Hi, I’m so happy you’re here!

I’m a 36-year-old mom of two beautiful little girls, Joanna (almost 5) and Theresa (1.5), living in Belgium with my boyfriend and our little family of four.

I’m passionate about motherhood, healthy living, good food, and discovering the world. But above all, I believe in living life to the fullest, staying curious, and finding beauty in the little things.

And if motherhood has taught me anything, it’s that life rarely goes according to plan. And that’s perfectly okay.

A little about me

Long before becoming a mom, traveling was one of my greatest passions.

Growing up, I loved horse riding, but in my early twenties, I started questioning the world around me. I wanted to experience life beyond what I knew, discover different cultures, and see things from another perspective.

So I packed my bags and started exploring.

I volunteered and taught English in schools in India and Nepal, traveled on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and fell in love with the incredible diversity of our world and the people living in it.

Those experiences shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. They taught me to appreciate the little things, question what we consider normal, and embrace a different way of looking at life.

When I was 25, I settled into a regular office job, but my love for traveling never disappeared. I kept saving for my next adventure.

Around that time, I met my boyfriend. We started out as friends, but a few years later, when I was planning a trip to the Philippines, he decided to join me at the very last minute.

Somewhere along that journey, friendship turned into love.

And we’ve been exploring life together ever since.

From backpacking to traveling as a family of four

When COVID-19 brought the world to a standstill, our traveling adventures were put on hold. But another, even bigger adventure was just around the corner.

Motherhood.

Today, we’re a family of four, and our love for exploring hasn’t changed. The only difference? We now have two little travel companions!

Every year, we make it a priority to spend around a month discovering a new part of the world together. And during the summer, we squeeze in smaller adventures around Europe whenever we can.

Traveling with two young children is definitely different from backpacking through Asia. There’s more luggage, less sleep, and a whole lot more planning. But there’s also something incredibly special about seeing the world through your children’s eyes.

I want my girls to grow up curious, open-minded, and unafraid of the unknown. To learn that there are countless ways to live, that different doesn’t mean wrong, and that the world is so much bigger than the little corner we call home.

My motherhood journey: beautiful, messy, and everything in between

Becoming a mother has been the most beautiful, challenging, overwhelming, and rewarding experience of my life.

And I don’t believe in pretending it’s always easy.

I love my girls more than words could ever describe, but motherhood isn’t all sunshine, cuddles, and picture-perfect moments.

There are sleepless nights, endless doubts, overwhelming emotions, and days when you wonder whether you’re doing anything right.

And then there are those tiny hands reaching for yours, the unexpected kisses, the laughter, and the moments that make you wish you could stop time.

I believe both sides of motherhood deserve to be talked about.

Breastfeeding has also been a huge part of my journey. I breastfed Joanna for 2 years and 8 months, and I’m currently still breastfeeding Theresa at 1.5 years old, with no end in sight just yet.

Extended breastfeeding is something I feel strongly about, not because I believe there’s one right way to feed a child, but because every mother deserves to make her own choices without pressure, guilt, or judgment.

Let’s talk about gestational diabetes

There’s another part of my motherhood journey that I really want to open up about.

I had gestational diabetes during both of my pregnancies.

And while it’s a condition that affects so many pregnant women, I feel it’s still not talked about nearly enough.

A diagnosis can be frightening. Suddenly, you’re dealing with blood sugar levels, food choices, medical appointments, and an overwhelming amount of information at a time when you already have so much on your mind.

It can leave you feeling anxious, confused, or even guilty, even though gestational diabetes isn’t something you should blame yourself for.

Having experienced it twice, I know how important it is to feel informed, supported, and understood.

That’s why I want to give this topic a meaningful place here on Raising Little Sprouts. I’ll be sharing my personal experiences, the challenges I faced, what I learned along the way, and the things I wish someone had told me during my first pregnancy.

Not as a medical expert, but as a mom who’s been there.

Because no expecting mother should feel alone or ashamed when navigating gestational diabetes.

Why I started Raising Little Sprouts

I started this little corner of the internet because I wanted to create something real.

A place where motherhood doesn’t have to look perfect. Where healthy food can be simple and enjoyable. Where we can talk openly about pregnancy, breastfeeding, raising little humans, and all the questions that come with it.

A place to share our family adventures, the recipes we love, the things that have worked for us, and the many lessons I’m still learning along the way.

I still love staying active, taking care of my health, and finding balance between being a mom and being myself.

Because that’s something I’ve learned too: becoming a mother changes you, but it doesn’t mean losing who you were before.

I’m still the curious girl who wanted to discover the world. I just get to share it with three people I love most now.

So whether you’re here for family-friendly recipes, honest motherhood stories, breastfeeding experiences, gestational diabetes, or a little inspiration to explore the world with your children, I’m happy you found your way here.

Welcome to Raising Little Sprouts.

Let’s grow, learn, explore, and figure out this beautiful, messy life together.

With love,

♡