Behind the Scenes of Our Spring Diaper Shoot: Meet Michelle

Our limited-edition spring diaper prints are here! This seasonal campaign features real Honest families, and for the next few weeks we’ll go behind the scenes to get to know them. Today, meet Michelle and her little, Mari.

Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

My name is Michelle and I’ve been married to my husband, Nico, for almost 6 years.  We have two little girls, Mari (22 months) and Eva (4), plus our dog, Alli. I grew up in Florida and moved to the South Bay after college at the University of Florida, met my husband and the rest is history!  We settled into Redondo Beach and are two working parents trying to juggle careers and kids. Our lives are hectic & crazy and filled with lots of pink, baby dolls and Barbies!

How long have you been Honest customers? Any favorite products?

I’ve been an Honest customer since 2014 when our first daughter, Eva, was born. I had some friends who were using Honest diapers and they referred me. I love how quick and easy it is to order. Of course, I love the diapers but also love the Organic All-Purpose Balm and the Conditioning Detangler.  My oldest daughter has super curly hair so the detangler is a game changer in the mornings.

How did you hear about the casting? What was the process like?

I heard about the casting on Instagram. We had just visited the Museum of Ice Cream so I had so many cute pics of the girls on my phone. I emailed in some photos of Mari and the casting department got right back to me.

Tell us about the shoot. Any fun stories from set?

The two-day shoot was so much fun! It was at two different locations up in Malibu, both with gorgeous views of the ocean and mountains.  

What is your favorite print from the collection?

My favorite pattern is Flower Patch, it’s perfect for Spring!

What was it like getting to work with your daughter?

It was great to work with Mari! She is just the sweetest and at the best age right now. It’s hard to find one-on-one time with her so this was a great opportunity to spend two days with just her and create these special memories.

Give us a snapshot of what Mari is like right now — favorite foods, toys, activities?

Mari is such a happy toddler who smiles and laughs from that first look in the morning, to the giggles with her sister before bed. She LOVES her older sister and tries so hard to keep up with her. She is pretty fearless when it comes to trying new things and is a tough cookie when she falls down. She has a VERY independent spirit and she wants to figure things out on her own!  Her new favorite saying is “Mari do!!” when zipping up her jacket or putting on her shoes. Her favorite foods are fruit (definitely bananas) and cheese but she’s a pretty adventurous eater, willing to at least try new foods most of the time.

What was the most surprising part about becoming a parent? The most rewarding? The most challenging?

The most surprising (and rewarding) part of becoming a parent is the unconditional love you get from your child. The beaming smile you get when you walk into their room in the morning, or when you’ve been away (even if just for an hour) is heart-stopping. The best part of my day is when I’m putting Mari to bed and she says, “I love you, mama.” I think the most challenging part is the constant worry if you’re making the right decisions for them and also learning how to function on very little sleep.  

Looking back at your first year as a parent, what are you most proud of?

I’m proud that my husband and I have worked as a team over the past few years. Raising kids as a working mom is not easy, but having his support makes all the difference!  

Anything you would tell your pre-parent self?

No matter how prepared you think you are… you’re NOT. Take the advice you’re given from others with a grain of salt, their situation is not your situation. Also, I would tell myself to add 20 minutes to any timeline or expectation of arrival to any planned event!

What do you hope for your daughter?

First and foremost, I want a self-confident daughter. Maybe it’s the time we’re living in now, but I want to make sure both our daughters have the courage to stand up for their beliefs, their talents, their rightful place in whatever they choose to do in life. It’s my job as a parent to make sure they have the foundation (both intellectually and emotionally) to succeed, but I hope they carry the confidence to use those tools to aim for the stars without fear!

Our freshly picked prints are available at Target and Honest.com. Click here to stock up before they’re gone for good!