KatieC (@k.cangi ) ❤️ Cupkin

Remember, big love happens in small moments

Hey Mama,

I know motherhood can be exhausting and draining somtimes, but enjoy those sticky kisses, messy rooms, and loved moments while you have them.

This season of life will pass in the blink of an eye and you'll be yearning for these times again.

Take it all in, Katie Cangi

P.S. Remember, big love happens in small moments.

My top 4 parenting hacks / advice

Hack 1

Snacks. Do not go anywhere without them! The best way to avoid hangry kids is to make sure you always have at least something small to hold them over before you get to your next meal. Some of the kids favorites are: bananas, Stonyfield Organic yogurt pouches, and Annie’s Organic cheddar bunnies.

Hack 2

Essential oils are essential. I always thought oils were for hippies until I gave them a try. I’m constantly diffusing in our house and I genuinely believe it has become part of the kids routine to help them calm down before naps and bed. Every night at bath time I put 2 drops of Young Living’s Peace & Calming and Gentle Baby oil in the tub; even if bath time is a disaster and you come out soaking wet, you at least have some of the freshest smelling kids to rock to bed.

Hack 3

Less is more. This is true for so many things in life but it couldn’t be more true with children. We brought our first baby home to an 900sqft apartment in Philly and people thought we were crazy. Then we brought baby #2 home to that same apartment. 2 kids under 2, 2 adults, and 1 husky is a lot for 900sqft apartment, but we made it work by staying very selective about what we brought into the house. Intentionality in every toy purchase, piece of baby furniture, and accessory may have seemed weird to some family and friends but it allowed us to live in a decluttered space which gave our kids the space they needed to stay creative through independent play.

Hack 4

Sleep when the baby sleeps. Yes, you’ve heard this a million times and it’s nothing new, but it’s really hard to listen to. It’s so much more fun to grab a glass of wine and a movie after the kids are down and sometimes it’s necessary, but don’t feel like a dud for jumping into bed at 8:30pm. You will thank yourself in the morning. There are still times now when I get the golden double-naptime with both kids asleep early afternoon and I’m not embarrassed to hop on the couch and grab a peaceful hour of sleep. Chances are I’ll be up a few times tonight....

7 questions about my journey

When did you become a parent?

I became a parent on September 1, 2018 @ 2:30am when we welcomed my daughter, Ellarose, into the world. At the time I was still teaching and my summer vacation had just come to an end a few days prior. I had already setup my classroom for the year and was sure that it was going to help put me into labor (those last few weeks of pregnancy are brutal!). We were living in Philly at the time and I delivered at Pennsylvania Hospital, one of the oldest hospitals in the country (it was founded by Ben Franklin :)

How was the 1st night home with your first child?

Our first night home as parents was amazing because the hospital is not the greatest for trying to get sleep. It felt so good to be back in our apartment as our new little family and Ellarose slept so well (don’t be too jealous, that only lasted a few months...) Although Ellie was giving us solid stretches of sleep our husky, Franklin, ended up getting sick and throwing up all night. So even though we had a newborn sleeping through the night in the house, we didn’t get much sleep 😴

What is the hardest thing about being a parent?

For me, the hardest thing about being a parent is the lack of sleep. I was always someone who needed 8 hours of sleep at night and that’s just not a thing right now with our two kids. This is why I really cherish that double nap - perfect time to catch up on some zzz.

What is a super power you wish you had?

If I could choose 1 super power I would want to be able to teleport anywhere at anytime. It can be a process trying to get the kids packed and in the car and I would love to be able to just zip around whenever!

Where is your favorite family vacation spot?

Our favorite family vacation spot is Wildwood, NJ. The best beaches, most fun boardwalk, and the tastiest summer food, drinks, and treats! We love Wildwood so much that both of our kids made their first trip to the shore within their first 2 weeks home from the hospital. We have parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins who all have houses somewhere in Wildwood so it has always been a place where we have made some of the best family memories. And last year our dream came true and we bought a historic, 7bd home in the heart of Wildwood that we renovated from top to bottom and we now rent it out for others to come visit. (staythenite.com)

What is your favorite thing to do with your kiddo(s)?

Our Saturday morning walks are my favorite thing to do with the family. Almost religiously, our Saturday morning routine consists of a stop at a local coffee shop for some caffeine and a pastry and then a long walk throughout the neighborhood. We usually end up at the park or somewhere for the kids and dog to run around and play for a while before heading back to the house for morning naps.

How do you keep yourself sane with the stress of parenthood?

I’d love to say that I destress with some yoga and a ride on my peloton, but that would be a lie ;) I love grabbing a glass of wine and lounging on the couch to watch some mindless reality TV and relax!