how we are *REALLY* doing 2 months postpartum

[@ToriAndChad]

Download the FREE Upside App at upside.app.link/mastersfam to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas!!!

[@jessmin6288]

This was such a great sponsor!

[@lolashay219]

Ive never commented before but I’ve been following your beautiful journey for the past 3 years! Tori I just want to say you are not alone. I have a one year old, delivered c-section and I also had such a tough time with God postpartum. I was so upset with Him and felt like He didn’t come through on my birth and ultimately I denied that He was there with me during my delivery. But wow the enemy really tried tricking me into this lie for the first couple months of my babies life! Had me full of anger towards my LOVING FATHER who I already know never foresakes me. Now a year later I have peace with my labor and know God was with me regardless of this wavering flesh I am in. Take it day by day, holding onto Gods hand and you will gain so much clarity! Love y’all ❤

[@raes-world]

❤ love this

[@danbarrett949]

Thanks for saying we are going through an economic downturn. I knew about Housing Bubble in 2004. Talked to friends, family, co-workers but no one wanted to hear about it or understood how it could happen. This one will be a time when we must turn to God for answers and understand how it is happening. Thank you both for what you do!

[@KytiaLamour]

I’m telling you, the first kid really does flip your life upside down and at about 6 months to a year postpartum, it gets soooo good. And then it just keeps getting better. I have a huge age gap between my two kids mainly due to the Lord calling us to wait on trying for baby number two, but also the thought of starting over in the newborn stage was very overwhelming to me because of how hard (dare I say traumatic?) being a first time mom was. Imagine my surprise when having another kid felt like a piece of cake! Everyone’s story is different, but you have all the right to feel ALL the feels. Praying for you guys. 🙏🏽 ❤️

[@annewhittemore3771]

My older son is about to turn 4, and I agree, the first six months were sooo hard, but then I would kinda say for us each 6 month period since has been better than the last! Not even more fun, but also truly easier. There are new hard things all the time, but these ones are so much easier in comparison to the younger ages we’ve had so far!!!

[@haydenchisum1272]

This is so encouraging! I have a 9 week old right now and I’m a first time mom. I’d say yes, it’s traumatic lol

[@michaelamazalova8861]

Thank you, this is really encouraging! I have a (almost) 5 month old and it's been truly hard so I'm hoping for better days to come ❤️

[@Alexa-qn6ke]

This is so encouraging to me, I’m 5 months postpartum and i also felt practically traumatized by the newborn stage and it’s much better now, but I’m still struggling and I’m scared to have another kid

[@Eva_Hope]

New mums will get attacked by the enemy because we are literally bringing in new life. We are a portal, we literally carry Gods love in our womb. I was attacked at around 6 weeks pregnant. I knew the thoughts I was having weren’t my own. I didn’t feel myself. I felt down. I recognised it and saw somebody who confirmed what I was feeling. She prayed over me and cleared the enemy. From that moment on I questioned everything. I questioned myself & spiritually I was filled with doubt. I had to remain strong and stay with the light. Stay with God. Right before I was about to push I was scared. A kookaburra bird sat outside my hospital window. He was from God. He gave me the strength to push. That moment changed my entire experience for me. It became a spiritual birth. I felt so connected and safe.

[@littleacornsmightyoaks]

And being a mother is the hardest job - don’t ever let anyone take away from that. You are showing up day after day - all you mamas out there - that is huge just in itself. And God bless the Dads who support the mamas and understand what they are doing - you are few and far between x x big love

[@meganlynn6159]

I 💯 get you chad! I always say you never know how selfish you truly were until you have a child. Then you are forced to NOT be selfish. Having a child makes you a better person. It truly the hardest most amazing thing you will ever do!

[@75Cee]

So true

[@sarahgreen4302]

Hello, I’m a Pastor here! I haven’t commented on one of your videos before… But I totally understood what Tori was saying, when talking about struggling spiritually, after a hard labor. With my first (who is now three) I prayed through a supernatural, childbirth, the whole pregnancy, saw midwives, and hoped for a natural birth. And then had the exact opposite experience when I was diagnosed with preeclampsia at my 39th week appointment. To be honest to this day, I struggle with praying for healing and health, because of what I walked through, but I know His plans for me are good, and we live in a fallen and broken world and I can turn to him because he never leaves me. ❤ I’ve since had my second baby and a VERY different experience. Thank God.

