Moments of Musing

Be Present This Summer

Filed Under: be present, motherhood, summer 2019 //

NYC skyline, downtown Brooklyn, New York City, nyc, New York skyline, sunrise, sunset, summer, be present

Hi this is a friendly reminder to get outside. Enjoy the fresh air. Make memories with your kids + loved ones. Do what brings you the most joy. Take care of yourself. 

Take a dip in the ocean. Wear the swim suit, C-section/postpartum pouch and all. Step away from negativity— both your own thoughts and of others. 

And put a limit on your time spent on your phone and social media. (I’ve recently set my daily Instagram limit to 1 hr. 5 min. and though I usually go a bit over, it certainly keeps me in check.) 

It might seem counterintuitive coming from a blogger/ “influencer” but I don’t want you to lose out on everyday, real life moments because you’re too wrapped up in your phone. Heck, I refuse to miss out on real life moments because I am too wrapped up on it. 

What good would my messages of positivity be if they are causing that kind of negativity? 

So, be present this summer. Enjoy your summer and each other. I’ll still be here, as will the rest of Instagram and social media when you get on it. 

Raising Dreamers

Filed Under: dreams, motherhood //

Dreams.

They  can give us hope. They can give us happiness. They can tell us not all is lost. 


I saw that poem written on the “Dreams Take Flight” mural painted in downtown State College while visiting Penn State recently. Those lines stood out to me. 


You see, I’m a dreamer and by dreamer, I mean I tend to dream BIG. I have so many things on my list of goals I’d love to accomplish. Some are totally doable; some I’ve already accomplished; and some are huge, risky and uncertain. 

When I became a mom, my biggest goal was the be more present in my kids’ lives. Throughout the years, I have worked my tail off to be able to build my brand, as well as my reputation at work. And now, I feel like I have a pretty healthy work-life experience. (I don’t say work-life balance because it is not a reality for me). 

I want to show my boys it’s okay (and even good) to have dreams, to dream big. And that no age is too young or too old to be a dreamer. In fact, I think having dreams will make them happier. 

A recent Psychology Today study found an increase in optimistic thinking among kids who created dreams for themselves. 


As for my toddler, his dreams currently include being a firefighter, police office and doctor. (He LOVES going to the doctor.) I have brought him to work with me a few times to show him around my office and provide a snapshot of what I do while I am away from him. He can now identify when I am at work and knows I take the train to work in Manhattan. 

I also want to show the boys that you must work hard and pursue your dreams in order for them to materialize. I hope to show them that dreams can come true because they’ve seen their dad and I accomplish our goals, and live out our dreams. 

Of course, I hope I can help make their dreams come true. After all, they made my #1 dream of being a mom a reality.

A Letter to the Mom who Dreads Wearing a Swim Suit

Filed Under: motherhood, postpartum body //

Travel with kids, vacation with kids, mom bod, swim suit, family swim, self love, body positivity, postpartum body

Dear you,

You who are self-conscious getting into a swim suit. 

You who are self-conscious when having to go to the beach or pool. 

You who sits out and watches your kids makes memories. 

I want you to know some things:

You might not believe me but it’s true — You. Are. Beautiful. 

Yes, even if you have a your mommy tummy, stretch marks, flabby belly, saggy skin, jiggly arms, or can’t stand the number on the scale. 

Hear me out. Please. 

Your kids don’t care about your C-section pouch, your love handles, or the baby weight you just can’t seem to lose. They don’t see any of that — they only see you. And I mean the real you: your heart and soul. The love you give them, the kindness you show them & the joy you exude in your moments together. THAT is what makes you beautiful. It’s what makes us all beautiful.

After all, isn’t that what we try to tell our kids anyway? That’s because it’s real; it’s the truth. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Don’t let anyone make your feel differently. 


So, as swimsuit season officially begins with beaches and pools opening, just remember your kids love YOU, and you should love you too.

That means getting into a swim suit — or whatever swimwear you feel comfortable in — and joining in on the fun. Make memories. Have fun. Give love — to your kids and to that amazing mom bod of yours. 

I’m rooting for you!

Love,
Me

Mom bod, postpartum body, self love, motherhood, beach, swim sit

1 Year Breastfeeding Milestone ACHIEVED – 10 Things I’ve Learned

Filed Under: breastfeeding, motherhood //

I did it! We did it! I made it one year of breastfeeding and we’re still going strong. If you’d like to learn more about my feeding journey with both kids, feel free to check out my other posts:


My two feeding journeys were vastly different. My breastfeeding journey has not been easy but, like all things in motherhood, it has been so worth it. I am just so proud and grateful to have been able to have the experience. 

Here are 10 things I’ve learned along the way:


1. It’s okay to be nervous. 

To be honest, I did not want to breastfeed or even attempt breastfeeding this time around. I actually a bit of anxiety at the thought. Whenever I’d let myself think about it I imagined soreness, bleeding and tears of pain all over again. I did not want that — or to get my hopes up only to have them dashed. I voiced my concerns to my husband and he asked me to just try again and if it didn’t work right away to know it’s okay to stop like I did with S. So, I figured I’d try. I knew it would be difficult but what I didn’t know was how much crucial support my hospital would provide in those first few days. I’m convinced that made all the difference. I could never thank them — or my husband for believing in me — enough. So sure I was scared, but I realized it’s okay to be. I’m glad I didn’t let them stop me, though.

