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My New Mom Car Will Take Care Of All ‘Bumps’ On And Off The Road

Author Ayla Brown
Well if you can't tell, I got a new car!! Go big or go home right? Oh, you might have noticed something else... scroll down to the bottom to read all about it.

Please, call me a “cool mom,” because I just bought a minivan!

The past two years I’ve drove a Kia Sorento Hybrid and I LOVED it. I had a lot of great memories in that car. My husband and I brought our son, Barrett, home from the hospital in that car. I visited family and friends in my Sorento. And I packed it up with musical equipment and brought it to different performances around New England. It was sturdy and got great gas mileage!

Mom Car That Looks Like And SUV

This week I upgraded in style and size, and pulled the trigger on a Kia Carnival. Now, many might call this a minivan, but I call it a “cool mom car.” On the Kia website, it’s technically listed as a minivan, but it doesn’t look like one. (Just scroll down and look at the picture!) The back of the car looks like an SUV. It has a square-shaped trunk. I guess the only thing that makes it a minivan is the sliding doors?

But in 2024 minivans are cool!!! At least I think so. My favorite part of the new ride is that “passenger view” button on the home screen. It allows you to see your passengers who are sitting in the middle and back rows. So if there’s a fight going on between your children, you can see that. If your baby spills his milk you can see that too. No matter what the occasion, you can keep a birds eye view on your guests.

Why I Upgraded To A Bigger Car

So, why the upgrade to a true mom car? I have a little surprise to share. My husband, Rob, and I are expecting another baby in May! That’s right, our family is expanding, and what better way to celebrate than with a new, bigger ride?!

Ayla Brown holding baby bump in front of her blue Kia carnival

I can’t believe I am finally spilling the beans, but I’m pregnant again! That’s why I upgraded to a bigger, cooler minivan. Baby #2 will be riding in style when he/she gets here in May!

Phew, it feels good to finally get that off my chest. I have been keeping this second pregnancy a secret from so many for so long! There’s been something really fun about hiding this news from everyone, but since my belly is really popping, there’s no hiding it anymore. I clearly look pregnant, so it’s probably time to let everyone know!

Which is why with another baby on the way, we needed a vehicle that could comfortably accommodate our expanding family without sacrificing comfort or style. The cool minivan offers plenty of room for two car seats, along with plenty of cargo space for strollers, diaper bags, and all the other essentials that come with parenting two kids under two.

SURPRISE! If you’ve made it this far then I’m excited to tell you that next up will be the gender reveal! Do you think it’s another boy? Or will it be a girl? Regardless, here’s some awesome things I’ve learned as a parent in our son Barrett’s first year.

Here's 9 Things I've Learned As A Parent In My Baby's 1st Year

Being a new parent is filled with unexpected twists, immense joy, and lots of lessons. As our son, Barrett, turns one today, I find myself reflecting on the past year. So much has happened! I promise I will try not to cry, but I have a box of tissues near me (just in case).

Barrett has had some incredible milestones in his first year. His tried his first solid food at 6-months old. I’ll never forget it. We were in Mexico and we gave him a mango. He was so happy and proud that he was holding a big piece of fruit in his hands.

Another big moment happened in the beginning of April when he crawled for the first time. My mom and I happened to get it on camera, which you can see below. While he’s not walking quite yet, he crawls really fast around the house. He now picks himself up off the ground and balances his body on the couch. Any day now he will be running around the house!

HUGE milestone for our baby. He CRAWLED!Obviously when you watch the video, the moment was very exciting for my mom and me. thankfully my phone was right next to me and I was able to catch this big moment. His face was fine by the way 😂

Posted by Ayla Brown on Monday, April 3, 2023

The experience has been humbling, enlightening, and all kinds of wonderful. My husband and I love our son so much and we’ve experienced so much with him in the first year of his life. We can’t wait for the next few years so we can experience other big milestones.

Pretty soon he’ll be walking, and then running, and then asking us to borrow the car!! HAHA. We are still many years from him driving a car, but it’s true that time flies by way too fast.

