BCM - How did your life change when you became a mom?
Stephanie - Everything changes. Priorities shift. There are others to consider now in every choice that you make. My capacity for love changed. The amount of love I felt for both babies was overwhelming. I couldn't believe how natural being a mom came to me. Becoming a mom changed the love I had for my husband as well. His support and his focus on taking care of all of us has been the rock that holds me together and makes me a better mom. I struck gold with him! Our love grew exponentially.
BCM - What has/have been your most memorable moment (s) as a mom?
Stephanie -All the milestones are a given but seeing the boys interact with each other is so incredible. The baby just adores his older brother. He watches him, what he plays with, where he walks, and flashes a smile that is so incredible. When Jake is not trying to lay on top of him, he shows so much love and gives Jesse great snuggles. I take in the loving moments between them and film it, so that in 6 years when I am pulling them off of each other during a tussle I have proof that they love each other.
BCM - What has been the biggest challenge for you in motherhood?
Stephanie -Other than the toilet training, it is definitely trying to give both boys 100% after I get home from work. When I walk in the door I try to hug, play, bathe them, and listen all at once. It's not that easy when the couch looks so enticing.
BCM - If you could give another mom or expectant mom one piece of advice, what would it be?
Stephanie -Surround yourself with a good support system; family to help you, friends to let you vent, and support groups like the ones BCM offers. That way, you realize you are not alone and others can help or give sound advice.
BCM - How do you manage your career as a teacher while being a mother and a wife?
Stephanie -I can be a good teacher and keep my head focused on the students when I know my children are well taken care of. My mother and husband hold down the fort. They guide, teach, love, and nourish the boys during the day, and then I come home and pick up where they left off.
BCM -Congratulations on the success of Monster Bash! What was the inspiration behind the book?
Stephanie -I spent my summers at a camp in the Berkshires and made incredible, lifelong friendships. This little camp was my safe haven as a child, a place I truly felt comfortable being myself. It was there that I was able to build my self- esteem and learn to the value of acceptance. I wrote the book as a Halloween poem to my friends that I had met there. It came out of my heart, then sat in a closet for 10 years. One day I shook off the dust, read it again, and thought it would make a wonderful Halloween children's book with the message, "Always be true to yourself and be accepting of others."
BCM - Do you have any more books in the works? Perhaps a sequel to Monster Bash.
Stephanie - I do have ideas for a sequel to Monster Bash but nothing has been committed to paper yet. I have two other completed manuscripts that will hopefully be putting smiles on the faces of children and adults in the near future.
BCM - What types of activities do you like to do with your sons?
Stephanie -We love the outdoors! Hiking, walking on the beach, and digging in the dirt. Jake loves to jump in puddles. After a heavy rain we put on our boots and go splashing. Jesse likes to ride on my legs in the air and on long walks he enjoys giggling at the leaves on the trees. I can't wait for him to walk on the trails with us!!!
FUN FACTS
BCM - I'm totally obsessed with...
Stephanie -capturing every single moment on my various cameras
BCM - My biggest influence is....
Stephanie -my family
BCM - My favorite drugstore buy....
Stephanie -diapers, diapers, & more diapers
BCM - Product I can't live without....
Stephanie -coconut oil
BCM - My guilty pleasure is....
Stephanie - ice cream & General Hospital
BCM - Favorite meal....
Stephanie -blueberry pancakes
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