Milan Maternity Spotlight

I admire any mother of multiples, and Trish is no exception! She is mom to a 4 year old daughter and 1 year old twin boys. Her first birth she didn't get an epidural (something I wasn't brave enough to try the first time around, so I admire her for that, too) and had to have a c-section with her twins. She spends her spare time sewing, and I've seen her work and have to say, she's super talented. She is a busy woman, but she made some time to answer some questions for our spotlight. Find out what Trish had to say...

The first time you were pregnant, was there anything that surprised you or caught you off guard about pregnancy?

*I was surprised at how easy it was for me. After hearing horror stories about morning sickness and feeling awful, I was so lucky to not have anything like that. The only time I felt bad was when I stopped drinking coffee cold turkey. I got headaches for a couple days because of the lack of caffiene.

Have you announced your pregnancies to your husband or family members in any fun and memorable ways?

*When I found out I was pregnant the second time I had my daughter tell my husband. Then I made her a "big sister" shirt to wear when we told our parents and waited to see when someone noticed. It was fun waiting to see who saw it first

What was your favorite part of your pregnancies?

*feeling the babies move. It was so exciting to me the first time I was pregnant to feel and eventually see my baby moving. Also, people can be really nice to you while you are pregnant!

With your first child, was there anything you wish you had known about labor that you weren't prepared for?

*There is no way to explain to someone the pain you will go through. People will try to explain and prepare you for that but I think it's impossible.

How did you come to the decision to have your daughter without any pain medication and was it easier than you thought it would be?

*There are a few reasons I decided not to have any pain medication. One, I didn't want my baby to have pain meds in her new little body as soon as she was born. I'd read that they can make the baby drowsy for the first few days too. Another reason was that we were paying for her birth out of pocket so I was going to try my best to not get an epidural. All those good intentions, then when I was actually in labor and dialated to 8 and begging for an epidural, they told me it was too late. I'm glad they didn't give it to me anyways because she was born a very short time after I asked for it.

What did you find helpful in coping with the pain of labor?

*Honestly, I think I just zoned out. My husband tells me things I did and said that I don't remember. For a while the nurses wouldn't let me move because they had a monitor on my daughter. Then the doctor came in and told them to get the monitor off her and I was able to change positions instead of just laying on my back. So, I think trying to move around a little through contractions might help.

When you found out you were having twins, what was your first thought?

*No way. It's not possible! I had no idea how this was going to happen. How would I be able to carry 2 babies for 9 months? What about after they were born? Would I be able to leave my house ever again? How is my daughter going to handle this? All those questions and more went through my head in about 2 seconds. I was in disbelief for a while. Then, once I realized it really was happening, I felt like the luckiest person in the world.

I think we all have those one or two things that have to get done around the house that we hate. What are those things for you and what do you do to make doing them more tolerable?

*All of it. I don't like cleaning. When I win Publishers Clearing House ( because I don't play the lottery) I will get a house keeper. But to narrow it down to one I'll say doing the dishes. I've never liked doing them even when I was a little girl. To get myself to do them I remind myself that it really doesn't take that long to do and when I'm done the kitchen will look so much better. And I tell myself to just do it!

What things do you do with your daughter when the two of you get to spend time together?

*I ask her what she wants to do. She likes to color and do puzzles so that's what we do a lot of times. We do crafts too

Is being a mom to twins harder or easier than you thought, and how so?

*I prepared myself while I was pregnant that this was going to be quite the journey. It is hard. For probably the first 6 months I hardly slept. They were not good sleepers til about 11 months. They are 13 months now and they are good babies but they are normal 13 month-olds x2. Twice the crabbiness while teething, twice the messes, twice the climbing...etc. One thing that I'm surprised about being easier for me to deal with than before is the crying. The times when both boys and my older daughter are all crying for whatever reason, thankfully that doesn't happen too often, I just laugh. I think, this is like a movie. All three of my children are crying at once, they all want me to hold them and for some reason I'm not sitting on the floor with them crying also.