[@madrilubbe128]

We have a 3 week old little girl and I am 100% feeling ALL the feelings you are. It has been really hard for me. Thank you so much for this video to know I'm not alone.

[@beavadakkoot]

That post about worrying disguised as responsability, was amazing! I myself struggle some times a year with this. When something I am responsible for goes wrong or some way I didn't expect, I get worried. I then read and pray the Novena of Abandonment. It is an amazing 9 day prayer that makes your perspective shift to God again. It has brought much healing 🙏

[@michellebraddock6671]

I absolutely loved when you said it’s the most “beautiful hardship”…Me and my husband are missionaries in Guatemala and that resonated so much with me. It was the best little reminder of Gods Glory and Grace. Blessing to you guys 💜🙏🏻

[@75Cee]

Thank you for your raw testimony. It helps me heal from remorse I had about how stressed out and sad I was when I had my son twenty-five years ago. The postpartum struggle is real. And it’s part of life. I can let the regret go now.

[@kaydeebeedy1582]

Transitioning to parenthood is the HARDEST thing. The first time is so hard. It’s okay to feel like it’s hard. ❤️

[@eliseanderson1525]

I never comment but this was really touching. I love how open you were and what you read out about worry. You guys are doing amazing things, and these struggles are actually a good thing, not only are they making other people not feel alone and encouraging them but you can see how genuine your own faith is as you continue to seek the Lord. ❤❤❤

[@heygracetran]

As someone who doesn't have kids yet, hearing these experiences helps normalize for me what it's really like, behind all the happy and smiley social media posts you see - and set realistic expectations (and also gives me hope seeing the beauty amidst the "unmet" expectations). So beautiful to hear your raw and real story - and how God is continuing to grow and draw you guys closer to him in new ways.

[@PatMan_95]

No way!!!! I had a conversation with my friend at 3am just last night about Philippians 4, and how the peace that passes all understanding is not tied to a change in our circumstances. Our life doesn't need to change for THAT peace to come, but He who gives and sustains life, most importantly eternal life, must be present. Not a peace the world can give. Take all the most "peaceful" people in the world, all the google articles about how to have peace, add them all together - the peace Jesus offers is better, fuller, longer, richer, and unexplainable. Amen, thank you for your vulnerability and for sharing your struggles with pursuing and experiencing that peace. Love you guys!

[@BlaackStones]

I relate so much with how you feel. I planned a natural birth and ended up having an emergency c-section for my 1st baby. On the top of that Breastfeeding was not going well and I had to stop. Everything that I had planned for fell appart and I felt like God abandoned me. I was so mad. The first 3 months post partum were the hardest Time of my Life. Now, it’s been almost 2 years… and I can appreciate the fact that God was actually with me all along, he healed my body in an amazing way, he made me a mother, he carried me all the way. But it took me at least 6 months to realize it. Thank you guys for being so honest. Just know that everything is going to be ok. You are wonderful parents willing to grow and learn. That’s so amazing ❤️

[@kimberlyjxoxo]

We have a one year old and we remember feeling these things! The first year is honestly so crazy, but as each day goes on you get more and more confident/ comfortable. You guys are right, nothing quite prepares you.

[@kingdomtruth7773]

Although thankfully I never experienced postpartum depression or anything like that, and I’m so sorry for those women who do; I somewhat understand some things you shared in your recent experience after giving birth. Even when one has a great relationship with God has I had stated in a different post on a separate video. However, sometimes our feelings get mixed up and we sometimes estimate walk with God’s presence, with highs and lows. So, especially when we experience trials and when we don’t know what to do or when we see God answer our prayers sometimes on a roll and then other times it’s like, what is going on, like I don’t get what is happening. But thank the Lord He knows and understands how we feel and is a great Help in any season. However, I’d like to encourage you to continue praying, studying God’s Word and trust in Him. I’m learning that God is always the same, no matter what our circumstances may be, especially in the midst of our trials. The Word of God, when we read and meditate upon the Lord and see His Wonderful Character is so awesome. Thank the Lord He is there to help us through. He said, Verse:5 “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee… The Lord is my helper,..” “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:5, 6 & 8). Visit Reklamation Ministries. See our Christian Living page for two awesome books to read & study along with your Bibles - Desire of Ages and Steps to Christ. Blessings in Christ. 😊❤

[@kimpalmore6358]

Tori, I really needed that message about fear. I really feel like I am about to go through something that God is preparing me for.