2. Breastfeeding is exhausting and stressful, especially during the first few days and weeks. 

When we got home from the hospital, it seemed like all Baby R wanted to do was nurse. I vividly remember one night sitting in the living room during a three-hour cluster feed. Yes, THREE HOURS. I was so exhausted. And I was stressed. I never felt like I slept enough and then I was so cranky and impatient with my toddler S. It didn’t seem fair to any of us and there were times I just wanted to quit. Little by little, though, I found a routine and started getting more sleep. And woah does sleep do wonders! 


3. My body is capable of wonderful things — and I should listen to it!

Being able to provide nourishment for my little human offspring has been an amazing experience. I am constantly in awe of mothers’ bodies and all they do. Breastfeeding is one more thing that amazes me and makes me feel proud. As such, I’ve learned listening to my body is very important. I paid attention to cues of engorgement, as well as hormonal shifts. A week postpartum my hormones probably dropped immensely because I felt so down and figured it was a bout of baby blues. I cried to my husband to let my emotions out. The day after I felt much better. When I first started weaning my pumping sessions at 10 months, however, I found myself feeling depressed. I couldn’t stand the feelings and so I started pumping again and increased my sessions and felt back to normal. I stopped pumping again at 12 months but really gradually because I wanted to feel better while weaning. These days, I don’t pump but I do nurse whenever I’m with R, which will eventually be decreased to morning and nighttime feeds. 

4. Involve other siblings. 

I tried my best to involve our firstborn, S, in our new routine with the new baby. After all, he was our first baby and his routine and world was being drastically changed. In the first few weeks, S was interested in my milk and asked to taste it. He actually liked it so I’d give him a few ounces here and there in hopes that it made him feel more included — and I figured it had nutritional benefits, as well! S also helped with bottle feedings, which we introduced during the first week because I wanted to avoid issues of transitioning to bottle feeds.  

5. Rest, eat well and stay hydrated. 

You know that saying sleep when baby sleeps and everyone just laughs because it seems —and sometimes is— impossible. Well, I did just that when given the opportunity. Sleep is important for the body, as is a healthy diet and lots of water! I’m not going to lie- my diet was drastically smaller due to stress and feeling so busy but eventually I started making smoothies or small quick meals to be sure to get my veggies in. 


6. Pumping is annoying. 

I don’t have any nice or pretty way to put it. Pumping was my least favorite part of breastfeeding but it was necessary in order to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. My biggest advice would be to pump as much as you can – it increases production and will lessen your stress. Take it from me – because I was so stressed when my freezer stash was super low, which was very often. 

7. It’s okay to supplement!

Okay, so the first time I thought we’d have to give R formula  (at 6 months) I did feel a bit bad. BUT I did not feel nearly as guilty formula-feeding as I did with S because R was exclusively breastfed. We didn’t have to give formula until about 10 months and lo and behold, I felt pretty okay with it. It was only for about two feedings until my production increased again and then we didn’t give any until right around 12 months. Now, he gets cow’s milk while I’m at work and I nurse when I’m with 
him. 

8. It’s my favorite part of our bonding. 

Breastfeeding was the best thing for my bonding experience with our second-born. I had SO MANY emotions during my pregnancy with him and really, really worried about loving him equally. It just didn’t seem possible. I really do believe breastfeeding helped regulate my hormones and gave us such an amazing bonding experience that is unique to us. 

9. Relax! 

Stress reduces production. As I’ve mentioned, I was so stressed about breastfeeding especially upon returning to work. I managed to get into a routine with pumping but eventually I got overwhelmed, quit pumping, got sick,anxious and depressed and worked to increased my supply. It really taught me to take care of myself and to rest when I needed to. My babies need me but I can’t be there for them if I’m not feeling well! 

10. Don’t compare your breastfeeding journey to others’.

Breastfeeding doesn’t determine your worth or value as a mom. The everyday moments of motherhood, the way you love and care for your baby and the way YOU mother do.

My Toddler’s Biggest Public Tantrum Yet

Filed Under: motherhood //


toddler tantrums, toddler, public tantrum, mom life, motherhood


The weather this second half of the week has been AMAZING so I’ve taken the boys out and about. Yesterday, we had such a great day with Pumpspotting and One Split Pea Photography at the Children’s Museum. That doesn’t mean our day was perfect, though …

S had an epic meltdown screaming/ crying at the top of his lungs at the museum all because he didn’t want to play with R … I’m talking running away from me and hiding AKA I freaked out for a few moments and someone asked if I needed help lol 

He wouldn’t take deep breaths or let me hug him like I kept asking… My options were to leave, pick him up and have him tantrum harder, or let him have his meltdown and then continue on with our time. 

I dug deep within myself, remained pretty calm, and chose the latter because I knew it would quickly pass and I knew we’d still have a good time afterwards. I wasn’t really embarrassed because, well, he’s not even 3 and still figuring out how to deal with his emotions …I mean aren’t we all?  (by the way, the museum was pretty loud so I didn’t feel like we were disturbing others much.) 

It was difficult, though, and I completely understand why parents choose to just leave. I think one year ago I probably would’ve done the same …and who knows, maybe sometime I will but over time, I’ve tried practicing patience and empathy more. 

All of this is to say there’s no right way and parenthood is nottttt easy peasy (… though still so, so worth it.)