It is my pleasure to introduce myself. I am Jill Kroog and the author of Mommy Milestones. I am married to a wonderful man named Joe (7 years in August), we have 2 energetic, adventurous young boys (AJ 4 and Boo 20 months), 2 rambunctious puppies (Duke and Blue), 1 very old dog who thinks she is a cat (Sidney), and a small school of fish.

I am an entrepreneur at heart and have run businesses for 12 years; one of which was a marketing consulting business and the other a doggie day care. Now I am the executive director of Mother Matters, contributing blogger for ePregnancy.com, and I spend time working with moms.

My husband Joe is used to my wide range of interests and supports me, our family and my work. I work from home and have found that balance is the key to my success as a mom; although, it was not always that way.

While pregnant, Joe and I decided that we would be different; our son would be an addition to our lives and not a distraction pulling us from our chosen activities. Thrilled and excited about his birth we prepared our home and lives for his arrival, or so we thought.

I am not sure that any amount of preparation can prepare you for the life changing experience a newborn brings. It is wonderful, full of love but overwhelming at times.

Within a few weeks, I experienced a shift in myself and my focus. Let’s face it, hormones are flying, sleep is a distant memory, and getting used to a baby is time consuming. I was thrilled with my son, loved him beyond belief and yet felt as though something was missing. I longed for my old life filled with spontaneity; yet, loved being a mom and caring for my newborn son. It was confusing and could become consuming if left to continue.

Call it the baby blues or mild hormonal depression, I think I was mourning my independence but wouldn’t give up morphing into the woman, mom and person I am today.

A few months of conflicting feelings were a small price to pay and I finally took charge of my life, creating a balance within me – my goals, dreams, ambitions, family and career. By choice and the support of my family, I continue to be a mom, wife and career-oriented woman, maintaining goals and dreams for my future and the future of my family.

The path of motherhood took an unfortunate turn when our second pregnancy ended in miscarriage at 10 weeks. I learned how common a miscarriage is and turned to my friends and family to survive the deep sense of loss prior to trying again. Six months later we were pregnant again and 2-1/2 years after our first son, we gave birth to another happy, healthy baby boy.

Shortly after having my second son, I founded and became the executive director of the Mother Matters Foundation, www.mother-matters.com, where moms find support, community and self empowerment. It was important for me to help moms feel successful.

I write, speak, coach and teach under the name Balanced Living for Moms, www.BalancedLivingforMoms.com, and am active with multiple moms groups around the nation. I help set up, facilitate and provide classes and information to those groups.

I am a published author of the pregnancy journal, I Love You, I Love Me. My second book, Making Time for Me, is on the way and should be available this fall. Both journals are designed to help the reader connect with herself and create a blueprint for her own happiness as a mother, role model and woman.

I’ve just begun blogging for ePregnancy.com, and will be offering information, tips and stories about the joys, struggles and situations that a mom encounters while raising her children. I hope you will respond by doing the same.

Every day offers an opportunity for us to learn from each other; we all make mistakes, have successes and grow together. Mommy Milestones will chronicle parenting adventures, provide insights for useful products, and talk about motherhood, kids and more. 

I look forward to sharing my stories, insights and family photos. First up, a family vacation to Florida with the kids, my parents and a condo on the beach; should be a fun adventure.