Being physically connected from Millisecond one.

Periodically feeling completely Overwhelmed trying to negotiate life, family, and work balance.

Treasuring those early, intense, depleting, wonderful, terrifying days of nursing and baby care.

The joy of Having a tight knit group of loving yet periodically (and thankfully honest) freaked/frustrated mama pals who have made clear what great parenting and friendship is all about.

Experiencing a deepened connection with my mom, which in turn has made me ever more grateful to have grown up with both of my grandmothers in our household.

Having been forced - by virtue of motherhood completely ripping you out of your comfort zone – to Re-evaluate and make changes; to reconnect with Jon post-baby, to make a huge professional leap so that my hours away from Laurel made an iota of sense, to abandon the idea of perfection... Structuring life on my own terms has given me more joy and energy to be a mom, wife, daughter, sister, professional, etc.