As we celebrate Barrett’s first birthday, we are not just marking the end of his first year but also the beginning of more adventures, lessons, and cherished memories. To all parents out there, whether you’re just starting out or are seasoned pros, cherish the journey. It’s immeasurably precious.

Things I’ve Learned Being A Parent In The 1st Year

  • Encourage Self-Play/Exploration

    We encourage our baby to play with toys that will help him with his motor skills. We really enjoy the Lovevery Boxes. You can choose boxes that come with safe, sustainable toys that encourage learning. While many people have bought him toys, we try and limit the amount that we have in the house. Usually his toys include musical instruments and the items from the Lovevery Boxes.

  • Let Your Baby See What You Do For A Living

    Your baby will learn from your actions. I always try and have him around when I am working so he knows and understands what I do for a living. While I’ve only brought him into the studio one time for about 20 minutes, some day when he gets older he’ll say, “My mom talks on the radio!” Always bring your baby into your life so he or she sees what you do! It’s also fun to show them off to your co-workers.

  • Take Him to As Many Places as Possible

    Whether it’s a stroll in the park, a visit to the grandparents, or even just a short grocery trip, every new environment is a sensory feast for your baby. These little expeditions contribute significantly to his cognitive and sensory development. We bring our baby EVERYWHERE. This picture was when we took him to Mexico. It was his first time on a plane and he did great!

  • Introduce Him to People Early in Life

    Human connections are the backbone of our lives. By introducing Barrett to various friends and family members, we’re helping him develop essential social skills and understand the world is full of diverse individuals. We allow many people to hold him and spend time with him. We don’t want him having attachment issues when he enters “toddler-hood” so we’re hoping this will help.

  • Trust Your Instincts

    Parenting books, advice from loved ones, and information online can sometimes be overwhelming. While they provide valuable insights, nothing beats a parent’s intuition. Trusting our gut feeling has often led us in the right direction.

  • Document Your Baby's Little (And Big) Moments

    It’s true what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. And this year with Barrett has flown by! Regularly taking photos, jotting down memories, or even making short videos has been a priceless way to cherish the fleeting moments.

    Ayla Brown and Barrett

    This was when I took Barrett to the TD Garden for his first Celtics game. I sang the National Anthem before the game.

  • But Put Down The Phones When Interacting With Baby

    Put the phone away if you are not taking pictures or videos of your baby. It’s important for them to know that they are the main priority. Babies can tell when you’re distracted on other things.

    Barrett

    Barrett LOVES to smile. And we love seeing his two bottom teeth poke through

  • Introduce Solid Foods As Early As You Can

    We introduced our son to solid foods at 6-months and we are so glad we did! He loves all types of food. At a year old he still has never had starches and sugar. The only carbs he’s had have been plant-based, and the only sugar has been from real fruits. We want to limit things like pastas and cakes as long as he can. By doing this, he eats all sorts of yummy real foods.

    I’m His Mother, Which Is Why My Son Is Eating Fried Chicken Already

  • Pray Every Night Together

    As Christians, it’s important to my husband and I to raise our son in a religious household. We pray with Barrett every night before putting him to bed. We thank God for the gift of being his parents and having him as a son.

  • Love You Barrett! Here Are Some Favorite Moments

Ayla Brown has been an on-air morning show host with Country 102.5 since 2018. Before taking this once-in-a-lifetime job, Ayla was (and still is) a country music singer. In 2006, she placed 13th on American Idol. In 2012 and 2013 she celebrated her Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium debut, and over the years she has visited 13 countries overseas to sing for the American Troops. Country music is in Ayla Brown’s soul. Not only does she sing it, but she gets to talk about it every day on “Country Mornings with Jonathan and Ayla.” Ayla is happily married to singer-songwriter, Rob Bellamy, and they welcomed a son named Barrett in August of 2022. In her free time, she loves to sew baby bibs and experiment with new recipes in the kitchen. She also loves to travel and try new foods. Ayla writes about Boston area happenings, parenting, holistic lifestyle and living, and travel.

Ayla Brown is the host on “Country Mornings with Jonathan and Ayla” on Country 102.5. You can read the rest of her blogs here.

Ayla Brown

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