Inspirational Mom :: Nadine Bubeck of All Things Mama

A few weeks back while looking at the Disney On The Road Agenda, I read about one of our keynote speakers for the event, Nadine Bubeck, and was impressed with all that she has accomplished as a mom, wife, TV personality, host, speaker, blogger, and author. But what I found most refreshing was her take on pregnancy and motherhood. It is nice to hear when a fellow mom talks about pregnancy in a way that other women can relate to. What I mean is in a way that isn’t described as all unicorns and rainbows if you catch my drift.

Personally, I wasn’t really one of those moms who enjoyed being pregnant. Yep, I just admitted that. But I was so uncomfortable (gained 40+ pounds) and was considered high risk because of my age (was over 35 years old when I had my daughter) and the doctors did a pretty good job at freaking me out about this fact and all that could go wrong. So the weekly doctor appointments which included ultrasounds, the recommended amniocentesis (opted not to get one) and genetics testing (opted not to do this either) and weekly visits to my acupuncturist – who specialized in helping women maintain their pregnancies – were all kind of exhausting! Nadine’s journey and her expectation that everything be just perfect (getting pregnant, the pregnancy and birthing experience) which did not turn out exactly as she had planned- just reinforced the notion that life is what happens when you are making plans. She shares her thoughts with us as we asked her how she juggles all those hats and why she decided to write about her journey.

About Nadine:

She has been an anchor, reporter, and producer at television stations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Yuma, Arizona; and San Francisco, California. She is the author of a first-of-a-kind book, Expecting Perfect: My Bumpy Journey to Mommyhood; hosts an online mommy show, All Things Mama; runs a lifestyle website, www.NadineOnTheScene.com; and is the style contributor for one of Arizona’s leading magazines.

Nadine received her Bachelor’s Degree in Radio/Television from San Francisco State University. She has been awarded a handful of “Best Of” titles, including “Most Fashionable News Anchor” in Phoenix, Arizona; in addition, her lifestyle expertise has been showcased on a variety of women-based websites and publications. Nadine’s wedding was also featured on a TLC-TV competitive reality show.

Nadine is thrilled to be a first-time mom to her sweet son Nicholas! She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her boys: hubby & baby.

Her book, Expecting Perfect: My Bumpy Journey to Mommyhood, is Nadine’s completely candid and uncut pregnancy journal. For more information, visit: www.expectingperfect.com.

Tell us what inspired you to write Expecting Perfect.

I’ve always been a writer, so when my husband and I started our reproduction attempts, I began documenting our experience. I know it sounds crazy, but the whole baby-making process was comical and stressful at the same time. (And yes, I even documented my experience putting my legs in the air after doing the deed; it was just so funny!)

Apparently the legs-in-the-air thing worked for us, as we got pregnant pretty quick. Considering my Type A personality, though, I became a crazy obsessed pregnant lady determined to do everything right. And so I continued writing; it became my therapy.

Just when I thought I was riding the road of a flawless pregnancy, everything changed. At my 20 week gyno appointment, my doctor told me I had complete placenta previa; that my life was at risk, that my baby’s life was at risk, that I would likely bleed, be put on bed rest, be hospitalized, and birth a preemie…all of which happened.

I journaled throughout my entire pregnancy and through my son’s 7-night stay in the NICU. My book, Expecting Perfect: My Bumpy Journey to Mommyhood, is my very real, very candid, uncut, and completely raw pregnancy diary.

What was one of the more surprising things for you about becoming a mother?

How I’ve changed. My life now has genuine purpose. I now understand perspective; I’ve come to realize certain things that once seemed so important are now simply insignificant. I never thought I had the capacity to love something so much and so unconditionally. I have developed a form of patience I never thought existed.

What do you hope hopeful or new mothers gain from reading your story?

Admittedly, it’s a bit intimidating publicizing my personal diary, but I believe in taking risks. I want to give women an outlet I didn’t have. I want women to have something and someone to relate to; I want them to embrace imperfection; even a bumpy journey can be a beautiful experience. Becoming a mother is the greatest most rewarding thing in the entire world.

My book is a true and honest look into a pregnant woman’s head. It’s authentic. It’s real. It’s what women go through, and I want to break the taboo of pregnancy being perfect.

I read that you were are interested in staying fashionable before, during and after pregnancy. What are some tips you can offer moms to look put-together – even on those days of little sleep!

Taking care of yourself is good for you in every way: mentally, physically, and emotionally. Set an example for your children to be healthy. If you don’t care for yourself, how can you care for your family? You need to be the best you possible in order to be the best you for your husband, children, and career. Be happy when you look in the mirror.

As a mom, it’s often hard to feel pretty and fashionable when your daily attire has become sweats and wearing spit-up; however, once in a while, get up, get dressed, put on make-up, and go do something outside the house, even if it’s a lunch date with your child. Go outside. Go on walks. Breathe fresh air. Add an extra 5 minutes to a hot shower. A little goes a long way. Oh, and get yourself a pedicure. I’ve had two since giving birth (a year ago!) and sometimes you need to remind yourself there’s a woman inside the mother you’ve become.

Any news you want to share with our lovely dandelion moms?

My book is for anyone who is trying to get pregnant, anyone who is pregnant, and anyone who is already a mom. It is entertaining and funny; but deeply intimate and emotional, showcasing my real-time adventure to mommyhood. I hope you’ll check it out, and I welcome all interaction, thoughts, and feedback: nadine@nadinebubeck.com

Expecting Perfect: My Bumpy Journey to Mommyhood is available at www.expectingperfect.com, on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble online. I also host an online mommy show, All Things Mama: youtube.com/allthingsmama.

You can Find Nadine here:

Book website:

www.ExpectingPerfect.com

Nadine’s online mommy show, All Things Mama:

youtube.com/allthingsmama

Nadine’s lifestyle website:

NadineOnTheScene.com

Social Media:

Facebook.com/nadineonthescene

Twitter.com/nadinebubeck

Pinterest.com/nadinebubeck

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