Hey moms! Find all sorts of useful tips and parenting hacks from other moms just like you. The Mom Life: Real Moms Interview Series is a place to get support and advice from people who have been there… or are there. Today we’re hearing about Alexandra’s Mom Life.
Alexandra is a mom to an adorable little boy, and she has just added another little one to their family! Alexandra is a full-time mom and blogger who has some great tips for an easy go-to meal, toy rotation, and trusting your gut.
I can’t get enough of hearing advice from other moms. Learning tips from moms who are rocking motherhood is so inspiring to me! Moms who have tips for easy weeknight meals, creating family moments, cleaning hacks, money saving, family travel, and just Mom Life in general.
Today we’re hearing about Alexandra’s Mom Life. In the time since I interviewed Alexandra she has become a mom of two! I’m sure life has changed a bit since these answers, but I really enjoyed hearing about her mom life as a pregnant momma to a toddler!
Alexandra’s Mom Life
Tell us a bit about yourself and your family
My name is Alexandra Mullins and I blog about pregnancy and parenting at www.coffeeandcoos.com. You can follow me on Facebook or Instagram. I’ve been married for 4.5 years. We have a two-year-old son and another boy due any day!! They actually welcomed to the family an adorable baby boy just a few weeks ago! Congratulations!
We have a little house in a small(ish) town in Ohio and we’re working on paying off our student loan debt so that we can save up and build our dream home. Being a mom has been amazing so far and we are loving this season of life.
As a mom, what is the best part of your day?
I love our morning routine. I have a two-year-old who just started sleeping in a big boy bed and doesn’t think he’s allowed to get out of it on his own (which is great). He hollers for me to come and get him and we have breakfast together and I get to enjoy my one cup of coffee (since I’m pregnant). It’s the only meal that he doesn’t sit in his high chair for and he usually climbs onto my lap to eat. It’s such a relaxing time of day for me.
3 Words that describe your parenting style?
Laid back (is that two words?), loving, and silly
What is a parenting rule you never break?
I don’t play with sleep. Nap time and bedtime are pretty serious around our house.
What is a parenting rule you always break?
I tend to give in when it comes to snacks. Goldfish, fruit snacks, crackers… you name it. If he asks enough, I usually always give in.
How do you prioritize family-time and me-time?
Um… I don’t really. To be honest, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on “me” time. Sometimes, I need a break, and I’ll let my husband know. It’s crazy how a trip to Target by yourself feels like “me” time when you’re a stay at home mom. If I ever want to have a girls night or take a hot bath by myself, all I have to do is say the word. My husband is very good about letting me do my own thing.
What is your go-to, easy weeknight meal?
Anything in the crock-pot. In the winter, we love chicken tortilla soup. It’s the easiest thing in the world. Two chicken breasts, one can of black beans, one can of corn, two jars of salsa, and a little chicken broth. I serve it over tortilla chips with sour cream, cheese, and jalapenos!
What is your favorite family activity?
Honestly, I love anything that we get to do outdoors. We have a great front porch and we could spend an entire day out there playing backgammon and Yatzee and watching Weston run around.
What advice would you give new moms?
You have to do what’s right for you and trust your gut. There are so many different ways to parent and everyone seems to have an opinion. I remember being so self conscious about how long I breastfed, the fact that my baby wasn’t sleeping through the night at 6 weeks, the fact that I didn’t give him food at 4 months (and so on). I always felt like I was being judged by our old school relatives. But, guess what? I have a happy, healthy two-year-old that couldn’t be kinder. I feel like we did something right.
Do you have a “Mom Hack” you can’t live without?
Toy rotation! I just started this after being overwhelmed by birthday and Christmas presents. I have half of my son’s toys packed away in the basement. Every couple weeks, I rotate toys and it’s like they’re brand new and exciting again. It keeps my house more organized, I always know where the pieces to things are, and it keeps him interested in his toys.
How do you balance work and home life?
I am blessed to be able to work from home on my blog, Coffee and Coos. I started it about a year and a half ago and it’s officially bringing in what I consider to be full time income. I only work about 15 hours a week (during nap time). It’s honestly been one of the biggest blessings of my life. I feel like I get the best of both worlds.
What is your best Mom money-saving tip?
I have lots of those! When I became a stay at home mom, I started taking frugal living very seriously. I think the best thing you can do with your money is make a budget. I’m a big Dave Ramsey fan so we make every dollar count. You can make a budget at www.everydollar.com and truly see where your money is going every month.
Do you make a point to stay healthy and fit? If so, how do you fit it into your busy lifestyle?
Working out is very important to me but I tend to do an awful job when I’m pregnant. We have Beachbody on Demand which offers a ton of different workouts you can do from home. It’s only $100 a year and I do them in my living room with my son running around.
Also Read: Fitness for Busy Moms
If you enjoyed reading about Alexandra’s Mom Life, check out last week’s Mom Life Interview.
A huge thank you to Alexandra and congratulations on the adorable new baby! Be sure to visit Alexandra on her blog Coffee and Coos to read more about Alexandra’s Mom Life.
I loved reading about Alexandra’s Mom Life. Meet more moms and read their advice and experiences every Saturday! You can also find more Mom Life tips on our Mom Life Pinterest Board. If you’d like to join in on the fun, leave a comment below or send an email to exploringdomesticity(at)gmail(dot)com with subject “Mom Life Interview Series.”
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