Being a mom was always my plan. Growing up, my family teased me that I would have 12 or more kids, be a stay-at-home mom, and live on a big farm surrounded by chickens. Life looks a little bit different from that as I sit here thinking about my life as a working mom of two. Parenting is everything I’d ever imagined but also so much I didn’t anticipate. I’m excited to be a part of a community that celebrates and normalizes the joys and struggles of motherhood.
My husband Daniel and I met in 2014, got engaged in 2015, married in 2016, became pregnant in 2017, and welcomed our first daughter Eleanora in 2018. We recently grew to a family of four after the birth of our second daughter Marjorie at the very end of 2019. The last six years have been incredibly exciting, highlighted by becoming a mama to two girls.
My Little Family
I can still remember exactly what my husband wore on our first date and the nervous feeling that only escalated to full-on butterflies the first time I saw him in person. I am emotional, spontaneous, and have 1000 different interests. Dan is grounded and I am so incredibly thankful for it. He keeps me focused when I need it. He holds my hand and takes care of my heart with unwavering stability. I will never question whether I can depend on him to take over when life is feeling overwhelming. This guy is my favorite person and the best partner for this trip called parenthood.
Raising two girls is so much fun! Eleanora is two years old and is shy, spunky, sweet, and newly full of toddler sass. Our days are often spent tending to her every whim including cooking in her kitchen, painting, dancing to “Let It Go”, and reading stacks of books. My little peanut Marjorie is two months old and we are still getting to know each other. So far, she is the sweetest baby I could ask for. We have finally made it to my favorite part of the baby stage– smiles! Someday we may think about adding a third child to our family. However for now, we are enjoying being a family of four.
Love Lansing
In the 11+ years that I have lived in the area, I’ve held addresses in Dewitt, St. Johns, Mason, Dansville, East Lansing, and Lansing. To say I’m familiar with the territory would be an understatement. I grew up in the suburbs of Metro Detroit but am glad to call the greater Lansing area home since finishing my bachelor’s at Central Michigan University. Fire up, Chips!
A few things about Lansing keep me and my family sticking around. First, having family support within 30 minutes is critical to our sanity these days with young children. The Lansing area is perfect for young families and we love taking advantage of things like CADL story times and Potter Park Zoo. Being smack in the middle of the state also means that we have easy access to the best things about Michigan. The main reason my family stays in Lansing is my work as a parent coach in early intervention. I landed my dream job at 25 and am still holding on to it.
Career Talk
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development (and English). For the last twelve years, I’ve worked as a home visitor and parent coach in the field of early intervention. My work days are spent in homes and childcare centers providing support and coaching to parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers with developmental delays. I have the best job and work with a team of talented and amazing ladies. Helping parents feel confident to help their children grow and learn in the early years when brain development and relationships are critical is a passion.
I enjoy reading, teaching, and speaking about attachment, infant mental health, and how important relationships are to nurturing young children. Eventually, I plan on getting my Infant Mental Health Endorsement and I just might return to school some day to pursue this further. Working in early childhood is a blessing and a curse especially when I don’t live up to my own expectations. Learning to give myself grace as a parent is a work in progress.
Hobbies and Interests
As a Mom currently on maternity leave with two kids two and under, this feels laughable. If I am anything it is authentic, so let me be honest here. Current hobbies include changing diapers, breastfeeding for hours on end, drinking cold coffee, learning to shower in five minutes, sleeping (just kidding), going through the nearest drive-through as an escape from the house, and scrolling Amazon to find that Mary Poppins diaper bag that will actually hold enough stuff for two kids. The insecure side of me sees my life as rather boring. However, I remind myself I am busy experiencing life through the eyes of little ones and that life is pretty exciting for them.
So what really are my hobbies? What makes me happy? Baking, eating, travel, art, and relationships.
- I drive my husband crazy at Christmas time trying to pound out about 10 varieties of cookies myself.
- Tavern 109 is my favorite local restaurant. I could eat their pretzel sticks all day long.
- If I could return anywhere I’ve traveled it would be Phoenix/Scottsdale area in Arizona–the climate and food are incredible.
- I’m the mom who leaves crayons, glue, and markers out without constant supervision (and my walls are clean I swear!). I love watching my daughter paint and draw, and it is a good reminder that I love to do those things too. I also make awesome play dough.
- My favorite kind of Friday night is a house full of family, eating pizza, getting rowdy over a good board game. My favorite girl time is the one on one moments. You’ll find me quiet in a crowd but chatty one on one.
I am thrilled to be writing for this community and look forward to sharing more about my experience as a mom.
