“You looking good, birthday girl!” My 4-year-old showers me with compliments, even when it’s nowhere near my birthday. If you tell him otherwise, he’ll insist it is. From “check you out” to “I’m proud of you, you did such a good job,” his tiny voice fills our feel-good buckets in the sweetest, most unexpected ways. Of course, in true sour patch kid fashion, the sweetness often follows right after an insult. But that’s life with my little one—spicy and sweet, all wrapped up in love.

Boy Mom Chronicles — Today’s joy came from a “rowboat” made of yoga blocks and a steering wheel made from his LeapFrog controller. Between meetings and emails, my son reminds me that creativity, laughter, and love are always within reach. Mama, find your moment of joy today—you’re doing better than you think. 💛

Toddlers have one volume setting—LOUD. Whether it’s a burst of excitement, a tantrum, or a random shout during their favorite show, the noise is enough to leave me startled and overstimulated. Yet the moment my toddler hears another loud sound, he covers his ears and says, “Too loud, Mama!” Oh, the irony. But even in the chaos, I see the beauty of his growth, his personality, and his becoming—and I wouldn’t trade it for quiet.

When you're a work-from-home mom on summer break, there are no boundaries between meetings and missions to Mars. One minute you’re answering emails, the next you’re dodging aliens and flying a yoga ball spaceship with Woody, Buzz, and Captain MJ. It’s overwhelming, exhausting, and absolutely unforgettable.

Sometimes the tightest toddler hugs are the ones that take your breath away — literally and emotionally. MJ called me a bunny rabbit, then wrapped me in one of the tightest squeezes of my life. It was overwhelming… but I’ll take it. Because one day, he won’t want to hug me like this. And I’ll miss it with everything in me.

Sour Patch Mornings: Life with a Moody Toddler

"Mom, I'm mad at you!"
"Why, MJ?"
"Because you didn’t let me feed the dogs!"
"You were asleep… if you were awake, why didn’t you get up and help?"
"Don’t tell me stories!"

That’s how we kicked off our Friday—moody toddler edition. Some mornings feel like an emotional marathon. MJ wakes up full of feelings—cranky one minute, needy the next, then irritated, and before I know it, he's wrapping his arms around me saying, “I love you, Mommy.”

It’s whiplash… but it’s also love. Parenting him sometimes feels like being in a mini, dramatic relationship. One where I constantly have to remind myself: he’s not giving me a hard time. He’s having a hard time. And I'm here to guide him through it.

Summer break has officially arrived, and I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that MJ just finished Pre-K3. Come fall, he’ll be in Pre-K4—and I swear he’s already acting like a teenager. As grateful as I am for the time together, I’m even more thankful for summer camp (at least for a few weeks). Because let’s be real—24/7 togetherness might test both of our patience.

This season is full of snack requests, skipped naps, and endless “Can we go to the park?” pleas. But it’s also full of reflection, gratitude, and that wild kind of love only a mom can understand.

Just when I thought I could finally relax after a long week, motherhood had other plans. One minute I’m cozy in bed with a good show queued up, the next I’m springing up to a dramatic “MOM!”—only to find my son protecting his slushy from our curious Pomsky. Sometimes, the chaos is louder than the crisis. But hey, that’s life in the boy mom lane.

A warm June morning, a Peloton ride, and the unexpected confidence boost from a 4-year-old—this is motherhood in motion. In this Boy Mom Chronicles entry, I share a moment that reminded me to keep showing up, give myself grace, and walk in peace. Because sometimes, the most honest encouragement comes from the tiniest voice saying, “WOW, CHECK YOU OUT!”

Friday morning mayhem. 3am wake-up call from the toddler monster, offering me a sliver of his twin bed like a peace treaty. Cute… but no thanks. By 6am, he’s conquered the TV remote, navigated to his own profile, and settled in like he pays bills around here. I finally roll out of bed, squeeze in some yoga, and try to meditate. The mantra says, “Breathe in, pause, listen…”—only to be met with, “Mama is RUDE,” followed by a tirade about a pillow that apparently doesn’t have my name on it. Still, I showed up for myself today. I’m in my pink dress. I’m tired, yes, but I’m here. Breathing. Pausing. And learning to be a little kinder to myself too. That hug and kiss at drop-off? It was all worth it.

My toddler spent all of Memorial Day weekend calling me like I was his personal assistant. The sass? Unmatched. The energy? Endless. The patience? Questionable.
Let’s just say this holiday was a sneak peek into summer break… and I’m already in survival mode.