Mom Spotlight: Carla Cristales-Munoz
Every few weeks we try to spotlight a mom who inspires. Today we're delighted to introduce you to Carla, who juggles her increasingly demanding job right here at The Baby Box Co. with being a new mother. Having Carla on our team at The Baby Box Co. brings us so much joy and we know you're going to fall in love with her too!
Carla with her son, who was born 1/25/2015.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from and when did you start your family?
I was born in Los Angeles and raised in Orlando, Florida. I've been back living in LA since 2011. I met my husband Santiago when I was 18. We got married when I was 20 and now, four years later, we have our first baby together, a little boy. He's such a calm baby, we are so fortunate because he rarely cries and doesn't have a hard time sleeping. Everyone tells us how lucky we are to have such a good baby who loves his sleep, and I believe them!
What, if anything, did you fear most about becoming a mother?
Honestly, I feared that I would be like my mother. She never really had time for me since she was always working. She was a single mother of three, so there would be times when she would work 2 or 3 jobs to make sure we had food and clothes to wear. Due to this situation, she was never really home. Whenever I had a school event she wouldn't be there since she was working. I told myself that if I ever had a baby, I would make sure I had time for him. I would make sure I would be at every school play, baseball game and science fair. It's important to me that my child knows that I will always be there for him, that he's my priority. So my husband and I waited on having a baby until we were financially stable and ready. That was the best decision for us because now I'm a stay at home mommy with a part-time job. And with my job at The Baby Box Co., I'm fortunate enough to be able to bring my son with me.
Carla with her husband Santiago, awaiting the birth of their first child.
What has surprised you the most about motherhood?
How much I love it! I thought it was going to be exhuasting, tiring, no sleep at night, that I'd have no energy. But it's the opposite. I get amazing sleep, my baby always has a smile on his face. He's such a joy to be around. He has such personality and character already. I'm so in love!!
Carla's got one happy little guy and we're all in love with him at The Baby Box Co.!
What is the hardest part about being a new mom?
To me, the hardest part is having to carry around a stroller, car seat, diaper bag and everything else. I can't just run to the store real quick like I use to. Now, it's a process.
How do you balance your career with motherhood?
Well, I'm very fortunate and blessed to have amazing bosses at The Baby Box Co. that let me bring my son with me to work. I don't know how I would be able to manage otherwise. They're amazing people and my husband and I wouldn't be where we are today without them.
Are there any key pieces of advice you would pass on to new moms?
Take a deep breath. Take things day by day. Don't worry so much if you're doing a good job or if you're doing something wrong. Once you have your baby, being a mommy comes naturally--at least that's the way it happened for me. Before I had my son, I didn't even know how to hold a baby. But as soon as I had him, I just knew. And everything else, especially the overwhelming love, came too.