motherhood Archives - Page 17 of 33

That Baby in the Sonogram

Filed Under: motherhood // May 2, 2019

sonogram, baby sonogram, baby, pregnancy, motherhood

That baby in the sonogram is born into the world. And then somehow that baby is 1 and walking. Then he’ll be 2 and talking, and so on and so on.

Each year that follows, he’ll grow to be less dependent and more independent.

Each year, I will wonder where the time has gone, how it is that time is so fleeting, and I’ll hold onto all of the memories. I’ll lovingly (with a tinge or sadness mixed in) look back and excitedly look forward.

While my kids are still both little, I know this to be true because I was a kid myself once. I understand what it’s like to grow up and grow older. I remember how it felt as a kid and teen (and yes, even now) to reminisce on the past and be excited but scared of the future.

And I know this is all necessary. I know one day, my kids will stop co-sleeping and cuddling and showering me with kisses. I know they’ll prefer their own bed and their own friends and they will reserve a hello and goodbye kiss for me, if I’m lucky.

But that will happen in time on its own time. For now, I have now. So I will enjoy co-sleeping and cuddling and being showered in kisses. I will gladly share my bed and be their best friend. I will hold onto all of this that is happening, while well aware that these memories in the making are priceless …and timeless.

Because you see, whole time will go on and change and wait for no one, I will have these memories and these moments and these feelings that not even fleeting time can change or take with it.

My Motherhood Marks

Filed Under: motherhood // April 16, 2019

This post is sponsored by Kohl’s. I was paid for this post and received the included jewelry as compensation.

When moms describe pregnancy- and birth-related scars and marks, most people probably think of the most common stretch marks and C-section scar. While I (proudly) bear some stretch marks and have a C-section scar, I also have other marks that many probably do not know are attributable to my pregnancies.

During my first pregnancy, I looked into the mirror one day at work and realized I had more beauty marks on my face than I remembered. Upon further look, not only were they on both cheeks but they were on my neck, too. It sort of took me by surprise. I had expected the body changes and weight gain in my face, but not once did I ever think about an increase in beauty marks.

motherhood, motherhood marks, beauty marks, beauty spots, mother

I remember one of the first times my toddler realized I had them on my face. “What is that?,” he asked. “They’re marks from when I was pregnant with you and your brother.” In case you are wondering, I am not self-conscious about my beauty marks —I mean, why should I be? Along with my C-section scar, stretch marks and saggy skin, they’re a badge of honor. They’re another reminder of the strength of by body and of the gifts it gave me—motherhood and my babies.

With Mother’s Day coming up, it’s time to think of the special mom(s) in your life and what to gift. When I think of my mom, I think of jewelry. Fortunately, Kohl’s offers an extensive selection of fine jewelry for great prices. These Sterling Silver Frame Stud Earrings made with Swarovski Zirconia are beautiful and would make a great gift. I actually think they complement my beauty marks rather well.

If you shop between April 11 and April 20, you can get 55-60% off fine jewelry in select styles; if you shop between April 24 and April 28, you can get 70-75% off. You can also use Kohl’s cash.

Happy Shopping!

My blog may contain links to other websites. I am not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites. When you click on a link, your information may be collected by those websites so I encourage you to read their privacy policies. Any affiliate links are not associated with Kohl’s.

Our First Immediate Family Vacation — and Why I Want to Make it a Tradition

Filed Under: family vacation, motherhood, travel with kids // April 11, 2019

Our vacation in Puerto Rico was our first vacation as a family of four. It was also the first time we went away to spend time as a family — as in our immediate family consisting of myself, my husband and my kids. Aside from the occasional weekend road trip to the Poconos or Jersey Shore, we have not gone on an extended trip alone with the kids.

family vacation, family of four, tropical vacation, immediate family, immediate family vacation, puerto rico, puerto rico travel, beach vacation, vacation with kids, vacation with baby, vacation with toddler,

Though we live together as an immediate family unit, my and my husband’s lives are hectic and busy. Our work schedules are sometimes opposite and there could be times we go 24-48 hours without seeing one another. It doesn’t compare to our long distance days but it does stink sometimes.

That’s why I really wanted to just get away together and I’m so glad we did. It gave us an opportunity to bond and make memories together with our kids without the hustle and bustle of our work schedules and without being limited to weekend time.