As mothers we have some special moments with our children that we always remember and cherish. Do you mind sharing one or two of those experiences?

*I love that my daughter is in love with her baby brothers and they love her just as much. It's sweet how excited they get when they see each other when they've been away from each other. Something else I love is that my boys like to cuddle with me. My daughter is the biggest daddy's girl you've seen so it's nice to have my baby boys to cuddle with

Who has been a great example to you as a mother and what have you learned from that person?

*This may sound cliche, but my Mom and Mother-in-law are both wonderful women that I hope to be like some day. My Mom gives her time to people like no one I've seen. You know she will be there to help you no matter what. She's so caring of others. My Mother-in-law is a wonderful wife and awesome mother. My in-laws have 6 kids and my MIL cooked 3 hot meals, the house was always clean, she home-schooled them all, I could go on and on. They are both an inspiration to me.

When you are having a rough day, and counting down the hours until your husband gets home so you can get a break, what is it that you are looking forward to do as a stress reliever?

I like to sew. It's one of the few things I can do where you can actually tell I've gotten something done.

When we are pregnant or have kids, it seems like we get all sorts of advice, wanted or not, from all sorts of people. Some good some bad. What is one of the best pieces of advice you have gotten?

*Do what YOU feel is right for you and your baby. There is so much out there to make you feel like you aren't doing enough or you are doing too much. Just do your best!

What is your families favorite meal?

*Chicken enchiladas and sweet corn cake. We all love this meal. I've brought it to some other families and I've been asked for the recipe several times.

http://pgoodys.blogspot.com/2011/11/you-have-to-try-this.html

Kids obviously keep us super busy and it can be hard to spend time with our significant other. On the occasions that you and your husband are able to get out of the house together, how do you like to spend that time?

*Date night! I love when my husband get to spend some time together. We aren't the most exciting people when we go out. Mostly we go out to dinner. We go out to eat at places that we cant bring 3 active kids to!

What is the best thing about being a mother?

* Before I had my children, moms would tell me you can't imagine the love you will have for your kids. I knew I would love my babies but they were right! I LOVE my kids! I love that they love me too.

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Milan Maternity Spotlight

Meet Megan. Also known as MNMspecial. She is a wife to an Air Force husband, which means she has moved her family A LOT in the past 10 years. She is mom to 4 kids, the youngest of which is a sweet little baby born in July.

Here's what Megan had to say.

The first time you were pregnant, was there anything about it that completely surprised you or that you wish you had know about being pregnant?
Honestly, I was shocked to be pregnant because I was told for years it wouldn't happen so I had no clue about anything.

Have you announced your pregnancies to your husband or family members in any fun and memorable ways? Our fourth baby was given the same due date as our first. We arranged to tell our family at Christmas just as we had nine years earlier. We had our two year old change her Little Sister shirt to a Big Sister shirt in the same color and waited for anyone that notice. It was a fun time.

Have you found any tricks that work really well for you with morning sickness?
I had morning sickness a lot. I ate a lot of cold cereal and drank ginger ale all day long. I even sucked on sour candies when I was running around town.

What have you found to entertain and keep your kids busy when you've been too drained?
I turned on movies in my bedroom with a child lock on the door so they couldn't escape while they watched and I drifted in and out. The one time I didn't I had waterproof mascara all over my brand new cream colored couch!

With your first child, was there anything you wish you had known about labor that you weren't prepared for?
That you have the right to be the boss.

What things help your older children adjust to having a new baby in the home?We have a five year span between the older two and the third child. They thought that the baby would come home and play video games and run outside with them. They weren't ready for the crying and the lack of movement. We bought books at the hospital about being older siblings. The toddler also got a book and a baby doll to practice with.

With all of the moving around your family has to do, how do you help your children adjust with each move?
We pack a tote bag for the car with their favorite stuffed animal, favorite blanket, and pictures of family members. We talk a lot about the new town and new house before we leave. I also let them pick out new paint colors or decorations for their bedrooms.

