Moments of Musing

‘Tis the Season… to be Present

Filed Under: motherhood, tis the season, unplug, Unplugging //

“Put down your phone. Pick up the kids more,” I told myself on Friday. 

Mom and baby, mommy, baby, Christmas lights, Christmastime, tis the season, unplug, New York christmas


Because ‘tis the season…
To be present …
To give joy …
To feel love …
To keep things in perspective.

On that note, I have decided to disconnect every weekend of the holiday season in order to savor every magical moment with my loves. (If you join me tag #UnpluggedMOM on Instagram in posts every Monday discussing what difference it made/ what you learned by unplugging!)


Personally, I originally planned to unplug from Christmas until the New Year (and still want to). On Friday, however, though I had off from my full-time job, I worked on a video project all day long. I’m talking 10AM until 5PM. I went to sleep feeling guilty. 

I felt like I’d taken too much time away from the boys. I worry they have been seeing me on my phone too much. So while I was falling asleep Friday night, I decided I’d unplug from Instagram (since it’s what takes up most of my cell use) all weekend long. Then, I woke up and decided I want to do it every weekend because it’s such a special time of year. (My big hope is I will do it most weekends of the year!)

Unplugging from social media is difficult, though, especially when it’s a form of employment. But I knew I wanted to do it. Here’s how I unplugged:
1) I decided to unplug. 
2) I publicly announced I would. I did this both to let others know and as a way of holding myself accountable. 
3) I moved my Instagram app to the last page of my home screen so I wouldn’t be as enticed. (I didn’t delete it because I didn’t want to lose my saved drafts as I have in the past.) 

Briefly, here’s what I learned:
1) Social media takes away too much of my attention from my boys, and they do not deserve that. 
2) Without it, I am able to get much more (SO much more) done. 
3) If we all were not as attached to social media as we are, there wouldn’t be such pressure to be on social media (or FOMO when not on social media) and thus, there would not be such a need to unplug. 
4) There can be a balance. I don’t have to check my Instagram DMs 10 times a day or mindlessly scroll my feed even more than that and still, I can still get work done. 
5) The more intentional I am about my social media use, the less of my time it will take and the more I will get out of it. And the less guilty I will feel. 
So, will you join me in unplugging to reconnect this holiday season? Let me know if you do!

Together is a Great Place to be {Our Woodloch Weekend}

Filed Under: life, traveling //

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

Recently, we packed up our car and drove 3 hours to a magical place… Woodloch Resort. During our drive there, it was snowing (pretty heavily at times), which set a festive mood for our Veterans Day weekend trip. When we arrived to check-in, I spotted Marshall from Paw Patrol greeting lunch guests. I immediately ran outside to get my toddler who loves Marshall. It seemed to be a sign that we would have an amazing weekend. 
Woodloch vacations are built on the concept of “togethering,” or bringing loved ones together, spending time with one another, and creating memories to last a lifetime. Throughout the weekend, my husband and I discussed how much we were enjoying ourselves. We definitely left with a renewed sense of connection with each other and our boys.

All in all, it is no surprise TripAdvisor has rated Woodloch Pines Resort one of the top five hotels for families in the entire United States. Its other propoerties are highly rated, as well. Woodloch Springs
was recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the “finest courses in America.” And sister property, The Lodge at Woodloch: A Destination Spa, has ranked among the top five spas in the world by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure among others. 



WHEN TO GO

There is not a bad time to visit the Poconos. Therefore, you would have a great time visiting Woodloch during each season. The fall foliage is beautiful and the air is crisp. If you’re lucky, like we were, you might even experience an early snowfall. The winter snow provides a beautiful, calming scenery and there are winter sports, such a snow tubing, you can partake in. The spring provides warmer temperatures and pretty blossoms. Summertime brings heat, time on the lake and swimming in the outdoor pool.

WHERE TO STAY

At Woodloch Pines, there are various hotel rooms and houses to choose from. The options vary from standard hotel rooms to lake estates. We stayed in a beautiful 3 bedroom/ 3.5 bathroom Tallwoods townhome. It was spacious yet cozy, especially with a fireplace in the living area. It was located on the main property and therefore on the resort shuttle route. The shuttle arrives every 20 or so minutes to take you around the resort.  

WHAT TO EAT

We had a meal plan so dining was really simple for us. This was my first all-inclusive resort stay in the United States. Each day there is a different menu for each meal. Breakfast is offered verbally by your server. Lunch and dinner are featured in a menu on the table. There are specials that are also verbally offered, as well as a kids menu. Some starter and side dishes (appetizers, home fries, salads, etc.) are given family style while the main meal is served individually. We enjoyed the food and left each meal feeling full! But our favorite part was being assigned the same table for each meal — you get to know the servers better and you can leave your belongings at your table if you don’t want to lug something around (i.e. car seat). On Veterans Day, I called and arranged with the front desk and kitchen to serve Tim red (strwaberries), white (whipped cream) and blue (blueberries) pancakes for Tim. It’s little touches like that which make Woodloch so great. It’s important to note that if a meal plan is not for you, there are plenty of options to choose from at the resort — the country store and deli, Gigi’s  Cafe, and various restaurants serve food, as well. 

WHAT TO DO

While at Woodloch, there is plenty to do. There are planned activities and programming each day ranging from toddler time to special performances. There is something for everyone. The activity sheet for the day is available on your breakfast table each morning and upon request at the front desk. We did our fair share of relaxing but also participated in activities offered. We spent time at the jungle gym, toddler room, pool, arts and crafts room, mini bowling, and watched a magic show, just to name a few.

We all enjoyed ourselves and already speak about going back! I 10/10 recommend if you ever want to get away!

