I recently read a book for book club called Tell Me More: Stories About The 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say, by Kelly Corrigan. It’s been one of the most helpful books I’ve read as it relates to grief and life, and I think it should be required reading for all of humanity. I don’t know that it’s really considered a “grief book.” But it is about how tough life can be in general and thus tackles a lot of rough stuff, so, needless to say, I could relate to it. I should also mention that Kelly Corrigan has a sense of humor, so although this is a heavy read, there are lighter parts, maybe even a few laughs, in here as well. Continue reading
baby loss
An important (but long overdue) PSA
I should have posted this a long time ago. I’m not sure why I didn’t. But what’s the old adage? It’s better late than never? Yes. It’s better late than never. Continue reading
Chicago and lights in the wilderness
“How many?” a hostess greeted me at the door of a crowded pub. Continue reading
It’d actually be perfect if…
This summer someone gifted us this blue, plastic, blow up whale that attaches to a sprinkler and shoots water out of its blow hole, because, what else, right? For most of the summer it sat unopened on our countertop, because it was hot and 160 percent humidity, and because our grass died (AGAIN) rendering our yard (mostly) muddy. So, for the life of me, I couldn’t get motivated to set this thing up. Continue reading
I’mmmm baaack, b!tches! (summer update, part 1)
I haven’t posted since Matthew’s birthday. It’s been almost two months. I intend to start posting more regularly again as well as become more engaged with my blog in general now that I’m no longer attempting to work a full-time accounting job in the evenings, so first thing’s first – a quick update on the remainder of the summer – just the things that stand out in my mind.
On tragic accidents and victim shaming
Last weekend Olympic skier Bode Miller lost his 19 month old daughter to accidental drowning. Apparently the little girl and her mother were visiting a neighbor with a pool. The mother lost track of her for a few moments, long enough for her to make her way to the pool, fall in, and drown to death. Continue reading
How is this my life?
So this weekend we got Fredrik baptized. Coincidentally the pastor of our church (I say “our church,” but we aren’t officially members – they were nice enough to allow Fredrik to be baptized there nonetheless) was preaching a message on tragedy… Continue reading
EVERY parent experiences anxiety my a$$
So I’ve been guilty of uttering, “My first child died, so I have anxiety about XYZ <insert almost any parenting related thing under the sun>,” as though no other parent has ever experienced anxiety. And usually whomever is on the receiving end of my statement either validates me or (more often, it seems) reminds me, “Oh, but EVERY new parent experiences anxiety – hahaha (yes, they sometimes laugh).” Continue reading
Mother nature is cruel
We don’t give Joel much screen time; however, on Super Bowl Sunday we made an exception and turned on the television. Prior to the Super Bowl we caught part of the Puppy Bowl, or I guess a story about the origins of it (on Animal Planet?), which was wonderful, because Joel LOVES puppies. So it was a great opportunity for us as a family to zone out together in front of the TV, and Mark and I could still feel good about ourselves, because we reasoned that Joel was getting extra time with his favorite animal, at least virtually. Continue reading
Third not second; three not two
Oh hi there. Since I last posted, I’ve been (surprisingly) successfully knocking out my massive to-do list, as well as just trying to survive. For those interested, Finch seems to be doing well. Also, I flirted with a late-onset gestational diabetes diagnosis for a few days, but, alas, after about eleven finger pricks to take my blood sugars, it’s been determined that I don’t have it. So just another stop on my maternal fetal medicine schooling rotation, I guess. Continue reading