Martina Travel Permalink

Places to visit with kids at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!

Martina August 26, 2022

A few weeks ago we took a family trip to Myrtle Beach and stayed 3 nights/4 days. We had a great time! There are plenty of places to eat, have fun, and relax!

In this post, I’ll share some of the places we visited so you can have an idea of where to go if you visit Myrtle Beach!

The Visitor Center:

Before you do anything, definitely stop by one of the many visitor centers that you will pass to get a few coupon books to save money at restaurants and fun attractions! This is the one we visited and the coupon books we received definitely helped us as a Family of 6!

The Beach:

Our first stop was the Beach! There are so many you can choose from but we went to the Beach located on North Ocean Boulevard! Honestly, half of your day can be spent here. The beach is so relaxing and the kids enjoyed building sand castles, running back and forth in the water to catch the waves, and overall just being at the beach and enjoying the scenery!

Everywhere else we visited during our stay was done at Broadway at the Beach! It took us 2 days (if you start your day early you can get through it in 1 day) to get through some things and walk through it in its entirety.

There are booths to purchase souvenirs as well as tons of eateries and shops throughout Broadway at the Beach. The kids even got tattoos that last up to a week of their favorite characters on their arms. We weren’t able to do everything we wanted so we’ll definitely be taking a trip back for a chance to finish what we started during our visit.

Our first stop was for our 3-year-old who wanted to see the Dinosaurs so we stopped by Dino Park.

Dino Park:

This place is perfect for toddlers! Our 3-year-old loved seeing the dinosaurs and interacting with them. They had a play pit for kids to play in at the end of the tour as well as an area where you can color and clean the dirt off of the dinosaur fossils. To be honest this place is not for older kids and the walk-through to see the dinosaurs was a bit short for my liking. So, I’d definitely recommend using the 30% off coupon (remember to stop by a visitors center to pick up some coupon books) for this attraction!

Our next stop was for our 10-year-old. She wanted to visit Wonderworks and I must say this was by far our favorite.

Wonderworks:

This was our favorite attraction! It’s so much to do for all ages. It wasn’t crowded and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. We loved the simulators, games, the 3D adventure and so much more! Best of all, you can also find a coupon as well for this and save a few dollars and your tickets are good for ALL day. You can leave and come back at no extra charge!

My oldest decided she wanted to go to Paula Deen’s. When we went to Savannah, Ga a couple of years ago she really wanted to go but we didn’t get a chance so when she saw that Myrtle Beach had a Paula Deen’s restaurant she made sure we stopped by!

Paula Deen’s:

This restaurant was also located on broadway at the beach! The food was really good- my favorite was the collard greens and my favorite dessert was the banana pudding! One thing about this restaurant is that you can NOT take leftovers home (only dessert) but the food keeps coming! It’s not a self-serve/buffet but your waiter will bring out food for you each time you request more.

I hope this post helped you if you’re planning on taking a trip to Myrtle Beach soon or in the future! It’s so much to do and experience!!

XOXO,

Martina

18 Nov 2021

Martina Motherhood No Comments Permalink

How I’ve learned to build a relationship with my Teenager!

Martina November 18, 2021 No Comments

My oldest became an official teenager in March of this year and it has definitely been a journey. I get emotional every time I think about her growing up! This journey of her developing into her own person hasn’t been bad but it has definitely had its challenges. When I found out she was a girl I was SO excited. I couldn’t wait to dress her up, play dolls with her, and do all the things moms and daughters do. We did all of that and more but nothing couldv’e prepared me for this season of my life! I really miss her being my “little” girl but I’m embracing her becoming a young woman.

We both are new to this. She’s growing up and although I’m very emotional that my baby is not a baby anymore, I’m learning to be ok with it! Nothing really prepared me for this stage of her life. And to be completely honest, it was rough, and sometimes it still is. I’m trying to navigate around wanting to yell, take her phone and hide it until she turns 18, and zip her lips shut when she gets the idea to keep talking back. Parenting a teenager is hard but I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be.

So, I wanted to share a few things that have helped me grow closer to her and create a trustworthy bond because this teenage thing can be very intimidating.

