Getting to Know Kelly

Drea: Hi friend! To start out, how did you end up in Durango?

Kelly: Roughly twelve years ago, I was needing a change from the Front Range and fresh start. I had a few friends in Durango and an opportunity to house sit, so my golden retriever Cooper and I packed up and left! Coincidentally, I met my husband the night I moved to town and the rest is history!

Drea: Adorable! And how did you first get involved with For Love & Babes?

Kelly: After the birth of my first son, Ollie, I found the postpartum phase incredibly challenging. Discovering the mom/baby group five years ago was a turning point for me; connecting with other new mothers provided the support I truly needed. That experience inspired me to get more involved with this fantastic organization, and I have now been facilitating these groups for nearly five years. I look forward to every new group and the opportunity to support others on their journey.

Drea: Oh wow, five years already! Did you facilitate groups or attend as a participant when Olivia was born?

Kelly: When I had my second child, Olivia, two years ago, I found myself at a crossroads: should I return as a participant or continue as a facilitator? I realized that I actually gained more fulfillment from leading, so I chose to keep running the groups throughout my pregnancy and into my own postpartum journey. While facilitating with a newborn in tow certainly had its challenges, I knew the other mothers understood. Once you’ve been in those shoes, you just 'get it.' I still remember throwing up almost weekly as I biked to facilitate these groups when I was pregnant with Olivia and somehow I always felt better after leaving the group!

Drea: What are you up to outside of FL&B and motherhood?

Kelly: From May through November, my days are spent tending the fields at Mountain Belle Flower Farm—prepping, planting, harvesting, and floral design. I’ve been part of the farm since the summer after my son Ollie was born, and there is nothing I love more than the seasonal rhythm and long days the farm brings. Looking ahead to 2026, I’m thrilled to announce we will be expanding into wedding design!

2026 also marks the launch of my new business, Babies & Blooms. As a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) and Certified Birth Doula, I wanted to merge my two passions. My new venture offers full-service birth doula packages, prenatal breastfeeding workshops, and personalized lactation consulting. I am also deeply committed to accessibility and am proud to announce that I now accept Medicaid and CHP+ for all doula services.

Drea: What’s your favorite part of doula work?

Kelly: I believe that any support or education gained before birth is invaluable. My goal is to normalize the birth experience, walking alongside my clients from early pregnancy with a heavy focus on the postpartum transition. Every time I’m called to a birth, I still feel that rush of excitement; every birth is a new teacher, and there is nothing more profound than witnessing the strength of a woman in labor.

While I am always honest that I cannot guarantee a specific outcome, I am fully committed to helping you work toward your desired experience. I believe birth satisfaction is rooted in empowerment, mindset, and unwavering support. When my clients tell me, 'I couldn't have done this without you,' it’s usually because we worked together to replace fear with understanding—reminding them that their bodies are doing exactly what they were meant to do.

Drea: Why do you encourage people to join a mom-and-baby group?

Kelly: Community after birth is everything. Even with an amazing partner, wonderful friends, and supportive parents, there is a specific kind of understanding that only another postpartum mother can provide. Period. My mission is to normalize this transition. While making friends and getting out of the house are wonderful perks, the true value of these groups is the realization that you are not alone in your experience.