life Archives - Page 2 of 11 - Moments of Musing

TO INFINI-3 & BEYOND! Birthday Party

Filed Under: birthday party, kids birthday, life, party decor, toy story 4 birthday, toy story birthday // July 1, 2019

Three years ago our world was forever changed for the better when our older son made us parents! When I started thinking of his birthday party, I figured I’d ask him what theme he’d prefer. A the time, he really loved Paw Patrol and I also thought up the Infini-3 and beyond theme since he’d recently watched the Toy Story movies.

When given the option, he chose “Woody” as his birthday party theme. So I ran with the Toy Story theme.

We had so much fun celebrating & will love our boy to INFINI-3 & BEYOND! ❤️

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Details

Cake: Truly Sweetness, Long Island

Decor: Tableware; Balloons; Banner

Games: Toy Story corn hole; Horse racing

T-shirts: Amazon

Kid favors: Toy Story Book (Take one & reach for the stars)

Adult favors: Homemade Funnel Cake (Sign says “Yum! Have some fun-nel cake!”)

What I’ve been up to recently {via instagram}

Filed Under: instagram, life, life lately, life update // March 6, 2019

I have admittedly been a bit absent from here. February threw me through a loop with all of us being sick at one point or another. Before my sinus infection, I hadn’t had a fever in as long as I can remember so having two within as many days definitely forced me to take a step back.

And then, I don’t know, my emotions spiraled and I kind of did not gather my bearings until recently. I explain why towards the end of this post.

Here is what I’ve been up to recently via instagram. (If you don’t follow me, you should because I update that the most frequently of all my channels and platforms.)

1. Moments of Musing turned 2!

March is Spring’s month, and therefore, symbolizes a month of new beginnings. Fresh starts. Change. March is also Women’s History Month. It is therefore fitting that two years ago this month I re-launched my blog, which celebrates all things woman, mom, wife, and more.

2. I have a few cool projects coming up and I’ve been working harder than ever to make my dreams a reality.

“Women, we are nurturers, that’s what’s expected of us. We have our children. We have our husbands if we are lucky enough, and our partners, whoever. But we have to find personal fulfillment. We have to follow our dreams. We have to say, ‘I can do that and I should be allowed to do that.'” – Glen Close

This year, I’m filling my heart with love AND I’m following my dreams. I am excited, I am nervous and I am READY!

3. Motherhood has been wonderful … funny, embarrasing, frustrating, stressful but always beautiful and full of SO MUCH LOVE (and blowouts).

My toddler threw open my public restroom stall door at breakfast over the weekend leaving me a bit embarrassed (and cracking up) and a fellow mom (total stranger) having to catch said door so it didn’t slam into her + her child. #thisismotherhood

4. WE’RE GOING ON A TROPICAL VACATION SOON!

Since the summer isn’t coming to us anytime soon we decided we’ll go to it! We recently booked our upcoming island vacation and I’m SO excited! Move over weaning + winter blues …this mama is trading you in for a different kind of blues…

5. I am happy with my postpartum body progress… it’s almost hard to believe I weigh the least I have since around my wedding! (I’m sharing a more in-depth postpartum body update in my instagram stories today.)

Mirror, mirror, know what I see? A magical body ✨ It’s carried and birthed two babies, via two C-sections, & has fed them both. I’m just so grateful for the magic of it all. 💕Getting ready for our upcoming island vacation, which means stocking up on swim suits! Funny how I used to be more self-conscious pre-baby. Counting down the days!

Why I Write

Filed Under: blogging, life, writing // January 15, 2019

Writing became an outlet for me during my then-boyfriend/now-husband’s career. I felt lonely and missed him and sometimes sulked that we were living two separate, very different lives. I was in law school and he was an ocean away working for the Navy.

So I wrote to simply express my feelings. My very first post was secretive, short and to the point (and not very well-written…). Since then, I’ve catalogued my life and our life together in much greater detail.

These days, I write for similar reasons (as an outlet, to express myself and to connect with readers and others) but I also write with a more pointed reason in mind: for my legacy. I want to give my kids (and their kids and so on) something from me that captures part of the essence of who I am, what I think, and what I do.

Sure, photos capture moments and memories. But words capture feelings in a way that photos can’t.

I want my boys to know how much I thought of them and loved them and have no doubt they’re my world. They’ll be able to tell that from the way I treat them, and from my smile and look in my eyes in photos of us together.

But they’ll also know because I am writing and telling them so.

And so I share my writing on this little corner of the internet…that will hopefully survive the test of time and not be lost, like, say, a journal could be.

Thank you for reading my writing.

My 2019 Goals

Filed Under: 2019 goals, life, new year goals // January 7, 2019

It’s back to work for me today after two weeks off! I almost feel the first day of work jitters.. My office was fortunately closed for a week and a half in honor of the holidays and to give time for self care before jumping back into the new year. (Yes, I’m fortunate to be working there!) Then I took a two extra days because family was in town from Michigan.

I also took quite some time off from my blog and social media. That’s because I wanted to soak up my time with my husband, kids and family. Since I’m back to the grind today, it seems fitting to also publish my first post of the new year.

Let’s dive right into what last year taught me and what my hopes are for this year!

2018 taught me that life is a precious gift, to appreciate my loved ones and to value their presence.

I’ve taken those lessons with me into 2019, playing close mind to them as I set my goals (instead of resolutions):

PERSONAL

Be more present, which includes no/very limited cell phone use in front of the kids in the evenings and on weekends.
Take time for a self care activity at least once a month.
Vacation more this year (ideal # is 3).
Be more patient, enjoy the little moments and snuggle my boys everyday.
Have more fun! Do more activities that bring myself and my family joy.

PROFESSIONAL

Grow my audiences on my blog and Instagram.
Make X amount via content creation.
Improve my photography and videography skills.
Shoot with my Nikon at least once a month.
Attend a blogging event and network with NYC/ Long Island creators.

I am in a state of wonder about what the year will be like — it feels like a year is so long and yet somehow every December we’re wondering how it went so quickly — but also very intent on enjoying the moments as they happen.

2019, please bring peace and joy and good health to us all!

Do you set new year goals or resolutions? What are some of yours?

Christmas Photos 2018 — Sneak Peek + the Phrase I Used to Get my Toddler Excited for Photos

Filed Under: Christmas photos, christmastime, family photos, life // December 10, 2018

This year, we were fortunate to have our Christmas photos taken by my sister-in-law Ashley Bellis Photography. When she reached out about including the boys in her Christmas minis ad, I was ecstatic! The shoot went much better than I anticipated. It was pretty cold for the time of year on the day we took them but both boys cooperated so well.

R had been in and out of naps, which you can kind of tell due to his mug, but he’s flashing his gummy smile in a lot of the photos, too. S wanted to run around with his cousin but I told him “We’re taking pictures for Santa!” so that got him more excited for the photos.

It’s becoming our little tradition to take photos for our Christmas card each year and I’m enjoying it. It gives us Christmas card material but also a way of documenting that time in our lives. Here are our Fall 2017 family photos.

I’m just sharing a sneak peek and some behind-the-scenes photos for now since our Christmas cards haven’t gone out yet. Here they are:

Do you get family holiday photos taken?