Sips, Strolls & Sweet Moments: A Mom’s Guide to CLE
Postpartum with my first felt heavy. There was so much fear, anxiety, and stress - the uncertainty of being a first-time mom, the long winter days, and the lingering worry of COVID. Don’t get me wrong, I was ecstatic to be a mom, but most of that season was spent indoors, trying to find my footing and wondering if I was doing any of it “right.”
This time, everything felt different. A summer baby. Sunshine. A toddler who couldn’t wait to get outside. And a mom who finally felt confident enough to just… go.
So, we did.
We spent these past few months exploring and finding little pockets of joy across Cleveland. Some days, it was just me and the baby. Others, it was a full family adventure. Most days started with a nap window and the promise of something delicious - tea, pastries, or a breakfast sandwich. It became our rhythm: sips, strolls, and sweet moments that made the days feel full in all the best ways.
Now, as I get ready to head back to work, I wanted to look back and capture some of the places that filled this maternity leave with laughter, crumbs, and stroller walks. Because even in the middle of blowouts, sporadic naps, and endless snack bags, there was so much magic here.
Where We Wandered
The list no one asked for, but I’m sharing anyway. And honestly, it’s still not fully inclusive.
We ventured to the Zoo, explored playgrounds & parks, ventured to Hillcrest & Patterson’s, and more! But for the sake of keeping things on theme (it was summer after all), here’s the coffee shop, breakfast, and ice cream edition:
Mojo’s Coffee and More & Huntington Reservation (Bay Village)
Roasted Coffee Shop (Olmsted Township)
Chez Michel & Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)
Coffee Therapy & Bradley Woods Reservation (Westlake)
Paris Baguette & Huntington Beach (Avon/Bay Village)
Trust Coffee Co. & Cahoon Memorial Park (Bay Village)
Goodkind Coffee & Lakewood Park (Lakewood)
Fragapane Bakery & Rocky River Reservation (North Olmsted)
North Royalton Memorial Park & Loder’s Shake Shoppe (North Royalton)
Squire’s Castle (Willoughby Hills)
Coe Lake & Falls Ice Cream (Berea/Olmsted Falls)
Emilie’s Coffee House & Wine Bar (+ the dentist…) (Avon Lake)
Cleveland Vegan & Brassica (Lakewood/Westlake)
Honey Bee Bakery & Medina Square Farmer’s Market (Medina)
Blackbird Baking Company & Clague Park (Lakewood/Westlake)
Heartwood Coffee Roasters & Pinecrest (Orange)
Twin Bean Café & Grand Pacific Junction (Olmsted Falls)
Martha on the Fly & Cleveland Sign (Tremont)
Terrapin Bakery & Wendy Park (Tremont/Ohio City)
Gourmands & Liberty Park (Valley View/Independence)
Goldie’s & Preston’s HOPE Playground (Lyndhurst/Beachwood)
Mrs. Scott’s Sweets (North Ridgeville)
5 Points Coffee & Tea (Kamm’s Corners)
Metropolitan Coffee (Brooklyn)
Lehman’s Deli & Westlake Recreation Center (Westlake)
The Grounded Bean & Playville (Brunswick)
Looking Back
These weren’t big adventures, but they were the kind that leave a mark. They reminded me that joy doesn’t have to be loud - it can be a slow morning, a warm scone, or a stroller walk through the park. And even now, some days, it’s just a drive down Valley Parkway to enjoy the changing foliage.
The first time around, I learned how to be a mom. This time, I learned how to be myself again with two little ones along for the ride.
Here’s to tea over coffee, pastries over perfection, and finding beauty in the everyday. Wish me luck as I transition from nap schedules to meeting schedules (but maybe with the same amount of snacks?!).