What are some of your children's favorite activities to do during the day?My oldest two are in school now, but they have started dance classes and an archery class to meet friends. My toddler is a busy little girl that believes she is a princess. During the day we have tea parties, watch princess movies, and play dress up.

As mothers we have some special moments with our children that we always remember and cherish. Do you mind sharing one or two of those experiences?
My older kids were asked to sing in church in front of a lot of people in a program. The song was difficult and they only had a few days to practice. They sang beautifully and there was not a dry eye in the audience.

Who has been a great example for you as a mother and what have you learned from that person?Of course I am going to say my mom, but I have taken a lot from my grandmother because she raised the woman I wish I was like, although I'm not.

When you are having a rough day, and counting down the hours until your husband gets home so you can get a break, what is it that you are looking forward to do as a stress reliever?
Sitting down and having some adult conversation.

When we are pregnant or have kids, it seems like we get all sorts of advice, wanted or not, from all sorts of people. What is one of the best pieces of advice you have gotten?Hire a babysitter. I do all the time. If I need to get out and my husband is working or I just want to spend time with him, we leave for an hour or so.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you felt like you just couldn't handle it, and what got you through that?
I have those moments all the time with four kids and one of them with special needs. Sometimes there is screaming all day and brotherly/sisterly fighting. My grandmother's voice rings clearly in my head, "This to shall pass". She tells me this quite often.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a mother?
The thank you they give you after you wipe their bottoms, pour them a glass of milk, kiss their booboos, read a story and hug them tight.

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Milan Maternity Spotlight

Say hello to this weeks spotlight, Erin. She is a stay at home mom to sweet little Stella, who is almost 6 months old. Here's what Erin had to say when I asked her the questions we all wanted answered.

Was there anything about pregnancy that completely surprised you or that you wish you had know about being pregnant?

I was surprised that I couldn't remember anything!! My memory was shock almost my entire pregnancy. haha!

Did you announce your pregnancy in any fun and memorable ways?

My parents were the first people we told. We invited them over for dinner and when we told them my mom started clapping and bouncing in her seat like a kid. It was too cute.

Did you find any tricks that work really well for you with morning sickness?

Most of my m.s. was actually in the evening. I drank a lot of ginger ale and ate a lot of saltine crackers. B6 is what someone suggested but that was after my sickness had started to subside. I'll try it next time though.

What is your go-to dinner when you don't know what else to make and you need something quick and tasty?

My husband and I eat this Skillet Chicken about once a week. It is so easy and so delicious. Make sure you use a skillet that can go in the oven. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Brown chicken in a little olive oil and add parsnips and potatoes. Pour in enough chicken broth to fill about and inch of bottom. Add garlic according to your liking ( I use about 2 teaspoons of minced garlic). Add a 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Top with more salt and pepper and fresh thyme. Place skillet in oven and cook for 40 minutes. I usually try to baste the chicken once during cooking and then after it's done.

You can't go wrong with one pan to clean up!

What is one of your favorite moments with your baby so far that you will always remember?

One of my faves is when we took her to her first baseball game. We were visiting my father and went to an Orioles game. She was 6 weeks old. She was so alert the entire time. She loved watching all of the people sitting behind us. It was such a great evening.

What do you like to do when you get the opportunity to have some "me" time?

My me time usually consists of getting my butt kicked by my trainer. I like to get massages about once every couple months too.

Do you have any beauty secrets of what you do when you only have a few minutes to get ready?

Dry shampoo has been a great new staple in my bathroom! The stuff is amazing!

When we are pregnant or have kids, it seems like we get all sorts of advice, wanted or not, from all sorts of people. What is one of the best pieces of advice you have gotten?

Crying is not going to hurt her. I was obsessed with picking Stella up everytime she made a peep. I was losing my mind because I fekt like I couldn't even get a glass of water. The first time I didn't run to pick her up, she settled down within minutes.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you felt like you just couldn't handle it, and what got you through that?