Self-Discovery & Affirmation

1.) We clashed a lot at the beginning because she was changing and didn’t understand it and she struggled with how to communicate her feelings. Learning to approach me about “big girl stuff” was difficult at first too. Honestly, it really started around the age of 11 or 12. So, exploring different aspects of her personality, style, likes/dislikes, etc. I wanted her to know that it was ok to be different. I reminded her constantly that she didn’t have to be or dress like other girls or follow a trend. I had to affirm her and reassure her that being yourself is a great thing. Giving her that reassurance and being ok with the things she liked really opened the door for our bond.

Don’t take it Personal

2.) Hormones and emotions will be out of this world!! Sometimes she’s said some hurtful things, told some little white lies, walk around with a whole attitude because she’s mad about something, and has even pushed me away and just didn’t want to be bothered with me or the rest of the family. Guess what? It’s normal! It’s a part of growing up and you just can’t take it personally. This is something I had to work on. Let it be known, I do expect her to be respectful at all times but just like I have bad days and don’t want to be bothered sometimes, I have to remember she will have those days as well. So, I try not to take it personal and improve in some areas as well!

Be Intentional

2.) What does your child show interest in? Pour into that! Show interest! Invest in whatever it is they like at the moment to show that you hear them and care about their current interest. For example, my daughter loves makeup and she wants to be an actress. Although she isn’t allowed to wear makeup outside of the home (if she wears it, it’s very minimal) I buy it for her often. Why? Because she loves it and it’s not doing her or anyone else around her any harm. She wants to be an actress so we allowed her to be in Drama at her school and even though I don’t like the extra driving a few days a week, I do it so she’ll know that I hear her and care about her future. Plus, it’s a free investment! It’s at no cost to me to allow her to participate. Sometimes it’s the little things!

Allow room for open dialogue or communication

3.) In order for trust to be built in this mother/daughter relationship. Trust had to be established. And yes trust needs to be established in the relationship! Your teenager needs to feel like they can trust that mom won’t tell the whole world her business. I would jokingly say things to certain friends or mention things that I thought weren’t that big of a deal and she actually told me she doesn’t like when I would do that. I had to change how I viewed her. She’s literally growing up and she wanted to feel like she could trust me with what she tells me.

Another part of our open communication is that I am also always asking her how I can be better, if I’ve done anything to hurt her, or is there anything you want to tell me or talk about? And if she’s done something I don’t like or approve of, I’ll let her know how I feel as well. It’s really important to me that I keep that door of communication open! Being concerned and interested goes a long way. I did have to work on being overbearing because I can do the complete most sometimes lol but I just want to make she’s good and that I’m raising a respectful young lady.

Have Grace!

4.) Don’t forget you were once a teenager and had your own attitude and struggles! Not much to say here but just reflect on what it took for you. I go back and think about how I was as a teen, what I wish my parents would’ve done or how I wanted to be treated and I go from there. I even tell her to extend grace to me sometimes because this is new for me too!

Remember you’re still the parent: Let me start by saying that I don’t have it all together and I’m constantly learning how to be a mom to a teenager! I refuse to let her walk over me or talk to me like she forgot I was her mom (inserts side eye) but It’s been difficult trying to navigate through a journey that I’ve never been in and it’s been hard because I struggle with trying to be so many things to her and for her. These new teenagers will definitely humble you and allow you to grow as a mom, parent, friend, and overall human being. They have questions and want to get their point across and I’m learning to respect that but even in that, the relationship needs balance. You know what it takes for you and your child, so just do what works for you!

Mama’s: I’m wishing you the best so let’s grow together on this journey and be what we need to be for our teens!!

XOXO,

MARTINA

03 Nov 2021

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Our stay at Embassy Suites on International Drive in Orlando, FL!

Martina November 3, 2021 No Comments

*This stay was hosted by Embassy Suites on International Drive but all opinions are my own*

My family of 6 had the pleasure of staying at the Embassy Suites on International Drive in Orlando, Fl while visiting for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. This hotel was just what we needed. It was absolutely amazing and spacious! It’s a great hotel to stay especially if you have a large family. We’ve been to Orlando, Fl quite often, and because our family has grown tremendously we needed a hotel room with enough space and this suite was very accommodating.

