Bump Club and Beyond is headed to Scottsdale/Phoenix this week to kick off our Gearapalooza 2019 Tour.  For nearly a decade, BCB + Gearapalooza, along with The BabyGuyNYC, has been bringing thousands of parents the BEST baby gear, products, services + safety information in one action packed event, in fifteen cities across the country.   As we get ready to land in Arizona for the first time ever, we caught up with some of our favorite local Arizona moms. 
All three of these women are loved and followed by thousands of other moms through their blogs and Instagram profiles.  They will all be joining us on Thursday night!  Keep reading to find out what they love about living in Arizona, their favorite products, and what other moms they look up to.  You can click the links to head to their profiles—some of them are even giving away tickets to Gearapalooza!  We can’t wait to land in Scottsdale bringing BCB and Gearapalooza magic to all of the Arizona moms, moms-to-be, their partners and their families. 

Name: Bethanie Garcia

Age: 25
Kids and ages: Brooklynn (5), Harlym (4), Deuce (2), Bronx (infant)
Where do you live? Gilbert, AZ
What is the best part about where you live? I love Gilbert because it has all the small farm town vibes but it’s close enough to all the good food and shopping in Scottsdale and Phoenix. It’s the perfect place to raise a family.
What are five things that you could not “mom” without? 

1. Nose Frida
2. Essential oils
3. Wonder Weeks app
4. Graco Sense2Soothe Swing
5. Netflix (haha!)

Who are your “mom idols”?  Michelle Obama & Kristen Bell
What is one piece of advice for new moms that you wish someone told you before motherhood. That it’s hard AF and it doesn’t make you any less of a mom for asking for help.
Tell us a little bit about your online mission!  (We want our readers to fall in love with you too!)  I’m a blogger that shares the real and raw sides of motherhood that often go unseen on Instagram. I love sharing my fave products as well as a look into my crazy life with 4 kids ages 5 & under! Check out my blog and my Instagram account.

Name: Jessica Dowd

Age: 29
Kids and ages: Liam 21 Months and  Due August 14th 2019
Where do you live? Surprise AZ
What is the best part about where you live? Warm weather year round!
Favorite date night in your hometown. A movie and some Rita’s soft served custard
What are five things that you could not “mom” without? 

1. DockATot Deluxe
2. Diaper Genie
3. Ergobaby
4. Mamaroo
5. Free community and library events has been great for my son’s development and socializing since I do stay at home with him the majority of the time as well as for meeting and interacting with other Moms.

Who are your “mom idols”?  (Moms you look up to as women and parents.) My mom definitely plays a huge role in many aspects of my mothering and I have a few friends I bounce ideas and funny stories off of or ask for advice.  I do however try not to set specific expectations or compare myself to anyone in particular which helps me keep my sanity as a Mom and allows me to do what I think is best for my son without any preconceived notions or fear of judgement.
What is one piece of advice for new moms that you wish someone told you before motherhood.  Every baby is different and they will teach you how to be their Mom.  Keeping them safe and healthy and loving them are the most important things, everything else will fall into place.  Don’t stress about how long you breastfeed, whether or not their clothes are made from organic bamboo or when you “should” sleep train.  Also, always know you are not alone in this journey, there is a pretty good chance what you are going through at any point in time, another Mom most likely went through the exact same thing so take strength from that and find your tribe.
Tell us a little bit about your online mission!  (We want our readers to fall in love with you too!)  I started my blog and IG account after moving across the country for my husband’s job with the Air Force. I felt very isolated with no friends or family to speak of and didn’t even have a second car yet to leave the house!  My son was about 8 months old and was a great sleeper, which was fantastic, but I found myself with a ton of time on my hands and no outlet.  I decided to start training for a half marathon. During those many hours of quiet time running, I realized I had a lot to say.  I wanted to share it with other Moms who might be going through some of the same things I was.
My blog Mom Life Exposed was born and my Instagram account (originally momlifexpo) was not far behind it.  I love sharing my life as a Mom but also as a woman and try to keep things that I talk about relatable.  Real life is messy, being a Mom can be hard at times, and sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself! I love connecting with other Moms and swapping stories or just supporting each other. You can check out my blog Mom Life Exposed and follow me @jessicagracefully.
 

Name: Rita O’Neal

Age: 38
Kids and ages: Ryan, 23; Briana, 15; Dominic, 9; Lux, 2; Baby Girl, due in July
Where do you live? Scottsdale, Arizona
Favorite date night in your hometown. Being new to the area, and with a few kids, date nights don’t happen often; however, we love having lunch together at new spots or taking the kids out to dinner.
What are five things that you could not “mom” without?   

1. The NoseFrida (sounds gross to some but a lifesaver to me!)
2. In-Ear Thermometer (because holding them still to do it any other way is sometimes impossible)
3. Planner (to keep track of all the kids and all the appointments, commitments, and fun activities)
4. Amazon (for all those times you need something quick or in a couple days but don’t want to drag the kids out in the rain)
5. Coffee (how else can you keep up?)

Who are your “mom idols”?  (Moms you look up to as women and parents.) I don’t think there is one single mom that I look up to.  I look up to all moms. Every mom I know has their struggles and their strengths. I think all moms are amazing in their own individual way.
What is one piece of advice for new moms that you wish someone told you before motherhood. Enjoy the little things like a good, uninterrupted full nights sleep, sleeping in when you can, being able to get up and leave the house in an instant, cooking for one (or two) versus an entire family, just be – cherish your peace and quiet, as it will be many years before you get it back. With all that being said, the sacrifices are so worth the return of being a mom.
Tell us a little bit about your online mission!  (We want our readers to fall in love with you too!) One thing I enjoy is being my true authentic self. Sure, I share many cute moments, fun adventures, and happy times but nothing is fabricated. I’m honest and I love connecting with my audience on a real level. I’m a simple mom that likes to keep things easy and fun!  You can check out my blog Mom with a Dot Com or follow me @momwithadotcom.
We’ll be checking in with some of our favorite real moms ahead of all Gearapalooza 2019 stops.  Do you know someone we should profile?  Send us an email and let us know!  For more information about Gearapalooza and for registration, click here.  (PSSSSST you can use the code KICKOFF for $10 off a premier ticket at any of our stops!)