Name: Cee Cee Bautista
Child & Age: Jay, 19 months…Baby #2…yes, please – someday!
Hometown/Current Location: San Francisco, CA/Las Vegas, NV
Quick Bio: I grew up in the Bay Area, moved to Los Angeles for university and after living in almost every city in CA, I decided to move to Fabulous Las Vegas. As a massage therapist on the Strip for nearly a decade, I am never too far removed from the tourist experience, but these days, I see this city through a new pair of mommy eyes. I feel like I find fun, kid-friendly & family-focused events & businesses all the time. I love my son to the moon and back – he is by far, the greatest part of me! Sometimes I get nostalgic for my carefree, single days, but being a mom is more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined and this is the happiest I have ever been! I always say: “I may have given birth to him, but he has given me life.” I started a local mommy blog (lasvegasmomsblog.com), so that I could help other moms connect both online & off. Online, it is great to connect with other moms who may be going through some crazy times just like you. In person, there is so much going on in our city that I want to share the experience with other moms and encourage them to get out there to explore and interact in our community too!

Instagram/Twitter/Pinterest: @vegasmomsblog / @lasvegasmoms
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lasvegasmomsblog

Q: What is your “go to” snack/toy/show/trick when your kids start to fuss?
A: Ella’s cookies – Jay knows the packaging so he recognizes them immediately, a Ziploc of veggie sticks – Jay loves the crunch! Dum Dums – banks stock them for some reason! Haha…

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: I have no balance! It is really hard to separate being a mom & being me. I am currently a work in progress in that department. I am just so in love with my boy that I am rarely away from him. Unless I am working, we are together. I do manage to tell myself that an extra half hour or hour away to workout or meditate or get in that one uninterrupted meeting/conversation will not scar him. It will create a more stable momma for him anyway! I come back refreshed & focused so I can be more present for him. I sneak off for massages & facials whenever possible too. I just piggyback the time if my day opens up. That way I’m not leaving him specifically to go do one thing. I book my days so I only ‘leave’ him once & when I’m back, I’m back for the rest of the day.

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: Trust your gut. There will be times when you need to make decisions: You are “Mom”. You are always looking out for them. From the day you found out you were carrying them, you have made decisions for them. You are doing the best you can at that moment. Also, it’s OK to ask for help.

Q: How do you incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
I have 2 dogs who, since the later stages of my pregnancy were bumped down on the priority list. They need to be walked regularly or they will go crazy & eat a couch (literally!). I don’t have a choice…sometimes I don’t have time for a leisurely stroll (with a toddler in tow) so that means I run them around the neighborhood (thank you jogging strollers!) This is a win-win anyway as I get my cardio blast in there too!

Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: I think I’m still finding my parenting style and I also think it changes as Jay grows and his needs change. While I don’t want to pay special attention to whining, which I feel encourages Jay to communicate with me that way, I also don’t want to be the mom who becomes calloused to her child’s cries. I do my best to give him a lot of freedom whenever possible (obviously he has to hold my hand or let me carry him when there are cars). I want him to learn that I trust him, but that I am never too far away if he needs my help. He just has to say “Please” 😉 So maybe not a helicopter parent, but more like a sniper…does that sound violent? Lol…

Q: Share your best or favorite place for a family vacation and tell us why.
A: Lucky for me, my son is still young enough that the local park is amusement enough for him! Being outside in the sunshine, rolling around in the grass or stomping through the gravel makes my boy happy so we don’t need to go far for giggle-inspiring, nap-inducing good ol’ wholesome fun! We do love visiting family in CA though. When you can see your Skype-mates in person, it just makes things all that much better!

Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: J’s first birthday was such a surreal event. I guess I thought only other mom’s of a young toddler would want to attend, but no, there was my family & my friends – from near & far…& even farther (even though it had been years since I had seen some of them!)…Even guys attended. I am truly blessed with a very wonderful support system & and a tight knit family! I loved that day – it was so much fun for everyone.

Q: As a Mommy what is it that you feel you do “right”?
A: I just love him. I will always make decisions based on what I feel is best for him. He is my top priority!

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: I don’t have all the answers and that is OK. I expect to make some mistakes along the way and as long as I learn from them, mistakes are OK too. I am a lot stronger than I thought I was, but I am still human (in the most supermom way possible!) so crying is totally acceptable!

Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: Invest in the best lounge wear possible! I like looking sporty, but not grungy, like I’m dressed to paint the house! Comfort is extremely important, but functional pieces that allow me to nurse in an emergency & can also withstand a squirmy toddler boy are a must! I rarely wear white (unless I want to have footprints all over) & you cannot go cheap on accessories – those will break immediately making them a waste of money! Keep hair ties handy for messy diaper blow outs! Lash extensions are the best way to take fatigue away from your face (well, aside from actually getting sleep). With lashes, you don’t even need eye make up – talk about a time saver! Stain lipsticks are a must. You do not have time to be bothered with re-applying. You just slick on the gloss after meals & you can do that with one hand, with no mirror, you’re a mom!

Q: What’s the best surprise you’ve ever done for your kids/family?
A: This may sound simple & more of an everyday surprise, but Jay loves balloons. He doesn’t even care if they are filled with helium or not. I have brought him balloons & he squeals & giggles like the greatest thing in the world just happened to him. It’s the most awesome feeling ever to make him happy like that!