Should I Stay or Should I Go 

Ok so let’s talk about leaving a baby for more than a few hours. It’s hard! It’s crazy difficult thing to do! I remember how hard it was for me to leave our beloved dog Juve, for a night, even though she was always left in good loving hands. So just imagine how I felt when my husband surprised me with a birthday getaway. I knew we needed that night away alone, yet I felt extremely anxious. Eventually I decided to grow up and deal with it. The last thing I needed was to make Saar feel my anxiety and get stressed before we even leave the house. 

To minimize stress levels I started working on positive attitude. I visualized how much he’s going to enjoy with his grandparents and how fun it would be for us to be a couple again.

I made lists and packed a bag with everything Saar could possibly need (this bag could easily last for a week). 

The last and most important part was briefing my parents. My mom never does what I ask her to do. She overfeed and spoil Saar as any grandma, so I had to make sure that at least some structure is kept. 

And everything was ok. Everybody enjoyed themselves. And the world kept on spinning. 

So here’s my 5 tips for leaving the baby for the first time, for a night or more. 

1. Keep calm. Don’t project your stress on your family. 

2. Make lists and pack heavily, or make sure everything is easy to find around your house (if baby is staying at home). Don’t forget medical information, insurance and emergency contacts.

3. Give detailed instructions about dos and don’ts.  

4. Explain baby’s schedule and the importance of keeping it. 

5. Don’t say a dramatic goodbyes and don’t cry in front of your child.

Enjoy your summer and some Sicilian photos 🙂

Our Sicilian Vacation

A lifetime ago, on September 2014, 15 weeks into my pregnancy with Saar, I asked my doctor, if it’s OK to fly to NY, for a short, late honeymoon. The doctor smiled and told me to travel as much as we possibly can, since those going to be our last solo trips for many years to come. OK doc. But we don’t think so 🙂 We love to travel and we love our relationship too much, for giving it up so easily. 

Our first romantic getaway for a night went perfectly fine, so we decided we can plan our next adventure abroad. 

We chose Sicily as our destination and booked a long weekend at Sheraton Catania. While Saar booked 2 nights with my parents and 3 more nights with his other grandparents. And although I was super nervous to leave him for 5 days, everything went great and everybody enjoyed themselves. 

In the next post I’ll write more about my experience of leaving a baby for the first time. Until then, enjoy some photos from our adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day 


Happy Mother’s Day to all the lovely mamas!

Being a mother is the hardest and most challenging job I have ever had. It’s also the only job I wake up to with a smile. The only job I want to keep on doing forever and ever. The career I want for a life. 

Yes, maybe it’s not all roses and I was blessed with the most amazing child and supporting spouse, but motherhood made me a much better version of me. 

~ I’m so much nicer  to others, much more relaxed and patient.

~ I’m so much faster and can do a gazillion things in just 1 hour.

~ I appreciate every minute. 

~ I’m living the moment. 

~ I know that family always comes first!

So Happy Mother’s Day. Run kiss your mama 🙂

Don’t fear. Do.


As a young mother in the modern world, I knew my career will always be in a high priority. Yet after spending, 6 months in my current position and being unhappy, I still had a lot of fears and doubts, holding me back from making a move. 

Besides feeling extremely underpaid and not getting a raise, I started to be really worried that I’m making no professional progress. Non of my projects got approved, my budgets got smaller and smaller and my motivation dropped daily.

And even though the change was much needed, for the first time in my life I felt terrified. Who would hire me with a one year old at home? How can I commit to a full time job? What would I say when I’ll be asked to work over time?

So I stayed at my job. Unsatisfied, unappreciated and miserable. Until 2 weeks ago. I decided again to ask for a raise, but the conversation with my manager went like a slap on my face. No raise. No respect. No understanding.

That day I realized, I can’t hold myself back any longer. I have to change things. I have to do it on my own terms, before I find myself out.

And today after applying to great positions in super cool companies I know how much is waiting for me out there. My only obstacle was me.

Lesson learned. Don’t fear. Do.

