Last week’s Binky checkup was so uneventful I didn’t even mention it. I was literally in and out in under 30 minutes, it might be a new record. Mike and I were expecting more of the same for yesterday’s appointment. Except, Binky was having an off-day. Binky, like her big sister Madeline before her, has days where she is really active, and days where she sleeps all day. I’ve mentioned this every time I’ve had an appointment, but I guess every other appointment wa... Read Full Story
Rigby has been going through a bit of a hard time lately. She’s been getting booster shots, which are no fun. We noticed that she’d been acting funny even before the shots started, so we took her to the vet. After a thorough exam, the vet decided Rigby either had a urinary tract infection or crystals in her urine (we’ll get the follow-up diagnosis later today). Either is very treatable but whatever it is has made Rigby very uncomfortable. When Rigby doesn’t feel well s... Read Full Story
Lately I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed. Heavy. I am anxious for so many things, and my heart is split into pieces. My fears and worries are great. I am so tired of being helpless and uncertain. I am so over of the unknown.
My mind is often on my second child and the changes she will bring. I worry that I’m going to be a different mom to her than I want to be. She’s a second child but she’ll get the attention of an only. I want to be the same mom to her that I was... Read Full Story
When I saw my friend Anissa in February of this year, after we hugged and squealed she pushed me away and said, “I’m so mad at you for not bringing that baby!” I told her that I’d brought the next best thing – a video of Madeline that I’d filmed just for Anissa.
I’d been chatting with Anissa the first time Maddie heard Beyonce’s song “Single Ladies.” I told Anissa all about how Maddie stopped playing and started dancing. Since that ... Read Full Story
I am incredibly lucky to have many amazing friends in my life, friends that have surrounded me and held me up the last seven months. Each of my friends has brought something different, something that I never would have known I’d need when we became friends. I am so grateful for all of them, and could wax poetic about them for months on end.
My friend Anissa and I bonded because we had daughters with medical needs. Anissa’s daughter Peyton had leukemia, and Anissa knew what it was ... Read Full Story
When Mike and I got married, we had the typical plans for our life together. Careers, a house with a yard for the dog, and a handful of kids to fill the house. We didn’t plan on any of those kids to be born prematurely. No one ever does. And yet, over half a million babies a year are born too soon.
I did everything I was supposed to do before I got pregnant with Madeline. I went to the doctor and had a physical, I was in good shape, I took prenatal vitamins. I ate right, took care of my... Read Full Story
In the last few weeks my belly size has increased noticeably. I had physical therapy on Monday and again on Friday, and when I walked in on Friday the therapists were like, “HOLY CRAP YOUR STOMACH!” (the PT has made a HUGE improvement in my shoulder -it’s still very painful, but I can move so much easier.) I look at myself in the mirror most days so I don’t really notice by sight, but I’ve been putting on the maternity clothes I wore when I was pregnant with Made... Read Full Story
The first time I heard it, I was sitting in the front seat my my parents’ car. My dad was driving, and my mom was in the back seat with Madeline. At that moment, no one was talking, and the radio was low. Suddenly, one of the cutest, funniest sounds I’d ever heard came from the back seat. My dad and I started cracking up, having no idea that my mom was assisting Maddie. The two of them kept us entertained for the rest of the drive, and when we jumped from the car we demanded to se... Read Full Story
On your birthday, we wore purple.
All of us.
On your birthday we bought pretty purple flowers.
We ate cream puffs.
On your birthday we sang you songs, and we missed you so much we couldn’t breathe. We remembered how much you liked the fudge mommy made last year, how wide your eyes would get when they’d see a piece. How every morning you loved to fling your arms way above your head, point your little toes and have a biiiiiiig stretch. We realized how empty our bed is without yo... Read Full Story