[@eeg122]

You guys did a great job being transparent w/ your feelings, experience, hardships with the new life w/ baby. TY for sharing.

[@madisonfunari1331]

Ahh! I loved this!! You and Chad are doing an excellent job on being so vulnerable ❤ Baby boy is so so CUTE ☺️ Parenting is sooooooooo challenging and with each stage comes with worry. It’s our jobs as mommas to be worried with all the stressful things kids come with, especially babies 🫣 but we are all in this together! Thank y’all for the uplifting scripture! It was awesome. My two month old baby still is getting backed up 😂

[@colonelquakers]

This was quite eye opening to hear from you guys! It made me sad to see you both struggling so much in this season but I’m glad things are getting better! What I gleaned from this video is to let go of all expectations of what each season of life should look like. I think Instagram can really deceive us into thinking everyone has a picture perfect life and when our lives don’t turn out that way, it becomes so easy blame God. Life can be messy and beautiful at the same time but He is with us through it all. This helped put things into perspective, so thank you both so much for your vulnerability 💕 I’m looking forward to the birth story video

[@Womensnutrition]

Chad I always get such great insight from the male perspective when you speak about your experience as a first time dad. It's helping me really understand men more... And I wish women looked at this and tried to understand instead of expect the man to change.

[@darcygrace863]

I feel awful for Tori! you're like the sweetest people ever and have helped me in my walk with jesus thank you guys!

[@carmengericke4621]

You guys are such an incredible team! Very inspirational 💞 May the Lord bless your family 🙏🏻 That the challenges make you stronger through all the lessons that turn out to be blessings 💟

[@natcunningham]

needed this today. thank you for being obedient to the call of God on your lives. grateful for you guys!

[@mishajacobs.2000]

Love that you guys are always so transparent ❤️ can't wait to watch!

[@ederia]

Right!!

[@jjessicaisabelle]

❤️❤️❤️ that quote about worry/peace 🧘🏻‍♀️ 😮‍💨 🙌🏻

[@amandalynnsmith832]

I needed to hear this so much. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@shannellegache3944]

Wow FIRE quote! Thanks for sharing! I need to hear that as a first time parent!

[@oleeveeYA]

Thank you for sharing yalls story. I hope this isn't too much to ask...I am taking a fast from instagram and fb and I would LOOOVE A PICTURE of that quote about worry if possible so I can send it to my group of ladies in my Bible group! It's truly a blessing

[@genasseeceline]

YES 💯 please Tori post fitness/physical postpartum progress! 🙏🏼💛

[@anastasija9486]

Thank you 🤍 your words are always so touching!

[@nancybaldwin4893]

It’s very hard for us women to ask our spouse for help after we give birth to a child and post pardon is common in a lot of women after birth so I know how you’re feeling that honey you’re doing amazing job. If you need help ask for it, you have a beautiful family and your son is so precious. Love you both ❤❤

[@rachelcollins1235]

Thanks for keeping it 💯 ❤

[@angelasantiago7797]

Love your transparency 🙏🙏

[@brasengrizelda4713]

Loved the transparency, you guys are literally goals🥰

[@marinachoban2607]

It’sa huge, life-long life- changing thing to become a mom or dad. Once a mom always a mom, no matter how old your son gets 👴 👵 That’s why it’s such a dramatic experience And so also your second child birth is so different; you’re already a parent & experienced God bless all parents🥰

[@ToriAndChad]

More in description on why we did 3 videos this week!!

[@amareselisa17]

We didn’t get the home birth we prayed for and felt confident of either, I feel you mama. Beautiful pregnancy with absolutely no problems at all, but baby boy wanted to arrive a month early. I was doubtful that I was in labor and we had to go to the hospital because I thought the pain was gas buildup. I had him 30min after arriving, in a lot of pain and not at all calm like what I wanted so badly for the home birth to be. I can see why the Lord let that happen, but I was disappointed for awhile.

