My New Mom Car Will Take Care Of All ‘Bumps’ On And Off The Road
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 technicallyĀ 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?!
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!
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
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 Brownās soul. Not only does she sing it, but she gets to talk about it every day on āCountry Mornings with Jonathan and Ayla.ā
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.