Summer is flying by and we have a new mama for you to meet! This month we are featuring Samantha. She is an amazing mama to an adorable 2 year old named Marley (also sometimes a Parker Baby Co. model). Her sweet family currently resides in Windsor, CO and Samantha is a business litigation attorney at a law firm in Boulder, CO. 

Favorites

Favorite mommy product: 
Easy… dry shampoo. I know, I know, it’s not just for moms. But, never have I relied on something more after becoming a mom. Being a full-time mom/career woman does not leave much time for personal pampering. I recommend always having 2-3 bottles on hand, and even a spare in the car, just in case – there is nothing worse than rushing to get out the door in the morning and realizing you are out of dry shampoo. Personally, I prefer Dove’s, but I believe all dry shampoo is created equally. 

Favorite baby product: 
Honestly, I cannot remember a lot of our favorite baby products – feels like a lifetime ago. However, we have this light up/singing elephant that has been a godsend ever sense Marley was born. It has been in her bed since the day we brought her home from the hospital and is still a staple almost 3 years later! When it lights up, it projects color changing stars on the wall and ceiling and plays baby lullabies. Whether it is putting Marley to bed, getting her back to sleep in the middle of the night, or laying her down for naps, that elephant has always been the magic touch. See it here: SwaddleMe Slumber Buddies Elephant Soother.

Favorite way to have a little “me-time”: 
I am almost embarrassed to admit how truly basic I am. But if I have to be honest, just give me a glass of red wine and let me indulge in some Real House of Wives of any city. 

A couple more questions...

What is it like raising a beautiful biracial child in the current environment? 
This question is interesting and also somewhat difficult to answer. Had I been asked it even just a few months ago, I’m almost certain my response would vary significantly. I’d be lying if I said that given the current racial, political and social climate that I don’t often wonder what struggles Marley may face in her life, and what adversities may come her way based on the color of skin.

However, I truly believe that there is no better time than now to raise an amazing, beautiful biracial child – not only for Marley’s sake, but for our entire family. We get the privilege of experiencing various cultures, and learning firsthand about the different beliefs, ideas, and opinions from people of all different backgrounds. If there is one thing I wish to teach Marley, it's to be accepting of others, to be opened minded, and to be open hearted. My hope is that she never feels as though she must fit into one particular box or conform to any particular mold.

Can you talk a little about your pregnancy and birth experience with sweet Marley? 
I had a fairly difficult time becoming a mom. After trying for almost a year, my husband and I went through two miscarriages. One very early on and one a little later into the pregnancy. Miscarriages weren’t something that was ever really discussed in our family, so it wasn’t something that I really worried about or even considered as a possibility. I was amazed to hear how many women in my life had experienced the same misfortune. I guess it is not something that you just go around advertising.

I was deeply comforted having them share their stories with me and knowing that I was not alone. My third pregnancy was lucky number three and, as I later learned, was our little rainbow baby. I was sick for most of the pregnancy and was hospitalized twice for hyperemesis. Marley must have known that I was having a hard time because she decided to join us one month early. Of course, with my history you can guess that the birth wasn’t a walk in the park either. I won’t bore you with the gory details, so let’s just say that 26 hours plus a few flips, turns, and pulls later we were greeted by a healthy, beautiful little girl. Even through it all, I would unquestionably do it 100 times over.

What is the first thing you do when you put Marley down for sleep? 
Usually I catch up on work. I have an amazing job that allows me to have very flexible office hours – which is essential with a little one and an hour commute. However, that often means late-night catch-up sessions after she goes to bed.

What fun Summertime activities have you been up to during the quarantine? 
Our typical quarantine day consists of getting our morning coffee, going for a walk around the neighborhood (and having to explain each time why the park is still “closed”), coloring, painting or playing with playdoh, and then typically a movie and popcorn to end the day. Some of Marley’s favorite summer activities have been water balloon fights in the yard (girls versus daddy of course), swimming at the lake with her cousins, and having sleep overs with grandma and grandpa. I must say, that even through all the turmoil, angst and uncertainty, I am so grateful for the incredible time that I have been able to spend with Marley and the unforgettable memories that we have been gifted. From the little things like cooking breakfast together, to going out for our afternoon paddle board rides with the family, it has been such a joy to be able to spend such precious quality time with her that we otherwise would not have had.

Advice

Please share some words of advice for all the mamas out there! 
I think the best advice I could give to all current or future moms is to let go of all expectations. Forget any preconceived notions of what it means to be a perfect mom or what you must do to raise the perfect kid. Motherhood is challenging enough without the constant pressure of measuring up to some idealistic image. Cherish every moment, enjoy life’s imperfections, and always do what feels right for you and your little one.