Yes, definitely. Remembering how many woman have done this worked everytime.

Who has been an example of motherhood to you, and what have you learned from that person? My mother. Patience.

When you and your husband are able to get out of the house on your own, what do you like to go out and do?

We, luckily, get out once a week and have kinda started a tradition. We now o to the same place for sushi and then to a movie. It's funny because we're home by 9:30 everytime. lol

What is the best thing about motherhood?

Stella looks at me like I'm the most important person in her world. When she raises her little hand and touches my cheeks or lips, my heart melts. Sometimes I can't stop kissing her. Knowing that I need her just as much as she needs me is like nothing I ever imagined.

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Milan Maternity Spotlight

Everyone, I'd like you to meet Rebekah, who I am pretty sure is Super Woman with having 2 kids a year apart. She is the mother to 1 year old Katherine and 2 month old Daniel. She stays home with her two kids while her husband is a full time seminarian.

Here's what Rebekah had to say when I picked her brain.

The first time you were pregnant, was there anything about it that completely surprised you or that you wish you had known about being pregnant?

I wish I would have known that I could relax more and not try to be perfect. I gave myself a lot of stress the first time because I was always afraid of doing something "wrong." Though I strongly believe one should make healthy decisions, it is not worth it to stress over the trivial things.

Have you announced your pregnancies to your husband or family members in any fun and memorable ways?

Actually, the way I told my husband for all of my pregnancies was at the most inconvenient times possible. Just before bed (he was already in it and had to wake up super early) and just before leaving for class. It was memorable because it was the worst timing possible.

Have you found any tricks that work really well for you with morning sickness?

Mint candies. Lots of them. I was one of the lucky ones and felt good when I did eat. So I ate all of the time! When I felt sick but couldn't eat a meal, I would just have some mints.

What have you found to entertain and keep your kids busy when you've been too drained?

I got pregnant when my daughter, Katherine, was only three months old. She took a lot of naps throughout my pregnancy, so that was very helpful. There was not a lot that I could do to distract her as she was so young.

Did you always plan to use cloth diapers with your children? How did you decide to go that route?

I had been planning on using cloth diapers for a while. I know there is a debate on if they are actually better for the environment, BUT there is one thing for sure- they are better on my wallet! When I bring a freshly washed load into the nursery I feel like someone just stuffed ten bucks in my hand. It is a glorious feeling. I did a lot of reading about what diapers to choose. I initially bought a few pre-folds with various covers to try. In the end I bought about thirty microfiber stuffed diapers. They were the cheapest I could find on the internet. It has saved us so much money.

What is your go-to dinner when you don't know what else to make and you need something quick and tasty?

Goulash. My mother made it all of the time while I was growing up- so did my grandmother. It is my comfort food and is also super easy to make. I am sure there are a lot of fancy versions, but my simple stand by is easy: ground hamburger (boiled- no browning ahead of time!), chopped onion, canned diced tomatoes, a few cloves of garlic and elbows or some similar pasta. It couldn't be easier and it is delicious. I let it simmer for a long time to make it very flavorful.

I think every stay at home mom has one or two chores that they absolutely hate doing. What are those for you and have you found a way to do them that makes them a little more tolerable?

Vacuuming. I never liked it before but now Katherine is terrified of it. Once I tried helping her to see it as a fun thing and not something to be terrified of. I probably scarred her for life by showing her how it sucked things up the tube. So far my method has been to do it when she is in her room or when my husband is home to help keep her happy.

What are one or two of your favorite moments with your children that you will always remember?

There are so many it is hard to narrow down! Everyday has moments that I want to cling to forever. Recently it has been watching Daniel smile. He started doing it a couple of weeks ago. It is so amazing to see his face completely light up.

What do you like to do when you get the opportunity to have some "me" time?

