Healing through unprecedented motherhood.

After nearly three years of travel across 24 countries, we've perfected our packing and travel routine. We prefer checked luggage for convenience, especially with a toddler, and rely on packing cubes, a toiletry bag, and essential travel items to stay organized. We also have a few go-to toddler travel hacks, like using a lightweight carseat and stroller. Simple airport tips and strategies, such as color-coded passports and PriorityPass for lounges, also help make our trips run smoothly.

After nearly three years in Italy and traveling across 24 countries and countless cities, I’ve learned a few travel essentials. First, don’t forget the right plug adapters—an all-in-one adapter with USB ports is a lifesaver. If you're bringing motorized devices, like a blow dryer, get a transformer. For renting cars, many countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP). Keep an eye on visa updates for the UK and EU, and consider using e-sims for affordable data while abroad. These simple tips will make your travels smoother!

We have been wanting to do a longer trip to The Netherlands ever since we moved abroad. We visited the small town where my partner’s grandparents are from on a day trip from Cologne, Germany but hadn’t spent a significant amount of time exploring the country.

We ended up with a four day weekend over Easter and found decently priced flights into Eindhoven, the airport in the south. I will say: this was not the best time of year to plan a last minute trip. Not only was it a holiday weekend, but it was peak tulip season. The prices of things like AirBnB’s and hotels…made me want to cry. But we made it work!

We had an impromptu 3-day weekend in Malta, flying in from Naples for some much-needed relaxation. We stayed at the Hilton in St. Julian’s, which had amazing views, a fantastic pool, and great service. We spent Friday by the pool, then wandered around Valetta before heading to Mdina the next day. The highlight was definitely our private boat tour around Comino and Gozo—swimming in the Blue Lagoon, exploring sea caves, and just soaking in the beauty of the islands. Malta was such a surprise, and we can't wait to go back!

With its rich history, stunning architecture, and abundance of kid-friendly activities, Budapest proved to be the perfect destination for a long weekend. From soaking in the Széchenyi Thermal Baths to exploring interactive museums and breathtaking city views, we found something for every member of the family. Check out this post for travel tips, hidden gems, and lessons learned (including the realities of traveling with a toddler!).

Vienna completely took me by surprise with how quickly and easily I fell in love with it. We were only there for a four-day weekend (as per usual), but I’d go back in a heartbeat to keep exploring. After a quick flight from Naples and an easy train ride into the city, we checked in, grabbed a bite to eat, and started getting ready for the main event—the Officers’ Ball at the Hofburg Palace. It’s been on my Europe bucket list since moving here, and thanks to my mom flying in to babysit, we got to experience every magical moment.

We spent an incredible 4 day weekend in Greece to celebrate our 6 year wedding anniversary and as our “Labor Day” weekend trip. The way things work for my partner’s command, he has a four day weekend for almost every US federal holiday. We are able to travel within Europe without taking leave, or PTO, over those weekends. On this trip, we managed to squeeze in Delphi, Meteora, and Athens.

This is officially the longest we have lived in one place. Actually, when we hit 1.5 years, that was the longest I have lived in one place since I went to college. As an active duty military spouse, I have gotten used to moving around a lot, but even this is a little unusual for the military. Typically, we would be on 2-3 year orders in one location. Our family has just taken a bit of a different path because of my partner’s career, and that is okay. At the end of the day, it brought us to Naples and I can honestly say that this has been one of the best places for our family - for me and my individual growth, for my relationship with my partner, and for my son.

We spent Thanksgiving in Andorra and it took us by surprise how much we loved it! We were definitely there in the shoulder season because there was no snow and the ski season hasn’t started so it was quiet, but the scenery is unreal. Andorra is a tiny principality (non-EU) tucked away between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains. It was about a 2.5 hour drive from Barcelona. 

This has been one of my absolute favorite trips. One of my best friends was born in Montenegro and to visit her home was really special. The beauty of this country cannot be overstated. Highly recommend a trip here!! It was a great balance of relaxation for us and fun for our toddler. 

When my partner spontaneously got a few days off of work, we looked at Skyscanner, and found last minute cheap flights from Naples into Dublin. We had an absolutely fantastic trip exploring a bit of County Cork and a fair amount of County Kerry with our three year old. Here is how we spent our long weekend. The Dingle Peninsula is now one of our favorite places we have traveled to in all of Europe.

For parents, there is pure power in saying, “There is no right way*. There is only what is right for your family.” This is what’s right for my family.

I have never been able to find the middle ground with drinking - it is all or nothing. So here I am, trying the nothing. And enjoying as many mocktails (or posed photos with my partner’s wine) as I can.

How are you showing up for and loving the people in your life who are struggling with their mental health? How are you contributing to a culture that delineates what struggles are acceptable, palatable, and deserving of sympathy?

Most days, however, I still found myself looking around and asking, “Is this what other stay at home moms do? Does everyone else feel like they did…nothing?”

I thought I knew everything about her story - the daughter of Demeter and Zeus who was spirited away to the Underworld by Hades himself. Little did I know how reductive I was in my view of the woman whose presence was to become my most constant guide through not only motherhood but the cycles of life itself.

Giving my postpartum depression a name has helped me separate the depression from myself and my identity…this is my letter to her as I work towards being able to say goodbye once and for all.

By taking care of myself before I did anything else, I spoke my son’s language. I showed him that I loved him, even before I was able to say or even feel it. Taking medication doesn’t make me a failure.

My goal is to be a safe place for new families, where their concerns, fears, goals, and needs are considered just as important as those of their baby.

I choose to honor my struggles and my pain. I choose to remember the reality of those early (and not so early) days of motherhood. If I forget all of that, how will I be able to see how far I have come?

Like many people, I had preconceived notions of what pregnancy would be like. I expected some kind of otherworldly connection…But that never came.