Moments of Musing

That Baby in the Sonogram

Filed Under: motherhood //

sonogram, baby sonogram, baby, pregnancy, motherhood
That baby in the sonogram is born into the world. And then somehow that baby is 1 and walking. Then he’ll be 2 and talking, and so on and so on. 

Each year that follows, he’ll grow to be less dependent and more independent. 

Each year, I will wonder where the time has gone, how it is that time is so fleeting, and I’ll hold onto all of the memories. I’ll lovingly (with a tinge or sadness mixed in) look back and excitedly look forward. 

While my kids are still both little, I know this to be true because I was a kid myself once. I understand what it’s like to grow up and grow older. I remember how it felt as a kid and teen (and yes, even now) to reminisce on the past and be excited but scared of the future. 

And I know this is all necessary. I know one day, my kids will stop co-sleeping and cuddling and showering me with kisses. I know they’ll prefer their own bed and their own friends and they will reserve a hello and goodbye kiss for me, if I’m lucky. 

But that will happen in time on its own time. For now, I have now. So I will enjoy co-sleeping and cuddling and being showered in kisses. I will gladly share my bed and be their best friend. I will hold onto all of this that is happening, while well aware that these memories in the making are priceless …and timeless. 

Because you see, whole time will go on and change and wait for no one, I will have these memories and these moments and these feelings that not even fleeting time can change or take with it. 
sonogram, baby sonogram, baby, pregnancy, motherhood

My Motherhood Marks

Filed Under: motherhood //

This post is sponsored by Kohl’s. I was paid for this post and received the included jewelry as compensation.
When moms describe pregnancy- and birth-related scars and marks, most people probably think of the most common stretch marks and C-section scar. While I (proudly) bear some stretch marks and have a C-section scar, I also have other marks that many probably do not know are attributable to my pregnancies.

During my first pregnancy, I looked into the mirror one day at work and realized I had more beauty marks on my face than I remembered. Upon further look, not only were they on both cheeks but they were on my neck, too. It sort of took me by surprise. I had expected the body changes and weight gain in my face, but not once did I ever think about an increase in beauty marks.

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I remember one of the first times my toddler realized I had them on my face. “What is that?,” he asked. “They’re marks from when I was pregnant with you and your brother.” In case you are wondering, I am not self-conscious about my beauty marks —I mean, why should I be? Along with my C-section scar, stretch marks and saggy skin, they’re a badge of honor. They’re another reminder of the strength of by body and of the gifts it gave me—motherhood and my babies.

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With Mother’s Day coming up, it’s time to think of the special mom(s) in your life and what to gift. When I think of my mom, I think of jewelry. Fortunately, Kohl’s offers an extensive selection of fine jewelry for great prices. These Sterling Silver Frame Stud Earrings made with Swarovski Zirconia are beautiful and would make a great gift. I actually think they complement my beauty marks rather well. 


If you shop between April 11 and April 20, you can get 55-60% off fine jewelry in select styles; if you shop between April 24 and April 28, you can get 70-75% off. You can also use Kohl’s cash. 


Happy Shopping!


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Our First Immediate Family Vacation — and Why I Want to Make it a Tradition

Filed Under: family vacation, motherhood, travel with kids //

Our vacation in Puerto Rico was our first vacation as a family of four. It was also the first time we went away to spend time as a family — as in our immediate family consisting of myself, my husband and my kids. Aside from the occasional weekend road trip to the Poconos or Jersey Shore, we have not gone on an extended trip alone with the kids.  

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Though we live together as an immediate family unit, my and my husband’s lives are hectic and busy. Our work schedules are sometimes opposite and there could be times we go 24-48 hours without seeing one another. It doesn’t compare to our long distance days but it does stink sometimes. 

That’s why I really wanted to just get away together and I’m so glad we did. It gave us an opportunity to bond and make memories together with our kids without the hustle and bustle of our work schedules and without being limited to weekend time. 

I really hope to make it a tradition of ours. There are a couple of reasons I feel this way:
  • Growing up, I wish my parents, brother and I went away alone more. My dad had a crazy work schedule, and my brother and I spent all day at school. So family dinners were not necessarily a thing — oftentimes, my dad’s schedule was opposite my and my brother’s schedules. I think family of 4 vacations would have been a nice way to catch up extensively and without day-to-day interruptions. 
  • The recent loss of my cousin Abby really reminded me of how precious time together is. There are some days my boys spend most of their time with my mom (because my husband and I both work). I think getting away with just them and my husband can help us to reconnect and make memories they can hold on to and look back on. 

That being said, I really do enjoy going on extended family vacations, as well. We all get to bond and make memories together and I think that time together is important and enjoyable, too. I just want to be sure my husband, kids and I get quality time together, too. 

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How I Worked Remotely —and was Still Present on Family Vacation

Filed Under: family vacation, travel with kids, unplug, vacation //

Last time we visited Puerto Rico (two years ago), I made it a point to unplug for the most part. You can read about why I wanted to unplug and how I unplugged here. This vacation, I simply could not. I worked remotely and so, I had work that had to be done. I did try my best to not let my work interfere with family time, though. 



Here’s how I was able to work remotely and still be present on our vacation:


1. I got as much work done in advance as I could.

Since I knew I would be working remotely, I planned accordingly. I did as much work as I could in advance. When I did have to do work, I did most of it after my husband and kids were asleep. It meant a couple late nights for me but that was worth it to me. Regarding smaller tasks, I took a few minutes each day to do them (since I planned most ahead it didn’t take much time during the day). 


2. I limited my work to my full-time job.

I prefer unplugging on family vacations. Therefore, I wanted to limit my phone time as much as possible. In order to do this, I took a break from and paused my blog / Instagram sponsored work. That being said, I did photograph some (non-sponsored) content but it was casually done during our days, not photo shoots or anything, and photos I’d normally take if I wasn’t a content creator. 


3. I limited my photo-taking. 

Of course, I took many photos of the boys. But as I previously alluded to, I actually took less than I thought I would. You’d probably be surprised. I shot most of my content for Instagram and my blog the first day (which is why I’ll be in the same rainbow swimsuit in most photos). After the first day, I did not take many photos of myself. I focused on the kids and on family photos but even then, I tried putting my phone away after I completed my work tasks. Do I wish I took more photos? Slightly. Do I regret not taking more? No because it means I was more present rather than behind the lens during the memory-making moments.