BCM - How did your life change when you became a mom?

Lesley - Being a mom is wonderful, challenging, fulfilling and scary, and those are just my emotions by 7 am! I have learned to live with a very messy playroom, clutter in the kitchen, 3 years of photos that need to be put in an album and roots that desperately need coloring! Yet I am also living with laughter, tons of gummy candies and adorable artwork all over my house! Seeing their innocence and the world through their eyes is refreshing and uplifting. I am permanently exhausted but I will catch up, one day….

BCM - What has been your most memorable moment (s) as a mom?

Lesley - I don’t have one because there are so many amazing first time milestones like hearing their first word, watching them walk, seeing their eyes shine when tasting ice cream, and seeing them smile (knowing it’s not gas). Now milestones have evolved to activities like jumping off the diving board, riding a bike (with training wheels), ordering their own food at a restaurant, loosing a first tooth, watching my older daughter read a book to her younger sister in the evening, or watching my youngest pick out her clothes and seeing what crazy mismatched outfit she will walk out wearing (always with a tutu). Hearing them giggle is the absolute best! Not every memorable moment is joyous because I will always remember getting the phone call from my nanny that my 3 year old stuck a bead up her nose and they were off to the ER.

BCM - What has been the biggest challenge for you in motherhood. Any advice for new moms?

Lesley - I remember when I was a new mom that everyone seems to be an authority on everything: sleeping, feeding, etc., but the one thing that I learned was that you are your child’s best advocate and protector. If you are worried or concerned about something, a mother’s instinct is usually correct. Don’t let people hold you back if you have questions, concerns and want to seek the answers do it! This will always be the case.

BCM - How do you manage your work life balance?

Lesley - I always have guilt, but that most likely comes with the territory. Being a working mom I believe in quality over quantity in terms of work/ life balance so we maximize all the time we can together. I won’t miss a chorus concert, a first day of school or a birthday but they know I won’t be able to be there at 3 pm pick up but I try to surprise my daughter when I can. You might see all 4 of us at the Grocery Store on a Sunday morning; we try to spend all our time together on the weekends. I don’t know what I am going to do when they prefer seeing their friends on a Saturday over us! 

BCM - What types of activities do you like to do w/ your kids?

Lesley - We have dance parties often- acting out & singing all the songs, my girls like to bake and eat the batter (the best part) they love arts and crafts. We love to pick fruit: apples in the fall, berries in the summer. We try to see live entertainment when we can and of course going to Museums! 

BCM - What has been your favorite Big City Moms event?

Lesley - I love the holiday parties- Halloween & Valentine’s Day! PLUS the sampler class – once a week we went to a different class around the city!
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FUN FACTS: 

I’m totally obsessed with…

Lesley - my iphone. I love being able to tape their favorite TV show from my phone when they ask me to right as I get out of the shower or as we get into the car!

My biggest influence is….

Lesley - My husband and my parents: They have all supported & encouraged me to follow my dreams and work in the arts.

My favorite drugstore buy is…. 

Lesley - hair conditioner – all kinds, I am still searching for the perfect one!

Products I can’t live without..

Lesley - Oren’s Daily Roast Coffee

My guilty pleasure is...

Lesley - Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Glee, and ridged potato chips

Favorite NYC restaurant…

Lesley - Nobu 57