From roses and rattles! After their time in the Bachelor franchise Ashley IaconettiAnd Raven GatesJoin other first-time mothers who are open and honest about their experiences.
“It is so much harder and more work that I ever thought!” Iaconetti, 34, exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us WeeklyYou can find it on newsstands right now. “But the payoff is so rewarding. I feel a renewed sense motivation. Taking care of another person really pushes you to work harder.”
The Bachelor in ParadiseAn alum praises Dawson, her 5-month-old son she shares with her husband Jared Haibon.
“[Dawson]’s the sweetest! He’s starting to make more sense and knows a small amount of sign language,” she shared, noting that her baby has made great strides with his sleep schedule. “It’s better than it was. Since we decided to bottle-feed, it’s easy for Jared and [me] to take turns if he’s hungry.”
Iaconetti, who welcomed her baby earlier this year in January, opens up about how motherhood has changed the way she sees things. “I always had empathy but becoming a mom has made that even [stronger]. I feel so much for other mothers, other people,” she tells Us.
The Virginia native, who married Haibon (33), in 2019, also hint at plans to have baby No. 2, adding, “I would be nervous because [this]Pregnancy was so hard. Dawson is an amazing little boy. We may want to add more, we’ll see!”
Raven, 30, for her part, spoke candidly about the “wild turn of events” after her son Gates’ arrival in January.
“What was life before him??? I can’t recall,” she wrote via Instagram three days after giving birth. “So many of you told me ‘seeing your child for the first time, it’s a feeling you can’t explain.’ You all were so right! … The most comforting part of all was looking into Adam’s green eyes knowing we were in this together. Many things could happen. [have]But God heard my prayers. My sweet baby is now healthy. I feel very blessed! We are officially home as a family!”
Reality star shares her baby with her husband Adam Gottschalk. The couple, who met in season 4 Bachelor in Paradise, got married in May 2019. After several postponements Raven and Gottschalk, 31, got married in April 2021.
They announced their first child later that year. “Our Honeymoon baby will be here in January,” the Arkansas native wrote via Instagram in July 2021. “I’ve loved you before you were in my womb!”
The parents used social media to share a glimpse of their new baby boy. “In our happy place,” Gates captioned an Instagram Story in March of her son sleeping on her chest with a smile.
For more information on first-time moms, see Astrid LochAnd Jen SavianoAre doing after welcoming their children? Look for the new issue Us WeeklyOn stands now.
