MB - What is your most memorable moment of becoming a mom?

There’s no way to prepare for the minute they hand you the most precious gift you’ve ever had, so when they laid Cash on my chest just after he was born, we just looked at each other. I think he was just as surprised as me to be lying there. We just stared. I touched his sweet face & smiled at him as I told him how happy I was that he was finally here.  I’ll never forget when I saw his eyes and lips for the first time. 

MB - What adjustments have you had to make to balance work and motherhood?

Prior to becoming a mom, all my time was for myself.  I could work when I wanted, travel when I wanted, socialize when I wanted, get my hair cut on a whim, shop anytime I wanted….I could do anything, anytime, anywhere for me.  I worked all the time (day and/or night, most the time both). As soon as Cash was born, my time was for my family. I still work extremely diligently and put a lot of myself into my job. But, when Cash gets home in the evenings, all my time is for him. And, I wouldn’t have it any other way! We play, take a "splish-splash," giggle, roll over, grab toys, sit up, spit up, cry, and play some more. The evening time is so precious, and my work instantly took a back seat to Cash.

MB - How did you become interested in the healthcare industry?

I have a science background and a pre-med degree. Although I graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Biology (perfect scenario to enter medical school), I could not commit within myself to be in that career long term. I knew I was interested in the healthcare industry, but I wanted to combine my energetic lifestyle with my science background. Sales in the healthcare industry was an avenue to do that, so I ventured down that path.

MB - Cord blood banking sounds so technical - how would you explain it in 1-2 sentences to an expectant couple?

It’s a hard question because it is technical…I guess I would say, "Banking cord blood stem cells is a non-controversial way to protect you and your family (most importantly, your children) for today, as well as for years to come. There is obviously no harm to mother or child, and many diseases are treatable and/or curable today with cord blood stem cells. Call Viacord’s educated clinical consultants to ask any questions you might have or go online at www.viacord.com for more information."

MB - What is a typical weekend day in your house?

We still wake up at 6:00 or 6:30am, but we don’t have the pressure of a weekday.  I am very lucky because my husband and I have a very active lifestyle that changes all the time.  We are rarely home all day on the weekends, but we think of Cash first. Last Saturday, we woke up, fed Cash, took him for a walk around our neighborhood, and then went to the gym. Our gym has excellent childcare, so Cash gets to play with new friends there all the time. They watch him for 2 hours at a time, so we usually do that at some point in the day on Saturday and Sunday. After we worked out, we took Cash to the pool for his first time to swim. He loved it, but of course, he got sleepy. I didn’t get very much sun, but when he smiled with daddy in the water, nothing else mattered. He is eating cereal now, so we have to make sure we get it to him consistently three times a day. We came home around 6:30 pm and started getting him ready for bed. It was a terrific Saturday for our family!

MB - How do you maintain your sense of style? 

I thought it would be harder to be stylish once I had a baby, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I believe being physically fit and healthy is key to looking and feeling good all the time. If you are healthy and happy, you can create your own style. I love people who radiate happiness and confidence from the inside out. Inner peace is one of the easiest things to recognize, yet remains one of the hardest things to achieve. In addition to keeping in shape, I also read quite a bit. I have a sinful addiction to People and US Magazine, so I take fashion ideas away from those magazines. I also read People Style Watch each season, as well as other fashion magazines. This year, Greg surprised me with a trip to LA, so it was nice to see the versatility and functionality in the fashions for the season.

MB - What activities do you like to do with Cash and why?

I love to lay Cash on the bed and listen/watch him talk to me. He squeals, laughs, "talks," rolls over. It’s the best part of my day. I also love to show him new things. I love watching his eyes when he sees something new. They are so bright & innocent. He will just stare and try to process each new thing.

MB - What is the best advice you received about being a mom or raising a child? 

One of my best friends (mother of two beautiful girls) told me…when the time is right and they are ready, they will learn anything you need them to. She was telling me about potty training her oldest. She said she tried too early and her daughter wasn’t ready. She said it didn’t go well and she fought her the whole time.  bout a month later, she tried again on a weekend (her daughter was ready), and she learned in two days. She said, "If you force it, you’ll have to fight. If you wait to the right time, it’s easy." I’ve already experienced that to be true with Cash. 

MB - If you could give another mom or expectant mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

I guess it very cliché, but I’d have to say…"Don’t sweat the small stuff." You always have other people trying to tell you what’s right for their age…what developmental step they should be at now, etc. But, I have so many things I want Cash to know about life that doesn’t include being the "first" to do things. I want him to know about life in its entirety. I want him to know how to pay attention to people, realize when someone needs him, see situations in their complexity and recognize how he can actively participate. I want him to share himself with others and listen to people when they speak. There is so much more to life than being the "first" to walk. If you can remember it’s not a race, maybe it will help to raise a well rounded child. 

MB - Do you have a motto you would like to share with other moms?

When Greg and I got married, I loved this quote. I think it’s true to life not only with yourself, but in marriage, raising your child, facing death and disease, etc.  It’s a very simple, common quote, but I love it. It is: "Work like you don’t need to money; Love like you’ve never been hurt; and, Dance like nobody’s watching." Also, raise your children to be happy, healthy, balanced people!