Sleeping through the night

 After a year of sleepless nights, co sleeping with Saar and night feedings, my hubby decided it’s about time for some major changes. And although I got quite used to operating on 2-4 hours of sleep and really enjoyed sleeping with baby Saar, I had to accept that nothing good will come out of this bad habit. 

But what to do? How to change this habit of falling asleep on my boob? How to help the baby sleep through the night?

I found myself with a ton of questions, ton of Internet info, yet with no answers. 

This is when I understood we need some professional help. After getting some recommendations, we chose the help of a child psychologist, and it became one of the best decisions we made as parents.

Today is 2 weeks after our appointment and our lives are changed. Saar is sleeping in his bed, without crying, for almost 12 hours straight! Hubby and I are sleeping together in one bed! I’m finally getting the much needed sleep! 

Yeah!!!!!

The process wasn’t easy but with a little persistent and patience we did it. And if you’re want my 2 cents on the subject, here are some tips:

1. This is a team project. Be ready to work as one. Support each other and don’t break. 

2. If one of you, like myself, can’t stand hearing your baby cry, leave the house for the first few hours. I went out with the girls, while hubby done the hardest part. 

3. Remove all unnecessary objects from baby’s bed (mobiles, toys etc).

4. Pack on pacifiers. 

5. Feed your baby and make her/him ready for bed. Kiss and hug and say good night. Then put in bed and go out. Baby will cry. Mine cried for an hour and a half 😦 But remember you’re doing a great thing. You’re teaching her/him to sleep. Go to the room every few minutes to kiss and hug, but just for 5 seconds. 

6. Run a sleep log. Write when you started and when the baby fell asleep. Also mark how many times you came in to calm the baby. 

7. Don’t feed and try not to give water through the night. 

8. Don’t take out of bed (unless you have to change or take care).

9. Try to stay calm. 

10. After the baby fell asleep, treat yourself with a glass of wine. You’re totally deserve it 🙂 

Happy 1 Birthday

  
My sweetheart, my little monkey boy, my dearest son, happy birthday!!!

I planned the most wonderful day for you, yet life had a different plan for today. 

Instead of partying and eating banana muffins we spent the day at the doctors…
But as long as we spent this day together, who cares?! And I promise, in a few days we’ll get better and I throw you a bigger and better birthday party. 

🐒💞👑🎈
Love you to the moon and back 🙂

20 signs you’re a mother

  

1. You always packing wet wipes. Even in your clutch. 

2. Your wish list is full of baby gear. 

3. You pay daily visits to the pharmacy. 

4. You only drink cold coffee. 

5. You’re always last to eat. 

6. Work becomes a retreat. 

7. 7:30 on a Saturday: you haven’t had your coffee but you almost done with cooking. 

8. Your beauty routine contains no more than 5 products. 

9. Your washing machine is working extra time, yet your laundry pile stays the same size. 

10. It takes you 2 months to finish a post. 

Baby care – 7 products we can’t do without

Before Saar was born, I was sure I’ll be one of those mama earth moms. I spent a lot of time and money on all natural organic products, because I was sure they’ll work best for my baby. Today, 7 months latter, I can say for sure that natural and organic doesn’t always mean better.

In this post I would like to share my must have baby products. 

Bath and shower Emol by Dr Fischer – natural bath oil, with a magical smell Kamil blue by Dr Fischer – soapless soap, for extra dirty days

MoisturizerHydra bebe by Mustela – moisturizer for delicate baby face Hydra bebe by Mustela – body moisturizer for after bath massages

Diaper cream Lavido – our day to day choice for a perfect butt  Cicaplast baume b5 by La roche posay – for red butt and sensitive skin

Eyes Eye care by Dr Fischer – Saar’s morning face wash

This is it for now. Enjoy 🙂

 

Playing with the big boys 

 Wow, what a crazy week! My first September 1 as a mother. Saar’s first days in kindergarten. No more help from grandmothers. It was challenging, yet so much fun. 

I’m so grateful I found Luba’s kindergarten. I think it’s the perfect place for my little monkey. He’s eating big boys food. Sleeping so much better. And most important  he’s really like it there. When I leave him in the morning he’s all smiles. 

And now the weekend is here, and we’re getting ready for the pool. 

Quality time, here we come!

Enjoy your weekend 😉