We've been waiting to bring you this one.

In this episode, we welcome longtime BDBU listener Alyssa Hicks to share her powerful story as a NICU mom. Alyssa, a dialysis patient, opens up about the emotional and medical rollercoaster of giving birth at just 26 weeks. Alongside her is our very own Terrin, who also walked the NICU path and is a fellow Tubey mom.

Together, they reflect on the early days—what it’s like when bonding with your baby looks different because wires, machines, and hospital walls get in the way. They talk about the role of primary nurses in those fragile moments, navigating GI tubes, and how they managed the flood of emotions that comes when you can’t bring your baby home right away.

This episode is honest, raw, and full of the kind of insight only NICU parents can truly give. Whether you’re in the thick of your own NICU journey or just want to better understand what so many families go through, this conversation is one of support, connection, and strength.

And if you are going through it—we’re here. Please reach out. You don’t have to do it alone.

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This month, we’re shining the Mom of the Month spotlight on Daisy Russell—a blind mom who wears more hats than most people could imagine. She’s an author, CEO of Wicked Infinity Publishing LLC, a certified braille transcriber, and a residential instructor at the Carroll Center for the Blind in Boston. And somehow, she’s still finding time to change the narrative around disability and motherhood.

Daisy opens up about her intense pregnancy experience, including being in labor for over 40 hours and advocating for herself in a moment where she was left alone and questioned by hospital staff. She talks honestly about the emotional and physical toll of breastfeeding, and how she pushed through the challenges during those early weeks of motherhood.

She also shares her passion for writing—her debut novel Wicked Rebellion: Wicked Kingdom, Book 1 is available now on BARD and Amazon, and she’s just getting started. Daisy created her publishing company with a mission: to uplift disabled authors and bring more stories featuring disabled characters into the spotlight. She tells us who she’s looking to publish, the types of stories that matter to her, and why representation in literature isn’t optional—it’s necessary.

From the story of how she met her husband, to returning to school to become a vocational rehab therapist, Daisy lets us in on all the things that keep her motivated, inspired, and (very) busy.

This episode is proof that you don’t have to slow down just because you’re blind or a mom—or both. Daisy’s building something powerful, and she’s doing it all while raising a family. Hit play and get inspired.

• Wicked Infinity Publishing Website
• Wicked Rebellion: Wicked Kingdom, Book 1 on Amazon
• Wicked Infinity Publishing on Facebook

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We’re tackling a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough in our community—consent, safety, and self-advocacy.

In this episode, we’re joined by Amy SP Wilson, founder of the Safety Positive Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting self-defense after her own experience as a domestic violence survivor, and friend of the show Erica Kress (aka Blind Barbie), a blind/visually impaired advocate, for a raw and necessary conversation about protecting ourselves and others, especially in blind and visually impaired spaces.

From navigating large events safely, to the importance of speaking up and reporting sexual assault, Amy and Erica walk us through the realities too many people face in silence. They open up about the kinds of conversations we need to have with our kids early—about consent, respect, and boundaries—and share specific, practical ways to stay aware and avoid dangerous situations, especially at blindness programs and events.

We also talk about what true allyship looks like in these moments, and how we can all be more prepared, proactive, and supportive when something doesn’t feel right.

It’s not an easy episode—but it’s an important one. Vulnerable, honest, and packed with information we all need to hear.

Press play, and let’s keep it safety positive!

Learn more about Safety Positive Foundation:

• Website
• Facebook
• Amy SP Wilson on TikTok

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We’re closing out our blind dads series with Shane Lowe—drummer, percussionist, music director, accessibility consultant, ed tech professional, and the kind of dad who brings equal parts wisdom, humor and hussle to the table.

Shane became a father at 16, making him our first-ever guest to talk about parenting as a blind teen. He opens up about how that moment lit a fire under him to push harder in every area of life—especially music. He walks us through his path as a percussionist, including studying under standout mentors (one of whom wasn’t even officially his professor), and how that training shaped the creative work he does today.

He’s currently the music director for his wife Precious Perez’s live shows and directs and plays in two bands: Midair Decision, a pop band, and The Blues Pilots, a jazz/fusion instrumental band made up of musicians from Berklee College of Music.

Shane also reflects on what independence training at the Kentucky School for the Blind taught him, what matters most in raising his 9-year-old son Kayson, and why he emphasizes commitment over perfection. And yes, there are stories—like the time Kayson learned his dad was blind and confidently offered to fix it.

This one’s full of laughs, insight, and a whole lot of heart. A fitting end to a series that’s been all about honoring blind fathers who show up in their own incredible ways.

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School’s out, the sun’s blazing, and summer chaos is officially in session. In this episode, we’re talking all things summertime survival—starting with how to keep the kids entertained without losing your mind (or your entire snack stash).

We get into outdoor play ideas, how to manage the never-ending cry for snacks, and why your grocery bill might be looking like a second rent payment. We also talk about helping the kids stay active (yes, even when they swear they’re “bored”) and the small things we’re doing to keep their brains from turning to mush during break.

