Browsed by
Tag: motherhood

Expired

Expired

My teaching license expired a few months ago. I haven’t stood in front of a classroom in over three years so really that chapter of my life has been closed for sometime now, but there was something about my license expiring that made it seem so final. It was a sad moment and I even looked into renewing it, but came to the conclusion that it was nearly impossible because I haven’t stood in front of a classroom in over…

Read More Read More

Never Forget

Never Forget

Our front yard has been our third child this last year and we’ve dumped a significant amount of money and more importantly time into it. One evening, Noel and I were out watering our yard’s newest acquisition, a nice patch of Buffalo Grass. As we looked at the yard we talked about how great it was looking and how excited we were to see things continue to improve. One of the old ladies in the neighborhood hurried over while we…

Read More Read More

My Newest Gear Acquisition, Ergo My Favorite

My Newest Gear Acquisition, Ergo My Favorite

I’ve tried to keep things fairly simple with my baby gear. The nurseries have been free of bells and whistles and I’ve even forgone a lot of things that I’ve heard make motherhood more convenient. (I mean I didn’t own a Boppy pillow till Baby #2 and even then I DIYed it.)  However, when it comes to actual baby gear, you know the things that help me haul my baby from point A to point B, I don’t scrimp. I’m…

Read More Read More

House Arrest

House Arrest

Sometimes I wonder if I’m cut out for this whole motherhood thing. We’re finally giving potty training a valiant effort and just as I suspected, I hate it. I feel like we’re in jail. A jail where there’s a little boy that runs around bare bottomed, pooping in closets the second I have to divert my attention elsewhere. Unfortunately, the only common thread in every potty training method is not to get upset. I think my efforts in this regard…

Read More Read More

I May Not Be Cool, But I’ve Got Swagger

I May Not Be Cool, But I’ve Got Swagger

The other day Noel and I were talking about how we’ve arrived at that place in life where we know we aren’t cool, but it doesn’t even bother us. Not to say that we’ve let ourselves go, but we’re in a spot where we can be confidently comfortable with who we are. With that attitude comes a certain swagger, as Noel called it, that makes a person look better than they did when they were putting forth so much effort…

Read More Read More

The Mother of All Fartleks

The Mother of All Fartleks

fart·lek  noun ˈfärtˌlek A form of running in which the runner varies the pace significantly during the run. It is usually regarded as an advanced training technique, for the experienced runner who has been using interval training to develop speed and to raise the anaerobic threshold.  Guide for Mother of All Fartleks Workout Decide to go for a run on your treadmill while your kid(s) are awake.  Set treadmill to desired speed. Begin running. When your child(ren) tries to get into…

Read More Read More

Be the Good

Be the Good

I remember having a conversation with my mother when I was pregnant with Cooper and telling her that I couldn’t listen to the news because it freaked me out and made me wonder what I was doing bringing a child into such a terrible world. My mom told me she’d felt the same way when she’d had me and pointed out that I’d turned out okay. I left the conversation feeling less worried and the thought came to me, “Well,…

Read More Read More

The Lies We Tell

The Lies We Tell

When I was ginormously pregnant with Ellen, everyone was always telling me how wonderful pregnancy was and how I just “glowed.” I know they were all trying to be encouraging, but it didn’t feel wonderful and if anything I was smoldering, not glowing. One Sunday, one of the sweet little old ladies at church engaged me in a conversation that I found quite refreshing. “It’s hard, isn’t it?” She said. “When I hear all those women talk about how wonderful…

Read More Read More

Young, Hot Mom

Young, Hot Mom

 “You can have a career anytime, but there’s only a short period of time you can                                 be a young hot mom.” – Cerie from 30 Rock  A little over a year ago, some ladies from church invited me to join their book club. The first meeting I attended was held at a member’s house that I had not previously met. I’d chosen my outfit for…

Read More Read More

So That’s What They’re For

So That’s What They’re For

When we were in the hospital after Ellen’s birth we received a customary visit from the hospital’s lactation consultants. Since I was a veteran they mostly just made chitchat, but when they asked how long I’d breastfed Cooper they got all sorts of excited. “You breastfed for a year? That is awesome! You’re super mom!” I was afraid they were going to pin a big ribbon to my chest and parade me around the maternity ward that’s how excited they…

Read More Read More