In the process of packing up our house these last weeks, I've read through several of my old journals and was struck by this particular entry, written during Vivienne's toddler years. She has always brought me so much joy, but the transition to motherhood was hard for me. This brief entry so concisely captured that … Continue reading In Development
The other day, I overheard Vivienne say, "Hey Hugh, did you know there's a time for everything in life?" It was somehow both whimsical and instructional, and Hugh, with an appropriately serious nod, played along like he totally got it. Little ears are clearly picking up on the underlying vibe around here... There is, indeed, a … Continue reading A Time for Everything
The last few weeks feel a bit like a blur of work. We're in the midst of selling our house, so all the projects, paperwork, and anxiety that go along with that have been piled right onto our already full plates. It's nose to the grind time, that's for sure! Ryan returned from a trip … Continue reading A Morning Off
Eight years ago today, on a similarly sweltering 4th of July, Ryan tricked me into going on a picnic and popped the question.He made a first attempt at lunchtime, but I protested, given the heat, so he endured an air conditioned lunch with a diamond ring burning a hole in his pocket. We went to … Continue reading Engaged on the 4th of July
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! We're in full holiday-prep mode over here, with pie dough chilling, multiple cranberry sauces simmering, and decorating projects underway. Vivienne just came home from school with a paper turkey adorned with words of thanks, among them: comfy bed and "Hugh Bear." The simplicity of her gratitude is always a good dose of … Continue reading Vivi Update
Hugh is 16 months now. He's a blur of movement, a chattering, singing, hollering fellow, and it feels like he's got one foot in babyhood and one in full blown kid-dom. Here's a handful of little things that really seem to capture the moment: Lately, we're hearing a lot of Hugh's suddenly clear-as-a-bell, almost incredulous, … Continue reading Hugh
Wednesday was the the big day: kindergarten. Vivienne was equal parts nerves and excitement as we talked (and talked and talked) about this big new step. What if no one likes me? What if I forget and can't write my name? What if my feet walk the wrong way and I get lost? As with most … Continue reading Interview with a Kindergartener
Five-year-old Vivienne is obsessed with the American flag. "Does everyone know I'm an American Flag Spotter?" she asked me in the car the other day. Well, I think people know you could spot American flags, I said, maybe not that you enjoy it quite so much. "Ok, so we should tell them that's my job: … Continue reading Stars, Stripes, & Harvard’s Implicit Bias Quiz
When I was pregnant with Vivienne, a seasoned mother passed along the most helpful pearl of parenting wisdom: everything is a phase. The hard moments will pass... and so will the delightful ones. It's okay to pause and bask in the joy a little bit. It fills you up, sustains you through the the harder … Continue reading Weekdays at the Beach
The very hour of Hugh's birth, Vivienne rushed into the hospital room, gazed at him with four-year-old wonder, and squealed, "When will he be baptized?!" Not what I expected! And, she didn't give it up... She nagged me to call our priest and schedule a date. "Maybe Tuesday would be good," she'd suggest. She showed … Continue reading The Joy & Wonder