From food strategies to backyard hacks to low-key learning plans, this one’s full of tips, laughs, and commiseration. Let’s get ready for summer—we’re in this together.

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Tyler Merren isn’t just a name in the blind community—he’s a force. A five-time Paralympian, retired goalball champion, public speaker, and the founder of the Revision Fitness app, Tyler joins us to talk about the many layers of his life: family, travel, sport, and how he’s made fitness accessible for everyone, blind or sighted.

He shares how his journey took him around the world competing, and how a chance encounter at a blind sports event led to meeting his wife—also a blind athlete. Twenty-two years and four kids later, their story is still going strong. Tyler walks us through the inspiration behind launching Revision Fitness: a blind single mom who just wanted to work out independently at home.

We also get into the cultural differences he’s experienced when it comes to how blindness is viewed around the world, his full-time role directing a camp in Michigan, and the ins and outs of being a public speaker working with agencies and commissions nationwide. From hosting a low vision exchange student to raising kids who ref and line judge goalball matches, Tyler’s life is anything but ordinary.

He even gives us the scoop on new updates coming to his fitness app. If you want a snapshot of what blind dads can do—with passion, purpose, and family support—this episode brings it all together.

Pull up a chair. This conversation with Tyler is worth every minute.

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We’re kicking off our blind dads series with an incredible guest—Tanner Gers. Adaptive sports athlete, beep baseball hall of famer, CEO of AccessAbility Officer, and proud dad to a little girl, Tanner brings the kind of energy and insight you don’t want to miss.

He shares the story of how his life changed at 21 after a devastating car accident that led to vision loss and four brain surgeries. From there, Tanner takes us through how he leaned into prayer, meditation, and mindset to not just recover, but rebuild.

Sports played a huge role in that rebuild. Tanner breaks down how he got involved in everything from goalball to track and field, and how beep baseball became a huge part of his life. He even opens up about the tough side—dealing with concussions and the physical toll of staying in the game.

We also dig into his work with AccessAbility Officer, the consulting company he founded to connect blind professionals with meaningful jobs in digital accessibility. Tanner brings up some real concerns about the future of accessibility jobs as AI advances, including how data sharing could open the door to discrimination. His goal? Push for legislation that protects our community.

Tanner was an absolute blast to talk to—full of humor, honesty, and straight-up motivation. This is a powerful way to kick off a month dedicated to spotlighting blind fathers.

Visit AccessAbility Officer and learn more about the CAT Program: https://accessabilityofficer.com

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If you’ve ever wondered what our unfiltered chaos sounds like behind the paywall—this is it.

This week’s teaser is a sneak peek at the kind of content you’ll get when you join us on Patreon for just $5/month at patreon.com/babiesdownbottlesup. Spoiler: it’s messy, hilarious, slightly unhinged, and 100% real.

We’re talking tajín on fruit (and judging each other’s choices), Terrin’s daughter going full horror movie scream over a red racer snake during speech therapy, and Josselyn schooling us on venomous caterpillars in the South. Then things take a left turn (as usual): we relive our first tampon attempts, the very real pain of IUDs, and how men get to breeze through vasectomies with ice packs and Netflix.

We also break down the wild story of a Florida daycare worker who wrote a note to a parent—on a kid’s stomach. Yes, you read that right.

Finally, we’re manifesting our hot girl summer energy with excitement for the sun, school being OUT, and all the mayhem that comes with it.

Want the full uncensored, laugh-until-you-snort version of us? Come pregame with us every week on Patreon. Trust—it’s a good time.

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Happy Mother’s Day from Babies Down, Bottles Up!

This week, we’re kicking back and having some fun with a few games that brought out all the laughs—and a couple of unexpected truths. From guessing which of our moms said the wildest things growing up, to figuring out who lived through some hilarious mom moments, we kept each other on our toes. There’s also a round of Two Truths and a Lie, and a favorite segment of ours called the Playlist Playoff, where we each picked a song that matches our parenting vibe.

It’s not polished. It’s not perfect. It’s just us, showing up as moms and friends, laughing about the things we’ve survived and the music that gets us through. Press play and hang out with us while you get ready for Mother’s Day weekend.

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This week on Babies Down, Bottles Up, we’re talking all things homemaking—how we keep our homes functional, cozy, and uniquely our own while managing life as blind moms. From organizing the kitchen to styling a space that feels good, this episode is full of tips, laughs, and real-life solutions.

We kick things off by sharing the one thing in our homes we’re obsessed with—or the one thing that drives us absolutely nuts. Then it’s all about decor: how we approach it, what styles speak to us, and how detailed (or minimal) we get when it comes to designing a space.

We also walk through our cleaning routines, talk about systems that help us stay on top of the chaos, and share hacks for making your space both beautiful and manageable. You’ll hear how we meal plan, keep track of pantry staples, and build routines that actually work.

Whether you’re just trying to keep your space livable or love turning your home into a sanctuary, this episode brings plenty of relatable takes and useful ideas.

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