The Entrance:

When we arrived, we were captivated by the entrance of the hotel. To the left of the front desk, there’s a Toy Story photo opportunity for the little ones. That alone had my 2-year-old son excited to be at the hotel. I honestly didn’t expect the inside to be as beautiful as it was. The hotel has a total of 8 floors and you can see the rooms from the lobby. I absolutely loved the view from our room on the 8th floor but my two oldest girls weren’t really a fan. So, if you’re afraid of heights you may want to get a room on the lower level.

The Room:

Our room was so beautiful and spacious! We stayed in a one-bedroom queen suite and it was VERY spacious for our large family of 6. We definitely needed the space and it was befitting for our 3-night stay in Orlando. There is a spacious living area when entering the room and there’s a large pullout sofa that can sleep two (my 13-year-old slept there). There’s also a television, a table, and 2 chairs, and a mini kitchenette with a small refrigerator, a Keurig, microwave, and small sink, the bathroom is near that area as well.

Please note: that the mini kitchenette does not come with dishes and silverware.

When entering the actual bedroom there’s a door to separate you from the living space. There’s another large sink and mirror in there as well as 2 queen beds w/ a dresser and another tv. My husband and I slept in one bed and my 10 year old and 2 year old slept in the other bed. We also had enough room for a travel bassinet that our 10-month-old slept in. It was very spacious! It definitely eliminated a lot of clutter and slept each of us comfortably!

Another thing I loved about this hotel is that they offer FREE breakfast during your stay! The kids loved making their own Mickey Waffles too. When you arrive the front desk clerk will give you a breakfast schedule and you’ll be able to see what they’ll have each day and the seating that is arranged in the breakfast area is arranged to accommodate social distancing which was also was a plus for me! They have Lysol wipes in the breakfast area if you need to wipe down anything such as tables, chairs, and high chairs!

Monday-Friday breakfast is from 6:30-9:30 am and on Saturday-Sunday as well as Holidays breakfast hours are from 7:30-10:30 am

Who doesn’t love a hotel with an indoor and outdoor pool? We were so excited when seeing they had both!! We did most of our swimming in the outdoor pool because the weather was so perfect but just in case it was cold we had the option to enjoy an indoor pool as well. The fitness center was another plus as well. My husband was definitely a fan! Just in case we had a long day exploring Orlando both facilities stayed open for long periods.

The pool was open 7 am-11 pm and the fitness center was open for 24 hours!

The Embassy Suites on International Drive in Orlando, Fl was the perfect hotel for our large family of 6! From the time we arrived until we checked out we were definitely satisfied with everything this hotel had to offer. My husband and I, as well as the kids, enjoyed a lot of the Disney displays around the hotel (even the ones on the elevator), complimentary breakfast, as well as the spacious room! Our experience at this hotel helped make this trip a vacation to remember…

XOXO,

MARTINA

01 Oct 2021

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Why you should visit Downton Abbey Exhibition: Atlanta

Martina October 1, 2021 No Comments

I was able to visit The Downton Abbey Exhibition which is based on the Emmy winning hit which is a replica of the show and once you enter you’ll feel like you’re actually on set. But before you enter the https://www.downtonexhibition.com/ you will be amazed at the entrance. It gets you ready and excited for the whole experience! You really get to experience life at Downton Abbey while also getting into the life and world of the Crawley Family.

I never heard about the show Downton Abbey until I watched a show on Netflix called Bridgerton and then it showed up on my recommendations so I’m still in the beginning phases of the show which has 6 seasons. It ran from 2011-2016 and a movie came out in 2019. I’m trying to be done with the series before the other one comes out in March of 2022!

Since fall has arrived, I think I’ll have plenty of time to play catch up.

The Entrance

I decided to take my 13-year-old daughter with me because she wants to be an actress and she loves things like this and I thought it would be a great experience for her. When we walked into the exhibition we immediately saw the red rope and feel like we were walking into a movie premiere. It definitely had us even more excited when we entered the building. And they also have safety protocols in place- so you must wear a mask.

