Moments of Musing

Quick Summertime Meal Hack

Filed Under: cooking //

This post is sponsored by NewAir but all opinions are my own. 

Now that Memorial Day has passed, the summer has unofficially started. We kicked it off at my alma mater Penn State for a low key weekend in Central Pennsylvania. It was a lot of fun making new memories with my husband and kids in a town that’s near and dear to my heart. 

My to-do list was pretty long the evening prior to going away. I had to pack, clean up the house, do laundry (but let’s be honest-folding did not happen), and cook dinner. I’m trying to use the microwave less but I didn’t have too much time for dinner so I was a bit stuck until I remembered our new Magic Chef Air Fryer! I used the air fryer to cook sweet potato fries. I was able to do so within just about 8 minutes! The cleanup was simple and quick, too. I just washed the basket parts and let them air-dry.
  

The air fryer is a 7 Quart Digital Air Fryer, perfect for healthy cooking, and has a dishwasher safe basket. It also comes with a free recipe book that I’ll be using for dinner ideas. 
Some of the dishes I’m most excited to try are the chicken fajitas and enchilada casserole. To be honest, I never knew an air fryer could be used to quickly and efficiently cook such seemingly elaborate dinners!
  

You can purchase your own Magic Chef® 3.7 Quart Digital Air Fryer, Healthy Cooking, Dishwasher Safe Basket with Free Recipe Book at https://www.newair.com/products/magic-chef%C2%AE-3-7-quart-digital-air-fryer-healthy-cooking-dishwasher-safe-basket-with-free-recipe-book?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=Momentsofmusing&utm_campaign=MCAF37DB. **Use code MM20 for 20% off!**

It will help you get meals onto the table quickly so you can spend most of your summertime outside enjoying the weather and not inside cooking for hours. 

A Letter to the Mom who Dreads Wearing a Swim Suit

Filed Under: motherhood, postpartum body //

Travel with kids, vacation with kids, mom bod, swim suit, family swim, self love, body positivity, postpartum body

Dear you,

You who are self-conscious getting into a swim suit. 

You who are self-conscious when having to go to the beach or pool. 

You who sits out and watches your kids makes memories. 

I want you to know some things:

You might not believe me but it’s true — You. Are. Beautiful. 

Yes, even if you have a your mommy tummy, stretch marks, flabby belly, saggy skin, jiggly arms, or can’t stand the number on the scale. 

Hear me out. Please. 

Your kids don’t care about your C-section pouch, your love handles, or the baby weight you just can’t seem to lose. They don’t see any of that — they only see you. And I mean the real you: your heart and soul. The love you give them, the kindness you show them & the joy you exude in your moments together. THAT is what makes you beautiful. It’s what makes us all beautiful.

After all, isn’t that what we try to tell our kids anyway? That’s because it’s real; it’s the truth. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Don’t let anyone make your feel differently. 


So, as swimsuit season officially begins with beaches and pools opening, just remember your kids love YOU, and you should love you too.

That means getting into a swim suit — or whatever swimwear you feel comfortable in — and joining in on the fun. Make memories. Have fun. Give love — to your kids and to that amazing mom bod of yours. 

I’m rooting for you!

Love,
Me

Mom bod, postpartum body, self love, motherhood, beach, swim sit

1 Year Breastfeeding Milestone ACHIEVED – 10 Things I’ve Learned

Filed Under: breastfeeding, motherhood //

I did it! We did it! I made it one year of breastfeeding and we’re still going strong. If you’d like to learn more about my feeding journey with both kids, feel free to check out my other posts:


My two feeding journeys were vastly different. My breastfeeding journey has not been easy but, like all things in motherhood, it has been so worth it. I am just so proud and grateful to have been able to have the experience. 

Here are 10 things I’ve learned along the way:


1. It’s okay to be nervous. 

To be honest, I did not want to breastfeed or even attempt breastfeeding this time around. I actually a bit of anxiety at the thought. Whenever I’d let myself think about it I imagined soreness, bleeding and tears of pain all over again. I did not want that — or to get my hopes up only to have them dashed. I voiced my concerns to my husband and he asked me to just try again and if it didn’t work right away to know it’s okay to stop like I did with S. So, I figured I’d try. I knew it would be difficult but what I didn’t know was how much crucial support my hospital would provide in those first few days. I’m convinced that made all the difference. I could never thank them — or my husband for believing in me — enough. So sure I was scared, but I realized it’s okay to be. I’m glad I didn’t let them stop me, though.

2. Breastfeeding is exhausting and stressful, especially during the first few days and weeks. 

When we got home from the hospital, it seemed like all Baby R wanted to do was nurse. I vividly remember one night sitting in the living room during a three-hour cluster feed. Yes, THREE HOURS. I was so exhausted. And I was stressed. I never felt like I slept enough and then I was so cranky and impatient with my toddler S. It didn’t seem fair to any of us and there were times I just wanted to quit. Little by little, though, I found a routine and started getting more sleep. And woah does sleep do wonders! 


3. My body is capable of wonderful things — and I should listen to it!

Being able to provide nourishment for my little human offspring has been an amazing experience. I am constantly in awe of mothers’ bodies and all they do. Breastfeeding is one more thing that amazes me and makes me feel proud. As such, I’ve learned listening to my body is very important. I paid attention to cues of engorgement, as well as hormonal shifts. A week postpartum my hormones probably dropped immensely because I felt so down and figured it was a bout of baby blues. I cried to my husband to let my emotions out. The day after I felt much better. When I first started weaning my pumping sessions at 10 months, however, I found myself feeling depressed. I couldn’t stand the feelings and so I started pumping again and increased my sessions and felt back to normal. I stopped pumping again at 12 months but really gradually because I wanted to feel better while weaning. These days, I don’t pump but I do nurse whenever I’m with R, which will eventually be decreased to morning and nighttime feeds. 

