The first day of November. What does it mean? My house is filled with candy wrappers. Empty ones. Mostly in garbage cans, but there’s the odd escapee as well, decorating the carpet. It’s not a source of pride: this week there are four adults in the house + Sean went a little crazy with the…
Tag: children
Sebastian’s Tree
A year ago yesterday, on October 15th, International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, I wrote to Sebastian on Unspoken Grief. I was feeling very blue and needed to write with a bit more anonymity than usual. Looking back at what I wrote, I feel so fortunate to be where I am, one year later….
Journey to the two-child* family
After twelve days with the new girl in the house, we are settling in. Two whole, living children. As expected, it’s a rather large adjustment. Worth it in every way, of course… but large nonetheless. I guess there’s still lots I haven’t told you, starting with the big weekend o’ birthing, but finding moments to…
To my big boy, before his little sister arrives
Dearest E, We have been talking about your baby sister a lot this week, because we know she will be here very soon. In fact, as it’s now Thursday evening, chances are very good you’ll meet her within 48 hours! This morning you remembered, very soon after waking up, that your sister is almost here….
Talking about anatomy with a preschooler
Sean and I have always used the scientific words for certain body parts when talking with E. There are reasons for this. For one thing, we both know that personally, we would feel like tools if we used words like winkie and hoo-ha or whatever. (This is why I never got the immensely popular “Once…
Baby Report (no… not that)
I wanted to let you know the latest scoops on Baby #3, since I know there are some of you wondering. Here’s how things stand: On Tuesday, we had our final ultrasound at the hospital, and our final appointment with Dr. S. Baby had a perfect biophysical profile once again, and her head is down…
The Police’s Greatest Hits, covered by a very small amateur
Hey there, fellow Di-hards. Auntie Em here. Most of you probably know me, or at least know that I am Di’s sister, live in the basement, and look after E pretty often. During the school year, we spent at least one day a week together while Mummy was at school with the other kids. Sometimes…
Talking about death with a preschooler
I know that birth and death are basically the two most universal things on the planet. Well – and sex, I guess, in its various forms. That doesn’t make it easier to talk about them with a three-year-old. E has been asking a lot about death recently, for many reasons. Last summer, he had his…
Post-Camp Roundup Fantastico
Hi, Everyone! Although there’s always some culture shock when I come back from Family Camp, it’s nice to be here, in a lot of ways. And nice that thanks to my smarty-phone, my email inbox (though largely neglected) is not in complete chaos, and I was even able to post you a li’l post with…
Sebastian’s Birthday: A Lullaby for my Children
Monday morning – July 9th, 2012 Dear Sebastian, It’s 9:04 a.m. as I begin this post. It was important to me to write this morning, because I know that at this same hour, one year ago, you were still in my arms. It is exactly the same kind of morning it was on the day…