December Mom of the Month - Holly Williams!

This month we recognize HOLLY WILLIAMS for her accomplishment and dedication to fitness, motherhood and life! Our Brea, Fullerton, Placentia and Yorba Linda Stroller Strides Team would like to say THANK YOU HOLLY for being part of our Stroller Strides family!

1. Who are the members of your family?
My husband Brian, daughter Emily (2 1/2 years), son Ethan (6 months), and myself!


2. What is or was your career?
6th Grade Teacher.

3. How long have you been a member of Stroller Strides and what has it done for you?
I have been a member of Stroller Strides for a year and a half. It has been an outlet for me physically, socially and emotionally. I love it!

4. What is something that has surprised you about motherhood?
Let me count the ways!!!...The instant love you can feel for a human being, the range of emotions you can feel in a matter of minutes, and also the difference in the personalities that each child possesses (even though they come from the same 2 peopls!! lol).

5. Favorite website(s)?
Shutterfly.com...I love to download all my pictures and send them to family and friends to let them know what we have been up to! I also like to make fun projects using all my pictures of my kids!

6. List three current obsessions.
Iced Chai Latte, keeping my house clean (a little OCD), and the kids' schedules!

7. What is your child's favorite thing about you or favorite thing that you do?
Make believe play.

8. Any tips for other moms out there?
PRAY! Pray over your children every night and remember that these sleepless nights are for but a moment! Find the joy in everything they do and truly realize how gast this time really does go!

November Mom of the Month - Jennifer Baptie!

This month we recognize JENNIFER BAPTIE for her accomplishment and dedication to fitness, motherhood and life! Our Brea, Fullerton, Placentia and Yorba Linda Stroller Strides Team would like to say THANK YOU JEN for being part of our Stroller Strides family!

1. Who are the members of your family?
My husband Jeff and I have two dogs, Daisy, an 80 pound black Lab and Roxie, a 13 pound little mutt. They are both rescue dogs and have been great company and very much loved.
We now have an addition to the family, a 9-month old son named Jake. Although we still love our dogs, Jake is now the main focus of our lives. Don’t worry; the dogs still have house privileges.

2. What is or was your career?
I am a criminal defense attorney and I’ve made the decision to stay home with my baby as long as possible. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to stay home with him in his most precious months of life. I truly appreciate and cherish this time with Jake.

3. How long have you been a member of Stroller Strides and what has it done for you?
I have been a member of Stroller Strides for about 6 months. I am so thankful for the support the group has provided. As a first time mom, I felt incredibly overwhelmed by the changes in my life, physically, emotionally, mentally, and professionally. I often wondered if the feelings I was having were normal. Talking and sharing with other moms about their experiences assured me that all the feelings I was having were perfectly normal. I have met many great moms in Stroller Strides and look forward to lasting friendships. And let’s not forget the awesome workouts! Kudos to the instructors for making each class fun AND challenging. You rock!

4. What is something that has surprised you about motherhood?
What surprised me the most was the instant love I felt for my baby. I mean, come on, it took at least a year before I felt the same way about my husband J. In all seriousness, to realize you would give up your life for your child is the purest love in the world. I was also surprised by how much time and energy is really focused on a new baby, from feeding and changing diapers to visitors and doctor appointments. It’s exhausting!

5. Favorite website(s)?
I’m not on the Internet much so no real favorites come to mind.

6. List three current obsessions.
My family, HGTV, and Mimosas on Sunday morning.

7. What is your child's favorite thing about you or favorite thing that you do?
He loves bath time. I often light a candle for him. He likes the flicker of the light and it tends to calm him a little.

8. Any tips for other moms out there?
Don’t sweat the small stuff! You will not be a perfect housewife or have a perfect house for a long time and that’s okay. Also, get as much sleep as possible during those first several months. Nap when the baby naps. A little sleep goes a long way.