Today my last babies turn a week old. And I am determined to record my memories of their first days earthside before I forget – as though that could freeze time. Every parent says it, but it’s true: Children grow up incredibly fast, and they stay tiny for a heartbreakingly short amount of time. Read more
We all know how exciting it is to look forward to a child’s birth. But there is also something strangely sad about that anticipation. As a mother, I’ve nurtured two little bodies inside mine for nine months now, the only person who could feel their kicks and twitches; mine the only heartbeat they could hear. Soon, they will be out in the world, and I will be forced to let go of them a little bit; to allow other people to hold them and help care for them; to not be able to make every little decision that involves them.
Drew and I have always been certain that we wanted two or three children, max. After we first got our boy and then girl, we debated for a long time about adding a third kid to the family. But since I hadn’t yet gotten that “we’re done” feeling that everyone talks about, we decided try for a last baby. Read more
Twenty tiny fingers. Twenty perfect toes.
In 2018, my family’s life changed in a big way (or rather two very little ways). Read more
My once-tiny little man turns 4 today, his golden birthday. Ironically, while America is celebrating its red, white and blue birthday, he is spending the day in Canada with his dad, having the time of his life. And since my celebration with him is delayed, I will remember his first – real – birthday here.
This edition of my Monthly Must-Haves is special because it is chock full of things that my kids use (or that I use for them) on a daily basis.
My friend Karlyn was the inspiration behind this post; I will be doing a friends version of this kids list soon, so stay tuned! Read more
A picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why weddings are never complete without a photography package. It’s why new parents nervously allow their tiny, red infants to be squeezed into lacy, beribboned outfits and arranged in buckets, baskets and boxes.
“I don’t take enough pictures,” we all say as we snap away on our phones, adding to the hundreds of digital images we will probably never look at again. Because our children grow up faster than we can keep up with them. Every parent has looked at a photo of his/her child from six months earlier and sighed, “Look how tiny he was!” We take pictures in an attempt to halt time; to freeze our children at this age; to allow ourselves to memorize every nuance of their smallness for tomorrow – next week – next year – when they are just a little bit bigger. Read more
I was 30 when I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. I was 13 when it began wracking my body, twisting me from the inside out.
Back then, it was nameless. The day it claimed every month was made less inconvenient due to the fact that I was homeschooled. The fingers of pain that gradually spread throughout my midsection heralded a full 24 hours of torment; time slowly ticking by as I writhed in bed or on the ground or on the bathroom floor, shivering in pain and praying that it would pass quickly — to no avail. Read more
It’s time for another installment of monthly must-haves – but when it comes to the amazing products below, you don’t have to take my word for it! This month, I polled a few of my friends and family members to find out what tried-and-true items they can’t live without. Their favorite things are compiled below. I can’t wait to try everything for myself! When applicable, I’ve linked to the person’s personal blog or website so you can find out more about them and other things that they love. Read more
Toddler parties are the stuff of nightmares. Sticky children running around outside in the dirt (or, worse, inside the house where The Furniture lives). Cake and ice cream and candy and sugar, sugar, sugar. Fights over who gets to open the presents. Long, streamer-bestrewed sticks with which to beat the piñata. Inevitable meltdowns as the party drags on.
