MotherProof.com Reviewer Bio
Mother Proof Reviewer: Courtney Messenbaugh
MP: Give us a 60-second commercial about you. Single? Married? Kids?
Wife to Mark, mother to Harrison (aka Harry, almost 11 months old). I feel very blessed to have the little family I have. We are many things — quirky, normal, crazy, intellectual, active — but above all we are very silly, and it makes life brilliant.
MP: Where has life taken you? College? Jobs? Travel?
I grew up in Colorado, received a B.A. in French and business and later earned a master’s in public affairs. In between my academic stints, I lived everywhere from Chicago to New York to Geneva and had a lot of fun. I was definitely of the “work hard/play hard” mentality. I worked predominantly in the investment banking/finance industry until I moved back to Colorado and started working in politics. Since having my son, I’ve tried to extricate myself a bit form the political world — as it was wearing me down — but still keep a few fingers in the game. After the advent of motherhood, however, I realized that I needed to do something a bit more creative with my mind, and Mother Proof is the perfect outlet for this.
MP: What is your current mom-mobile? What do you like best and least about it?
I drive a black 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. I’ve had this car — same make, model and color, but different years — a couple of times in my life, and it seems to work for me. It’s on the smallish side, which I like, has a spacious trunk, good stereo, is “zippy” (as my husband likes to say) and gets good gas mileage. My son seems to like his view from the back, too, so I have no complaints.
MP: What is your dream-mobile?
I couldn’t be less interested in the humongous SUVs all over the road these days; they’re just not my thing. So by process of elimination, I would have to stick with something relatively modest in size, but comfy, with a little bit of luxury thrown in. It would have to have plenty of storage space, be zippy (there’s that word again) for sure and have some rockin’ fuel efficiency.
MP: What is your favorite downtime activity?
Going to an afternoon movie all by myself. I have not done this since my son was born 11 months ago, but gosh darn it, I will, I will! It makes me happy.
MP: Can you share your tips for surviving motherhood?
Being sure to take time for myself. During the first few months this was a difficult concept for me to grasp, but once I did it I realized that it made me a better mom.
MP: What do you love about being a mom?
Every single thing.
MP: What is your vice or weak point?
Champagne, cheese, bread and fruit — I could probably live on that regimen forever. I also thoroughly enjoy a big mug of some kind of caffeine in the morning, usually coffee (with half-and-half, no less!) or a chai. .
MP: If you could be anywhere right now besides sitting in front of the computer writing this, where would you be?
Outdoors somewhere, be it a mountain or an ocean scene, practicing yoga with a challenging teacher. Then, once my practice is complete, I’d head to dinner with good wine, good food and good conversation.
Email Courtney Messenbaugh at: editor@motherproof.com
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