Welcome!

Welcome! This blog has been a true labor of love for me. Motherhood Unadorned is about motherhood naked, plain and uncensored. I’ve tried to create a safe haven for moms to  share personal stories, get support and encouragement from others. Please read our stories and give us your feedback. We’d love to hear about your experiences with these often taboo topics of parenthood.

Hi! I’m Cristi. I live near Seattle, WA. In February 2010, I gave birth to my 2nd child, my beautiful baby girl Ellie. Her brother Ronin was just over 2 at the time. My kids are amazing! I’ve been a stay at home mom since my son was born in 2007, and prior worked in marketing for many years.

I’m not gonna lie, becoming a mom has had a lot of ups and downs. Particularly because I’ve had mental illness for most of my life, and the challenges and hormones related to pregnancy and kids DO NOT help me out in the mood department. After Ellie’s birth I had a pretty strong episode of PPD that felt quite like a mid-life crisis, or shall I say Mama Crisis.

I knew from years of meds, therapy and alternative treatments that distraction is an excellent tool for overcoming my own mood issues. So I embarked on a path that led me to EllieAdorn, my little virtual boutique of gemstone mama necklaces. It became the creative and professional outlet I needed to distract, calm and entertain my mind. In the process, its also became a wonderful social outlet, which was a surprising added bonus. I’ve met so many wonderful mamas who’ve bought my necklaces AND amazing women who are also running households and small businesses themselves.

I’ve become very passionate about working with other mom businesses to promote and encourage each other. But even more than that, I’ve realized that I’m part of a very big community of moms who have a TON of very specific and very personal issues, challenges and successes that we live and breathe every day.

Cristi, Kirsten & Dina (RIP)

A Blog Inspired by Suicide

On Christmas 2010, a dear friend of mine (a mom of a teenager) died by suicide, and it has truly affected me in many deep and lasting ways. That event absolutely inspired me to start this blog, in her honor and for so many who are lost way too soon to mental illness and suicide.

I cover suicide, PPD, bipolar, depression and other mental illness, issues that are extremely taboo in our society but are SO important to keep talking about, especially for me.

The blog also covers mom topics that I am passionate about such as breastfeeding and pumping (challenges & successes), babywearing and attachment parenting. Also, other pregnancy and parenting challenges like birth complications, prematurity, infertility, as well as breast cancer and other disease awareness. Features on topics about kids such as technology, sleep and fun stuff like creative outlets.

My Thursday guest series “I’m Not a Bad Mom Because…” allows us as parents to talk about things for which others may typically judge us, but that we know actually make us good parents. (Please let me know if you’d like to submit your story!)

Guest writers are providing their own personal stories about topics for which they are experts in their own right, and are passionate about themselves. Because I really want this blog to be about Moms Educating Moms, providing personal stories that will inform us, enlighten us and inspire us as Moms. Help make us more sensitive and non-judgmental of each other and our own individual beliefs on motherhood and parenting.

A Suicide Prevention Movement: #bluebloggers

In 2011, inspired by my friend’s death I began to raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In May 2011 I did my first local walk. The next big walk in Seattle October 2011. In September, I said that if I raised $1,500 for suicide prevention, I would dye my hair blue. In the process, many bloggers around the country put their own heads on the line as well and we became the #bluebloggers on Twitter. My Team Purposeful Practices/Motherhood Unadorned raised over $2,400 and we got our blue hair.

But its not just about blue hair. Its about starting and continuing a conversation about mental health and suicide prevention. Its about removing the stigmas of mental illness. Making others feel not so alone. I encourage you to join in the conversation. You are beautiful. You are loved. You are not alone. #StopSuicide

In 2013, I’ve joined Healthy Place in their Stand Up for Mental Health Campaign. Here’s my video at Healthy Place on YouTube: “Suicide Should Not be Hushed Up.” 

In 2013 I’m also raising funds and walking in the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. As of May, I have raised over $3, 200 for the cause and will be walking 16 miles overnight June 1-2 in the Nation’s Capital Washington DC with thousands of others to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Honors/Contributing Writing

Awarded the Mom Central Blog Grant in May 2011

Top 25 Mental Wellness Blog at Circle of Moms

Contributing Writer for Postpartum Progress, the most widely read blog about perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

I’m #withtheband! Published on Group Blog Band Back Together

Published on BlogHer.

Please take a look around and if you have any questions or would like to share your story, please email me at cristicomes@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading!!