It’s hard to believe that the first time we met Kate Chippindale was all the way back in 2016 – Nikita had given birth just a few days before she cold-called us to see if we’d be interested in hosting a monthly event she was planning at The Drake Hotel called High Chair Hangouts. We agreed, of course; after all, what’s better than mamas, brunch and optional mimosa pitchers? (We promise, we’ll bring these back in some way / shape / form once this damn plague is behind us – stay tuned).

Fast forward three years to 2019 and we would once again work with our pal Kate – this time with the intent to broach an important conversation about women, moms and money.  Kate had transitioned out of hospitality and into Fintech as the Partnerships lead at Wealthsimple. Together we threw an incredible event that revealed to us that our audience truly was interested in this conversation. This event became the inspiration for Get Your $hit Together and the reason why we chose Wealthsimple as a resource partner for the new book and the rest, as they say, is history.

Kate has always been in our corner, and we’re so happy to be able to be in hers as she begins her initial foray into the wonderful world of motherhood. We caught up with her – one month out from her due date – to ask her some pressing questions about pandemic pregnancy, baby prep and how she feels about going back to work after baby.

Also, these stunning, ethereal maternity photos were shot by Toronto photographer Kayla Rocca, who we we happen to love to bits, which makes this all so much more beautiful to share.

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You’re due in mid-April… almost time! What has been the best / worst part of this whole pregnancy process for you?

The best part about this whole experience has been having something so monumental and exciting to look forward to during a very challenging year. The prospect of the baby’s arrival has given us so much hope for the future, and reminded us what’s truly important. Before getting pregnant this summer, we had tried to approach the idea of family planning with too much emphasis on the…planning. We planned to start trying after one more big vacation… one more fun summer of freedom… landing that new job/promotion we were after… one more friend’s wedding….

And then came COVID fast and furious, quickly putting all those plans on hold overnight and serving as a stark reminder of the reality that we’re actually in control of nothing and it was time to reevaluate our priorities. It’s been so exciting and refreshing to shift our focus and energy toward growing our family, building a happy and comfortable home and finding joy in the little ordinary moments.

The worst part has been not being able to share this special time with our friends and family to the extent that we would have liked. But we remain optimistic for the year ahead! Vaccines! Warm weather! And most importantly introducing our tiny human to all our favourite people and adjusting to a new normal home life.

The whole nausea thing also isn’t the greatest… but enduring it while working from home in sweatpants/bed was definitely a pandemic perk.

What are you most excited / worried about?

Most excited about the first moment we get to meet them… and then watching them grow and develop a personality and become a little person. We can’t wait to see who they will become.

Most worried about making sure they’re healthy! And figuring out how we can safely share the first few months of their life with the people we love.

Any words for pandemic mamas entering the scene at such an unprecedented time?

My dad’s mantra: try not to worry about things you can’t control.

It’s easier said than done but it’s incredibly liberating if you can instead figure out how to focus your energy on things you can control. We have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month. What the rules will be like at the hospital, at appointments, with vaccines. Stay informed but don’t spend too much energy watching/reading pandemic related news. It will be what it will be and consuming too much information isn’t going to help your anxiety.

Instead, focus on getting ready and enjoying this beautiful, wild, magical time. Practice self care and enjoy the fact that you have zero social FOMO… or need to buy any maternity clothes. Take baths, meditate, eat good food, get fresh air, do yoga, treat yourself to a massage and sleep a lot! Do YOU as your number one priority… while you still can!

How have you prepared for the baby? Any hot tips for first time moms?

Find a community of moms – seasoned moms, fellow moms-to-be, Rebel Mamas!

The moms I have talked to – at work, those I met through zoom yoga class and friends who are expecting or have big beautiful families – have been the most incredible resource and support system. I’ve been blown away by the secret society that exists amongst mamas – the generosity, knowledge, and nerdy spreadsheets have saved me a lot of time/research and left me feeling so much more confident. I know I will depend on these incredible women once the baby is here too… for middle of the night text exchanges and midweek patio/park wine mat leave companionship.

The other hot tip we’ve learned is that: everything you see in the movies is not true! Labour, especially for first time moms, is likely going to be long and drawn out… not a dramatic water breaking situation followed by a rush to the hospital!

Will you be exploring paternity leave as well as mat leave with your partner?

Absolutely. It’s really important to both Matt and I that we share (as equally as possible) in the new parental responsibilities and that we both have the opportunity to spend quality, focused time bonding with the new babe. We both love what we do professionally and strive to find some semblance of balance between growing our careers, being present + engaged parents and maintaining our friendships/social lives (if that ever becomes a thing again?)

We know it won’t be easy and it will involve sacrifices for both of us, but we want to approach every part of this new adventure as equals and as a team.

How do you feel about going back to work after baby? Have you thought about it much yet?

Truthfully, already a little bit anxious. The past year has been a wild ride work wise. It seems daunting to imagine balancing the load of a fast-paced tech start-up environment with being the best possible parent.

But I’m also excited to return and to re-establish work/life boundaries for myself and find ways to work smarter. And to be a role model for other women at the company and continue to establish the community of moms who can lean on and learn from each other.

I’m also excited to show my kids that I can be both a woman who is ambitious, takes great pride in her career and loves what she does AND a loving and supportive mama who puts them first. I’m choosing to be optimistic that the future of remote-first work and the flexibility it will provide parents will set us up for success to strike a better balance. And, that women will continue to push for and demand a workplace culture that affords working moms the opportunity to thrive.

 

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ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Effortlessly intersecting the genres of lifestyle, portraiture, and interiors with her distinctive style, Kayla Rocca is a cross platform shooter – as comfortable photographing cookbooks and social content for Instagram as she is behind the lens for a motion campaign for whiskey. She’s been commissioned by some of the biggest brands and publications in the world to create content for a variety of platforms and clients including (but not limited to): Toronto Life Magazine. Soho “House” Magazine. The Globe & Mail. FASHION Magazine. The Kit Magazine. Toronto Star. Vogue Netherlands. Vogue Japan. Now Magazine. Free People. CBC Life.

Follow her at @kaylaroccaphoto or visit www.kaylarocca.com