I love to go thrifting! There are some awesome stores around us that can have amazing vintage clothing from time to time. I also spend a good amount of time blogging about recent projects. I also love reading fashion blogs. They have some great ideas.

Do you have any beauty secrets of what you do when you only have a few minutes to get ready?

I try to keep a lot of outfits mentally prepared. I remix items a lot, so it is pretty easy to throw something together on the fly if my usual combination is covered with baby spit or something. A belt can make make a plain outfit dressy- that is another super quick thing that I like to do.

When we are pregnant or have kids, it seems like we get all sorts of advice, wanted or not, from all sorts of people. What is one of the best pieces of advice you have gotten?

To trust myself. I am a doubter and worrier. Trusting myself is often hard to do. A lot of parenting is common sense or even instinctual. Being able to trust myself has been very helpful.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you felt like you just couldn't handle it, and what got you through that?

Oh yes, I have more of those moments than I would like to recollect. There are two things that I do. The first is to pray. I was raised in a Christian home where prayer was always highly valued. I try to maintain that in my own home- especially when things are falling apart- it really helps to hold me together. I also try to follow the advice of my spiritual father, the abbot of an Orthodox monastery, that is to just take a break (when possible). Just leave the situation and have a cup of tea or something. When you come back, you are much more able to handle it. I drink a lot of tea that way.

What are some of the things that you do as a family when you all spend time together?

Since the babies are so little it usually involves some sort of playing with toys. I can't wait until they are older and would appreciate long walks, camping trips and just being outside.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a mother?

To see my children blissfully happy. Sadly, I know that it won't last forever- the troubles of the world will get to them one day. But for now they are happy and innocent. When I see them get so joyful- just because I am holding them- is remarkable. It is so fulfilling to be unconditionally loved.

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Milan Maternity Spotlight

Say hello to Brittney! She's a stay at home mother of 4 kids who are 6, 5, 2.5, and 6 months. And since that doesn't keep her busy enough, she is also a full time college student, taking classes online. She is only 8 classes away from getting her bachelors degree and already has her associates in psychology.

I had the opportunity to ask Brittney the questions everyone wants to know, and here's what she had to say.

The first time you were pregnant, was there anything about it that completely surprised you or that you wish you had know about being pregnant?

I think everything about it surprised me. I wish someone had told me about the blood work at 16 weeks that tell you what your odds are of having a baby with down-syndrome. My tests came out that I had 1 in 15 chances. It made my pregnancy much more stressful than it should have been. I couldn't really enjoy the pregnancy. I never had that test done again!

Have you announced your pregnancies to your husband or family members in any fun and memorable ways?

No. I really hated announcing that I was pregnant. I told my mom and my husband told his mom and we just let the gossip take it from there. LOL

Have you found any tricks that work really well for you with morning sickness?

I would suck on peppermint candies and keep gingersnaps and ginger ale always on hand! Also when that wouldn't work...I would take vitamin b6 and b12 every day. At night I would take b6 and a half a pill of Unisom. Worked fairly well. I would get it really bad for 7 months! and with the last pregnancy my doc suggested the vitamins and Unisom. I really wish I had known about that with the other 3 pregnancies!

What have you found to entertain and keep your kids busy when you've been too drained?

Disney movies. Thank heavens for Disney!!!

Is there anything you wish you had known about labor that you weren't prepared for?

The pain! Holy cow! No one really gets the point across how bad it is going to hurt! lol

I think every stay at home mom has one or two chores that they absolutely hate doing. What are those for you and have you found a way to do them that makes them a little more tolerable? My bedroom and the bathroom. I haven't found any way to do them that makes them a little more tolerable. I even tried to re-decorate them to see if that helped.....nope. So any ideas would be great! :)

What are some things you do with your older children to show them special attention now that there is a new little one in the house?

I have one on one time with them. I will take one and have them help cook dinner and the other one will help make cookies or a cake for desert.

With all of the responsibilities you have between family and school, what do you do to help balance it all out?