4. Involve other siblings. 

I tried my best to involve our firstborn, S, in our new routine with the new baby. After all, he was our first baby and his routine and world was being drastically changed. In the first few weeks, S was interested in my milk and asked to taste it. He actually liked it so I’d give him a few ounces here and there in hopes that it made him feel more included — and I figured it had nutritional benefits, as well! S also helped with bottle feedings, which we introduced during the first week because I wanted to avoid issues of transitioning to bottle feeds.  

5. Rest, eat well and stay hydrated. 

You know that saying sleep when baby sleeps and everyone just laughs because it seems —and sometimes is— impossible. Well, I did just that when given the opportunity. Sleep is important for the body, as is a healthy diet and lots of water! I’m not going to lie- my diet was drastically smaller due to stress and feeling so busy but eventually I started making smoothies or small quick meals to be sure to get my veggies in. 


6. Pumping is annoying. 

I don’t have any nice or pretty way to put it. Pumping was my least favorite part of breastfeeding but it was necessary in order to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. My biggest advice would be to pump as much as you can – it increases production and will lessen your stress. Take it from me – because I was so stressed when my freezer stash was super low, which was very often. 

7. It’s okay to supplement!

Okay, so the first time I thought we’d have to give R formula  (at 6 months) I did feel a bit bad. BUT I did not feel nearly as guilty formula-feeding as I did with S because R was exclusively breastfed. We didn’t have to give formula until about 10 months and lo and behold, I felt pretty okay with it. It was only for about two feedings until my production increased again and then we didn’t give any until right around 12 months. Now, he gets cow’s milk while I’m at work and I nurse when I’m with 
him. 

8. It’s my favorite part of our bonding. 

Breastfeeding was the best thing for my bonding experience with our second-born. I had SO MANY emotions during my pregnancy with him and really, really worried about loving him equally. It just didn’t seem possible. I really do believe breastfeeding helped regulate my hormones and gave us such an amazing bonding experience that is unique to us. 

9. Relax! 

Stress reduces production. As I’ve mentioned, I was so stressed about breastfeeding especially upon returning to work. I managed to get into a routine with pumping but eventually I got overwhelmed, quit pumping, got sick,anxious and depressed and worked to increased my supply. It really taught me to take care of myself and to rest when I needed to. My babies need me but I can’t be there for them if I’m not feeling well! 

10. Don’t compare your breastfeeding journey to others’.

Breastfeeding doesn’t determine your worth or value as a mom. The everyday moments of motherhood, the way you love and care for your baby and the way YOU mother do.

My Toddler’s Biggest Public Tantrum Yet

Filed Under: motherhood //


toddler tantrums, toddler, public tantrum, mom life, motherhood


The weather this second half of the week has been AMAZING so I’ve taken the boys out and about. Yesterday, we had such a great day with Pumpspotting and One Split Pea Photography at the Children’s Museum. That doesn’t mean our day was perfect, though …

S had an epic meltdown screaming/ crying at the top of his lungs at the museum all because he didn’t want to play with R … I’m talking running away from me and hiding AKA I freaked out for a few moments and someone asked if I needed help lol 

He wouldn’t take deep breaths or let me hug him like I kept asking… My options were to leave, pick him up and have him tantrum harder, or let him have his meltdown and then continue on with our time. 

I dug deep within myself, remained pretty calm, and chose the latter because I knew it would quickly pass and I knew we’d still have a good time afterwards. I wasn’t really embarrassed because, well, he’s not even 3 and still figuring out how to deal with his emotions …I mean aren’t we all?  (by the way, the museum was pretty loud so I didn’t feel like we were disturbing others much.) 

It was difficult, though, and I completely understand why parents choose to just leave. I think one year ago I probably would’ve done the same …and who knows, maybe sometime I will but over time, I’ve tried practicing patience and empathy more. 

All of this is to say there’s no right way and parenthood is nottttt easy peasy (… though still so, so worth it.)

5 Life Lately Updates

Filed Under: Uncategorized //

1. Mother’s Day

Over the weekend, I celebrated all of the moms in my life and my guys celebrated me. Sunday was a rainy day so we made sure to get outdoors on Saturday.

family, mother


2. Work-from-home days


I never really officially announced that I’ve been working from home a couple days a week. It is really nice knowing I don’t have to leave my boys those days and also quite challenging getting work done while home with them. I am so happy for the time, though, and I know they are too.

3. Home Decor

It has taken us quite some time to fully decorate our home. I think we’ve been hesitant since a part of us feels like this might not be out forever home. But I decided, stay or move (not for a while lol), we have to finish decorating! The living room decor is now complete with bay window shelving.

bay windows, bay window, bay window shelf, bay window shelves, bay windor decor

4. Countdown to a special trip

We are headed out of town in a few weeks and it’s to a super special place. My husband surprised me with the location because he knows it’s near and dear to my heart and I’ve been saying I want to go there. I am so excited to finally introduce the boys to one of my *happy* places! (There was your clue!)


5. C h a n g e

April showers have carried into May…All the rain has meant the spring blooms have not disappointed. Changing weather and seasons always brings upon thoughts of change for me… Does it do the same for you?

spring blooms, cherry blossoms, spring flowers