Content may contain affiliate links including Amazon Associate links. If you click & make a purchase, I receive a small commission that helps keep this site up and running, at no cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy.

United States

The Nittany Lion

On our way home from Old Grandma’s house last week, Grace asked if we could stop to see the Nittany Lion. “If you’re awake, we’ll stop,” I responded, hoping that she would sleep the whole way home. What if I’m sleeping? “Then we won’t stop.” About 15 miles before Penn State, Grace woke up. Did I miss it? she asked, stretching and sleepy. “No. You had perfect timing. We’re almost there.” As soon as I unbuckled her, Grace raced from the car to the Nittany Lion. She climbed up all by herself, and she hugged its neck. I’ve missed you, … Read more

Tweet
Pin
Share3
3 Shares

Allison’s Birth Story – The Delivery

Did you read part one, part two, and part three of Allie’s birth story? The pain. I remember the pain so clearly. I pushed the button to give my epidural more medicine. I pushed and pushed and pushed the button. “What do you mean, you have to go to the bathroom? Do you have to urinate?” the nurse asked. “No, I have to poop. I have to push.” I said. “You have to push?!” she repeated, moving toward the foot of my bed. “Let me check you.” Not yet an hour had passed since I was 3 cm dilated. My … Read more

Tweet
Pin
Share3
3 Shares

Allison’s Birth Story – The Labor

Did you read part one and part two of Allie’s birth story? The Labor The doctor told me to take a hot bath in the jacuzzi and relax for a while while the pitocin helped my body to get things moving. The hot bath made my cervix change a bit – a 1/2 cm. My contractions were still  frequent and strong. My blood pressure continued to climb, requiring intravenous blood pressure meds and a heart monitor. To ease the tension, my sister recounted a funny story that made me laugh. Once I started laughing, I didn’t stop. My hysterical laughter … Read more

Tweet
Pin
Share1
1 Shares

Taking a Day Off in New York City

This past Saturday, I gave myself a day off. It was my first day off since Allison was born on December 28. Leaving home was not as hard as it could have been; I departed before 6 am. The children were still asleep. I drove to Bryner Chevrolet in Jenkintown, where GM-Northeast had arranged a breakfast and cars for the Philly Social Media Moms to drive into New York City. I was expecting to ride to New York with my dear friend, Shannon, but a sick child prevented her from coming. We are moms before we are mom bloggers, after … Read more

Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Five Years Ago

I’ve been wanting to play along with Lisa-Jo’s Five Minute Friday since I learned about it. Since I’m sitting in a comfy hospital chair, cuddling a snoozing baby (who is being discharged today), I certainly have five minutes to spare. Five Years Ago – February 2006 Five years ago, I had recently recovered from emergency gall bladder surgery. I had needed help from my friends, but none were there for me. A lot of those relationships were coming to an end, damaged beyond repair. I was sad. I felt betrayed. Five years ago, my mom had a total knee replacement … Read more

Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Grace’s Birth Story

I have never passed by a birth story without reading it. I think those stories are the ties that bind women. Every woman who has given birth has shared the same experiences, no matter the individual circumstances. I find them fascinating. So. If you aren’t interested in reading my birth stories, stop now and ignore my post next Thursday, too. You’ve been warned. Grace’s Birth Story I wrote this out in the days following Grace’s birth. I have a journal in which I wrote every single day for the first ten weeks of her life. This is the first entry. … Read more

Tweet
Pin
Share1
1 Shares