I take a two week break in between classes. I use those two weeks to really catch up on housework and some R&R.( My classes are 5 weeks long)

What are some of your children's favorite activities to do during the day?

My 2 oldest LOVE school. While they are at school I use that time to clean and play with my 2 year old and 6 month old. I have really enjoyed having some one on one time with them. When the older two come home we do home work and then we do chores until it is dinner time. After dinner we will then walk to the library and check out some books and then we will walk to the park and play for about an hour. My kids love being out doors.

As mothers we have some special moments with our children that we always remember and cherish. Do you mind sharing one or two of those experiences?

My kids are constantly making me laugh. One of my favorite memories is.... One day I had to go to the doc for one of my monthly pregnancy checkups. I had no one to watch the kids while I went, so I had to take my kids with me. While we were waiting in the waiting room my kids were playing in the kids corner and all of the sudden my 4 year old son started screaming. He came running over to me holding his pant leg. I thought he hurt his leg until he started screaming that a bug ran up his pants. I tug on his pant leg and he grabbed his pants higher and started screaming more. I took him into the bathroom and had his take off his pants. Sure enough a cockroach came out. I stepped on it and he put his pants on. I asked his older sister how the bug got in his pants. She said he tried to step on the bug and missed and it ran up his leg. My son was crying and he stopped and said "If I would have had my cowboy boots on that bug would have been dead!" He doesn't go any where without his good o'l cowboy boots now. I still giggle about that to this day! And my thought about that now is "there was a cockroach in the doctors office!? Yuck!"

When you are having a rough day, and counting down the hours until your husband gets home so you can get a break, what is it that you are looking forward to do as a stress reliever?

Sitting down with a good book. I love to read, read, and read. I sometimes like to sit down and play the piano. My kids do not let me do that at all and I love playing so much!

When we are pregnant or have kids, it seems like we get all sorts of advice, wanted or not, from all sorts of people. What is one of the best pieces of advice you have gotten?

Well....my aunt, that is freaking adorable, said that it took her 15 years to learn to take a chill pill. She told me to learn to take one while my kids are still young so I can enjoy them a lot more. She regrets not relaxing more when her kids were younger.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you felt like you just couldn't handle it, and what got you through that?

Oh yes, very often! Well to quote the movie chicken little..."today is a new day". I tell myself that all of the time. I constantly remind myself to take it one day at a time. And...I usually call my mom. lol She gets me through a lot of those moments too. She raised 7 kids so she is a pro!

When you are rushing to get yourself and your family out of the door to go somewhere and you only have a few minutes to actually get yourself ready, what do you do to pull your look together quickly?

Lip gloss and run my fingers through my hair. I don't go anywhere without my lip gloss. If you want good cheap lip gloss or makeup in general check out eyeslipsface.com!

What is the most rewarding thing about being a mother?

My 4 year old just gave me a hug and told me I'm the best mom in the whole world. It's moments like those that make being a mother the best thing in the world. I love my kids and seeing them happy and even more happy when they learn something new they can do, like ride a bike, or how to write their name...that's what makes it rewarding. My life would be so dull without my kids!

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Milan Maternity Spotlight

Meet Jennifer! She is a stay at home mom to two kids. Her son is 3 and her daughter is 1 1/2. She is also expecting baby #3, due next March. And on top of that she is a wife to a medical student!

I sat down with Jennifer to ask her some questions (and by that I mean I sat down at my computer and typed up the questions and she sat at her computer and typed up her answers)

The first time you were pregnant, was there anything about it that completely surprised you or that you wish you had know about being pregnant?

I wish I'd known how exhausting it was going to be. When I was pregnant with my first child, I was a full time elementary school teacher, and boy was it tough being on my feet most of the day!

Have you announced your pregnancies to your husband or family members in any fun and memorable ways?

The first two times, I just told my husband and called our families on the phone…I know, kind of lame. But this time, I made cinnamon rolls early one morning before my husband woke up. When he came down to the kitchen, there was a note on them that said "there's a bun in the oven". He was so happy about another baby, and the cinnamon rolls. :) And we haven't told our families yet, so if any of you read this before we do….SURPRISE!!!