The Walkthrough

This is where you’ll get an in-depth understanding of the characters, the house, the era, and some behind-the-scenes looks. You’ll see big pictures of the characters and there’s a description under each picture which really helps you understand who they were in the show. They even touch on a housekeeper’s life, racial prejudice, and homosexuality back in that era.

I also enjoyed walking through some of the most important places at the house, such as the dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and more… My daughter and I were able to enjoy interaction pieces such as videos and touchscreen opportunities.

The Clothes

I had to dedicate a section for the clothes because let’s just say this is where I got my life!!! These clothes were everything!!! I have a friend who would’ve appreciated these looks just as much as I did. I honestly saw a few pieces I would wear right now. They have costumes from the weddings, bedtime wear, what they wore in their hair, what the servants wore, and more…

From what I’ve seen on the show so far, the attire for dinner is my absolute favorite.

The Gift Shop

Once you finish your walkthrough, you’ll end up in the gift shop! You’ll find items from Mrs. Patmore’s Kitchen like mugs, tea, and even her own personalized wooden spoon. You’ll also be able to purchase accessories such as hats, gloves, and even Jewelry. The gift shop is a great way for you to collect items that will always allow you to have your own personalized items to remember from the hit show!

That’s everything from the Downton Abbey Exhibition in Atlanta. You’ll really have to go to experience it for it yourself because I could only give you just a peek inside. I’m still in awe of the beauty of the exhibition from beginning to end.

If you’re a fan of the show you’ll definitely appreciate the work that is put into this exhibition. From the costumes, the staging- which includes a magic mirror and large projections, the in-depth understanding and history of each character, the behind-the-scenes look, and just an overall look at all the aspects of the post-Edwardian period in which the popular series was set. It’s truly phenomenal!

If you’re in Atlanta or plan on visiting soon, Below you’ll find some key information for the Downton Abbey Atlanta Exhibition and how you can make plans to attend.

The Exhibition is here in Atlanta until January 2022!

Tickets can be purchased now at http://www.downtonexhibition.com. One of the best things they offer is that if you want to take your child along with you as I did, your child will receive a FREE entry! They also have VIP packages as well.

It’s located at Perimeter Pointe in Sandy Springs, 1155 Mount Vernon Hwy NE, Atlanta, Ga.

Thanks for Reading!

-MARTINA

25 Aug 2021

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Dinosaur Explore at Stone Mountain Park!

Martina August 25, 2021 No Comments

Did you know that Stone Mountain Park is one of the most visited attractions in Georgia? It’s one of our family’s favorite places to visit! As a native of Atlanta, Ga, visiting Stone Mountain Park for the Fireworks show, Picnics, and to walk the mountain use to be so much fun for me as a kid! So, it’s always exciting to share those same experiences with my children every year. This park has so much to offer for a FULL day of fun for the entire family. Entertainment, great food, and we can’t forget the southern hospitality and charm. On our most recent visit, we stopped by Dinosaur Explore and it was amazing! Our 2 -year- old son is obsessed with Dinosaurs and we thought this would be the perfect place for him to experience it.

Upon entering, you are met with a handheld Dinosaur for your little one to touch and speak to. He’s adorable!!

There are 20 life-size Dinosaurs with special effects and sounds that make you feel like you’re actually in the presence of a real Dinosaur. You walk a trail to see each one and you can also stop and read about each one. It was an amazing experience for our family but especially for my son. I thought he might’ve been afraid but the atmosphere is beyond kid-friendly but enjoyable enough for kids and adults of all ages.

Toward the end of your walk, you’re able to feed the Dinosaurs as well as take pictures and then you can go and enjoy the rest of what Stone Mountain Park has to offer because to enter Dinosaur Explore you have to an Attractions Pass.

So, if you’re visiting the Atlanta Metro area or if you live in Georgia and you’re looking for something to do with the family with tons of activities and great food! Stone Mountain is that and more!

Be sure to check out Dinosaur Explore before it ends on October 31, 2021!

XOXO,

Martina

22 Jun 2021

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My Laundry Room Makeover under $50!

