Moments of Musing

Our Days are Bananas

Filed Under: motherhood //

This post is sponsored by Baby Boxy but all opinions are my own.

Hi, hello there Monday! Nice to see you … and you all, too! I know to many people Mondays are hectic and yes, they can be for us, too. But if I’m being honest many of our days are hectic. 
A year ago, we’d wake up at 4:30AM, leave our house at 5:30AM and get home around 8PM. That would leave us little down time to unwind. We’d watch a couple shows, if that, climb into bed, and do it all over again. Oh, and I was pregnant at the time so those long days were not the easiest for me at times.

After our second baby was born, we realized we wanted to slow down a bit lot more. Maternity leave helped us to do that. And while we have improved our quality of life since our crazy 4:30AM wake ups, our days are still bananas — but in the best possible way now!

Our toddler and our baby, who’s steps away from being a toddler, keep us on our toes every minute of every day. I’ve told you how becoming a mom to two under two was a bit overwhelming. And while we’ve definitely found our rhythm, it’s still challenging at times. But I think it always will be and that’s okay — that’s parenthood, and quite frankly, life for ya. 

  

Work-wise, I juggle my full-time job (my commute for which is three hours roundtrip!) along with  my MOM projects. My work days are kind of unconventional as a result. Sometimes I have evening or weekend events to attend, or photos to shoot, which I mostly do on my days off. Thankfully, my husband shoots most of my content and my kids are included in some of it so it’s a family affair and we still get to spend that time together. I like to think that an upside of my busyness with work is I am setting a good example for my kiddos.

All of that being said, I wouldn’t ever trade our days for calm days. 
These have been my most favorite days. 

Speaking of bananas, R’s cute bananas onesie is courtesy of Baby Boxy. Baby Boxy offers a uniquely curated and beautifully packaged baby gift box set for babies. It features top brands like Kickee Pants & Milkbarn. R’s particular sleeper is from Little Sleepies and it is such a comfy material. (Get 15% off with code MOMENTS15)

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A Monday Poem for Moms

Filed Under: motherhood //


Today is Monday. As I’ve said many times, I believe Mondays are good, get things done, fresh start days. I wake up and feel refreshed and renewed… even if I’m tired. It probably has to do with my optimism but I really think starting the week on a positive note sets the tone for the week. 

I also know some moms are going back to work after spending the weekend with their little loves, others staying home with the kids while their partners go to work, and some who do a mixture of the two.

For all you mama, whatever your situation may be, here is my wish for your day and week:


My Monday Wish for Your Week


May your stress be low,



your energy high.


May your guilt be none


And you find grace because you try.


May the tears be few, 


the laughs many.


May the clouds be scarce,


the day sunny,


May the tantrums be short, 


the naps long,


… & your coffee strong.


CHEERS to the new week!

I’ve Lost Myself in Motherhood… I’ve Found Myself, Too.

Filed Under: motherhood //

“Who are you?” That’s something I could ask myself when I look in the mirror sometimes. With a messy bun, sweat pants or leggings, sans any makeup, with a saggy belly, even saggier boobs and baggy eyelids, I admittedly look pretty sloppy. And I sometimes hardly recognize myself and my body anymore.

I’m not the same Jackie I was pre-motherhood or even pre-mom of 2. It’s as if I’ve lost a bit of myself. 


I never thought I’d run late so much and so often. I never thought I’d ever go days without a shower or wear the same clothes for 24 hours (or more). I secretly judged moms who admitted they did it. And I promised myself I’d be different. That won’t be me, I’d tell myself.

Then, I became a mom.

Then, I became a mom to two babies under two years.

It’s not about not wanting to take care of oneself. For me, it’s about learning to prioritize my self-care. It’s about learning to balance what I need most with what my kids want and need. For example, sleep is most important and so I prioritize that over other things.

But showers are really important, too. And so, I’ve learned. I am now a master at showering in under five minutes and while also watching a baby in a bouncer and calling out to make sure my toddler is okay. I’ve also learned that a long hot shower goes a long way. So does a solo trip to run errands.

At the same time, I have been experiencing the greatest love there is—no doubt about it. I have learned what is most important in life is not money. It’s not a job title. And it’s definitely not materialistic things. Rather, it is the people in my life and the moments I spend with them.

While I lost myself a bit in motherhood, I’ve found myself there, too.

I’ve learned life is about forgiveness and grace, both for myself and others. I’ve learned I can love so much more than I’d ever imagined. Speaking about love, I’ve learned so much about it. I’ve realized just how sweet it is to hear I love you from those I love and to feel their love, too. My little two-year-old’s “I love you forever,” my baby’s giggle and just my husband’s embrace can carry me through exhaustion and stress.

Oh, I’ve learned more about myself in these last few years than I did in the twenty plus years prior.

I know my heart better. I know myself better. And I appreciate my life more… so much more.

So, while I’m not the same Jackie I was pre-motherhood, I’m a better, more capable, more responsible and stronger version of her… And I like her more. So much more.

The Transition to Sharing my Heart as a Mom of Two

Filed Under: mom of two, motherhood //

I spent much of my second pregnancy wondering how my heart could love another baby as much as I love S. What everyone told me was true, though: Your heart just does. 

I felt anxious during our drive home. After all, I knew the return home would be a bit tough. Since S was sick, he hadn’t yet met R and he would still have to keep his distance from R.