Have you found any tricks that work really well for you with morning sickness?

I don't really get traditionally "morning sickness" like most women (knock on wood!). I just get tired and nauseous, but no vomiting. I just eat frequent small meals and snack throughout the day. I also don't try to schedule too many things in the early morning, when I feel the worst.

I think every stay at home mom has one or two chores that they absolutely hate doing. What are those for you and have you found a way to do them that makes them a little more tolerable?

I hate mopping and cleaning the bathtubs. To make them more tolerable- honestly, my sweet husband often does it for me. He rocks!

As an expectant mother with 2 other children, what are some things you are doing to prepare them for the new arrival?

They are very young, 3 and 1 1/2 so we haven't even told them yet. I still look the same to them, it's months away before he/she will arrive, so for now, I'm just trying to keep things as normal as possible. When we do tell them about the new baby, we'll try and make it exciting, let them help pick out a few new things for the baby, and tell them how they'll be a big brother and big sister.

What are some of your children's favorite activities to do during the day?

My kids love to color, play outside, and watch Elmo. They love going to library and of course the park.

As mothers we have some special moments with our children that we always remember and cherish. Do you mind sharing one or two of those experiences?

I just remember getting up in the middle of the night with my infant son, feeding him, and holding him until he went asleep. There's just something about 2 a.m. that is so quiet and peaceful when you have a beautiful little baby to share it with. Babies just have such sweet, innocent spirits.

When you are having a rough day, and counting down the hours until your husband gets home so you can get a break, what is it that you are looking forward to do as a stress reliever?

I love to read blogs of my friends and families. I read a handful of blogs of people I find inspiring. I also enjoy a good book now and then, too.

When we are pregnant or have kids, it seems like we get all sorts of advice, wanted or not, from all sorts of people. What is one of the best pieces of advice you have gotten?

Follow your own instincts. That's just it- you'll get advice from everyone and anyone about everything when you are expecting or a new mom, and you just need to filter it all out and do what YOU think is best for your family.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you felt like you just couldn't handle it, and what got you through that?

I usually call my sister who has 3 young kids, and she can totally relate to my mothering dilemmas. And another thing that gets me through is something my mom told me growing up and tells me know that I'm a mom; "It's a good thing their cute!". That is so very true with kids, even when they aren't behaving very well.

With your husband being in medical school, and all the time that takes, what do you two do with your children for fun when you do have that special time together?

We really just keep it simple most the time. We go to lots of local parks and playgrounds, go for drives, get ice cream, and dance to kids' music. We just spend as much time together as a family we can.

What is the best thing about being a mother?

Just seeing their cute, happy faces every morning helps me start each day fresh and know that I CAN do this; I not going to be perfect, but I am their mother and I love them. And that's enough.

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We want you!

As a mother, I often forget that there are millions of other women out there that are having the same experiences as me. There are so many of you out there having the same struggles, the same joys, enjoying the same things, and just trying to be the best mom you can possibly be. When I spend most of my days at home with my little ones, I sometimes forget that I am not alone in this journey. Which is one of the greatest things about blogging. It's a whole new way for us to share the struggles, joys, and every day life that wasn't available not all that long ago. Every time I get to read the experiences of other moms, I am reminded that I am not alone, and that we are all more connected than we think.

Which is why we want to spotlight you! What better way to get to know the other moms out there than to spotlight each of you. Plus we just love you and want to hear from you! We all want to know what you like, what helps you through pregnancies, what you do with your kids for entertainment and survival, what moments you adore, and what gets you through the tough times.

Whether you are a soon to be mother, a mother of a few years, or a veteran mother, we want to hear from you, so send an email to service@milanmaternity.com letting us know that you'd be willing to be spotlighted. Plus we'll send you a sweet suprise in the mail for letting us get to know you better.

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