Our favorite thing about Solly Baby is you; the community of parents doing the beautiful, messy, important work of raising little ones. And the more we have the privilege of getting to know you (over emails and DMs and social media and real-life bump-ins), the more we’re inspired by your stories. So much so that we knew we needed a way to share them. Which is how our Full Heart Series came to be. As we share stories from moms and dads around the world, we hope you’ll find something here that resonates, encourages, and reminds you that parenting with a full heart comes in many forms. Enjoy.
Let’s start with a quick introduction. Tell us the facts.
Name: Marifer Fitzpatrick
Children: Maire Catalina (5 years), Francesco Yosef (3 years), Leo Paulo (19 months), Jon Amadeo (19 months), and Stella Maris (4 months)
Location: Puerto Rico
Occupation: Stay-at-home mom
What’s a time in the last week when your heart has felt full?
In the past week, my heart has felt full during potty training with the twins. It's been a challenging journey because it’s not just one toddler, but two. However, every time one of them successfully uses the potty, I can’t help but feel proud and overwhelmed with love. Seeing them encourage each other and celebrate their little victories together has made me realize how much they’ve grown. They’re no longer my little bitty twins, and it’s one of those moments where you feel like you’re not just teaching them a skill, but also witnessing their independence and confidence bloom. It’s tough, but those milestones make it all worth it.
Favorite memory in your Solly Wrap?
When I had my second child, juggling the needs of my oldest while comforting my newborn felt overwhelming at times. But the Solly Wrap became my lifesaver. I could keep my baby close while still being present for my oldest. It gave me the freedom to hold both of my babies in different ways, making those early days a little easier for the three of us. Since then, the Solly Wrap has been one of my must-haves after each baby during those early postpartum days.
What’s something about motherhood that has surprised you?
Motherhood has surprised me by showing me a version of myself I never knew existed—stronger, more patient, and filled with more love than I ever imagined. It has also humbled me in ways I never expected, reminding me daily that I don’t have all the answers, that perfection isn’t the goal, and that sometimes the best thing I can do is simply show up with love and to be present for my kids and husband.
Define motherhood in five words or less.
Unconditional, humbling, joyful, selfless, fulfilling.
Most-used baby items in the newborn stage?
As a mom of five, my Solly Baby Wrap is a must—it's literally the only way I get things done around the house! My nursing pillow, water jug, and baby bassinet are also essentials.
When do you feel at your best as a mom?
I feel at my best when we're out exploring with our kids. My husband and I love hiking, visiting little towns, or simply discovering new places together. There’s something so special about experiencing the world through their eyes—it’s one of my favorite parts of motherhood.
First place you took baby other than the pediatrician’s office?
The first place we took each of our five children was to Mass for their baptism just days after they were born. It was such a beautiful and sacred moment—witnessing our little ones receive the sacrament and be welcomed into the Church, surrounded by the love and prayers of our family and friends.
Something you loved to do before baby that you would like to start up again eventually?
I used to do kickboxing. I’d love to find a place nearby and sign up for classes again.
What’s something about motherhood that you wish people talked about more?
As a mom of five, I’ve learned that motherhood is both beautiful and overwhelming. The constant juggle of meeting everyone’s needs, managing the home, and still trying to find time for myself can be exhausting. There’s this idea that moms are supposed to handle everything without complaint, but the truth is, we need support too. I’ve learned to give myself grace, ask for help when needed (I struggle with this one a lot!), and remind myself that I’m doing my best—even on the hard days.
Tell us about your journey to motherhood.
My journey to motherhood has been shaped by our life as a military family. We’ve been stationed in Alaska, far from our relatives, throughout my pregnancies, which has made motherhood both beautiful and challenging.
Things became even more overwhelming when we found out we were expecting twins. Facing a high-risk pregnancy and knowing that the local hospital didn’t have the necessary equipment to care for premature babies if they arrived early, we made the difficult decision for me to move back home to Texas with our two kids at the time while my husband stayed behind for work. Doing long-distance during such a crucial time wasn’t easy, but having my family’s support during that season was an incredible blessing.
Just as we were adjusting to life with four kids, we received orders to move to Puerto Rico—and on top of that, we were also expecting our fifth baby! Military life has kept us on our toes, stretching us in ways we never expected. Though it has come with challenges, it has also brought incredible friendships that feel like family. This journey through motherhood has taught me resilience, faith, and the beauty of embracing the unknown with an open heart.
Would you be willing to share Stella’s birth story?
