When do they become such little men? Anyone who is a mother of a boy understands this sentiment. Last week my family and I went on vacation, and for the first time my son Nathaniel, who has always had a timid streak for water, tried swimmies. At first he eyed the new objects on his arm warily, and then when he realized they helped him stay afloat he relaxed and began taking advantage of his new found freedom. By weeks end Nathaniel was jumping into the deep end, into my arms, riding our backs in the water, and at times jumping in on his own. The first time he did this, I burst into to tears. (more…)

I am going to be really honest with you, I want my baby back.  Who is this toddler?  Gone is my sweet smiling little boy who viewed and experienced the world while perched contently on my hip.  In his place is an opinionated, strong willed, insatiably curious, little person.  It is the most volatile relationship I’ve ever had.   (more…)

Much like our wedding day, do we broach the pending arrival of our child; the image of perfection of the day firmly entrenched in our mind, and woe be the one who attempts to be the voice of reason.  I, naively, imagined myself looking radiant in the receiving outfit someone had been cruel enough to buy me at my shower, calmly handling my child, guest, and receding hormones.  In reality, I wore nothing but sweats I wouldn’t feel guilty about throwing away after my hospital stay, and a nursing bra that could accommodate my bust which went from preteen to porn star within the duration of two days, and suffered from such a case of the shakes, that one had to wonder if I was in withdrawal from a controlled substance.  What to Expect the First Year mentioned nothing of this; and well, everyone else had left me blissfully ignorant. (more…)

I’ve always said there is no dignity in Motherhood, nor is there room for ego. Nathaniel’s affection finally turning to his preschool aide is proof of the latter. It’s official: I’ve been dumped by my one-year old.

There is something about having a little boy, who every time they look at you makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world, which makes being a mother a bit more rewarding. Having experienced this affection Nirvana, I’d begun to dread the day when another woman would be the recipient of my sons’ heart melting gaze. Naively I figured I had about ten more years to develop a coping strategy, so when this event occurred, (more…)

I have a confession to make… I am officially the absent-minded mother that I swore never to become and that I used to look upon with that sort of childless pity of which we are all guilty. I thought that I had experienced enough of these little “grin and bear it” moments already. (more…)