When we arrived, S was sleeping. I went to his room, knelt beside his bed, and cried. I was elated to see him but I felt bad I hadn’t cared for him the past few days, and I brought a new baby home while he was under the weather. He’d have to share me and he didn’t even feel well and he was no longer an only child. So. Many. Emotions! 

Thankfully, their meeting went well. Fast forward a day or two, and S wanted to be picked up but I couldn’t pick him up due to my C-section.

So, I knelt down and tried my best to explain my boo-boo prevented me from being able to carry him. He didn’t really get it and so we cried together on the kitchen floor as I held him. 

The following week, S still seemed sick so the pediatrician said I had to keep the boys apart… Talk about feeling torn in two! (My mom swooped in and stayed with us for a few days. Don’t know how I’d do this without my parents’ love and support!)

We celebrated S with a Big Brother cake with family the weekend after R was born. I’ve included him in feedings by letting him taste and drink my breast milk, upon his request.  I always tell him how much I love him and encourage him to carry and play with his little brother (supervised, of course).

I nurse R and I really love that I do. It gives me comfort knowing we share a special connection and one-on-one time because his alone time with me is almost nonexistent aside from feedings.
Thanks
Suffice it to say the transition was not super easy. Sharing my heart and my love is not easy, either.

My attention is constantly divided between them and at the end of the day I often wonder whether I gave each of them enough of me… And then I realize: I give them both basically all of me and surely, that’s more than enough.

I don’t know if it ever gets 100% easier to share our hearts and time with multiple babies but I think we just figure out a way to best do it. 

Moms have been doing it for all of eternity so I know I’ll be just fine. Mama, you will be, too. 

A Day at Home with my Kids via GIFs

Filed Under: motherhood //

Weekdays (particularly during the winter) at home tend to feel longer and more exhausting than usual, mainly because my husband is sleeping and/or working so it’s just me and the boys for most of the day. I try to find entertaining activities and such but nothing beats getting outside, in my opinion. Since it’s so cold out, though, going out or to the playground are off-limits for much of winter. Therefore, cabin fever definitely sets in. Here is my day in GIF form:

MY HUMAN ALARM CLOCK BEGINS WAKING ME:

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I TRY TO STAY IN BED AS LONG AS HE’LL HAVE IT BECAUSE:

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MY TODDLER WAKES UP:

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I’M EXCITED TO SEE HIM BECAUSE I MISSED HIM WHILE HE SLEPT (MOTHERHOOD IS WEIRD, I TELL YOU):

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I NEED COFFEE:

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BABY IS READY FOR BREAKFAST SO WE IT’S BREAKFAST TIME FOR ALL:

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THEN IT’S BREASTFEEDING TIME (THIS IS WHAT I WISH I LOOKED LIKE BUT I DON’T…SURPRISING, I’M SURE):

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IT BEGINS. “I WANT TO SEE TV. I WANT MUSIC. ETC. ETC.”:

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I PUT ON MUSIC AND WE DANCE (I’M NOT A REGULAR MOM, I’M A COOL MOM):

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THE DAY PROGRESSES, WHICH ALSO MEANS MY TODDLER GRABS THINGS FROM/ HITS/ PULLS ON/ PUSHES FROM HIS BABY BROTHER, SO I AM CONSTANTLY ASKING HIM TO STOP:

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OH, MY COFFEE! I HAVEN’T DRANK IT YET. LET’S WARM IT UP AND TRY THIS AGAIN:

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BREASTFEEDING AGAIN, FOLLOWED BY BABY’S NAP:

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I’D LIKE A NAP, TOO:

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LUNCHTIME AKA FLYING FOOD FROM BABY AND FOOD THAT MIGHT NOT BE EATEN BY TODDLER:

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I TRY TO WORK, WHICH MEANS TRYING TO KEEP MY BABY FROM GRABBING  MY LAPTOP AND/OR PUTTING HIS WHOLE HAND IN MY COFFEE AND SPILLING IT:

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TODDLER CONTINUES HIS ANTICS WITH HIS BABY BROTHER:

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WHAT DO I MAKE FOR DINNER????

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BEDTIME FOR BABY:

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GOOD NIGHT, SWEET BABY:

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I CONSTANTLY ASK MY TODDLER TO KEEP HIS VOICE DOWN:

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MY TODDLER’S BEDTIME IS NO BEDTIME. IT BASICALLY HAPPENS WHEN IT HAPPENS…#BOSSBABY #MOMFAIL:

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I AM TIRED BUT THEY’RE FINALLY ASLEEP… TIME FOR ME TO WATCH MY SHOWS:

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MY THOUGHTS AFTER A DAY OF LOVING ON THE BOYS, CHANGING DIAPERS, BRINGING MY TODDLER TO THE POTTY, BREASTFEEDING THE BABY, CARRYING THE BABY EVERY 20 MINUTES (BECAUSE THAT’S HIS MAX FOR ANY TIME NOT IN MY ARMS), TRYING TO PRACTICE NUMBERS AND LETTERS, SENDING EMAILS, POSTING, CALMING MY CRYING BABY, TRYING TO GET BIG BROTHER TO BE GENTLE AND BE NICE, WASHING DISHES, PREPARING ALL MEALS, DOING BEDTIME, ETC. ETC. MOTHERHOOD IS THE BEST BUT ALSO:

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SO I’M JUST GOING TO SLEEP:

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