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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What I’ve been up to recently {via instagram}

Filed Under: instagram, life, life lately, life update //

I have admittedly been a bit absent from here. February threw me through a loop with all of us being sick at one point or another. Before my sinus infection, I hadn’t had a fever in as long as I can remember so having two within as many days definitely forced me to take a step back.

And then, I don’t know, my emotions spiraled and I kind of did not gather my bearings until recently. I explain why towards the end of this post.

Here is what I’ve been up to recently via instagram. (If you don’t follow me, you should because I update that the most frequently of all my channels and platforms.)

1. Moments of Musing turned 2!


March is Spring’s month, and therefore, symbolizes a month of new beginnings. Fresh starts. Change. March is also Women’s History Month. It is therefore fitting that two years ago this month I re-launched my blog, which celebrates all things woman, mom, wife, and more.


2. I have a few cool projects coming up and I’ve been working harder than ever to make my dreams a reality.

“Women, we are nurturers, that’s what’s expected of us. We have our children. We have our husbands if we are lucky enough, and our partners, whoever. But we have to find personal fulfillment. We have to follow our dreams. We have to say, ‘I can do that and I should be allowed to do that.'” – Glen Close

This year, I’m filling my heart with love AND I’m following my dreams. I am excited, I am nervous and I am READY!


3. Motherhood has been wonderful … funny, embarrasing, frustrating, stressful but always beautiful and full of SO MUCH LOVE (and blowouts). 


My toddler threw open my public restroom stall door at breakfast over the weekend leaving me a bit embarrassed (and cracking up) and a fellow mom (total stranger) having to catch said door so it didn’t slam into her + her child. #thisismotherhood


4. WE’RE GOING ON A TROPICAL VACATION SOON!


Since the summer isn’t coming to us anytime soon we decided we’ll go to it! We recently booked our upcoming island vacation and I’m SO excited! Move over weaning + winter blues …this mama is trading you in for a different kind of blues…


5. I am happy with my postpartum body progress… it’s almost hard to believe I weigh the least I have since around my wedding! (I’m sharing a more in-depth postpartum body update in my instagram stories today.)



Mirror, mirror, know what I see? A magical body ✨ It’s carried and birthed two babies, via two C-sections, & has fed them both. I’m just so grateful for the magic of it all. 💕Getting ready for our upcoming island vacation, which means stocking up on swim suits! Funny how I used to be more self-conscious pre-baby. Counting down the days!

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.

Take Care of Yourself

Filed Under: positivity, self care //


Putting oneself first is harder than it seems, to me at least. Since becoming a parent, I naturally think of my kids first. What do they want? What do they need? Are they happy? Are they tired? Are they upset? How can I help them?
I rarely ask myself how I can help myself. Others ask me that even less. I don’t fault them — or even myself, though. Society puts an onus on women who are wives and mothers. When we become those things, our priorities shift both in our own eyes and in the eyes of others.  Oftentimes, we take a backseat. 

It shouldn’t be like that, though. It doesn’t have to be like that. So, take care of yourself, mama. I’m going to try to do it, too. In fact, it’s one of my new year goals. Live the mantra “Self-care is the best care.” I need to embrace it. And actually do it…


It might seem selfish but it’s like takeoff. You’re instructed to put your oxygen mask on before helping others. As a kid and young adult, I didn’t understand why. Why wouldn’t a parent assist their baby first?, I often wondered. It seemed bizarre to me. 

As an adult and parent, I get it. I comprehend why. We must be okay to help others, especially our kids. They’re depending on us. They’re watching us. More than what we say, they’re mirroring what we do. 

That’s why self care is important. We must take care ourselves in order to best take care of our babies and loved ones. 

It’s not selfish. It’s smart. It’s necessary. Self-care is our best care, mama.