Moments of Musing

5 on Friday: City Life Faves

Filed Under: 5 on Friday, Brooklyn, city life //

Happy Friday! When my husband and I decided to move our family from Brooklyn to Long Island, we didn’t really think twice. That’s mainly because Brooklyn real estate is pricey and because we, especially my husband, we’re excited to raise our kids in the suburbs.

Admittedly, while I am happy with our decision to move from the city to the burbs, it has been quite the adjustment and there are still some things I miss about city life (overcrowdedness and constantly being in a rush not included):


Walkability: 

In Brooklyn, we had SIDEWALKS. Now, we have limited sidewalks so our walks are spent partly in the street. We lived around the corner from so many stores, a few blocks from the train and a playground. Up the block from us was “the avenue.” That’s what people in the city call avenues that have stores and such.  There were bodegas (similar to delis), pizzerias, take out restaurants, a diner, a library and so on. 

Murals
I have grown really fond of wall art and murals. It’s a neat way to dress up plain neighborhood walls, and it seems they’ve become more popular. Even my parents’ residential neighborhood has a couple murals!

Family
Everyone in my family still lives in Brooklyn so we often find ourselves back there visiting them or attending events for special occasions. I wish they made the move with us… my husband and I are still working on convincing my parents 😉

Public transportation
I don’t love the MTA. It’s constantly delayed, overcrowded and dirty but it is very efficient, runs pretty frequently and relatively inexpensive. The LIRR is nicer but it is a lot more expensive and runs less often. 
Liveliness 
As of now (this could change come summer), I feel like Brooklyn is more upbeat and lively. That could be because there is a constant hustle and bustle. I also feel like I saw my neighbors more in the city because a lot were walking around and such. Now, everyone drives so neighbors come and go about their business with little interaction. 
As I said, this is not to say I don’t enjoy living in the suburbs becaus I do! Check back next week for my favorite things (so far) about living outside of the city. 

A Postpartum Fear

Filed Under: postpartum //

I’m scared. 


There. I said it. 

With my first pregnancy, I was also scared — of what could go wrong with just about everything. This time, I’m not as afraid of all that. I have faith all will go well. (Though I am still a bit fearful of giving birth…)

Now, I have a different fear–the baby blues. I’m scared to feel that weird/strange/unfamiliar feeling postpartum. I don’t want to cry and not know why, or feel badly that I’m not as happy as I feel like I should feel 100% of the time. 

I’m hoping I won’t get the baby blues since motherhood won’t be a brand new experience. But then again, motherhood to two, and becoming a mom to Baby #2 will be. 

If I do get that feeling again, thought, at least it won’t be unfamiliar. I will know it is normal. I will know I’m okay, and that it will pass. And I will know I will be just fine. Regardless, I know it will all be worth it... Here’s to hoping my hormones will bounce back fairly quickly like they did after S was born. 
Ah, motherhood. 🙂

Maternity Leave, Blog Edition

Filed Under: Maternity leave, pregnancy //


This week makes 33 weeks pregnant with Baby #2… the weeks sure are flying this pregnancy! 


In an effort to continue blogging while on maternity leave while being sure to maximize my time with my boys, I am:

  • Accepting GUEST BLOGGER POSTS (comment below or email me if interested) 
and
  • Opening up the floor to Q+A from you all for some post ideas, so ask away (comments or email) whatever you’ve been wondering about me, my life, NYC, motherhood, etc. Your identity will remain anonymous.
I want to make my posts fun and engaging while I’m busy momming 2 under 2… so help me help you stay up-to-date and interested in this space while I’m doing so! Thank you xoxo

Maternity Shoot Thoughts, Part 2

Filed Under: maternity shoot, pregnancy //


Up until pretty recently, I had not really given maternity photos a thought this time around. It’s not so different than last time (I almost skipped them, too) except this time, it’s not for the same reasons. As my pregnancy has progressed, it feels like my to-do list has grown, too. 


Our March is pretty booked up and quite frankly, I know my husband and S don’t want to sit through a photo shoot. So, I’m saving them the “hassle” for our newborn family shoot because I think those are more important to capture. 

Last pregnancy, we took maternity photos but opted to take our own newborn photos. Deep down, I always wished we’d done the opposite so that’s what we have decided to do this time. Ask my husband–I only voiced this to him about 50 times. 

So, I decided to follow my heart and do what I wished I’d done last time. I think you should do the same–do whatever makes you feel most comfortable and beautiful. If that’s a professional photo shoot, great. If that’s a self-captured photo shoot, great. I do still agree with my previous thoughts that this special time ought to be captured.

Yesterday, on a total whim, I took my own maternity photos. They’re a different vibe (more intimate) this time around and honestly, I LOVE how they turned out. As for our newborn family session, we’ve booked a photographer and I couldn’t be more excited for that session!

Here are some (cropped) sneak peeks:

Moments of Musing is ONE!

Filed Under: blogging, one year //

One year ago, I re-launched this blog, and launched my blog Instagram account and Facebook page! I can’t believe it’s been a whole year!

I was nervous and scared of what people, especially those I knew and non-bloggers, might think. I’d been blogging on the downlow for quite some time, so opening up this space to the public was a big step. I went back and forth about whether to do so while I was on maternity leave. 


I had time on my hands (while S napped and napped and napped some more) to jump back into writing, and I enjoyed it. I had so much that I wanted to say about my new role as a mom because it was the most life-changing experience I’d been through. (It still is.) I hoped others might enjoy my words, too, but more than that, I hoped I could help others feel less alone and more optimistic.

My son is the main reason I built the confidence to go public because becoming his mom empowered me beyond measure. My husband (#instagramhusband) and brother (#brotog) helped me with re-branding and when all was set, I decided to finally do it–to give into vulnerability and let others into my writing space and thoughts. 

This past year has been a lot of fun. Everyone has been so kind and gracious. I have a small community I can go to for all things Instagram and blogging, which I’ve found to be key to my success. 


It’s been a year of growth and change, much learning, and even more love. I am really looking forward to what the future holds. 

Thank you ALL for your love and support and for being along for the journey! xoxo