[@raes-world]

Thank you for your honesty you lovely pair 🤍🕊✨

[@dominikazielinska10]

I think God knew you would have this difficult experience with delivery and that is why he made you wait. To prepare you so that when you step into this you would have this ability to connect with Him, you would have this community, this prayer closet and all that things he aquipped you with especially for this season. God is good! ❤️😇

[@torikrasovska]

I met you guys in my dream last night, it was so sweet and so weird! Chad even helped me unsend a DM to someone because it didnt work the usual way. Dreams are so funny 😂❤

[@oliviagraci1224]

If anyone's wondering, the thing that Chad was referring to at 5:05 is called the Enneagram. Which is crazy cause I thought that Chad was a 3w2 (and my guess for Tori is 9?). More than taking a test, I definitely recommend just reading all 9 types and seeing which one resonates with you the most. The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile is a great one (both Christians and their podcast was really great too)! Amazing video as always, thanks for being so vulnerable and sharing what you've been going thru :)

[@haleyfox625]

Check out Doreen Virtue’s video on the Enneagram. It has pretty dark roots that are infiltrating the church. No judgment, I just think a lot of people are deceived by this!

[@littleacornsmightyoaks]

Every time I have another baby (I have five), I think afterwards - “how did I think I was busy before?! I must have had loads of time!” 🤣 I am early forties, just had baby five. Every truly battled struggle is real - yet one of the things I would say to my younger self just setting out into motherhood is: “99.9% of what you think matters, doesn’t - the 0.1% you aren’t focusing on - that is what most likely matters”. X x Baby not sleeping? He will sometime, promise. Baby wants in your bed? Of course he does. He won’t be there when he’s twenty. Snacks all the time? He has a small tummy. Don’t sweat it. I bet you snack. House a mess? Ah well. Get used to it. Tidy up when you can. Plans gone awry? You won’t remember next month this time. Feel as if everyone else is doing neat, tidy, sleep trained themed Instagram ready parenting? Their loss, because you are falling into baby’s smiles and milky moments, taking a spare five minutes to snuggle and hold hands with your husband or wife, and you don’t give a hoot about much else. X x let the light in

[@alternamac]

girl this was a whole word ❤ thank you

[@cgayle9]

To both of you, it’s okay to struggle when you have a newborn. Your whole life changes. You can never be fully prepared. I will keep you both in my prayers. My story: TW C-section/resuscitation. I was angry at God when my son Ezra was born. It was not what I hoped for. It ended in an emergency c-section, him being floppy when born and him needing resuscitation and him being rushed off. We didn’t know if he was alive for hours. It’s been hard and I’ve struggled. Birth is complex and doesn’t always go to plan but God brought him back. Without God he would not be here. God is amazing. It doesn’t mean I haven’t been angry or have struggled but I know I’m healing and I will get there it’s only been 7 months.

[@allisongarza1196]

excited to watch the video 🤍

[@kellehardy9752]

I would love to hear about your postpartum workout journey. Just had our baby boy on Dec 7th so trying to navigate that well. Which hakaa do you use?

[@ratherboutside2]

I can relate to the hard time with God. My fifth child was born with VACTERL and we endured a traumatic 4+ month NICU stay where he endured numerous surgeries followed by going home with him on a feeding tube and more surgery for almost two years after. Our son is 3yo now and doing well. Looking back, I still don’t see God’s hand in any of it. The whole experience changed my mind and heart about the God.

[@moodsofkiwi9285]

To encourage any PP couples out there- my husband and I weren’t able to even attempt sex until 7 months postpartum. I wasn’t experiencing complications. It was just very painful and breastfeeding makes you dry. But it’ll happen! Take it easy

[@unapologeticallyromel7096]

Praying for you ❤️

[@Bambileeinteriors]

I would love if you did a video on postpartum fitness and health journey. I have a pretty bad abs separation and stretch marks and am trying to get back into working out and felling comfortable with my new mom bod

[@miajones8013]

Would you mind posting the devotional that you read? Thank you.

[@allysoncashion2268]

They haven’t uploaded their labor and delivery story video have they?

[@Emmiejblack]

Oh the love of God that surpasses all understanding. I have a 4m old via c-section everything was perfect n healthy until the morning I was to give birth. It was painfully unexpected! My son had to be in the NICU for two weeks. Till this day I asked God if that is how it is like to have kids n I want only one. Ofcourse it's wrong but I'm contemplating this whole scenario still. Overall thought; praise God for whatever happens. Our thoughts are not His neither our ways.

