Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise! That’s one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas Mr. Grinch, you and me both. It may very well be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the nosiest. All is not calm, no matter … Read more
I’m reading books to my older girls when my 16 month old starts opening and closing her chubby hands (the sign for “milk”; lest you be too impressed, she knows about four signs: “book,” “more,” “milk,” and “please,” all the important things in life). “Maa! Maa!” (her word for milk) she says emphatically, hands still … Read more
We’re up in the air when the baby starts to get fussy. I try to nurse her without elbowing my fellow airplane passengers. I make her laugh with a game of owl. I hand her a Biscoff cookie. I manage to entertain her for a few minutes, but then her crumb-covered face melts into a … Read more
I like to imagine the wind that was blowing on that sparkling fall day, tousling my mom’s strawberry-blonde hair. In the photograph, she’s holding my older brother Jason, who was around 3 at the time. You can see he has his mother’s eyes — almond-shaped, dark brown eyes that are smiling. My mom’s arms draw … Read more
During my pregnancy with my first child, I belonged to an interdenominational Bible study that was filled mostly with medical students who planned on doing mission work. Waddling in to the room, I remember feeling like a spiritual slacker surrounded by all these selfless MDs-to-be, discussing their plans to spread the Good News while offering … Read more
“So what do you do?” I’m asked over drinks at a recent party. I mentally flip through a list of possible responses. I hesitate, considering my interrogator. I think I remember someone mentioning he works as a neurosurgeon. He performs brain surgery. I wipe little bottoms. So here’s my quandary: Do I … Read more
The other day, I was reaching over to offer my two year old some leverage as she attempted to scale the mountain of our double jogging stroller when she batted my arms away and shook her head, saying in her adamant toddler style, “No, Mommy, no. I do it by self.” Her tenacity impressed me. … Read more
When my oldest daughter was almost three, she was busy coloring a fairy’s hair when she announced, “Look, Mommy. I’m making her ugly.” I looked at the dainty fairy and didn’t see anything ugly about her. “What do you mean?” “I’m coloring her hair grey. Grey hair is ugly.” Sure enough, the sprite’s hair was … Read more
Not too long ago, I wrote an article for my parish newsletter about why we must offer encouragement — not sideways glances — to parents who bring their young children to Mass. Overall, the response was positive, but one reader sent me a letter suggesting I leave my kids at home so I could “more … Read more
“How’d you do it?” I once asked my 87-year-old grandmother, the mother of nine children. “Do what?” Nana asked. “Have nine kids,” I said. (I mean, obviously.) “Oh honey, if God gives you rabbits, then He gives you grass,” was her response. Nana was of the “God Family Planning” mindset. God plans families; couples don’t. … Read more
In my BC ("before children") days when I was still a full-time working girl, I was on the staff of a regional women’s publication that was decidedly left-leaning. When my boss (whom I also considered a friend) asked me to do a write-up on a pro-choice event, I declined, explaining that I was pro-life … Read more
Six-and-a-half years ago I was a blushing bride dreaming of her happily ever after. After enduring a rigorous marital boot camp at my church’s Pre-Cana program, I thought I knew a lot about love and marriage. I knew squat. I admit I still know fairly little, but I like to think I’ve learned a thing … Read more
As a pro-life Catholic, I wouldn’t vote for a politician with radical pro-choice views. And, for the most part, even those who disagree with me respect that position. But people begin to raise eyebrows when I say I believe that raising taxes on the wealthy to benefit the less well-off is wrong as well. How … Read more
I’m a nursing mom and I’m not shy about it. Being the mother of two milk mongers, as well as someone who embraces ecological breastfeeding as a part of NFP, I have no problem feeding my children in public. I’m a lot like Sam-I-Am’s friend: I’ll nurse (discreetly) on a boat, with a goat (at … Read more