One day over lunch Mary Virginia and I were talking about how things were when I was a kid. I explained that we only had one phone and it was attached to the wall so we couldn’t take it into the yard or in the car. And the only thing it did was make phone calls. It
This just in. Looks like Mary Virginia’s eyes are going to be blue. Oops, ANNA! I meant to say Anna. That’s the first time I’ve ever done that, I promise. This week Anna is 11 weeks old, which means next week she’ll be 12 weeks old, which means the end of the fourth trimester. Does
Last week my mom came for a long visit. She planned to help get David to and from the bus stop, cook lots of delicious food, and spend a lot, lot of time holding her grandbaby. It also happened to be her birthday, so we hung decorations, made cards, and baked her a very mediocre
It started at my very first prenatal appointment. “Do you have any questions?” my doctor asked. “I don’t think so?” I replied. “I guess after your fourth baby you kind of know the drill!” she replied. When you have your fourth baby, everyone assumes the whole shebang is business as usual. You’re on a path
Picture me watching from the sidelines, wearing a baby, and choking back tears. Because do you see what a NATURAL he is, running out on that court?! I’m so proud! Picture Assistant Coach Tom Krieger on the sidelines, stifling laughter at the amoeba of children, all very enthusiastically running up and down the court with
We call her fat face. It’s a nickname that stays in the family, though. We wouldn’t want it falling into the wrong hands and resurfacing just in time for middle school. But, for now, if the shoe fits, ya know? This month sweet Anna Leigh had her second cold, celebrated her first Christmas, started smiling,
On our second snow day last week, the boys went outside. Since it was too cold for Anna, I stayed inside. Since I stayed inside, Mary Virginia stayed inside where she could maintain at least one point of contact with me. The boys were running around, criss-crossing the yard and going into our playhouse, so
Since Anna was born my exercise routine has been simple: round-the-clock breastfeeding, and hauling Thomas off high structures. Four pregnancies in six years has changed my schedule, my priorities, and my body. Right now I don’t have room in my life for much more than taking care of my kids and keeping track of who’s
Our first Christmas as a family of six was exactly as wonderful, memorable, and sleep-deprived as I expected. Reading the Christmas story before opening presents. The first peek at presents. Anna turned six weeks old the day before Christmas. Did you know that baby fussiness peaks at six weeks? Anna knew! We went to Christmas
Before Anna was born, I planned our Christmas card — a combo birth announcement/Christmas card with four kids in matching pajamas. Tom’s going to read that, wrinkle his forehead, and say, “You said you don’t have the brainpower to make a grocery list. But you’ve been strategizing our Christmas card for two months?” Yes, Tom,