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Instagram post 2190426523335527759_4038845033 This last week, more than any time, demonstrated the importance of community to me. ⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- knowing that there’s an entire group of people who are incredibly invested in your success is an amazing and empowering experience. ⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ It makes me want to be the best version of myself. It makes me want to give back and continue offering value. And most importantly, it makes me want to nurture those relationships and strengthen these bonds of friendship. ⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ I also think celebrating us getting to 10K is as good a time as could be to introduce you to the newest member of the Happily family!⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧. 𝐇𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. ⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ Our whole family is completely infatuated with him. And so far, he demonstrates the same affinity to @happilyomair as his siblings- which leaves mama sadly outnumbered. ⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ Having a tiny baby who depends on me for everything has also reminded me that these early months of motherhood are amazing but can be difficult, lonely and full of unexpected challenges as well.⠀ ⠀ I want to express my gratitude to all of you who have reached out to offer help, a friendly ear and checked in on us. Even if I haven’t always been able to reply, knowing that there are so many people sending their prayers and ready and willing to help us along has meant so very much. ⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ In conclusion- thank you for being my community. Many of us will never meet in person but you are all such an important part of my mosaic.⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ I am so grateful that you’re all here. I’m so excited for all the amazing new things I have in store for all of you in 2020. And I’m so blessed that I’m able to share my journey with my littles with you so that we may learn and grow together. ⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ Onwards and upwards dear friends!⁣⁣⠀ ⁣⁣⠀ #muslimmom #chicagomom
Instagram post 2186715477160656456_4038845033 I've been reevaluating a lot about how I function on social media, and often get so wrapped up in my own stuff that I forget to share other women doing amazing things. ⠀ ⠀ As we approach the end of this year, I’ve been thinking a lot about the many women I’ve met on Instagram who have helped me be a better mom, entrepreneur, and most importantly a better person.⠀ ⠀ Today, I’m taking advantage of Woman Crush Wednesday to celebrate some of them. They show up and spread joy, knowledge and positivity every single day.⠀ ⠀ You all know my ride or die besties @salamsudduf and @lindsayandco who are awesome as awesome can be.⠀ ⠀ @flourandspiceblog and @mirteaching who are always willing to offer support but don’t hesitate to call you out when you’re being insane (I often am).⠀ ⠀ @meaganawilliamson who is my Pinterest queen and @victoriahboyd who is my social media marketing queen! They also listen to me moan about all the random stuff.⠀ ⠀ @mintcandydesigns because she is the best at supporting others. I don’t know anyone else who works as hard to promote fellow bloggers and content creators.⠀ ⠀ @motherlikeaboss and @lisacanning for being my absolute #momgoals and always show up as authentic and loving mamas doing amazing things.⠀ ⠀ @sweetographer for being the funniest and one of the best dessert photographers I’ve ever seen.⠀ ⠀ @confessionsofamuslimmom and @rminor84 for having incredible insights and being so generous with their time and knowledge.⠀ ⠀ @blendofspice, @myuniversalkitchen, and @hungrypaprikas for always sharing delicious recipes that keep me inspired and cooking at home⠀ ⠀ @truenorthslings for being my mom bestie and sending me the sling that makes life with a newborn so much easier.⠀ ⠀ @mumstheworkpk for being unfailingly kind, @thespiceofadulting for always saying it like it is and @michelle.elfvin for combining humor and creativity in the best possible way. ⠀ ⠀ I could go on and on but the number of characters allowed in a post limit me. In the spirit of sharing amazingness and those who spread it, I want to know who are your favourite people on Instagram! Tag them below and the reason why you love them.⠀ ⠀ #womancrushwednesday #womensupportingwomen
Instagram post 2185055089125954239_4038845033 Given that I'm currently immersed in mothering, I've decided to start a series called Mom-Life Mondays- talking about all things mom-life. I have a whole slew of things to share with you: my favorite baby products, how to introduce a newborn to their siblings, keeping your sanity while mom-ming new ones and so much more.⠀ ⠀ However, I'm starting with something that has been highly requested - my very own lactation cookies recipe.⠀ ⠀ Breastfeeding is something that most of us think is going to be totally natural and can end up being one of the most difficult parts of becoming a mom.⠀ ⠀ One of my favorite things about nursing, beyond the cuddles and bonding, is these lactation cookies. Over 8 years and 3 kids, I've tweaked and perfected it where its now one of my favorite cookie recipes. I always keep a batch in the freezer, even when I'm not nursing.