BABIES DOWN, BOTTLES UP

Money planning can get complicated fast when disability benefits are involved, so we brought in someone who truly understands how the system works. In this episode, we’re joined by Ashley Melero from The Arc of Texas for a clear, grounded conversation about ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts, and why knowing the difference between the two matters more than most people realize. Ashley walks us...

Money is one of those topics that can feel heavy fast, especially when you’re trying to rebuild, stretch a fixed income, or figure things out after time spent at home raising kids. In this episode, we sit down with Anthony for a grounded conversation about money that speaks to real situations, not perfect ones. He shares his own experience moving through debt and finding financial stability, along...

If you’ve ever wondered whether the signs you’re seeing mean something more, or you’ve already been down the road of seeking an autism diagnosis for your child, this episode is one you’ll want to sit with. Josselyn and Terrin speak honestly about their experiences raising autistic daughters, including the early stages of denial, the moment they realized they were the only ones in their families ac...

First episode of the new year, and we’re easing back in by catching you up on our lives. We talk about how the holidays actually went, who we spent time with, what worked, and what we are glad is officially over. From family moments to quiet resets, it’s a real look at how we wrapped up the year. We also share our resolutions and personal goals for the year ahead, the realistic ones and the stretc...

Merry Christmas from the Babies Down, Bottles Up crew! This episode is a fun holiday special, full of festive energy and end-of-year laughs. We kick things off by talking about what our kids are most excited for this Christmas, from the gifts they have been counting down for to the little traditions that make the season feel special. Then it is time for a Playlist Playoff holiday edition, where we...

Amber from WonderBaby.org joins us for a conversation that feels like sitting down with the friend every parent of a disabled child wishes they had sooner. Amber takes us back 20 years to when WonderBaby.org first started, long before Facebook groups and endless resource websites existed. What began as a need for information turned into a lifeline for families raising children with disabilities. S...

