Uzo Aduba on New Motherhood

We’re hosting friends and family this weekend at our house to celebrate my daughter and husband Robert’s birthday. We have family flying in today and staying with us, so I need to get into host mode quickly. I make sure we have all the party details in order: face painting, a balloon artist for the kids, and drinks for the adults. So much to do. We need the cake, wait, two cakes; I still need to invite a few friends and order more food. My husband, Robert, and I plan to cook—Wagyu steaks, lobster sliders, quinoa, and a kale salad.

8:00 a.m.

We head inside, and my husband joins us downstairs. I hand the baby to Robert, and I head to a workout. I don’t feel like working out. It’s the last thing I want to do. I’ve let my fitness get away from me, but I am back on it with the help of my family and the thought of my daughter’s future. I’ve always been athletic, running track in high school and, later, a track and field scholarship from Boston University. After having my daughter, though, I’ve had to pull the motivation from somewhere deeper and make time for myself. It’s not easy. I usually walk 3-4 miles to start the day. I’ve recently started running again. I throw on my Lululemon leggings and Hoka sneakers. Sometimes, I chat with my elders in Nigeria, aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings worldwide, or listen to music. I love ’90s hip hop when I walk/run for some reason. Don’t ask me why. I think it calms/motivates me. My cousin sent me his trainer’s cell phone number. I have my assistant set up a session. I’ve trained at home in the past but still lacked motivation. We will see how it goes.

9:00 a.m.

I head home to make breakfast for my baby girl. My husband makes me breakfast: a quick omelet with bell peppers, cheese, two strips of turkey bacon, an English muffin, blueberries, and a hot cup of green tea. I make pancakes, fresh fruit, and an egg for my daughter. I sit her down in her highchair, and we eat together as a family. We love the brand Ezpz for their cups, mats, spoons, and all infant mealtime needs.

9:30 a.m.

I have a 10 a.m. on-camera Zoom meeting. I rush upstairs for a quick 5-minute shower using Dove soap and sometimes Lancôme cleanser if I had makeup on the day before, a beauty ritual passed down from my mother.  I usually get dressed in something comfortable but presentable: a set from Issey Miyake, JW Anderson slides, and a nice Wolford bodysuit shirt. My #1 rule is comfort. I love being comfortable, especially now as a mom. There’s no time for fancy. I throw on a sleek wig and stick with natural, minimal makeup. Although, I love a good beat when I have time.

Our nanny arrives for daycare; I kiss my daughter as she cries. She has a cold. I have to pick up her medicine right after this meeting.

10:00 a.m.