Someone once reminded me that those of us who get help from our parents probably underestimate what a difference that makes. I think that this has often been true for me, but right now I am well aware of, and very thankful for, the help I am getting, and I know that what I am doing would not be possible without the support of my extended family. Already this week, I have had grandmothers on call. One babysat while I... Read more

Another Builder is due to have a baby! MaryAlice is due one week from today–Tuesday December 9th. Lets get some guesses as to the date and time for the arrival of baby #6. She won’t go more than 1 week overdue (per doctors orders), so baby should arrive by December 16th at the latest. And just in case you are keeping track, once MaryAlice’s wee one arrives–barring any last minute pregnancy announcements–we will be without a pregnant Builder. We have... Read more

We recently had a reader query regarding Vitamin D supplementation for her breastfeeding infant. Thanks to Alex (a doc-in-training, fellow mother, Catholic, and Princeton alum), we have the latest insight into this important issue.  Below is a question/answer session with Doc Alex, who cites a new AAP Policy Revision in Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children, and Adolescents (Pediatrics Nov. ’08) as the source for many of her recommendations. Doc Alex, what is the big issue with Vitamin D... Read more

A few months ago on her family’s blog, Texas Mommy had a post entitled “Boys Love Dirt,” and while I don’t remember too many of the specifics, I do remember seeing lots of pictures of little boys covered from head to toe in dirt 🙂 I remember smiling to myself knowingly; after all, what mother of boys hasn’t experienced the clean-up associated with dirt-play? You know what I mean: the dirt under the fingernails, in the hair, in every pocket... Read more

Happy First Sunday of Advent! Thanks, Kat, for introducing me to this very powerful prayer two years ago today. The special miracle for which we all prayed, and which seemed impossible, was granted. This novena has become dear to my heart. A blessed Advent to you all!! The St. Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer to Obtain Favors HAIL and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight,... Read more

What a thought-provoking piece to consider on (and after) this holiday of thanks!  Happy Thanksgiving! Read more

O God, we thank you for this earth, our home; For the wide sky and the blessed sun, For the salt sea and the running water, For the everlasting hills And the never-resting winds, For trees and the common grass underfoot. We thank you for our senses By which we hear the songs of birds, And see the splendor of the summer fields, And taste of the autumn fruits, And rejoice in the feel of the snow, And smell the... Read more

It was raining softly this morning as we all awoke and headed to the cemetery. It was damp and cool, but the weather just felt right—it matched my mood. Somehow, it is harder to cry when the sun is brightly shining. Tears streamed down my face as we walked toward her grave. Another year has passed. The pain is still there, but it is a dull distant ache. Six years have made certain things hard to remember. The once very... Read more

I’m the head chef this year for the second year in a row. After last year’s very-canned-food-based Thanksgiving, I’m seeking to improve my repertoire. Does anybody have a delicious and foolproof recipe for whole or chopped cranberry sauce? I’m no domestic goddess, but I do love cranberries, don’t you? Second, a green bean recipe that uses fresh green beans. Past Thanksgivings have seen many a green bean casserole recipe using canned green beans, but that makes for a very mushy... Read more

Mary Alice, Red, and B-mama Just thought you all would like to see a few of us post-race.  Red has another with Juris Mater taken at the race site…  Way to go girls!! Read more