[@caraaeschliman]

Wait. I'm like really excited for 80 year old Kristen's videos though 😂😂😍

[@lenak.743]

Fitness Journey post pregnancy would be great 😊

[@decorandocondina7252]

Love your video a need more

[@barbarboyland2877]

You all look great and beautiful beautiful congratulations

[@mariamangion21]

Love your videos ❤

[@jessmin6288]

Welcome back, yalls! Hope yalls are doing well!! Can't wait to hear your birth story! :)

[@meaca7]

Could you link the test you were talking about please? 🙂

[@Mayesky588]

Who was the account she mentioned that Tori quotes about worry?

[@Brooke-e7l]

Didn’t get better for me till my first kid turned one. And then the postpartum depression and anxiety didn’t even leave till she was two. Soooo yeah…

[@sherbetstraw8605]

Sorry to hear that 😢

[@KatieRingley]

In the kindest way possible, these conversations need to keep having to be had. Including that it doesn’t always get better. First, so that women don’t feel like they can’t talk about it at 6 months + when shit ISNT better. And also, so people don’t feel like they have to have kids. And even if their biology is screaming and culture is telling them ITS TIME!!!!, maybe it’s possible for more couples to be child free. But in the religious world, I’m assuming that’ll never happen.

[@Songwritersbehindthecurtain]

Did you guys checked out newsboys not ashamed album 💿 yet?

[@ngulchuk]

Beautiful video! Thank you for sharing. What is the Instagram account you mentioned? Clearly stated. I can't find it. Thank you

[@spencerkeaton8234]

Is KZbin/podcast their full time job?

[@rachelwhitten2029]

girl let's go to a Zumba class at just move, it's such a great way to get back into working out :)

[@chich2486]

The enemy wants to destroy family unit a lot of family are going through hardship. Always seek for Christian help and family and friends to pray for it speak to someone. Individually. Jesus love you both and loves the family you’ve created for your home. What you’re going through is another season another challenge but your are both loved so much by our Father. He is with you. Now more then ever I see the enemy wants to tear down Christian families. Don’t believe in the lie. Continue to press onto Jesus

[@isabellaseely6625]

Question on whether you guys believe in enneagrams or not? I personally don't stand by it, but Chad mentioned something about being a 2?

[@angelasantiago7797]

Can we hear how men can be strong in the time of waiting ?

[@elizabethlloyd2966]

What did chad say at the very end as he was stopping the recording??😂😂

[@marinachoban2607]

13:53 about worry

[@EllieHawkes]

omg Chad I’m a 2 too!!!!

[@TSMT26]

"The practice of the presence of God "..i heard this book will help in ur me time with the lord when you are busy am gonna try it ;may be check this out ..

[@jlv61560]

It's a funny thing, but when I went through basic training way back in the late 70s (when it was still 13 weeks long), one of the things they really stressed (besides us, of course) was the fact that you always have way more in you than you think you do. They would exhaust us mentally and physically, and then demand more, and somehow we always managed to find more. In retrospect, it was probably the most important thing they taught us in basic training. When we left, we all had a MUCH better idea of just how limited we had been before, and just how UN-limited we really can be. You can ALWAYS reach down inside and find that little bit extra that gets you through the tough times and things. I wish there was some way to get all the teenagers out there, and have them spend the summer between their Junior and Senior year in high school going through a controlled crucible like that. They would hate it and resent it, but it would be there for the rest of their lives and show them just how much more they are truly capable of, and in time, they would become grateful for it. As it is, it seems most people have to learn it the hard way, in the middle of a crisis, and pretty much by themselves, instead of the way we learned it. Also, the way we learned it taught us that you can build and be a part of a team that will be there for you and each other -- at least THAT part, the Masters have down really well. Believe me, it makes all the difference in the world.

[@brendaomeze6851]

Hey guys, I never comment on you tube generally 🙈 but hearing you talk about your not yet fully told birth story reminds me of this couple and how they also had to "deal" with where was God in all this ...maybe their story will encourage you too. Lots of love and praying for you as you continue to grow in HIM. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpq5gpuInNiFi5I

[@taylorpinder6482]

What was the Instagram account? Beautiful! 🥰

[@michellevlok6992]

cleerelystated

[@danielsuris3742]

Imagine being born in medieval times? Game over

[@cdesjardins1988]

I cant find Clearlystated on Instagram. Does anyone know the page?

[@cdesjardins1988]

Nevermind found her! Thank you Tori!

[@lisalouiseuden8692]

What was that persons page called on Instagram? Would love to follow it

[@michellevlok6992]

cleerelystated