From Diapers to Diplomas and Everything In Between
Welcome to Mama-First.
This post shares the story behind the blog: my journey from young motherhood to twin chaos, from the classroom to the kitchen, and everything in between. If you’re here for heartfelt stories, cozy inspiration, or a reminder that growth never ends—you’re in the right place. I am always going to be a mama, first. But while my identity is rooted in motherhood, I am always searching for ways to grow, reaching for more within myself and my life.
It’s summer, and as I look out the window at the lush green foliage in full bloom, I’m reminded why I’ve lived in New York’s Hudson Valley my entire life. It’s beautiful here—peaceful, grounding—and I feel lucky to have grown up in such an idyllic place.
My childhood was like a scene out of an early ’90s film. Summertime makes me nostalgic for those childhood summer days. My brother and I ran throughout the neighborhood with our pack of friends, racing bikes, climbing trees, jumping in and out of swimming pools. When school came, we sat with our mother, doing homework at the kitchen table. We were shuffled to and from activities, but still managed to eat dinner as a family nearly every night.
“It was a magical moment of pure joy that I will never forget“
There was one Christmas that truly outdid all the rest and sums up my childhood beautifully. I was 9 or 10 years old. We had all gotten up ridiculously early and ripped through the wrappings of the pile of presents under the tree. I was in my bedroom, sorting through my loot (plenty of clothes to put away) when my father walked in and casually meandered over to my window. On the second floor of our 1980’s center-hall colonial, my bedroom window overlooked the snowy rooftop of the living room below. “Huh. I wonder what happened there,” Dad said. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Here,” he said, moving aside from the window so I could see. “Look at those tracks on the roof.” I couldn’t believe my eyes. In the snow were clear hoof prints and long tracks, as if made by Santa’s sleigh and reindeer. It was a magical moment of pure joy that I will never forget, and that magic — created by my father, and a deer hoof cleverly attached to a broom, as I later learned — has continued to inspire me throughout my entire life.
That moment—and many others like it—is part of what led me here. This blog started as a creative outlet, a place to share what I’ve learned, what I love, and what I’m still figuring out. I started it to reclaim a part of myself: the part that dreams big, that dares to try something new. But I also started it for my kids — to show them that growth doesn’t stop in adulthood. That our passions have no expiration date. That even Mom can build something from scratch.
My role as a mother has always been something I take seriously. I had my boys young, and if anything, that grounded me more than it set me back. I was determined to succeed—to be the best mother I could be. I didn’t feel like I missed out. I felt like I’d already found the most important part of me. From the moment I held my first son, I felt a sense of direction I’d never known. He became my center of gravity. Everything in my life started to orbit around the role of “mom,” and I’ve worn that title with pride ever since. First, for my boys, and now for their much younger sisters. I want to be the kind of mom they are proud of—present, creative, warm, and steady.
“Everything in my life started to orbit around the role of “mom,” and I’ve worn that title with pride ever since.”
At this point in my life, I’m living in two parenting worlds at once: I have two sons off at college and twin toddlers I’m chasing around the kitchen island. It’s loud and chaotic and sometimes exhausting, but it’s also rich and layered and—honestly—kind of magical.
For nearly two decades, I’ve also been a teacher and I love what I do. Teaching fuels me. But so does decorating a cozy corner of my home, trying a new recipe, or finding the perfect gift. I’m a teacher, yes—but also a mother, a maker, a writer, a homebody, and a host. This blog is where all those roles get to hang out together.
“I’m a teacher, yes—but also a mother, a maker, a writer, a homebody, and a host. This blog is where all those roles get to hang out together.”
I’ve always been a giver. Sharing what I love — whether it’s a story, a carefully decorated space, or a meal I’ve made from scratch — is one of my greatest joys. I started really learning to cook when I became a single mom to my two boys; they were three and six at the time and I was determined to teach them to love varied, eclectic cuisine as I do. At first it was just a distraction, but over time it became one of the greatest creative outlets of my life. What started as edible (but unimpressive) dinners turned into hundreds of tested recipes, culinary classes, Pinterest deep dives, and eventually catering and hosting full-scale gatherings. Cooking for others became an extension of how I show love.
The same is true for home design. My first attempt at decorating a space involved a massive blue leather couch — a relic of my then-boyfriend (now husband) because replacing it wasn’t in the budget. Working around that piece and learning to bring cohesion to chaos taught me more than I ever expected. With the help of a designer, I learned to stop decorating for what I was used to and instead design for what could be. It sparked something I didn’t know I needed — a love for creating intentional, livable beauty.
“Diapers to diplomas” isn’t just a tagline, it’s my actual life.
My daily juggling act is real. “Diapers to diplomas” isn’t just a tagline, it’s my actual life. There’s a lot of chaos. A lot of noise. And yes, a lot of wine. But there’s also a lot of magic — the kind my dad once made for me with sleigh tracks in the snow outside my window. That magic — of motherhood, of memory-making, of everyday moments made special — is what I try to recreate for my own kids, without losing sight of reality. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that joy and mess often go hand in hand.
This blog, Mama-First, is a creative outlet, yes—but it’s also a personal mantra. It doesn’t mean I’ve lost myself in motherhood, but rather that being a mother shaped the self I’ve become. Motherhood comes first—not as a limitation, but as a foundation. It’s the reason I notice small things. The reason I keep showing up. The reason I want to make life a little lovelier, even when it’s messy.
So whether you’re here for the recipes, the decor tips, the parenting solidarity, or just a bit of inspiration — I’m glad you’re here.
Let’s make the everyday a little more beautiful, together.
Warmly & Appreciatively,
Amy ❤️