When your child has to go into the hospital, everything shifts. In this episode, Kisha and Terrin open up about their personal experiences with surgeries, long hospital stays, and what it takes to keep yourself together when your child is on the operating table. They break down how they prepared themselves and their kids, physically and emotionally, for surgery day, from pre-op appointments to fas...

```html The cookisode is finally here, and it is landing just in time for the holidays. Whether you are trying to keep the kids fed while they are home on break or you are just ready to level up in the kitchen, this one is for you. We are talking all things cooking and baking, starting with simple beginner meals and the kitchen gadgets that actually make life easier. We get into meal prep routines...

BDBU in Austin? On the court? Absolutely. Kisha and Josselyn officially drag Terrin into their world of sports as Babies Down, Bottles Up reps Metro Blaze at the Texas Goalball Tournament. We break down what goalball actually is, how the game works, and what it felt like to finally play together as a trio. The sportsmanship, the teamwork, the chaos, and the inside jokes on the court, we’re giving...

Safety isn’t optional when you’re raising kids, and this week we’re getting into the real, everyday work that goes into keeping your home and your family protected. We’re talking first aid basics, what supplies you should always have stocked, and how we blind parents stay organized so we know exactly what we’re giving and when. We get into babyproofing, toddler-proofing, and teen-proofing the hous...

We’re joined by friend of the show Kristin Revere from Gold Coast Doulas to explore a role that many don’t hear about often enough — the bereavement doula . Kristin walks us through the vital support she offers families who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or a traumatic birth. She explains how this work differs from therapy and why having someone by your side who truly understands...

Traveling with kids isn’t for the faint of heart, especially when you’re juggling strollers, car seats, and white canes. This week, the crew shares their best tips, stories, and survival tactics for traveling as blind parents. From wrangling car seats in Ubers and Lyfts to managing flights, trains, and buses, we’re breaking down how to keep the little ones safe, close, and calm. You’ll hear how we...

This episode is one of the hardest we’ve ever recorded. Terrin and Josselyn open up about their personal experiences with miscarriage, sharing what it was really like to go through it from start to recovery. They talk about the first signs that something was wrong, how they identified what was happening as blind women, and what the medical process looks like when a miscarriage occurs. They walk th...

It’s giving petty, pretty, and witty! 💅🎤 The crew finally linked up LIVE in Dallas , glammed up and ready to pod with champagne flutes in hand! The energy was sky-high, the laughs were nonstop, and this one feels like you’re right there in the room with us. We’re spilling all the tea—from our airport adventures to whether our families actually listen to the podcast 👀. We share what we’re most p...

Friend of the show Tanner Gers , founder of AccessAbilityOfficer.com , joins us to get real about employment in the blind and visually impaired community. With most blind adults still facing massive barriers to finding and keeping steady work, Tanner breaks down what it actually takes to stand out and succeed. He talks about learning your strengths, mastering assistive tech, and why staying close...

Potty training—it’s one of those milestones every parent faces, and we’re sharing exactly how it went down in our homes. From spotting the first signs that our kids were ready, to the ways we encouraged them to keep going once they started, nothing is off the table. We talk about the rewards that worked (and the ones that didn’t), how we handled kids who just weren’t ready yet, and the creative me...

Last week we took you through pregnancy. This week—perfect timing for episode 69—we’re tackling sex. From pregnancy sex to postpartum changes, we’re laying it all out: the awkward, the funny, the “hell yes,” and the “not tonight.” We talk about how desire shifts before and after birth, how to bring the spark back when you’ve been with someone forever, and why communication is the real MVP of the b...

This one’s personal. We’re opening up and sharing our pregnancy journeys—everything from the moment we found out we were expecting to the rollercoaster of labor and delivery. You’ll hear how we navigated those early pregnancy tests, what it was like experiencing ultrasounds and hearing our babies’ heartbeats, and the ways morning sickness showed up during each of our pregnancies. We talk about wha...

This week we’re keeping things fun and light! We’re talking about the people in our lives who knew us before we were moms—and what it’s like for them to see us as parents now. We also share the best (and worst) parenting advice we’ve ever been given and play another round of Playlist Playoff , this time featuring the songs that get us through our cleaning routines. But that’s not all. We reflect o...

When it comes to your child’s education, nothing is more important than understanding their rights—and yours. In this episode, Terrin and Josselyn roll up their sleeves and get into the world of evaluation plans, accommodations, and everything tied to IEPs, 504s, and ARD meetings. They break down the differences between an IEP, a 504 plan, and ARD meetings, explaining what each one actually covers...

Your baby’s growth doesn’t come with a manual, but early childhood intervention comes pretty close. In this episode, we talk and get real about what it looks like from day one through those first critical years of development. We start at the beginning: screenings at birth for vision, hearing, and reflexes, and how prematurity can shift the timeline for everything that follows. Extra rounds of tes...

Backpacks packed, pencils sharpened—the kids are officially back in school, and Terrin and Josselyn are here to talk all about it. They kick things off with some Taylor Swift chatter before jumping into the real stuff: uniforms versus no uniforms, how pricey clothes and supplies have gotten, and even the added hit of class and lab fees for Terrin’s teenager. The conversation doesn’t stop there. Th...

In this “Best of BDBU” episode, the girls share the moments their kids first realized they were blind, the baby items they were given or bought but never actually used, and their experiences with breastfeeding. They also bring back the “Playlist Playoff,” picking songs that match their parenting styles, and talk about their opinions on sleepovers and slumber parties. Support us on Patreon . Email...

Traveling with kids is already a challenge—but throw in summer heat, sports gear, and being blind, and you’ve got a whole new level of coordination. This week, Kisha and Josselyn break down exactly how they make it all work when it comes to traveling to sports events with their kids. From must-have snacks and hydration hacks for those long, hot days, to how they keep things flowing smoothly with t...

This week, we’re shining the Mom of the Month spotlight on someone extra special—Esmeralda, childhood best friend of our very own Josselyn. Esmeralda wears a lot of hats: Girl Scout troop leader, former JROTC commander, PTA president and board member, mom of three, and partner to her high school sweetheart of 18 years. But behind all the titles is a story of growth, identity, and reclaiming power...