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

Nicole – I learned how to multitask even more so than before!  I also needed to make some major decisions about staying with my baby or continue working, and it was much harder to do, of course, once my baby was with me.  My relationship with my husband did change, and we have shared more responsibilities and learned the efficiency in dividing and conquering on certain tasks rather than doing them together.  I’ve also had to learn how to be more patient with my family, and really listen to them while trying to accommodate my husband’s parenting philosophy.

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

Nicole– The most memorable moment was on New Year’s Eve taking my daughter home from the hospital, where she stayed for 2 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after being born at 2lbs and 28 weeks.  To hold her and know that she was finally on her way healthy start was a miracle, and made our night a celebration not to forget.

BCM - What has been the biggest challenge for you in motherhood

Nicole– Trying to decide on the best and worst items to give a former “micro-preemie” so that she reaches her utmost potential is difficult.  There is so much information out there, so much changes from year to year, and this makes it challenging to know what you are providing is the very best you can do.  That creates added guilt.  Also, learning how to make the most of my time with my daughter while letting her “do her own thing”, as well as making time for my husband and myself (I haven’t mastered that part just yet!), has been a challenge on which I am still working.

BCM - How do you manage your work life balance?

Nicole– Luckily, I have a husband who is very involved and can be flexible to care for our daughter as well.  I always make sure to set aside 3 hours each weeknight with my daughter.  Her bedtime ends up being later, but it works for all of our schedules and we can see her more.   On weekends we don’t make too many packed schedules, because it takes away from enjoying relaxing time together.  We also schedule her activity classes on the weekends, so we can participate in something fun for her.

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

Nicole– Although we’ve moved right outside of New York City, we can easily access events for kids at the Museum of Natural History and Children’s Museum.  We also head to the Turtle Back Zoo and Van Saun Park in NJ, and take Little Gym classes as well as Abrakadoodle art and language classes (I’ve introduced her to Mandarin, after spending 10 years working on business overseas, including China).

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

Nicole -- The Expectant Moms Dinners at Kidville are terrific! An intimate setting, great speakers, dinner, a packed gift bag, exciting raffles, how can you not attend?!

BCM – How did you get involved in Sprout?

Nicole– After my premature delivery, seeing such tiny babies struggle to survive caused me to change my career path.  I felt compelled to do something that would help children develop.  I had a great opportunity to come to Sprout and spread the word about how organic, all natural baby food is the most nutritious and starts your baby eating right.  Plus, it was launched by co-founders who had the same passion, including celebrity chef and father Tyler Florence, who provides the recipes.