Introduce yourself!
A: Hey there! I’m Angela and I currently reside in Central Florida. I am a working mother, soon to be a working, mother-in-school (Lord, help me!) I work in the healthcare industry and am employed by one of Central Florida’s largest not for profit organizations. I enjoy the healthcare field and have decided to change my career from business professional to clinical professional.
Are you a single mommy? A married mommy?
A: I am a happily married mommy!
Introduce us to your kids!
A: My husband and I have 3 children. We have a 10 year old daughter named, Jacqueline. She is truly my numero uno. She’s so independent, so kind and so thoughtful. She’s an artist at heart and loves to paint, draw and color. Truly, she loves anything to do with expressing her talent. We also have an 8 year daughter named Jasmine. This little lady is so self-sufficient. She’s extremely thoughtful and will say a prayer for you in a heartbeat and mean it. Last but not least….(clears throat), we have a 6 month old son named Wesner Amir. *sigh* He has stolen all of our hearts. He’s a serious fellow, always in deep thought.
What were your births like?
A: All of my birth stories are similar as I had a c-section with all 3 children. My first two experiences were great. I was able to bounce back quickly and had little pain. My 3rd surgery, however, was completely different. In all honesty, my entire pregnancy was different than my first two. It was unexpectedly painful with a recovery just as painful. I thank God though, because He blessed us with 3 beautiful, healthy babies.
Did you breastfeed? Why or why not?
A: I didn’t breastfeed with our first two children, so I challenged myself to breastfeed our last child. I was successful for the first 5 months and then he just decided he had enough. I think he had a difficult time going from breast to bottle and back to breast when I had to return to work after 12 weeks. I was very sad that our ‘bonding’ time was over, but I’m grateful that I was able to breastfeed a lot longer than my first two go rounds.
Tell us about your website, 1LoveBlog.
A: 1LoveBlog.com is all about motherhood, natural hair and inspiration. I started this blog back in 2011 as something to do for me. As a woman and as mom, we’re always taking care of family and home first. Put a full-time job in that mix and self moves further to the back. So, I needed something for me. From 2011, it’s grown a little. I’m surprised that people to this day click by my space even if it’s for a little while. I’ve recently created another blog, NaturallyChicOnline.com, as another outlet to focus on life and culture, chic moms, fitness, love, and anything else in between you can think of.
Both blogs are outlets that I do as a hobby. Eventually, I hope to be able to venture it into being something I am able to do part time. Who knows, we’ll see where God leads it.
What advice would you give a mommy who wants to start blogging?
A: I say go for it with both feet in but at the same time, be realistic. Write down what you want to achieve with your blog and why you’re doing it. If you remember your mission, you’ll enjoy it and it will undoubtedly manifest into something great.
How do you balance work and motherhood? How do you carve out time for yourself?
A: Prayer, prayer and some more prayer. I’m on a weight loss journey and have lost about 46 pounds since having our last child. So my ‘me time’ these days are 30 minute sessions with Jillian Michaels via DVD.
What is your biggest parenting challenge right now?
A: For the last 8 years, it’s just been the four of us (me, my husband and our two girls). So when we were blessed with another child, I had to learn it all over again. I had to find my balance between being a wife, a mom of two children who were pretty self-sufficient, while ensuring that I was present in this new life that was relying on me heavily. 6 months in and I’m still trying to figure it all out.
Who is your child-rearing support group?
A: My biggest support is family. Between my parents and my in-laws, we are fortunate to have people that care and love on us when needed. My husband is a great partner and father. Just when I’m about to pull my hair out, he’ll whisk the kids away so that I can re-energize and regroup.
How do you determine that your kids are happy and well-adjusted?
A: Their smiles. Their words. Their actions. I am truly trying to live in the now and focus on their feelings, their thoughts, their dreams. I want them to know that I’m here for them no matter what. I want them to know that they can come to me about everything, no judgment. When they do any of these things, I know that they are well-adjusted and happy.
What is the most important value, ideal or philosophy that you want to impart to your children?
A: My husband, then boyfriend, and I were very young when we had our first daughter. I was 19, unmarried and a sophomore in college. By 21, I was a mother of 2. We know the statistics. And I refused to be one of them. So I dug deep, finished school (on time) and landed a great job that was going to kick start my healthcare career. Determination, perseverance, the will to succeed and faith. These are all things that I strive to teach my children daily.
What advice would you give to a new mom?
A: Children grow up way too fast. Live in the now, so that you don’t miss it. You’re going to make mistakes and it will be ok. That’s the beauty about children. They love you in spite of your flaws.
About Leila
Leila is the founding editor of Baby and Blog. She splits her time between editing hair and culture site, Black Girl with Long Hair, whipping up butters at BGLH Marketplace, and writing here. She adores her husband and two kids, her parents and her friends. But she hates Chicago weather although she is slowly coming to peace with it...
