Another Cool Mom : Meet Basilmomma

Meet Heather, aka Basilmomma. Her blog instantly inspires the mom cook with her smart breakfast strategies and kid-tested family meals. Maybe it's because I love basil, but everything she makes sounds easy and looks delicious! Heather graciously agreed to answer out Cool Mom questions for Cooking Week.

Names & ages of children: Noah, 11 and Jacob, 8

Feel best about being a mom when: my kids brag about me to others when they think I am not listening. I recently started writing a column in our local paper. Both of my kids, without my knowledge, took the article to school to share with their classes. It was really something that I had done something that they were so proud of. 

Favorite family ritual: My husband and I put both of the boys to bed together. We ask them if they had a good day, their highs and lows. They each get the same number of kisses on each cheek, tucked in and a story or song. I don't know when we started this, I just know if we ever try to NOT do this we have a mutiny on our hands. :)

Biggest mom-stresser: Sunday nights. I am trying to get backpacks packed, clothes out, breakfasts made, and it never fails that one of my kids drops a bomb on me at the last minute like they need money for school (no cash on hand) or have a HUGE project due that they forgot about. 

Most special moment as a mom so far: I have had several but the biggest would be this January when I had a tumor removed and a partial masectomy. Both of my kids wrote a little note (literally little ... on a post-it) to my surgeon to ask him to be careful with me. They were so worried about me and took such great care of me when I got home. I hope they got a little of that from me. :) 

Worst thing I've passed off as dinner: I once made a box mix, pre-made dinner by Macaroni Grill. We like this restaurant and I had a great coupon so I thought I would get it for a night when I had no time to make dinner. I plunked it down on the table and they both tentatively took a bite.  Almost simultaneously they asked me, "What did we do, Mom?" It was hilarious because they thought I was trying to make the most yucky dinner possible as punishment. I also put Laughing Cow Cheese on Triscuits with ham squares and said that was dinner. My youngest said it was like an appetizer made by a kid. :) 

Go-to kid snacks: Sunflower seeds with craisins and mini chocolate chips, tortillas with spinach and feta sliced into pinwheels, and cut up fruit and vegetables.

Biggest timesaver: I make a week of breakfasts on Sunday nights. That way in the morning I just pop it in the microwave and heat up (or thaw out). 

I keep organized by: I make a lot of lists, i even have lists for my lists. I also keep a calendar up for my whole family to see their activities. 

Best piece of parenting advice: Be consistent. I try to do this but it's not easy. I try to do what I say I am going to do and mean what I say, if that makes sense. 

My mom style is: casual but structured. I am definately the planner so I really feel more like the CEO sometimes. :) 

Where I go online for ideas & inspiration: As far as food inspiration goes I like Ina Garten, Julia Child and Rachel Ray. That is an odd mix but I like to read their cookbooks to get ideas. I read a LOT of cookbooks. I currently have 17 from the library. I am about 1/2 way through a Mark Bittman and I love the new Tyler Florence: Family Meals. I like to think I take a little from each one to build on.

Mommy Monday :: Margaret Laracy is a cool mom!

Meet Margaret Laracy, a mom I've recently gotten to know because our girls are in the same preschool class. Plus she has an infant son who also has an aversion to napping. 

She's one of those moms that truly makes you think, I don't know how she does it! She's funny & smart, always full of energy, and the best at dealing with playdate meltdowns (even when it's not her kid). And don't believe her that her house isn't spotless!

Margaret is a cool mom ... read on ....

-Stephanie

Names & ages of children Marie - 3 years   Ray - 6 months

Feel best about being a mom when I hear Marie playing with her 'friends.' I love hearing her little voice create an elaborate and imaginative scene.

Stopped feeling guilty about Keeping my house in order on a consistent basis. I try to give in to the moment more and realize these special, simple years won't last long.

Favorite family ritual Going on family walks around 'the loop' in our neighborhood. We do try to do this all year long, but especially every evening in the summer just before bedtime. Such a peaceful way to end the day.

Best family vacation We head to New Harbor, Maine each year during the third week in June.  It's an amazing and special time to reconnect with each other, siblings and cousins. I hope the tradition never dies!

What you miss most about pre-kid life?  I think I fall into the common answer of...freedom!  I miss the fact that I wasn't watching the clock as much, trying to keep to a schedule.

