An Unfiltered Look Behind the Scenes

We’ve shared peaks behind the scenes as we built and launched the business, but here’s a more personal look at our founder Kathryn, during a unique time in her life.

I’m Kathryn, founder of Fulcrum Apparel. 

Today I’m 34 weeks pregnant with baby #3. 

Last week I turned 40. 

Just days ago, I launched my first business, and in a few weeks, I’ll throw a newborn into the mix.  I’m so incredibly grateful for all I have, but some days I feel crazy for attempting all of this at the same time.

It’s mid-September and still way too hot in Washington, DC where I live.  I’ve discovered that it’s true what women have always said: it’s tough to be pregnant in the thick of summer!  My other babies were born in the spring, so I’ve never experienced this heat in pregnancy, and it’s no picnic. 

My body aches all over.  I’ve decided this pregnancy thing is a young woman’s job.  And while I am incredibly grateful for being able to be pregnant again, I’m so ready to be done.  I’ve reached that point where I can’t possibly imagine my belly getting any bigger, and I feel increasingly impatient for baby boy to grace us with his presence ASAP.

I also have moments of fear, mostly while laying in bed at night, trying to remember how to care for a newborn.  Thoughts drift through my mind, like:

I have all the baby gear in boxes in my basement, but what do I really need on day 1?

• To confirm - I need to feed him every two hours, right?
• What time should we attempt to put him to sleep at night?
• How should we dress a newborn in cooler weather?
• Oh, and I need to buy diapers.

Despite having done this twice before, I don’t remember how it’s all supposed to work, and more than ever I feel like I need the Cliff’s Notes baby manual to remind me of the essentials.

Then in the light of day, I’m much calmer.  I feel what is probably an over-inflated confidence that I can handle a newborn again.  More experience, more perspective – no need to worry, I’ve got this!  But those doubts creep in at night and I remember what a total daily train wreck it can feel like to have a newborn in the house…let alone a newborn and a new business!

So there it is, the big mix of blessings and challenges I’m feeling at the moment.  I have no idea how this will all play out.  I know this season is a gift with so many simultaneous blessings, and I need to focus on the abundance of it all every time my body feels broken, or when the doubts and fears creep in.

For now, I’m going to dig out those baby and parenting books that are gathering dust and refresh my memory on this baby stuff….and order some diapers. Just to be ready.

Stay tuned for more updates from Kathryn as she navigates this season of a newborn baby and a newborn business.