mama crush

Growing closer through motherhood is kinda a cool thing. (Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of non mama friends and they are just as dear to me as my mama friends.)  But I think one of the greatest things is seeing a friend become a mom for the first time. Going through a pregnancy with them, remembering all the things that you miss (as well as the things you don't.) Seeing them adjust to the sleepless nights and seeing the love in their eyes when they look at their precious new babe.

There is this inherent bond that comes with motherhood. Like we as mothers just get each other (no matter how our parenting styles differ.) We can relate to the bad days and the happy but tired eyes. We get each other. And how cool is it when a great friendship gets that much better because of this bond?

I've know my dear friend Denise for about eight years. She is my polar opposite but yet we click and just get each other. I met her back when i just had one little wild one. We've been there for each other through tons of ups and downs and we've had tons of laughs and great times. She's been with me through 3 pregnancies and I was beyond excited when I found out she was having a sweet lil one.

It has been so amazing to see her transformation into motherhood. How effortlessly it all comes to her. The sparkle in her eyes when she looks at her sweet babe. Her tender words when she speaks about him. So naturally I was stoked that she decided to answer a few mama questions for me.

Name: Denise Linares

Babes: Camden Cruz 4 months

Occupation: mama and make up artist at Denise Linares Makeup Artistry

1. How did you feel when you found out you were going to be a mama?
When I found out I was going to be a mama I was over the moon!! I had been waiting and praying for this day for a long time!!! I was also scared if am going to be completely honest! I worried a lot if he was going to be ok, was he developing correctly and growing as he should and was he healthy. It's an indescribable feeling knowing you are carrying a tiny life inside you and such a responsibility to make sure you are doing everything in your power to make sure that they are safe!

2. What is your favorite thing about being a mom?
My favorite thing about being a mom is the way that my son loves me!! Everyday he makes me melt! When I walk into a room his eyes just light up, when I leave the room they dim just a bit. When I sing to him he smiles from ear to ear, when I play with him he giggles and coos. When I hold him it's as if alls right in his little world and in that moment all is right in mine! He's my best little buddy! I have to say at this stage I'm in (he's 4 months old) my favorite thing is when he grabs onto my hand with both of his little hands and falls asleep that way, I've shed more than one tear looking down at his sweet lil face knowing that this time is already flying by way to fast!

3.What do you struggle with as a mom?
What I struggle with as a mom is finding that balance of giving my son everything he needs, while still finding the time and energy for my husband and everyday life responsibilities while not losing myself in the process. I am a new mama and just starting to figure things out as I go. I really struggle with trying to "do it all!" I get really frustrated and discouraged a lot wondering why I can't seem to just make it happen.

4. What is one thing that has surprised you as a mom? Maybe something you didn't expect, or is different than what you had thought?
I'm not sure what has exactly surprised me as a mom but I had no idea the depth of love I would feel or how incredibly amazing it would be!! He has brought so much more joy into our lives! Even in the hard moments of exhaustion and sleepless nights seeing his sweet lil face light up is all worth it!!!!

5. If you could go back and tell your new mama self one thing, what would it be?
I'm a fairly new mama so i guess what I would tell myself is to take a breath, calm down and try to relax, everything will work itself out! It's easy to let yourself get so stressed out over every lil thing.

6. What do you do that is just for you?
The thing that I do that is just for me right now would be setting aside time to go to the gym. I want to get back into shape and be healthy!!! I feel so much better being physically active!!

Thank you so much for sharing Denise!!! Xoxo