Hello! My name is Laura Belmonte. And I was born and raised in Albuquerque. My husband Alfonso and I moved away to Phoenix in 2011. But we were blessed to come back home in 2015!
Albuquerque
This is my home. I loved living in Phoenix. But we never pictured ourselves living there long-term. We would dream of coming back home and settling into the North Valley of Albuquerque.
I went to Rio Grande High School in the South Valley. Then I went to UNM for my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Since I am a Burqueña, I have my favorite little places to eat all over the city. However, I also enjoy the new restaurants that are popping up! New Mexican food is my comfort food. Throughout my pregnancy I have indulged in breakfast burritos, green chile cheese fries, and fresas con crema (a Mexican dessert that translates to “strawberries and cream”).
My parents are from Mexico, so I have been immersed in my culture living in Albuquerque, particularly in the South Valley. I am bilingual and bicultural. And this city definitely reflects that identity as well. I look forward to taking my son to museums and cultural centers to instill in him his cultural heritage, as my parents have done for me.
Moms
I am an expecting mom. My son, Alejandro, is due soon. And my husband and I are waiting excitedly for his arrival! We have been married for 8 years, so this is a new chapter for us! I am feeling all the feelings: excited, nervous, happy, scared, and anxious. Also, I am learning so much about what it is like to, as the cliché goes, love someone whom I’ve never met so very much. I look forward to learning from my fellow momma bloggers, as well as contributing my own knowledge that I hope to gain in this new journey of motherhood that I am embarking!
Blog
I have been blogging for a short while, particularly putting on paper (or screen) my thoughts about motherhood, career, and cultural heritage. I recently received my Ph.D. in Spanish and I teach at UNM. So, alongside my pregnancy, I have also embarked a new chapter in my career. Blogging has helped me sort out how I want to balance my life, and also recognize that it’s OK to admit that I may not know how to do it!
It is truly exciting to contribute to Albuquerque Moms Blog!