Three very different births. IVF, recovery, breastfeeding, homeschooling, and the ordinary days in between… shared honestly, as I live them.
Hi, I’m Rachel — and you can call me RaiRai
I’m a mom of three, raising kids in three very different stages of life. Our days hold homeschool lessons, toddler chasing, teenager conversations, and the ongoing work of healing.
My Sunrais is where I keep the honest version—the births, the waiting, the recovery, the feeding struggles, the big age gaps, the grief, and the ordinary mornings in between.
I didn’t start this blog because I have everything figured out. I started it because I don’t.
I’m writing while I’m still living it… in case something here helps you feel understood too.
Take what helps. Leave what doesn’t. Come back whenever you need to.
Find What You Need
Start with the part that feels closest to where you are right now.
Birth Stories
A hospital birth, a breech C-section, a natural water birth after C-section, and what each experience taught me.
Postpartum
Physical recovery, postpartum depression and anxiety, C-section healing, and the back injury I first thought was normal.
IVF & Infertility
Tubal reversal, IUI, IVF, the two-week wait, and the complicated feelings that came with trying again.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding after a reduction, limited supply, combo feeding, and the complicated feelings that came with it.
Homeschooling
Why we chose it, what our days actually look like, and the simple systems that help us keep going.
Motherhood & Growth
Big age gaps, blended family life, grief, caring for Nana, and raising three kids who need me in different ways.
Start With These Stories
If you’re new here, these are four good places to begin.
3 Births, 3 Completely Different Experiences (What I Learned Each Time)
A hospital birth, a breech C-section, and a natural water birth—and what each one changed for me.
The IVF Journey That Led Me to You (After Tubal Reversal & Infertility)
The full story of trying again after a tubal ligation, moving through treatment, and finally meeting the baby we had hoped for.
When I Couldn’t Lift My Baby: My Postpartum Back Injury
The postpartum pain I first thought was normal, and what it meant when I could no longer lift my baby.
Why We Chose Homeschooling When I Wasn’t Sure I Could Do It
Why we left public school, what scared me about the change, and how we are making homeschool work in our home.
Latest From My Sunrais
The newest pieces of our life, as I write them.
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When Breastfeeding Didn’t Work With My First Baby
At twenty, I sat on the bedroom floor with my baby, a pump I didn’t understand, and so much blame. This is…
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Baby-Proofing With Older Kids Already in the House
Our house has a teenager’s guitar, a ten-year-old’s craft supplies, homeschool binders, stairs, and a toddler who wants to explore all of…
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Why We Use Time4Learning for Homeschool — and What We Add With It
This isn’t a perfect homeschool routine — it’s just what actually works for us right now, including everything we tried before we…
Come Back Anytime
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I’m so glad you’re here.
With love, Rachel (RaiRai 💛)