Moments of Musing

Search Results for: family photos

A Magical Announcement

Filed Under: life //

Our family is…

headed to the Most Magical Place on Earth … Disney World! 
Our little one is too little to realize he will be meeting Mickey Mouse in just a couple of days! My whole family and I are so, so excited to see his reaction. 
As an avid Disney fan and visitor (I visited nearly every year of my life from 11-months-old until my early 20s), I’ve dreamed of this–bringing my own child(ren) to Disney– for a long time. It’s truly one of my favorite places to be.

The reason for this pretty last-minute extended family trip is a special one — we all want to spend time together before summer ends in what has become our favorite family vacation destination.

Be sure to follow along on Instagram for photos and behind-the-scenes moments, and excuse my absence while I unplug.

No automatic alt text available.

12 Lessons in 12 Months: My First Year of Motherhood

Filed Under: first year of motherhood, motherhood //

My little baby love was born a little over one year ago. Crazy. I truly believe time has flown faster since becoming a mom but it’s weird–time is weird– because I also feel like I’ve known him forever. I couldn’t tell you how many times I question what I did before him. He’s made me a better person, that’s for sure, and he made me a mom, for which I am eternally grateful. 

And let me tell you, the lessons have been aplenty this first year of motherhood.
Here are 12 things these 12 months have taught me:

1. There is no love like this love. The love between a parent and child is incomparable. I seriously think my heart could burst some days, he makes it so full. It’s as simple as that. Even though it doesn’t feel simple at all. Love never is, I suppose. Basically, I am obsessed with him. And everyday as his his mom has been the best day of my life.

2. Marriage as parents is different. Not only is it different, it is quite challenging …but having a strong and solid foundation with my husband has made parenting a heck of a lot easier. Others realize it, too. I’m often reminded that he’s one of the “good ones.” As my grandma recently told me (in Spanish) about Tim, one good man is worth that of three. I’d have to agree.
3. Presence really is a present. I try my darnedest to stay off my phone and in the moment whenever I am around Seb. He knows when I’m not paying attention to him. He knows when I’m not fully present and after being away all day at work, the least I can do is try my best to show him I care that I’m there. Because I really do. I think about him all the time when I’m away from him.
4. Babies are amazing. Their developments are amazing. There is such a difference between months. He’s gone from sitting to standing to walking with help. If only those who make fun of baby monthly photos knew this — because really, the joke’s on them.
5. My body is amazing. I don’t mean it in a conceited way. I mean it in a “I grew a human inside of me, birthed him, fed him, and squeezed back into pre-pregnancy jeans within a month” amazing. How it did it, I’ll never know. But boy, am I in awe and forever indebted to it. And that means taking it easy on the “mom bod” guilt. 
6. It’s okay to be scared but it’s good to work to get over the fears. I was scared to go alone with my baby to a breastfeeding groups and wish I’d just done it. I was too nervous to take the subway alone with him so my husband drove us round-trip (3 hours) to work one day. Until recently, I was also too scared to drive with him by myself (I’m still working on this fear). Those are just a few examples of things I had previously done that I suddenly was too scared to do as a mom. The best thing I have done is face my fears and realize I am fully capable of doing everything I can with my son. Now, taking the subway together feels more normal… and it actually makes me feel like a supermom. If you’ve ever taken the NYC subway during rush hour, you get what I mean.
7. “Mom brain” is real. I’ve forgotten my office location, my office phone number, where I’ve put things, etc. It’s actually quite funny and makes for good stories. Learning to laugh at myself and my mistakes rather than be upset over them is something I do more often now… forgiving myself for mistakes, too.
8. I know what’s best for my own child. My husband does, too… even though we will each have different styles, which is totally okay!
9. I am capable of and able to do so much more than I ever imagined. My self-confidence has grown immensely over the year. I have never felt as empowered before. I’ve never happy cried as much, either.
10. Self care is important. This means pampering myself, writing, and giving myself a break. It also means time with my girlfriends, time with my family and time with my husband. Just because I’ve become a mom doesn’t mean that’s all I am (though it is a huge part of who I am now).
11. Sleep will never be the same. We’ve woken up during the night every night for a year now… When others advise you to get all the sleep you can while pregnant, heed that advice. When others advise you to sleep when your newborn sleeps, though it might not be possible every time the baby sleeps, heed that advice. 
12. My parents really love me. For that I could never thank them enough. (Note: they might even love my child more if that’s possible.) They’ve always told me they do and have shown me but I don’t think I truly understand it until I became a mom. Ashton Kutcher put it perfectly:

This has really been the best year and adventure of my life. 

