In Bloom: Aimee Imai

January 20, 2021

Slide IN BLOOM We caught up with Aimee Imai to get her take on welcoming baby number two, and all the joys of what it means to be a Mother Surprised, excited, nervous (again!), thankful. We were planning to conceive in Italy on our vacation, but covid changed our plans. And certainly, the thought of being pregnant and giving birth during a pandemic was a little unsettling, but we were up for the challenge. I’ve never felt more protective over my family's health, and especially my own in order to protect my growing baby. It’s been a rough year for everyone, some more than others, and we’re just thankful to have each other, our jobs, our health, and that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Having a one year old has definitely kept things entertaining and fulfilling in a time where I feel like it could’ve been at times lonely and too quiet. Our house is definitely not lonely nor quiet!

We’re obviously nervous about having “two under 2.” Our babies will be just shy of 2 years apart but from what we’ve heard from parents in the same situation it’s really challenging at first, but temporary, and having them so close in age will forge a close bond. They will fight and love hard! Our hope is that they will be besties and always take care of each other like you girls, Oleema and Kalani. What emotions did you feel finding out that you were pregnant again? Being a mom has broadened my physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional courage exponentially beyond anything I could have ever anticipated. Every moment, my son reminds me how to be silly, to play, and appreciate the world through his eyes. I love sharing in his excitement for discovering and experiencing everything in the world for the first time, all the small things. It really makes you take a step back and just appreciate the things and experiences that are easily taken for granted. I mean it’s wild, almost since he was a newborn he was infatuated with our open beam ceiling rafters. He would look up and purse what we called his “cheerio” mouth into a tiny “o” and just gaze in wonder, so much so we even had to put up a tent at one point for naps because he couldn’t sleep! (lol) Weird little things like that, just make you even appreciate the ceiling!

I’m in awe of my capacity for loving someone else in a way I could never have imagined before becoming a mom. I’ve never felt so important, and no job has ever been so hard, but at the same time so rewarding. Taking all the knowledge that I’ve learned from raising our first and diving into raising our second as a more confident, flexible, experienced, forgiving (to myself), efficient, perfectly“un-perfect” mom. I have grown so much since my pre-mom self and am excited to relive having a new baby and all the experiences. The first year with Bear was so fleeting, it passed by so quickly! Just savoring every moment like her first smile, first laugh and first steps. Being able to laugh (rather than cry) this time around at the fact that you can’t remember the last time you showered, when baby pulls off your boob during a let down and milk squirts everywhere, or why your new fave getaway is Target. Mostly though, I’m looking forward to nurturing and watching the special bond that will grow between Bear and his baby sister. I just know he is going to be such a fierce protector and loving big brother! Okay, also...girly things! Hues of pink, dresses, and of course bikinis! SHOP THIS STORY Delia Skirt Moni Top What are you looking forward to most with welcoming your second baby? What is the most rewarding part of being a mother? What is the advice you would give your younger self about motherhood? I would totally tell myself to take it easy on ME! There is no perfect way of parenting. Accept help and food gratefully. Reach out to your support team of friends and family when you need help.

Making memories with your little ones is more important than a sparkling clean house (or so are naps! SERIOUSLY whenever you have the opportunity — SLEEEEEEP!) Get fresh air often, it’s easy to spend the entire day in the house and forget that you still need that connection to the outside world.

Most of all, don’t expect your current self to carry and birth a child and remain unchanged. Embrace the new woman you will become and remain curious as to what will make this new woman happy and what new adventures lie ahead. Then ground yourself in those happy moments and hang onto their preciousness as you battle missing a time when it was all about you, breastfeeding challenges (truth - breastfeeding is freaking hard!), crying from exhaustion, and collecting Cheerios from couch cushions like your life depends on it. You are a new woman, you are a mom! Zuma Bottom Cruz Bay Bottom Napoli Top Lana 2 One Piece Taiyo Crop Top Mentawai Shirt Kapoloa Dress