I really hope to make it a tradition of ours. There are a couple of reasons I feel this way:

Growing up, I wish my parents, brother and I went away alone more. My dad had a crazy work schedule, and my brother and I spent all day at school. So family dinners were not necessarily a thing — oftentimes, my dad’s schedule was opposite my and my brother’s schedules. I think family of 4 vacations would have been a nice way to catch up extensively and without day-to-day interruptions.

The recent loss of my cousin Abby really reminded me of how precious time together is. There are some days my boys spend most of their time with my mom (because my husband and I both work). I think getting away with just them and my husband can help us to reconnect and make memories they can hold on to and look back on.

That being said, I really do enjoy going on extended family vacations, as well. We all get to bond and make memories together and I think that time together is important and enjoyable, too. I just want to be sure my husband, kids and I get quality time together, too.

Mama Needs a Coffee

Filed Under: motherhood // March 25, 2019

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WakeUpwithBliss #CollectiveBias

Pre-motherhood my mornings were usually much calmer (unless I snoozed my alarm too much). I woke up, made myself breakfast, packed my lunch, got ready for the day and grabbed a cup of coffee from my building’s coffee maker.

These days, my usual mornings are anything but calm. As a full-time working mom to a two-year-old and ten-month-old, my days are pretty hectic and my mornings start off pretty hastily, too. I often do not get the best quality sleep (surprise, surprise!). I wake up to nurse in the middle of the night anywhere from one to four times. I co-sleep so I share my bed and the little one takes over.

Each morning, I wake up, rush into the shower, and grab a quick breakfast if I’m lucky enough to remember. As for lunch, I usually buy it though I do make an effort to take leftovers if we have any.

Something that has remained a staple of my morning routine is: drinking coffee. It’s one of the first things I do when I wake up. These days, however, I have to warm it up a few times… but that’s neither here nor there.

A little tidbit you might not know is that I also enjoy a cup of coffee at night. It’s popular in the Hispanic and Latino cultures. Ironically, though it energizes me in the mornings, it is also a part of my calming nighttime routine.

Recently, I’ve also been trying to choose healthier options for my coffee. That’s why I enjoy the new Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half Vanilla and Half & Half Unsweetened. My husband is a fan, too! It is all natural, plant-based, and non-dairy, made with real almond milk and coconut cream.

The new Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half is the premier plant-based half & half product, offering creamy texture and less sugar (Vanilla has only 2g of sugar per serving and Unsweetened has 0g of sugar) without compromising on taste. It is available in the creamer section at your local Walmart. Earn $1 off any 1 Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half (16oz).

Cheers!

My Appreciation for my Mom has Evolved & Grown

Filed Under: mother's day, motherhood, my mom // March 21, 2019

This post is sponsored by WishYoo. All opinions are my own.

Since becoming a mom, my appreciation for my mom has evolved and grown.

Now, when I think of her, I think of her watching S because he had a cold while I was in the hospital after giving birth to R. I think of her washing my dishes or mopping my floor because I was exhausted. I think of her folding my laundry because it (very quickly) piles up.

I think of her holding both boys in her arms as they both cry when I’m at work. I think of her living part-time with us at times so that I can work. I think of her swooping in last minute and arriving at my doorstep when R was a couple weeks old and S still had his cold so he couldn’t be near him.

I think of her calling to check up on how our days were going during maternity leave — because she knew how stressed I was. I think of her reminding me that she’s always there for me. I think of her assuring me that mom guilt is normal, and sharing her own stories with me to make me feel better.

And I think of her telling me I’m a good mama after hearing me remain calm despite being exhausted as S was throwing a tantrum during bedtime.

These days, I remind myself of my mom sometimes. And I see more of her when I look in the mirror, too. It’s an honor, really because she selflessly devoted so much of herself to my brother and I. I can only hope to be as devoted to my babies, too.

Thank you, Mom. Not only today, or tomorrow, or on Mother’s Day… but everyday.

In the United States, we celebrate Mother’s Day in May but it is celebrated in March and April in some countries. WishYoo and NO MORE have partnered this year to celebrate Mother’s Day, with a collaborative Thank-You card where everyone can hand-write their personal message to that special person, who sacrifices so many wants and needs for us.

The Global Mother’s Day Card is a charity year-round event, which supports No More’s continuous dedication to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault worldwide.

The organizers of this campaign are hoping to surpass the World Guinness Record for the largest collaborative greeting card, and for that they need to gather more than 40,000 signatures and dedications throughout the world.

This global event is also a reminder of the way technology can be used to preserve the environment and our forests, while at the same time preserving the beautiful memories of those closest to us.

Sign your Mother’s Day card for the special moms in your life today!