5 on Friday: Summer Edition

Filed Under: 5 of friday, five on friday //

*This post is sponsored by PinkBlush and BootayBag but all opinions are my own.*

1. Summer dresses are my favorite.

c/o PinkBlush

It is so comfortable AND cute. It’s flowy and has pockets (!!), which is very functional for moms. I am usually not one for shift dresses but this one is a keeper. As you can see, it even made it into photos for our recent little guy’s birthday photo shoot.

2. In case you missed it, I divulged how I’m feeling about my baby’s 1st Birthday.
Read all about it here and follow along on my Instagram as we celebrate his birthday this weekend!

3. This Vintage Blogging post resonated with me so much. 
More about why I blog and will continue to do so but right now I just want to say I think it’s still important to write about OUR stories — our personal, raw, messy, un-curated stories. 
From this summer forward, I plan to do more of just that. It’s the best part of blogging, in my opinion. 

4. I appreciate companies that give back.

c/o BootayBag

Not only is this underwear subscription service a cool concept and the bralettes (perfect under summer tanks!) and panties super cute … but for every selfie snapped with a BootayBag, $1 is donated to the Melanoma Foundation!  

5. Summer Fridays are a thing!
I used to think I would never get Summer Fridays because they’re pretty unheard of in my field of work. But alas, my bosses rock and have decided to close the office every Friday during the summer. Plus, this weekend is a long weekend and we have lots of family coming into town. My excitement level = 100! 

Have a great and safe 4th of July weekend everyone!


First Birthday Week Thoughts

Filed Under: first birthday, kids birthday, motherhood //

It’s Monday morning and if you’re new around here, please know you won’t find me wallowing about it being Monday. New week, new beginning. That’s my motto. …If you’re not new, there’s your 82737th reminder that I’m kinda sorta a Monday person.

Anyway, I’m feeling extra recharged today. 
It could be: (a) S falling asleep at 8:30PM. (b) the summertime sunshine — I’m not kidding. I love this stuff. (c) the big week we have! S turns 1 year old! (d) all of the above. 
As for my babe’s upcoming birthday, we had a little birthday photo shoot and OMG I’m obsessed. With the photos but moreso him. 

I thought I’d be really sad in the days leading up to it. But I dunno–I’m actually pretty pumped. I feel like this is LIFE. We WANT to see him grow and develop and be a healthy human. Right?? So what’s there to be sad about? Sure, I can’t cradle him in the crook of my arm but he still snuggles. And he calls me Mama and holds my hand. There are big pros to watching him grow. 

This really is a big milestone. The first year! We did it. All 3 of us. My husband and I have survived our first year of parenting — it’s not easy, in general or on a marriage — and our boy is reaching his first year of life on the outside! 
Maybe I’ll cry as I fall asleep on his birthday eve? Maybe I won’t. 

Basically, what I’m saying is the best way to describe this time is bittersweet. But it’s much, much sweeter than it is bitter. And, as you can see, I’m trying my best to be positive so I don’t turn into a messy mush of a mama. I just want to be happy and excited. (Even though I do feel like the year could have not gone by so fast sheesh…)

Cheers (mocktail for me) to that!
P.S. Boy, did it feel refreshing to write a “normal” not-so-cohesive life post/tangent. I miss the blogging days when that was the norm. If you do too, feel free to check out my archives–it’s chock full of those posts. 

5 on Friday: Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Filed Under: Uncategorized //

Disclosure: Affiliate links are present. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase using any of my links. 

Hi husband(s)/ wives/ partners/ spouses, 

If you’re out there reading, this one’s especially for you! And all others who are still looking for gifts to buy for the special mom(s) in their lives. 

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, you’re probably on the lookout for gifts to buy the special mom in your life. Here’s a tip: Listen to what she’s saying. Chances are hints are being dropped. My husband has already gifted my part of my present, which is similar to something I’d mentioned wanting, and I am SO excited both to use it to share. 

In the meantime, here are some gift ideas that won’t break the bank — and should arrive in time:

1. For the Mom who Likes to Wear (One of) Her Title(s)

          
2. For the Mom who Loves Photos

          

P.S. Speaking of photos, don’t forget to enter my Chatbooks giveaway! 
It ends on Monday!

3. For the Mom with Little Ones
         

4. For the Mom who Likes Makeup and Beauty 

        


5. For the Mom who Could Use a Spa Day (AKA Every Mom)

          

http://www.smidgeofthis.com/