 

10 Uplifting Phrases

Filed Under: positivity //

The news has been so grim lately. Mass shooting after mass shooting with no policy changes, racist rhetoric, division… it seems like the world is changing for the worse. Or perhaps people are now emboldened to show who they truly are. I’m not sure and I don’t know which is worse. I do know as an optimist, I find ways to counter negativity. It helps me to feel better. Today, I hope to help you if if you are feeling down for whatever reason by sharing 10 random uplifting phrases of mine:


  1. The sun always rises, signaling a beautiful new beginning day after day. 
  2. You are loved by someone somewhere. 
  3. Smiling makes you happier… so smile today. 
  4. Alone, I am strong. Together, we are stronger. 
  5. Love yourself; then you can truly love others. 
  6. Sunshine beams happiness, rain = coziness. 
  7. Listen to yourself—you know yourself better than anyone else. 
  8. Stop waiting. Start doing! There’s no better time than now. 
  9. You are uniquely you. 
  10. You are alive and that’s a wonderful gift.

Our Michigan Visit — Fall 2018

Filed Under: fall, foliage, life, michigan //

Happy Monday. We’re battling colds, potty training and daylight savings time adjustments. We just recently got back from visiting my husband’s family in Michigan and let me tell you — 6AM flights with two babies is not for the faint of heart. We were all SO tired when we got back on Saturday and pretty much slept on and off the whole day.

We stayed in Michigan for a week— the longest I’ve gone for and which was a good amount of time to visit family, do some sightseeing and not feel rushed. We got to celebrate our niece’s birthday, see the foliage at its peak, visit Bronner’s (largest Christmas store in U.S.), celebrate my husband’s Halloween birthday, get Culver’s (their cheese curds are so yum!), visit Ann Arbor a couple of times ANd get Christmas photos taken by my talented sister-in-law Ashley Bellis Photography (just wait til you see them!).

As for the foliage I mentioned, here is photographic proof of just how beautiful it was:

First Ever Q + A

Filed Under: life, q&a //

Happy November!

Fall has certainly arrived here in Michigan and back home in New York. The temperatures have been chilly and foliage is slowly changing. I love this time of year! It’s proof that change and letting go (of leaves, old clothes, people not good for you, etc.) can be more than okay and actually good.

As for change, there have been changes in my personal life, professional life, blog and social media strategies over the year. Just recently, I shared a piece unlike anything I’ve written. Today, I’m doing it again sharing my very first Q+A post. It seems fitting to share on the first of this month 🙂


A few months ago, I invited questions about things that that people wondered about me. These are five of my most asked questions and my answers to them:

What made you decide to go to law school?

I wanted to go to law school for as long as I can remember. My dad and his law enforcement career was a major influence and the reason I became interested in criminal justice. My high school’s law program cemented my interest in the law and law school so I worked toward that goal all throughout college.

What was your undergrad major?

I actually had two majors and a minor — Crime, Law and Justice (BA), Public Relations (BA) and Sociology (minor). Thanks to my AP and pre-college credits, I entered Penn State one semester ahead. That gave me the flexibility to take on another major and my minor intertwined with both majors wonderfully (I did not have to take many extra classes for it). I decided to major in PR because I enjoyed communications and to provide a non-law school alternative should I be unable to or decide not to attend law school.

What was the biggest difference (pregnancy or post) the second time around?

The biggest difference was how I felt during pregnancy –both physically and emotionally. I was so very tired in the begining just as I was first time around. But the second time around, I could not just sleep after work. I wanted to spend time with my toddler! I think my lack of energy and sleep were contributing factors to me also feeling sicker.
Emotionally, I was a wreck. I wanted to give S a brother but then felt bad I was taking attention away from him and scared they’d be competitive and worried the new baby would live in S’ shadow. As irrational as it might seem, (1) dealing pregnancy hormones is difficult and (2) my concerns were based on real-life experiences I’ve witnessed or have been told about. All that being said, I love being a mom to my two babies. I would do it 100 times over. I have always wanted more than one child and do not regret my decision at all.
Postpartum physically hurt more (my first C-section hurt so much less!) but emotionally, it was a lot better the second time around. I knew what the baby blues were and I had a feeling I might experience them when my hormones plummeted. There was a day I felt really down in the dumps. I recognized I was feeling really unhappy out of seemingly nowhere. I just sat cried at my kitchen island, telling my husband that I just had to let it out. (Our adjustment to parents of two was way easier than when we first became parents, too) I think this is a good example of how education and knowledge is so important. I believe it helped me to be able to recognize my baby blues symptoms. As a result, I was able to acknowledge them for what they were, express how I felt to someone I trust, and deal with them in a way I thought would help me. (I am not a therapist or doctor nor do I claim to be. This is individual opinions, and not meant to convey professional medical or mental health advice. This is not about depression or suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know may be suffering from postpartum depression, contact a doctor. If you are having dangerous thoughts, contact help immediately. The  National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1 (800) 273-8255.)

What are some tips to reach 100K blog views?
It took me quite a bit longer than some to reach 100K views but I am proud of the milestone. I think everyone has their own unique way of reaching it. For me, I share, share, share! I share my blog posts on my blog and personal (sometimes) Facebook pages, Instagram, Twitter, Bloglovin, and Pinterest (not as much as I should). I try to engage with readers and commenters as much as possible.But I think the #1 reason I capture an audience is my authenticity. I write from my heart. I try not to be judgmental. I invite discussion.

How did you handle the toddler and newborn phase?
Long story short, a lot of grace, love and 1-2 cups of coffee a day (no wine for this sober mama). I let go of expectations and accepted having little control over how the days go and I learned patience is truly a virtue and was key to feeling in control over my emotions.

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In the spirit on Halloween, here is a photo of us from yesterday: