While I am from New York City (and don’t you forget it!), this is one area where I have allowed, over time, my husband’s loyalties to win out. Up until now, this has been friendly, as we graciously congratulated the Giants on the Super Bowl will and my family expressed joy that PT got to be a little boy watching his team win the World Series. This year, though, I don’t quite know how to feel. I have never had... Read more

World Series Game 1 begins tonight. Even baby Claire is ready with her first Phillies tee. Go Phils ! Read more

…Sometimes the kids step up to the plate and help mom out! Last week was just one of those weeks that I’m glad is behind us. We didn’t have the flu but we did have a nasty case of the stomach bug, and combined with Dad being out of town and Mom having too many outside commitments (that were eventually canceled), we were a bit overwhelmed! Since the reason of this post is to share one of the lessons learned... Read more

Since everyone from my son’s neuropsychologist to my spiritual director has encouraged me to exercise recently given the stress of taking care of our son, I took it as a sign that I needed to get back in the saddle. Last year at this time there was a builders race in the works. I was given a bye since I lived several thousand miles away and had just had an emergency appendectomy and a baby. Well, this year Red has... Read more

If your community is anything like ours, there is mass chaos ensuing over the microscopic H1N1 tyrant. Schools are on alert, parents are abuzz with talk, and the pediatricians are working plenty of overtime. As of Wednesday, our ped had 15 new cases in her small town practice! I just received an email with the following info from a Dr. Vinay Goyal, an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist). While I can’t validate the source (Snopes had no info on him),... Read more

The stakes are high. AWOL Mommy, brave and adventurous military wife and mom, is due to welcome AWOL Baby #3 next Thursday, October 29 in a German hospital. In her own words: “in Germany it is assumed that you will have a natural delivery. That means that my wanting an epidural would reflect poorly on all American women. I have to do this not only for myself, but also for diplomacy.” AWOL Mommy, we’re here for you. Thank you for... Read more

Sprout Baby Food. For years I have used a mix of homemade and store bought baby food. Jarred food is convenient, especially when you are short on time or going to be away from home. Except, the glass jars are tough to keep in your purse and the plastic boxes explode when you open them! Plus, the food is so nasty that my older kids refuse to clear the baby’s plate! So, I mash my own bananas and sweet potatoes,... Read more

In lieu of leaving a comment on MaryAlice’s post, I thought I’d temporarily come out of my babymoon (because I’m watching the Phillies game and have time to kill during commercials) and redirect the conversation a bit. First, let me say that it should be obvious to all our readers that MaryAlice generously accentuated the virtues of my children! You are so kind MaryAlice, and I really do appreciate the sentiment behind your statements, but I think your strong emphasis... Read more

Charlotte Mason wrote: The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days; while she who lets their habits take care of themselves has a weary life of endless friction with the children (Vol. 1, p. 136). Now, here are the habits she had in mind: Accuracy Attention Candor Cleanliness Courtesy Even Temper Gentleness Kindness Modesty Neatness Obedience Order Perfect Execution Punctuality Regularity Remembering Respect Thoroughness Truthfulness* *all of the above... Read more

Dash, our 4 year old, has been wrestling with understanding the infinite and the Holy Trinity. At the most surprising moments he’ll ask a question that I need the Summa to answer. I was not aware one needed a degree in theology to be a mom! “If Jesus is God, how was Jesus born?” “Why didn’t it take God infinity days to create the world?” “How could Jesus create the universe if he was born from the Virgin Mary?” “How... Read more