Martina June 22, 2021 No Comments

Are you looking for a way to update your laundry space on a budget? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

As a Mom for 4, I am always looking for ways to update different spaces in my home at an affordable price as well as appealing to the eye! To be quite honest, I’m not the best at home decor but I love watching Do it on a Dime on youtube and by watching her videos, she has helped me organize and update my space to my liking all under $50! So, I want to do the same for you!!

Here’s the Link to the full before & after video on my YouTube channel- https://youtu.be/pUxfHeEM9Bo

*So happy I found this Dollar Tree sign for the entrance

*This soft mat was 50% off at Hobby Lobby

Here are a few tips on how to create the perfect space on a budget:

1.) I started out with a color scheme and I wanted something fun and easy to coordinate with…. So, you could choose your favorite color or find a bin you’d like to use in your space and work your way around that!

2.) Figure out how much money you want to spend! I honestly, wanted to stay under budget but if you’d like to spend more money on certain items that you want, there is nothing wrong with that! DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!

3.) If you see something you like, go ahead and purchase it for your space because most times (depending on the store you’re at) you won’t find that item again. You can always take it back!

4.) Have fun! It’s not about what anyone else thinks…. It’s your space and you make it look like how you want it!!

*All bins, baskets, hangers, small pics are from dollar tree and the wash/dry sign is from hobby lobby

* I love hanging this diy basket next to my dryer to store my lint

*All bins are baskets are from dollar tree

I hope after you’ve read this blog and/or saw my youtube video that you’ve been inspired to update your own laundry room on a budget! It’s super easy and you’ll be glad you did.

XOXO,

Martina

29 Oct 2020

Martina Uncategorized 4 Comments Permalink

Book Review: Modern Manners for Moms & Dads + Giveaway!

Martina October 29, 2020 4 Comments

I am so happy to be collaborating with Evie & Sarah on their book launch, “Modern Manners for Moms & Dads”! Today I will be sharing my thoughts on the book without giving too many details and then I’ll be sharing how you can enter the giveaway to receive this book as well!

*This book was gifted to me by Evie & Sarah and all opinions are my own*

When many of us become first time parents, we basically teach ourselves, get advice from friends and family, or even read a book or two to help us navigate through this thing called “parenthood”. I know I have! Parenting can be hard but being vulnerable enough to ask for help or read a few books along the way helps us as we discover the unknown of what parenthood can bring. That’s why I’m thankful for books like “Modern Manners for Moms & Dads” because it helps us get through those early stages of parenthood and raising different children with different personalities, as well as, how we can do better as parents!

Without saying too much about the book, one of my favorite things that they tackle are “Parenting Perspectives” in Chapter 1. My favorite take away from this chapter is that there isn’t a single perspective everyone should aspire to take, especially since perspectives can change over time. Even though we come at situations and circumstances with different parenting perspectives, there’s almost always a right answer. I take that as, do what works for your family because what may work for another parent may not work for you. A person’s perspective is just their point of view, so they really dig into a parent’s perspective by helping you to really look at how you manage things as parents in a different light.

Lastly, they tackle “Personal Appearance” in Chapter 6….. They stated that Personal appearance communicates to people around you how you feel about yourself and that you give people the impression of who you are with the clothes you wear, your posture, your hygiene, and even the expression on your face. This chapter really resonated with me because I am intentional about my appearance because it makes me feel good when I look good! Especially now as a pregnant mom of 3, I don’t always feel my best, but when I am intentional about how I look, it truly works wonders on how I feel. Now you won’t catch me in makeup often because I don’t feel like doing that every time I’m out and about and because, well you know, the mask we have to wear makes putting on any lipstick pointless as well. We as parents, whether it be mom or dad should always be intentional about how we maintain our personal look. These ladies get to the bottom of things and they make you really check yourself on your personal appearance. Now I know everyday wont be picture perfect but I love how they tackle this subject!

Me and my husband will be parents for a 4th time in a few weeks and we’re always trying to improve in areas as parents. We have a child in middle school, elementary, an almost 2 year old, and soon to be newborn. So trying to navigate all these different ages can be tough. Even though this book is catered to parents with children ages 0-5, I feel like any parent within any age group can learn from these topics. We can never stop learning and/or improving to be a better parent!