How do you find time for yourself?  Luckily my kids have an early bedtime, so I capitalize and occasionally workout, read, pray, watch a movie with my husband, have a glass of wine or even go the grocery store alone.  7-10pm in my house is very peaceful.

Biggest mom-stresser? Currently my biggest stressor is getting my 6 month old on a predictive sleep schedule!

What do you see your kids doing that you know they got from you?  All of Marie's facial expressions....ALL ME. It's scary! And Ray? He's just cute to look at...no habits yet at his wee age.

What have you learned from your kids? They continue to teach  me the value of a single moment and to be patient. I am reminded of this throughout the day, at night I make a vow be more peaceful the next day, and somehow forget it every morning. I hope I continue to get another day to try again.

What do you see your kids doing that you have no idea where they got it? I occasionally wonder from day to day where Marie picks up certain sayings or habits. Then I catch myself or my husband saying something and I realize she hears EVERYTHING we say!

Biggest surprise vs. your expectations pre-kid?  Two is way harder than one.

Most special moment as a mom so far? Child-birth. Those moments after the baby is born are simply a gift from God.

Mommy Monday :: My sister is a cool mom!

Happy Monday! The Cool Mom series continues with my sister, Susanna Quasem. In addition to being an awesome mom, my sister is a fantastic child and adolescent psychiatrist living in Nashville. Not a bad thing to have in the family, right?

I admire my sister's kindness and compassion - she has the biggest heart of anyone I know. But she also has strength and tenacity. The woman has completed a marathon and multiple triathlons for goodness sake!

Meet fellow Cool Mom - and my best friend - Susanna Quasem.

-Stephanie

Name & age of child(ren): Sofia, age 2 years

Feel best about being a mom when: I have the whole day to spend with her and we have a fun day planned

Stopped feeling guilty about: Working, now that I have a part-time gig--3 days is highly recommended!

Favorite family ritual: Cooking dinner while Sofia "sets" the table (getting out silverware, folding napkins) while talking about her day at school

Biggest challenge of motherhood: Finding time for everything that's important besides Sofia--husband, exercise, myself, watching TV :)  

What you miss most about pre-kid life?  Being able to go to a movie without thinking. Now I have to plan and arrange all the details--the right timing so that I can put Sofia to bed or so it’s during her nap time, figure out who will watch Sofia while I’m gone, make sure she has her snack/drink/etc, and worry she’s going to have an accident on someone else’s carpet while I’m gone…

How do you find time for yourself? I have lately been trying to find time for myself so I can exercise. I decided to train for a half-marathon and am trying to not feel guilty about taking the time to train for this. I usually run during nap times when my husband can keep an eye on Sofia. My other pleasure is TV—I DVR my shows (Criminal Minds is my favorite) and stay up late watching them on the rare night that Sofia goes to bed on time.

Biggest mom-stresser? I’m not sure which is the biggest, but I stress about a lot of things—in my nature to be a “worrier.” What school should I send her to (public, private, Montessori), is she lonely since she doesn’t have any siblings yet, am I a bad mother since Sofia’s not in church school like I was, is her health/IQ going to be badly affected since I let her eat too many sweets and I can’t seem to get her to go to bed on time EVER, is it terrible that she still ends up in our bed halfway through the night, etc etc etc…

What do you see your kids doing that you know they got from you?  I hate seeing signs of anxiety in her, which I KNOW comes from me—when she’s shy around kids/adults and doesn’t want to speak or show her face. I so want to spare her from being a worrier or an anxious kid—just want her to enjoy life!

What have you learned from your kids? PATIENCE! She is also helping me to learn to just “go with the flow” more—who cares if her shoes are on the wrong feet or her socks don’t match? Sofia has also taught me to enjoy and live in the moment more since I can’t believe time has flown by and she’s almost 3!

What do you see your kids doing that you have no idea where they got it? Sofia can dance—she’s got rhythm and moves that are inspired—who knows where this comes from?

Biggest surprise vs. your expectations pre-kid? The feeling of overwhelming, almost to the point it hurts love that you can have for someone else—I knew it would be there but was surprised at the strength of it. Also expected to be able to have more kids no problem—have been surprised that having a second one has been so much harder.

Most special moment as a mom so far? When Sofia said “you’re the best mommy in the world.”