Always On My Mind
We have all heard of “pregnancy brain” and I’m pretty sure it’s been around since before there was science to confirm it. I can imagine ancient cave woman explaining to their partners that they forgot to tend to the fire because they were out hunting for herbs and it completely slipped their minds. Through my […]
(Don’t) Grin and Bear It
They say third time’s the charm, but that hasn’t proven true for me. I have written in the past how much I truly relish being pregnant. With my first two children, I honestly dreaded the day they’d be born because I knew I would miss having them in my body. I loved feeling them move, […]
Happy Mother’s Day!
Five years ago on Mother’s Day, my husband and I were enjoying a romantic weekend away at a spa in the Virginia countryside. I had been feeling kind of off for a few days, so I’d brought along a pregnancy test, figuring that if it was negative, at least I’d be relaxed and have lots […]
“Harder Than You Can Imagine”
That’s what everyone warned me about having a second child from the moment I announced my pregnancy. It is also pretty much the worst advice I have ever been given. Telling me that I cannot even conceive of how difficult it will be to care for two kids does nothing to help me prepare me […]
From Dawn Into Darkness
My long-awaited baby girl, who we named Aurora (“Goddess of the Dawn”), arrived with the sun two weeks ago. The week leading up to her birth presented physical and emotional challenges I had not anticipated, but the two weeks since she was born have been more difficult than I could have imagined. I want to […]
Floating Down a River in Egypt
… towards a waterfall! Okay, I’ll admit it, I am in denial that my life is about to change forever in a matter of days or hours. I’ve been in denial about being in denial for the past month, pointing to the tangible efforts I have been taking in preparation for the arrival of our […]
Is Pregnancy a Disability?
Does being pregnant entitle someone to special treatment? I think most would unequivocally agree that yes, a healthy young man should give up his seat on the bus to a visibly pregnant woman, and it is courteous (although not yet required by social etiquette) to allow a pregnant woman in urinary distress to cut to […]
The Price of Love
“Grief is the price of love.” – Queen Elizabeth II, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks I considered writing a Christmas Eve post about the magic of this season – with its benevolent Santa Claus, mischievous Elf on the Shelf, gift-giving of all kinds, nostalgic music, sweet treats, and general atmosphere of goodwill and […]
Cousins!
“God made us cousins because he knew our moms couldn’t handle us both!” – Unknown Siblings are one of life’s greatest blessings; my sister has been a lifelong best friend, playmate, confidant, teammate, supporter, and inspiration. Still, even the closest brothers and sisters experience unavoidable rivalries and jealousies due to competition for family resources and […]
Sugar, (Hold the) Spice, & Everything (Mostly) Nice
It is common knowledge that every pregnancy – like every child – is distinct, and yet, with nothing but prior experience as a frame of reference, I found it difficult to imagine what would be different this time around. [Please note, although I often try to back up my observations with actual science and research, […]