I hope you enjoyed this book review! This book was written by two busy parents and offers child rearing guidance from real experts on:

Leading your family with kindness and awareness
Setting a good example and realistic expectations for little ones
Maintaining friendships and good communication

You can purchase the book at the following links below-

I will be gifting one lucky person this book! If you are interested in receiving a free copy of this book, please comment on this post and you must subscribe to Evie & Sarah’s mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/gcDBg1.

Thank you for reading,

– Martina

23 Sep 2020

Martina Marriage, Uncategorized No Comments Permalink

Marital Woes while Pregnant!

Martina September 23, 2020 No Comments

Yes, you read that right! If you know me, you know I like to keep it as real as possible so here it goes…

My marriage was under a little distress these last few weeks… Not that it was anything too bad but we were balancing everything else and it seemed like our marriage was that thing that seemed to go lacking. The kids have been our #1 priority ( as they should be), Virtual learning, Work, and a few other things seemed to come first but allowing our marriage to flourish wasn’t happening. As a pregnant woman, I (speaking for myself) need and desire all the attention I could get during this time and I wasn’t getting it. I tried talking to husbae but either he wasn’t paying any attention or he really just didn’t get what I was saying. I distance myself so I wouldn’t have to drop kick him in the neck lol.. I said if I go to him again, he’s going to say I’m nagging so I’ll just leave him alone until I can ease my way back and gently approach him again. I didn’t want to nut up on the man so I had to be strategic in my next approach.

I really felt like my husband was like this is baby #4, so she’s good! But I wanted all of the attention and felt like I deserved it! I mean I am carrying his baby for the 4th time. Pregnancy is a lot and with my toddler running around, it’s really overwhelming to say the least. I eventually went back to him with a low key attitude and communicated that I felt neglected and overlooked. I honestly don’t think it was intentional on his end but chile homeboy was not here mentally and I was tired of it!! We talked and I cried while I expressed exactly how I felt because I needed him and wanted his attention. We sort of reconciled and moved on….

The next day…. he had the kids ready and he was dressed. I asked where they were going and he then told me to get dressed because he was taking me out on a date and that the sitter was already on the way. Let’s just say, I’ve been happy ever since:-) He took me to get a Mani/Pedi (which was much needed) and we went to Dinner at Red Lobster because I was craving those wonderful cheddar bay biscuits and the same exact meal I had a few weeks prior.

Husbae listened to my heart and we talked and enjoyed each other’s company WITHOUT the kids!! Something we hadn’t done in months so I’m already thinking about another evening with just us before we become a family of 6!

I’ve learned throughout these 13 years together, that effective communication is key! Even if it has to be repeated because some of these men (mine included) need you to say it at least twice for them to fully hear you… Inserts eye roll…. Communicating can be hard for me at times because sometimes my voice gets loud out of nowhere which then seems like I’m yelling when I’m really just trying to get my message across. Then I cry and I don’t like for him to feel like I’m weak when that happens so I tend to stay away from having those tough conversations when I’m upset. I’m still a work in progress… lol… Our marriage is not perfect and has never been! We are constantly putting forth an effort everyday to be who and what we need to be for each other. But honestly there are days that I am looking at him like I can’t believe he’s all mine and then there are days that I want to be like Ms. Sophia from the Color Purple and bash Misters head in and think about heaven later;-)

My only thought to leave with you in this post is to have those tough conversations even when its uncomfortable for you. Especially while pregnant because you’re already hormonal and you have to free yourself of anything that can potentially stress you out. Don’t allow things to fester because bitterness and resentment will set in and that takes everything to another extreme. Marriage is tough sometimes and Pregnancy can be as well. So, when its all said and done, I try to give him the same Grace that I want and need too!

