Michelle Isabel

It’s Friday in California on a Spring day.

I’m sitting on our new ultra comfy couches that we spent six plus months searching for. With the exception of the color they are everything you dream of when looking for comfort.

My home is from the 70s designed mid-century with mediterranean California ranch elements so I’m completely surrounded by windows. The birds are having a party outside with all the lush green growing.

There are alien-like movements happening in my stomach because I’m growing a baby. I’m 6 months prego and I’m doing the bare-minimum in all aspects of life right now. Showing up is an acceptable definition of done, which for a high-performer, type-A, personality really doesn’t happen. But growing a human in your own human body can have that affect.

This is my second child but third pregnancy. I miscarried in May of 2025 😦 more on that later.

I’m writing because this feels like a creative outlet for me.

I think I’ve always been a writer but I don’t consider myself a writer in the traditional sense. Actually this is the first time I say this as a statement. I do write but not in the way when you might think of someone that puts out a book or newsletter. I mean writing in the sense that I’ve always had a journal since I was a kid. And I just write even if just 1-2 sentences or nothing at all.

I have three months left until I deliver.

I’m a corporate girly with a toddler, which has made this pregnancy different from my first.

The major differences include a 2.5 year old running around, a working husband, and a full-time in-office professional career.

I’m not a hobby person and super type-A and I need something for me and writing here feels comfortable.

My life is full in the most fulfilling way;

I recently trimmed out some excess weight in my life at a micro level that afforded me this opportunity to make space for writing and processing the many things happening around me.

My husband is 41 and I’ve been married to him for 12 years. 10 of which we spent just him and I in a bubble of love doing what we wanted, when we wanted and how we wanted. I can’t even remember what that was like.

I am raising a spirited and strong willed 2.5 year old that is my replica from the shape of her nose to the very detailed and particular way she likes to do things. I’am growing her little brother due in July 2026. We also have Lee, our there-legged pompoo and his mother Summer, now in puppy heaven.

I have a strong village that is the only reason I felt I could raise a child and then bring a second one into this world. I invest significant time into our family events and extracurriculars. My niece and nephew are like my first children and made me see that this world was made for them.

I’m a proud and faithful Catholic which laid the foundation for the village we have. My kids wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for our faith and people.

I have a successful corporate career that I am proud of and enjoy on most days working for a mission-driven organization.

Lastly, we moved into a fixer upper and have projects oozing out of our eyes and ears.

I have no shortage of anything in my life. My most basic needs are met daily and when I take a look around at my life I see that I live in abundance. I hope to process and appreciate that through these written experiences.