Photos by Milena Cerqueira
Meet Amber
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in the area?
I am originally from Norwalk, CT and moved to Fairfield in early 2010.
Children / Age(s)
Camden (3 1/2) & Kennedy (19 months)
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I went to school for Fashion Design and I know my way around a sewing machine. I used to design and sew my own outfits in college like a dress or a shirt – I could whip up an outfit on a dime!
One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?
That the rhythms of motherhood are ALWAYS changing! You accomplish one obstacle with your children like sleeping through the night, eating new foods, big kid rooms..and then you are thrown into the crazy world of potty training! The obstacles that are ahead are daunting, but I know if you moms out there can handle it, then I should be OK haha.
Favorite local things to do in Fairfield?
Shop! There are so many locally owned shops in Fairfield and I love to shop local! And going to the beach – Fairfield has FOUR different beaches and an awesome lake!
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Fairfield?
The people! Everyone here is so welcoming and nice – you can meet a new friend anywhere (the park, the beach, the library)!
Do you have a favorite family friendly restaurant? Date night?
Our family favorite restaurant is Flipside – they have the best staff and we frequent it at least 1-2x a week. Date night favorites are Molto and The Sinclair.
What is your go-to activity for your family? For yourself?
We are a bit of a low key family, but by far we love going for walks to the beach or to a local park. Just getting some fresh air! For myself it would definitely be to get some me-time (getting a pedicure, a spa treatment, or even getting my hair done)!
Funniest part that you’ve learned about parenthood?
That everyone will get a little pee on them at one point.
Name one thing you regret when learning the ropes of parenthood and what you learned from it?
Putting too much pressure on myself to be the perfect Mom. As cliche as it sounds, the laundry and the cleaning can wait. Because I work full time during the day, I still wanted that perfect household and at the end of the day I was missing out on those fleeting moments with my kids. Now, they come first as soon as I pick them up from daycare and my focus is 100% on them until after bedtime (well most of the time 😉 ).
Best advice for moms who experience the inevitable MOM GUILT handling a career and a family?
I think a WM and SAHM have the same mom guilt in different ways and my advice is to look at the big picture. If your kids are happy and they know how much you love them, then you are going a GREAT job. No one is perfect and no mom should be consumed with the guilt of not being there for your kids at every single moment. I had to leave my son when he was just 3 months old for 10 days while I traveled to Chicago for work and the guilt ate me up and I cried every day. But every time I called home he was smiling and laughing and I knew that it was OK. He was so little then, but now he knows that I’ll always come back from those trips (with presents of course hah) and that I’ll always be there for him and for my daughter when they need me.
Who has influenced you the most to be the mother that you are today?
My mom! She has been there through both pregnancies, deliveries, meltdowns and accomplishments. I’m a twin so I know she had it HARD with two babies at once but I love her for all that she’s taught me!
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
Get mom friends!!! I know it’s a little like mom dating, but ask that mom at the library for her number, or sit next to that new mom at lunch and get to know each other! We are all in this crazy, messy, wonderful journey together and life with kids is SO MUCH EASIER with mom friends who can relate with you and also bring you wine when you need it most 😉
Meet Jessica
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in the area?
I am originally from Kings Park, New York on Long Island. I came to Connecticut in 2000 for college in New Haven and have been in Fairfield since 2014.
Children / Age(s)
I have one daughter Emma who is 19 months
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
One thing people would be surprised to know is that I have run 10 marathons. NYC is by far my favorite and I have done that one three times. I also have run Chicago, Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, Marine Corp, and Philly. I started running in 2008 with the organization Team in Training in which we raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Now I only run if I have someone to run with so we can chat!
One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?
Its amazing how much you can love one little human!
Favorite local things to do in Fairfield?
I love that we live close enough to walk to town. We walk downtown all the time for dinner and ice cream.
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Fairfield?
I love how many people we have met. This is such a great family town!
Do you have a favorite family friendly restaurant? Date night?
We love the Gaelic American Club (GAC) for family dinner. It took us 3 years to get in but was worth the wait. The backyard is great for kids who want to run around and the drinks are cheap too! For date night we like Sinclair, The Chelsea and Old Post.
What is your go-to activity for your family? For yourself?
I think on the weekends any event that is going on in town is great to get to. For myself I have to work out. Whether it be at Rough House Crossfit or a walk with the stroller it just makes me feel so much better. Its funny how much kids learn from just watching you, Emma loves doing burpees!
Funniest part that you’ve learned about parenthood?
I never thought my husband and I would be as calm as we are in parenthood but I am glad we are!
Name one thing you regret when learning the ropes of parenthood and what you learned from it?
You have to take of yourself first because raising a child is a huge job!
Best advice for moms who experience the inevitable MOM GUILT handling a career and a family?
I never really had mom guilt until recently. All of a sudden Emma doesn’t want me to leave her and it’s so sad when leaving her at daycare. I just have to know she is in good hands and having fun!
Who has influenced you the most to be the mother that you are today?
My mom has influenced me to be the mom I am today and I just love seeing her with Emma
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
Don’t take any part of it too seriously!
What are you most excited about in life right now?
I am so happy to be opening a business with another friend in town. I think I always knew I’d be working for myself and after years of having corporate jobs that were “entrepreneurial” it is finally good timing to be doing this for myself. We are opening AR Workshop on Post Rd in Fairfield; a DIY Boutique where we make projects out of raw materials. I have always loved having a ton of signs in my house and am finally able to offer them in class like setting while having a night out with friends!
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what do you think your career path might have been?
At this point in my two new career paths I think I am finally in the right spot, just a little busier then in the past!
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing?
I think the timing was just right! My neighbor was looking into different business opportunities and it was just the conversations I needed to start having. It was right around the same time when Amber and I were looking into the Local Moms Network. After months of discussing both projects they both happened within weeks of each other!
Amber
Jessica