LIFE & COLOR: MEET OMA

An interview with MH Editor, Rebecca

MEET OMA - Oma Nzeh (@fearlesslyoma) is a mother, wife, doctor, traveler & blogger (just to name a few). Based in Houston, this soon-to-be mama of two chatted with us about why she loves calling Houston home & how she juggles it all as a mom & physician.

Tell us about living in Houston!
It’s crazy to think I have lived in Houston for over 15 years. I moved to Houston shortly after high school to go to college at the University of Houston - #GOCOOGs! After graduating from college, I left to go to medical school, but came back to complete my residency training and have been here ever since.

Why did you decide to start your family there?
Houston is an amazing and diverse city and, to be honest, it’s where I really grew up. I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, but I experienced a majority of my adulthood here in Houston. It really felt like home to me, and it had that familiarity I wanted while starting my own family. I knew that this was a city that would be able to provide my children with tons of experiences. Plus, my parents are just a quick road trip away!

As a first generation Nigerian-American, it was hard growing up in a place where there were not many people like you or you felt like you could not fully be yourself … having to always share only one side or certain parts of you because some people just didn’t understand nor did they want to. Houston’s large Nigerian community offered me that safe space to truly see and be myself that the younger me always longed for.

What do you love about the city?
I love that on any given day, there are so many things to do here. If you enjoy outdoor activities, you can find them. If you enjoy music and the fine arts, you can find those. If you enjoy exploring new cultures, you can do that locally here. And not to mention all the amazing food. The restaurants local to Houston and cultural cuisine are so good.

How would you describe the “local color” of Houston?
I honestly cannot pick just one color because Houston is a melting pot of so many different cultures and ethnicities. You have Africans, I am specifically Nigerian. You have the Latinos, Asians, and so many different cultures represented here in Houston. Each has their own spice and their own flavor to add to the vibrant color that the city offers.

What are your favorite places in the city, and why?
The Houston graffiti wall downtown is one of my favorite locations. It’s an amazing spot where local artists have used the buildings as their canvas to tell the colorful story of Houston. Downtown is also one of my favorite places because of how tall the architecture is – it creates an amazing skyline. There’s the Biscuit Paint Wall, located in the neighborhood of Montrose, which is known for the LGBTQ community, and is also home to lots of eclectic eateries, vintage stores, & great places to have brunch or a night out.

What are you inspired by?
I am inspired by my parents. They came from Nigeria with nothing and gave me and my four siblings everything. I am beyond grateful for the sacrifices they made for us.

What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is green. Specifically emerald green. It’s bright, rich and deep.

What are your favorite colors to wear?
My favorite colors to wear are colors that enhance melanin skin. Creams, browns, oranges, yellows, & greens all look amazing on my skin.

What are you most grateful for in this moment?
With all that is currently going on in the world, I am most grateful for my health and the health of my family. As a wife, mom and physician on the frontlines, things have been rough mentally and physically, but I know navigating the pandemic has not been easy for anyone. I’m super grateful to still be in the presence of loved ones.

What are your favorite pieces from Motherhood? How are you wearing them?
I am loving my Jessica Simpson Clip Dot Flounce Maternity Dress. It is free and flowy and makes me feel beautiful when I put it on. A hat and a pair of low-heeled sandals are perfect to style it with.

Tell us about your family!
I met my husband seven years ago when I was moving back to Texas after just graduating medical school. It was funny because that was when I least expected to meet someone! Things with him were easy and such a natural fit.

When are you due? Do you have a named picked out?
I am due at the end of June, so just a few more weeks to go and our baby boy will be here. And yes, we do have a name picked out. Both my husband and I are Nigerian, Igbo to be specific. And we have decided that all our children will have an Igbo first name and an English middle name. He actually picked the name and I loved it so that was super easy!

Is your daughter excited to be a big sister?
LOL, I would like to think she is. In the beginning, I don’t even think she noticed because she’s still so young. She was just about to turn two when we found out we were expecting, but over the past few months it seems that she’s matured so much, especially since she’s started talking so much more. She rubs my belly and yells “baby!” She hugs my belly and says, “give brother hug” and loves to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” while she rests her head on my belly.

How has your pregnancy been?
I will say this pregnancy was a little rough in the beginning. The nausea and fatigue were not easy, especially working as a physician on the frontlines in the middle of a pandemic with a toddler running around, but things are much better now. I’m grateful to have made it this far and to hold my baby boy soon.

What is the BEST thing about being a mom right now?
The best thing about being a mom is watching my daughter grow into herself and her personality. It’s a delight to see what brings her joy and makes her excited. It makes me look at things I have already seen with new eyes. A true blessing.

What is the MOST CHALLENGING thing about being a mom right now?
The most challenging part about being a mom right now is realizing how many things are beyond my control. *insert global pandemic, LOL* No matter how much you prepare, things often don’t go according to plan despite your efforts. But all I can do is give my family the best of me daily and put the rest in God’s hands.

Did you have any concerns about having a “quarantine baby”?
My biggest concern was my direct exposure to COVID-19 as a physician. Knowing that pregnant women can have significant complications related to COVID-19 was something I thought about often. My baby and I are exposed daily and then I also go home to my family after long shifts in the hospital.

What has been most challenging?
I actually got sick with COVID-19 earlier this year. One of my biggest fears brought to life. I am grateful that I only had minor symptoms and did not have to be hospitalized, but it was still a very anxiety- provoking time. I was very fortunate that my daughter and grandmother, who helps me to take care of my daughter, did not get sick and were able to stay with my parents while my husband and I quarantined.

How do you juggle motherhood, being a doctor, and having a life? Especially during COVID!
I take things one day and one task at a time and I ask for help where I feel I need it. I realized long ago the goal is not to do it all. That only leaves me run down and too tired to be fully present for my family.

Tell us about your lifestyle blog.
My blog has transformed into a space where I encourage women to rise above the obstacles and adversities put before them & break free from all the things holding them back from living as authentically and abundantly as they desire.

How did you get started?
My blog started off initially as an “online diary” - somewhere where I could openly document my life experiences. I knew that people read blogs, but I never dreamed that people would actually read mine and apply what they have taken away to their own lives. It is a tremendous blessing to reach and impact lives in such a way.

What type of content do you focus on?
I am really enjoying sharing everyday motherhood content. With a 2-year-old and another little one on the way, it’s a big part of my everyday life.

Follow Oma on her Instagram @fearlesslyoma
And keep following the Motherhood Road Trip to hear more about Oma & Houston – and our next mama in July (see you in Phoenix!).

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