Moments of Musing

New Year, New Mom + Baby Items

Filed Under: mom and baby, motherhood //

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx but all opinions are my own.
I haven’t been more excited to bid farewell to a month recently than I was with January. 2022 was off to a bit of a bumpy start with us under the weather but we are all thankfully doing much better now. Being sick gave us some much-needed rest and extra time together at the start of a new year. That made my mama heart happy, if I’m being honest. We can never have enough time together… but I am excited for a new month to reset!

As a mama of 3, I am still learning about how best to keep the keeps feeling well and what items can help us the most with our lifestyle.  I am excited the baby and I received some new items with my BabbleBoxx to kick off the new year with:


Boppy 4 and More Multi-use Cover

This versatile Boppy cover provides the coverage all moms need while out and about with baby. Its multi-use functionality is what makes it so great! This breathable cover can be used as an infant car seat cover, a nursing cover, an infant stroller cover, a shopping cart cover, and a highchair cover. Best of all, it packs up small in an integrated pouch to easily carry around when on-the-go.

Philips Avent Natural bottle with Natural Response Nipple

Based on over 20 years of expertise and research into the physiology of breastfeeding and the way a baby drinks, I am excited for the baby to try out this new Philips Avent natural baby bottle when my husband and I are away in a couple weeks. The bottle mimics the breast not only in shape and feel, but also by letting baby control the pace of milk, just like when nursing! The unique opening and tip only release milk when baby actively drinks.

Baby Magic


Baby Magic Calming bath

At the end of hectic day, I count down to bedtime so we can all have some calm. Sometimes, though, the bedtime routine is hectic, too. Thankfully, Baby Magic Calming Baby Bath help make the kids bath a calm one. The hydrating and tear-free formula contains Lavender & Chamomile to help the baby relax for a night of restful sleep and keep his baby skin baby soft. 

Baby Magic Calming Lotion

Once out of the nighttime bath, a great finishing touch is Baby Magic Calming Baby Lotion to help baby wind-down. Specially formulated with soothing Lavender and Chamomile, like the Calming Baby Bath, the hydrating lotion helps get baby sleepy for bedtime and keep his skin smooth. 

The Keeper of Christmas Magic

Filed Under: christmas, christmas 2021, motherhood //

 


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The Christmas countdown is officially on! With less than three weeks to go, I’ve been in what I liked to call “Mama Claus Mode.” My to-do list has included ordering the kids’ presents from my husband and I (and their grandparents), a Christmas baking activity, decorating the house and tree, and little surprises here and there for them. 

It’s a beautiful, wonderful, fun thing keeping the magic of Christmas alive for them. But I have to admit it is also incredibly stressful. 

I know this season isn’t about giving the most presents or doing the most activities. I know I don’t have to holiday photos, holiday cards, matching pjs, elaborate gift wrapping or decor. But I still want to do some of that, even though I have so much laundry to do … even though I have many work tasks and projects as I navigate working from home with kids … even though I am trying to stick to some sort of budget … and even though I am sick. 

I still want to be the best Mama Claus I can be despite feeling stretched thin. 

So I’ve tried to cut some corners. I decided not to put up all my Christmas decor so I wouldn’t have to take it all down. We still don’t do the Elf on the Shelf because it’s enough work playing Santa. We baked and decorated Christmas cupcakes instead of going to our town’s Christmas parade and tree lighting to avoid getting the kids more sick (they’re currently under the weather). 

But as I remind myself what’s most important this holiday season – being happy, healthy and together – I realize I am still putting too much pressure on myself. I don’t know what the answer is to to not feeling overwhelmed during this time of year as I am still figuring it out… It seems like that’s the common theme of my motherhood journey- “still figuring out.” I think many moms can probably relate. 

I hope you all have a minimally stressful, very joyful holiday season! 

To all the Mama Clauses out there, I see you! You are appreciated!

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I’m a Proud Latina Mom

Filed Under: hispanic heritage month, latina, motherhood //


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As a proud Puerto Rican American, Hispanic Heritage Month means honoring the past, present and future. It is paying homage to those who’ve paved the way for me and to the current generation. It is feeling confident and proud of my culture. And it is instilling that confidence and love of culture into my boys, as well as being a good role model for the future generations.   


My family doesn’t celebrate our culture only during Hispanic Heritage Month — we celebrate it every day even though we are a mixed culture family (my husband is of mainly European descent). It is common for us to have morning salsa or reggaeton dance parties; to eat Hispanic foods; and to hear Spanish on TV, when family is over or speak Spanglish at home. As my children get older, we’ll also be discussing more about our cultural and familial histories. 


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My favorite part of Hispanic Heritage Month is the opportunity it provides to showcase our beautiful culture and people. For so long, Hispanic s/heroes were in the shadows — this month helps to shine the light on our culture and amazing contributions to society.


The biggest element of my heritage that empowers me is resiliency — the resiliency of my ancestors, of my elders, of the current generation todavía luchando (still fighting) for equality and for the future generations to follow who I know will make me just as proud.


As a Latina blogger and creative, representation of fellow Hispanic and Latina creatives is important

to me. I truly believe we bring an authentic, unique, much-needed viewpoint and voice to this space.

I encourage you all to increase your exposure of Hispanic creatives, activists and leaders, as well as

to support Hispanic-owned brands. 

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Loving the Skin I’m In

Filed Under: motherhood //

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


As a young girl, I wished for my body to look like the women and girls I saw in magazines. I know I am not alone. 

As life would have it, however, that is not reality. My body is my own. And it has undergone many changes over the years, especially since having three kids via c-section. While it might not look how I’d always envisioned, I am proud of its strength and resiliency.


Each pregnancy and postpartum journey has presented its own unique experiences and challenges. I have gained weight. I have labored for hours followed by c-section births. I have lost weight. From stretch marks to bladder leaks, I’ve had to learn to love my body again and again. Having a good self-care routine and quality products can help immensely. 


Fortunately, One by Poise® offers 2-in-1 Protection for 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝 𝗪𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬™  with dryness and odor control benefits. Buy them at Walmart in-store and via online grocery. Earn $3 back with Ibotta while supplies last! 

Maternity Leave is Not Regular Time Off

Filed Under: motherhood //

Here is a friendly reminder to colleagues of fellow career moms and parents in Working America:

While I understand it’s not easy for everyone to understand what maternity leave and the delicate balance of motherhood and career are like, maternity/parental leave, is 𝘯𝘰𝘵 the same as other time “off,” such as vacation.

In preparation for my maternity leave, I (and likely many, if not all, other parents) put forth double the effort, double the time, and have done double the work (triple, actually, when including freelance projects) than normal to ensure things are taken care of while on leave.

AND I (and other parents of multiple children) have prepared for it all while homeschooling and caring for my little ones, running around for prenatal appointments, and taking care of the household.

 


While out on leave from my FT employment (much of which is not 100% paid, and some of which is unpaid because paid family leave is still not universal), I’ll be adjusting to caring for my two small kids and newborn … while recovering from a major abdominal surgery, dealing with dropping hormones (AKA all the emotions), attempting to breastfeed, and so much more… on much less and much more interrupted sleep. And I will be thinking about work, probably checking in to see how things are going (because I know myself). I’ll also have to take care of insurance and follow up on my application for NYS family leave application.

Of course, during my leave, I’ll be enjoying my new baby and our expanded family. There will be moments of relaxation and fun and togetherness.

When it comes down to it, however, the reality is this is not synonymous to taking time “off.” After all, I will be the most “on” I’ve likely ever been.