Mothering Emma Kate, Jack, & Liam

Farewell dear summer

Emma Kate’s first homework assignment was to collect items in a paper bag to represent her summer. I realized, as we were looking to collect, that we did a lot of nothing this summer. And you know what… that is OK with me. Memories of the everyday, simple stuff are sometimes the best anyway. Farewell [...]

Pass the bottle of wHine please

My eyelids burn. They might be on fire… except they’re not. My throat hurts. My voice is scratchy (not from too much yelling- I promise). My body aches. And my head hurts. And my mom isn’t here, but I know she will read this. And I know she will be sympathetic. The thing about being [...]

On turning 10 months and being the 3rd child

Oh dear. I just realized today is the 14th which means I totally forgot yesterday was the 13th. Which means I didn’t acknowledge baby Liam’s 10 month milestone. G U L P. Serious lump in my throat. Third child syndrome is a true condition. At least it is so in our busy, chaotic, {loving} home. [...]

A river runs through it

Today my kids experienced a little bit of my childhood. Riding in the back of a pick-up truck {gasp} Wading in the river Observing deer Watching fireworks {smuggled from South Carolina, of course} All in the beautiful North Carolina foothills. {A big thank you to Rex, Diane, & family for hosting family togetherness on the [...]

Still breastfeeding [and loving it]

So I was at Starbucks today chatting with the barista about the best way to duplicate an iced soy caramel latte at home. Addicted, I know. We decided to try the new instant coffee with a splash of vanilla soy milk and a shot of caramel syrup. She gave me a sample in the store. [...]

These are the days

Today, as I sat on the beach watching the littlest one play in the sand, I found myself humming an old Natalie Merchant favorite… these are the days you’ll remember never before and never since, I promise will the whole world be as warm as this and as you feel it, you’ll know it’s true [...]

Little big girl

Feeling all sappy because eight years ago tonight I became a mommy (my first version of this sentence started out as a typo… moo-my… that’s not too far off). In walks Emma Kate. “Mommy, why are you crying?” “Because I’m happy. Really really happy.” She nods like she understands.

Desperately seeking flip flop worthy toenails

I just realized that I am so busy I literally do not have time to cut my toenails. Or get a haircut. Or file insurance paperwork. Or call about our (crappy) Direct TV service. Or fix the front porch swing. Or spend my 30% Gap coupon. Or grade my (very late) papers. Or. Or. Or.

Only little once

Today Emma Kate said, “Will you get my fork for me. You know I’m only little once.” So smart. So big. So right. It’s why we sleep with our kids. It’s why we let them bathe themselves in ducky tubs. We marvel at them. We savor them. They’re only little once.

Dinner time blahs

Cooking is so overrated. To begin with, I spend WAY too much time looking for healthy recipes (my fault… I know) and trekking to multiple grocery stores to locate ingredients. Then, in between moments of 5 o’clock parenting (and we know how much fun that can be), I prep food and get dinner started. 2 [...]