As a military family, we’re used to frequent moves, but this past deployment was different. At 30 weeks pregnant with our fifth baby and four kids in tow, we relocated from Alaska to Puerto Rico. When we arrived, I immediately began searching for an OB-GYN. To our surprise, finding one willing to take me so late in pregnancy proved nearly impossible, even though I had all my medical records and a healthy pregnancy thus far. After weeks of dead ends, my primary care provider advised me to look outside my network.
Frustrated and anxious, I prayed for guidance. A friend mentioned a birthing center, and around the same time, a woman at Mass handed me a book on St. Philomena, the patron saint of impossible cases, encouraging me to seek her intercession—as if she knew what we were going through. As Juan and I drove home, we realized it was St. Philomena's feast day. We also learned she is the patron saint of infants, babies, youth, and mothers in distress. It felt like a divine sign I couldn’t ignore. After being turned away by multiple doctors and not wanting to go through another relocation or be separated from Juan—like we had been during the birth of our twins—we saw this as a clear sign guiding us toward a home birth.
I won’t lie, I was scared and nervous, but deep down, I had always wanted to experience a home birth, especially knowing how fast my labors are. All three of my previous births, including the twins, had been completely natural with no complications, so I felt confident in my body’s ability to do it again. After attending an orientation at the birthing center and meeting the midwives, I came home and told Juan, “I really want to do this.”
With about two months left before the baby’s arrival, I attended birthing classes and met other expecting mothers facing similar challenges. Many, like me, had been turned away by doctors unwilling to take them so late in pregnancy. Their stories opened my eyes to the healthcare crisis in Puerto Rico. Despite being part of the U.S., the system is deeply flawed, and many mothers are forced into unnecessary C-sections without being given options or proper care. Puerto Rico has one of the highest C-section rates in the world, with many women pressured into unnecessary procedures due to hospital policies, lack of informed consent, and a shortage of providers willing to support natural births. Access to midwifery care is extremely limited, leaving many mothers without the support or choices they deserve. Hearing these stories strengthened my resolve to advocate for my own birth plan, trust my body, and embrace the natural birth experience I had always wanted.
Almost ten weeks later during the night, my water broke. I went upstairs and told Juan that the baby was near and that we should start filling up the bathtub since I had always envisioned a water birth. I called my midwife, and about 40 minutes later, she and her nurse arrived. All of my kids were peacefully asleep, just as I had hoped. My parents had arrived a week earlier, so when my contractions intensified around midnight, I asked Juan to wake my mom. As labor progressed, I found myself in the bathtub, listening to Gregorian chants, offering the pain of each contraction to St. Philomena, and praying for a fast and safe delivery. When the contractions grew stronger, I moved to the bed, trying to find a comfortable position, then back into the warm water, instinctively following what felt right.
In the soothing embrace of the water and the rhythm of prayer, just as I had hoped, our little Stella Maris entered the world after less than two hours of active labor. Her name, meaning "Star of the Sea," is an ancient title for Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her birth was a blessing—an answered prayer in every way. Giving birth to my fifth baby at home was the most incredible—and honestly, humbling—experience of my life. Being in my own space, surrounded by the warmth and familiarity of home, made all the difference. When I finally held Stella in my arms, with the house so still and quiet around us, all the fear and uncertainty melted away. In that moment, I felt the raw, overwhelming beauty of bringing her into the world. It was a powerful reminder that even in the scariest moments, we are capable of more than we ever imagined.
What’s it like raising a family in Puerto Rico?
Raising children in Puerto Rico has reminded both me and my husband of our own childhoods in Latin America—mine in Mexico and his in Paraguay. There’s such a strong sense of community here, where neighbors and extended family play an active role in raising children. People are so warm and welcoming; it’s completely normal for strangers to stop and chat or offer a helping hand. The emphasis on family gatherings, homemade meals, and celebrating traditions feels so familiar and comforting. It’s been beautiful to see our kids experience a piece of the culture we grew up with.
What Solly pieces do you have? What’s on your wishlist?
I have about six wraps: Blush Floret, Bleu Toile, Basil, Flax, Spelt, and a few older prints. We also have a variety of Sleep Sets that my kids have been using as hand-me-downs since my second baby, and we’ve just been adding to our collection ever since because we love them so much! I have the Rose Toile Women's Sleep Set on my wishlist because my kids’ pajamas are always so soft, and I want to experience that kind of softness for myself, haha!
Time for a round of rapid-fire favorites…
Indulgence: Sushi bowls
Children’s book: All the Things I Love About You
Drink of choice: Freshly squeezed orange juice
Mama-time activity: Thrifting
Motherhood-related topic you could talk about for 15 min uninterrupted: Home births
After bedtime snack: Bananas with Nutella or homemade cookies
