“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit….I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” John 15: 1-2, 4-5 (New American Bible) We recently had some drainage work done in our front yard,... Read more

Apparently, the Holy Family, et. al. are avid train watchers? 🙂 Read more

I really need your advice on infant feeding. Here’s the situation: Angelina (7.5 months) appears to have very active gag reflex plus some poor coordination over her tongue. I never realized just how necessary the tongue is for swallowing until I watch her try to move pureed foods back into her mouth without success. The good news is she nurses absolutely wonderfully! And she’s the right weight and height, above average maybe. So, I put very watery pureed food into... Read more

I heard about this story on the radio, and thought it was pretty interesting. I am thinking of letting the older children follow it, as well, and also looking at the route on a map. A warning is that he will speak of the geo-political problems in the area, so perhaps it will not be appropriate for younger audiences. BBC correspondent Aleem Maqbool keeps an online diary in text and video as he walks from Nazareth to Bethlehem, retracing a... Read more

You stop at Steak-n-Shake on the way home from the airport to pick up burgers* and your 3 year old looks at his sandwich in a wrapper and exclaims, “Ohhhh…a Present!” * My apologies to Mad Cow Read more

…she can ruin your boyish charm. Happy Gaudete Sunday Everyone! Read more

Quite timely to our conversation about NFP, there is a new vatican document, Dignitas Personae, On the Dignity of the Person, which addresses life and reproductive issues including the Morning After Pill. There is a brief article in todays New York Times, and lots more to read all over the ‘net, here is one place to start. Read up, ladies, I’m sure your friends will be asking you about it! Read more

Among the most interesting questions I get about homeschooling is the one from a mother who intends to enroll her child in school, but is still looking for a way to supplement early learning, especially reading. I truly believe that every home can and should be a learning environment, and that I learned as much from my parents as I did in school everyday, not just about faith, love and values, but academically as well. I was also blessed to... Read more

Many due dates are approaching these days–or have already come and gone, in the case of MaryAlice and our dear friend B from Princeton–and it’s been a while since we’ve had a good childbirth chat here! A good friend of mine Erika is nearing her due date with her first baby, planning a hospital birth with a nurse-midwife, and intending to give natural childbirth a try if all goes well. She writes, “If any of you have suggestions about how... Read more

Since I’ve already shared my rigorous exercise routine with you all, I thought I’d give you the complete picture. Doctors always advise the twofold strategy of diet and exercise. I’ve got both of them covered.* My portion control strategy, especially during the holiday season: Jack-Jack, our resident gourmand (almost) two year old. He is constantly taking food off of my plate and anyone else’s that is within reach for that matter. Here he is waiting for crumbs by the dishwasher... Read more