⠀ ⠀ These cookies come together super fast and the recipe yields around 4 dozen cookies. You can play around with the mix-in's and add/remove whatever you like. The only non-negotiables are flaxseed meal and oatmeal, especially because the recipe doesn't contain any brewer's yeast. I found that it upset my stomach and made the babies super gassy so I omit it- however, if you find that you're good with it, drop 2 tbsp of that in there too and it'll work great.⠀ ⠀ Now the million-dollar question: do these actually work? My husband tells me that these are just my excuse to eat cookies and that may be true. I would say that in general, if I run out and don't eat any for a couple of days, I do feel a drop in supply. At the very least, they do end up being a flavorful and somewhat nutritious snack while nursing or pumping.⠀ ⠀ They also make an AMAZING gift if you're visiting a new mom. Just package them in a cute bakery box, tie with a ribbon and you'll be her favorite person for as long as the cookies last.⠀ ⠀ You can grab the recipe on my blog at happilyhafsa.com/lactation-cookies or through the link in my bio!⠀ ⠀ What did you find to be the most helpful in making nursing a newborn easier for you and your family?⠀ ⠀ #momlife #lactationcookies #momlifemonday
Instagram post 2180677945264293037_4038845033 Today, I’m an 8 year old mom. Where did the time go?⠀ ⠀ The journey from Adam to this baby has been long, at time arduous and full of lessons. Since it’s his 8th birthday, I’m going to share the 8 biggest ones with you.⠀ ⠀ ⚡️Fed is best. Yes, breastmilk is the best for our babies BUT there are often extenuating circumstances. I know this x2 (more on this soon). What we all want is a healthy thriving baby.⠀ ⠀ ⚡️The days are LONG. The cycle of momming while managing life is hard. It gets harder with multiple kids. We should be able to acknowledge that WITHOUT feeling guilt and the constant need to say we’re grateful (that goes without saying) ⠀ ⚡️The years are so short. I feel like we brought Adam home from the hospital yesterday. So yes- enjoy every second of them. BUT, stop telling every mom with a baby that they grow up fast. She knows!⠀ ⠀ ⚡️Time not toys. With Adam, we got him ALL the toys. But I’ve realized 8 years and 3 kids later is that kids want our time and attention. They’re happy playing with some plastic containers and wooden spoons.⠀ ⠀ ⚡️Prepare them. We want to make and keep our kids happy, but they will have to experience the negative emotions. It’s better to equip them with the tools to manage those emotions than shelter them from experiencing them.⠀ ⠀ ⚡️Boundaries are essential. Yes, they lived inside your body and came out of your girl parts. But you must impose boundaries around privacy and appropriate behavior. Healthy boundaries = a happier family and a child who feels safe because they know their limits.⠀ ⠀ ⚡️Trust x2. Have trust in your instincts as a parent and build trust with your kids. You know your kids best. Believe that. And be a person of your word. Follow through when you promise them something. You are going to model to them how to believe in themselves and also be people of integrity.⠀ ⠀ ⚡️The love only grows. When Adam was born, I thought I could never love another human being this much. But the truth is that I do. I love the person he is today even more. And that love will only continue to grow, even as it gets divided between siblings.⠀ ⠀ What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a mom?⠀ ⠀ #momlife
Instagram post 2177792864250134547_4038845033 New motherhood is a minefield- whether it’s your first time on the merry-go-round or your third.⠀ ⠀ I often get messages from friends asking me how I’m doing and how we’re adjusting to life as a family of five.⠀ ⠀ Truth: each day is different- and even parts of every day are different.⠀ ⠀ For example, yesterday, swimming went great- unlike last week when it was a total disaster. But once we got home, I had two kids in two different bathrooms yelling for help, an oven timer going off with food about to burn and a screaming baby.⠀ ⠀ That’s the reality of parenting. As you add more kids to the mix, it just gets more unpredictable, adventurous, exciting and challenging.⠀ ⠀ I honestly thought going into it the third time that I was prepared for it. And in many ways, this has been the easiest adjustment so far but there are still challenges.⠀ ⠀ Not having family nearby can be a huge challenge, because it leaves you without a safety net to fall back on.⠀ ⠀ There are moments when friends you thought would show up are nowhere to be found minus the perfunctory phone call or message.⠀ ⠀ There are trips to the pediatrician, the lactation consultant, the sprints through the grocery store or Target as the baby wails.⠀ ⠀ There are mountains of laundry, unexpected ailments, problems feeding the baby, a baby that won’t sleep at all or sleeps too much, and a million other things that you couldn't have imagined, much less planned for.⠀ ⠀ My mantra for this phase is: it only gets better.⠀ ⠀ Slowly, there are more days when everything goes beautifully- you get a 5 hour stretch of sleep, the kids are all in a good mood, your bestie brings you fresh baked cinnamon rolls and life is amazing.⠀ ⠀ I've learned that it's so essential to work on your mindset so it’s less about what you have to do and more about what you HAVE- build those time management skills and incorporate some productivity tricks, indulge in some self-care and cut out the unnecessary things that are taking away time from everything else. Even being the lynchpin for your family, don't forget you're also YOU and you need time.⠀ ⠀ I'd love to know- what is/was your greatest new mom struggle?⠀
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