Katherine Stowe :The Gray Hummingbird
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Kingwood?
I am originally from Moca, Puerto Rico, my family moved us to Texas when I was 7. I then lived in Deer Park for about 13 years. After moving away from the nest I met my husband, we lived in Humble for 5 years. Moved to Kingwood in 2017 and have been here since!
Children and ages?
I have three children
Ryleigh she is 6 , Parker is 3 and Charles is 16 months.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
One thing people would be surprised to know about me is that I have been pumping for six years. When my daughter was born in 2014 I found out I had an abundant supply of milk. When she was 2 1/2 we decided to get pregnant with our second, I still pumped through all of my pregnancy. Although my supply was not what it was before getting pregnant I never lost it. When giving birth to my son my abundant supply came back. When he turned 11 months we decided to try for our last, I kept pumping through all of it as well. I gave birth to my son Charles and have never had this much milk I felt as if i was pumping for triplets!! Over 130 oz a day, My freezers quickly filled up and I had more than I knew what to do with that’s when I decided to become a milk donor. I was a milk donor for almost an entire year for the Mothers Milk Bank At Austin. My son is now 16 months old and I am still pumping! It has been such a blessing! I love to donate to local mommas and currently on the hunt to find another milk bank to donate to.
What is your go-to Activity for yourself for pampering or fun?
I really have been getting back into weight lifting I forgot how much I loved it. I don’t get much pampering, unfortunately, being a full-time mommy and having a husband out of town a lot makes it difficult.
Funniest shortcut/ routine for helping you through parenthood?
Planning and organizing everything helps me tremendously!! Have clothes laid out, snacks packed, backpack and jackets ready to go. If we have tons of appointments the next day I will put dinner in the crockpot overnight and turn it off in the morning so I’m not going crazy trying to cook dinner when we get home late.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor or in the corporate world?
I started the gray hummingbird after my daughter started school in August 2019. It seemed like she was sick week after week for almost 2 whole months. With my daughter being allergic to many things, having autism and absent seizures we didn’t like giving her those super strong medications. We really never knew how she would react to one or the other. I started doing tons of research. In the past, I had previously bought elderberry syrup and my kids never really liked it. I decided to make my own recipe with our family honey being our second main ingredient, gave it to my daughter and she loved it!! We now have it every morning. After making some for family, then friends that’s when I was asked: “why don’t you start selling it is delicious”. The more I thought about it the more it became an excellent idea and that’s when I started The Gray Hummingbird. Now I love hearing back about how my elderberry has helped so many people and it truly makes my heart very happy! Meeting all the new moms has been a plus!!
My parents have our family business called “Yess Honey” they are located in Pasadena Texas, they are full-time beekeepers. They have over 4 bee farms in Harris county and liberty county. With fields of different types of orange trees and other fruit! This is where the Gray Hummingbird gets their delicious Honey and Oranges from! The business started in 2012 with just selling honey and now my mom has expanded into making lip balm’s, sugar scrubs and soaps with their honey and beeswax from the hives. They are two Amazing individuals who love what they do. Even with my dad currently fighting brain cancer, they are constantly working hard taking care of all the hives and lifting each other up in the process. You can always find their raw organic honey on our shelf along with our elderberry syrup!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you where you are now?
This is such a tight Knit close community I just love it. Moms building each other up instead of tearing each other down just wow I’ve never been in such a close community this way!! I have met some very amazing people lately. I love how everybody is so fast to help each other and supporting local businesses!
What would you tell the old you before you had kids?
Everything is in God’s timing, have faith, everything will be okay. The rain comes before the rainbow. Oh and SLEEP you will miss it!!
What is your proudest mommy moment?
My proudest mommy moments would have to be when all of my kids just really reach a milestone, one, in particular, I will never forget is my daughters. On February 2017 she started speech therapy and after a month of speech therapy, she said all her colors for the first time at three years old. Ryleigh was three and nonverbal she would hardly mumble and point out things and it was very difficult not knowing how to help her because we had no answers at that time. I became a voice for her and doing tons of research not taking no for an answer when I spoke concerns to our doctor. We saw numerous doctors and It took us a while but on January 15, 2019 my daughter was diagnosed with autism. She has now been doing speech therapy for three years and while she’s not speaking perfect she has done a complete 360 she now talks to people, isn’t afraid of sounds or afraid to look at anybody. Her beautiful little soul speaks on and on and on for days!!! Truly she is the kindest little soul. To this day we have our challenges but this community is great and I have met a wonderful mommy through Kingwood Moms with a similar story that will always have a special place in my heart.
The greatest gift of all being a mom?
Definitely hearing my kids tell me they love me, that I’m doing a great job. My daughter, she will tell me that I work so hard, that I am “beautiful, wonderful, the best mom, super mom, awesome mom in the whole world”. Her and her brother always thank me by giving me little tiny back massages and brushing my hair which I love oh so much.
Best mom hack that makes mom and easier?
Don’t stress no one is perfect no matter how hard they try to be. Don’t compare yourself to other moms be who you are. That sometimes means not matching your kids’ socks and having leftovers for dinner.
What is your favorite part about what you do?
Before starting my business I was always shy timid and really soft-spoken. Having my business has really opened my eyes, has brought me out of my shell and has brought me to meet many new moms. Some have become close friends now and I love that!
What is your favorite thing to do in the HKA area?
We really love visiting new parks every weekend with the kids. Riding our bikes through the trails the trees, the birds, the fresh air we enjoy it!