I have lost my maternity clothes. All of the pants and skirts I'd compiled over the last two pregnancies. The various sizes of maternity shirts I've needed. The dress I liked so much I bought it twice after I left the first one in a hotel in Miami. The one pair of maternity shorts I've … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #76: Put labels on your storage bags and boxes

It is really cold here. I realize that other parts of the country have temps in the teens on a regular basis, but those places also have things like double-paned windows, snow plows, and actual winter coats. Here in Atlanta we really don't invest in any of those things. So the weather forecast that predicts … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #74: Keep warm

Jay and I are not poetic people. We are pretty practical and we don't often record our emotions or even life's events.But we are very grateful. We celebrated our 12th Christmas as a married couple this year. Since that first one we've had 5 addresses, 5 jobs each, 6 cars, at least a dozen vacations, … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #73: Offer a toast

I went to the doctor this past week and HL3 had a good, strong heartbeat (we called our first child HLB for healthy little baby before she arrived). It is always reassuring to hear that beautiful sound especially at this point in the pregnancy when you don't have many other symptoms. I am lucky in … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #72: Take deep breaths

So today I am 12 weeks pregnant with my third child. I am excited and nervous and decidedly disappointed with the general reactions of our family and friends. I should have told them I was getting a puppy. I'm aware I have another kid under 2 and, yes, I have a firm grasp of biology. … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #71: Keep your options open

Really, people. Holiday sweaters are ridiculous. I went shopping today and saw three grown women, all aged 35-45, wearing matching holiday sweater vests. One of them even had on reindeer antlers. I just don't get it. What do you look for when you find the perfect one? "Oooohhhhh, that one has FORTY-THREE different kinds of … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #70: Don’t wear holiday sweaters

So it is Thanksgiving today and I am very grateful for my life. My kids are healthy and we have good jobs. We have a house that, although it has its quirks, is certainly big enough for our family. My brother-in-law won't be going to Iraq again this Winter. My brother and his wife are … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #69: Be Thankful–but defend yourself at the same time

Bed time tonight:My Daughter: "Mommy, will I go to my same school when I go to elementary school?"Me: No.MD: Why NOT!!!???Me: We have to pay for your school now. Regular elementary school is paid for by the government.MD: Mommy, have you been president yet?Me: No.MD: Has any girls been president?Me: No.MD: I would like to … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #68: Become president

While getting ready for bath time my daughter realized that her bath water hadn't yet been run. She ran into the play room naked and said, "There's no water in my bath tub.....Jumping Jacks!" Then she began to do 4-year-old naked jumping jacks. I think my day would be a lot more interesting if I … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #67: Do jumping jacks

While I was doing bedtime with Charlotte tonight she asked me to sing her a song. She was pretending to be a puppy so this request was made with a series of barks and woofs between each word. I sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and she barked along with me. Ruff, ruff, woof, woof, ruff, … Continue reading Best Mom Tip #66: Sing Along