best friends.” It is so so true. There is nothing that compares to a loving family of moms, dads, brothers, sisters, wife, and husband and all the in-laws and cousins that come with the package.

  4. I know exactly what you mean Rachael in this post! I enjoy reading about happiness, it’s actually one of my hobbies- the whole positive psychology realm. It’s really fascinating and really interesting to hear your experiences after having both kids.

  5. Awe, got tears reading this. I agree 💯 % with your feeling about family! Travelled the globe 🌎 met all kinds of amazing people and there is nothing so satisfying to me as my family and nothing so inspiring to me as when I see family together spending time, laughing or playing together. To me this is definitely the best kind of happiness! Thanks for posting!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts you might like

Hello!

Login to access exclusive, unfiltered content. New posts daily – straight from my camera roll.

Subscribe below for a free gift from me.