Thanks for reading,

Martina

21 Aug 2020

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The up’s & down’s of being pregnant during a pandemic

Martina August 21, 2020 No Comments

The up’s & down’s of being pregnant during a pandemic

As I type this I think about how lately everything for me has been an emotional rollercoaster because while I’m worried about my life and those around me, I’m also worried about the life that I’m carrying making sure I keep myself safe so I won’t put the baby at risk. It can all be so overwhelming and with all that’s happening around me it seems like there are so many extra precautions I have to take and it can be a lot mentally. However, I’ve been so thankful for this “surprise” pregnancy but I have also been a bit overwhelmed with emotion (especially in the beginning) because the pandemic nearly had me SHOOK! So, I wanted to share how I’ve felt during this time and if there is another mama on here reading, maybe you can relate and share the same sentiments because we’re in this together!

The Upside of Things:

During this pandemic, although very sick in the beginning I was able to stay home and not feel obligated to go anywhere, do anything, or feel like I was missing out on events!
Doctors visits have been super fast and waiting rooms have been empty. I am the only one and sometimes maybe one other woman is there waiting to be seen and my visits last no longer than 15-20 minutes! Before this pandemic, between waiting to be seen and actually getting to the back, my visits would take between 30 mins to an hour.
The whole family has been home…. Kids home from school and my husband working from home, there was no need to have to do drop offs and pick ups daily. We literally stayed put and I didn’t have to go anywhere (and still don’t) and that felt great because I didn’t want too and I literally didn’t have too!

The Downside of Things:

You don’t really get to see close family and friends regularly! My immediate family and lots of close friends are always a huge support during my pregnancies. However, due to maintaining social distancing as much as possible, I don’t get to see everyone that often and even though I don’t really like it the kids hate it more than anything!
I miss date nights!!!! Me and my husband were just getting into making date nights a regular thing… We had a set babysitter and all but covid came and messed everything up! But we may have to make an exception for at least 1 night or a few hours away because we definitely need some alone time before baby arrives.
Everything is just honestly scary overall…. I’ve heard of a lot of pregnant moms having covid. Some making it through this unpredictable pandemic and others who will never see their children grow up because the disease took their lives!

It is a lot to take in but I’m being extra careful and my prayer is that God continues to cover and protect me and my growing family. My prayer is that every expectant mother is covered and protected as well! A lot of things have changed but people are making the best of it and so will I and you will too. There are up’s and down’s to a lot of things in life so I’m taking it as that and moving forward the best way I know how to maintain my sanity. This baby is loved and I can’t wait to meet him or her!

To hear about all this pregnancy check out my youtube video and you’ll get all details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRak2dQqz2Y&t=26s

Thanks for reading,

Martina

20 Sep 2019

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Let’s talk about Periods!

Martina September 20, 2019 No Comments

*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tampax

My period started during the summer before going to 4th grade… Yes! I had to be at least 9 or 10 when my cycle came around. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I got in the car from summer camp and my mom noticed it while she was driving. I didn’t even have a clue about what was going on. She had a talk with me and explained everything from how to wear pads, cleaning my self etc. However, after that, that was it! When my friends would get their periods, they would say they got them and we more than likely asked a few questions but nothing further was said.

At the age of 14 or 15 I started wearing tampons because I felt freer. I didn’t have to worry about the possibility of leakage or my pad showing while I was out with my friends or doing extracurricular activities. Periods can be messy sometimes! Those are the facts… lol… Tampax Radiant has been an amazing product to use because I honestly don’t have leakage and I absolutely LOVE the resealable wrapper that it comes with as well.

Growing up you didn’t really hear much talk about “periods” and it’s one of those things you just didn’t talk about in the open or with people you really didn’t know. But I feel as though it’s an important topic to discuss because menstrual cycles affect us all in different ways and if we talked about it more in our communities we would definitely be able to help the next woman or young girl.

Some women have heavy bleeding, fibroids, irregular cycles, and so on and maybe it’s not as easy to talk about it but if you do open up, you never know who is dealing with the same thing. Healthy conversations will develop and you may even begin to feel like you’re not alone in whatever it is you’re dealing with when it comes to your menstrual cycle.

I will say in the last few years, we’ve talked about it more as a whole but I just wanted to encourage those who still don’t bring the subject up because of what it entails to educate yourselves. As well as your loved ones, friends, families, and daughters on this topic so the next generation will be well equipped for it.

Thanks for reading,

Martina