This year we celebrate Claire’s first Christmas and J made sure to make it a special one by putting up our very first Christmas tree and decorating it with fancy-schmancy ornaments from Crate & Barrel. We decided not to get the baby any gifts this year because (1) she will not remember it; and (2) […]
Average Happiness vs Transcendent Moments
Do you guys watch videos on TED (tagline: “Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world”)? If not, you should — the site is filled with thought-provoking talks and discourses from some of the most exceptional people in the world. Yesterday, TED posted a presentation given by Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman, the husband-and-wife team […]
Royal Engagement Photos
I must be living under a rock, because I only just discovered that Prince William is engaged to be married to his long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton. Two official engagement pictures were released to the public over the weekend, and I have to say that I love the work of fashion photographer Mario Testino, who was chosen […]
The State of the Union, 10 Weeks
Today I’ve decided to regale my readers with another post-partum mega update…complete with stretch mark pictures! Baby care has definitely gotten easier. Don’t get me wrong — it’s still pretty tough, but the horrendous first six weeks have passed and gone with them are first-time parent jitters (and idiocracy), in addition to the zombie state […]
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
A few weeks ago, the American Atheists caused quite a stir in the NY/NJ area by placing this billboard at the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey: The Catholic League soon countered with its own billboard, aptly placed at the New York entrance to the tunnel: Now it is no secret that I […]
I Do Not Have PPD
In response to my last post, many people have suggested that I go see a doctor and be screened for PPD (post partum depression). And reading each one of those comments made me angry. I couldn’t quite pinpoint the reason. They are just trying to be supportive — why the hate? Did my anger stem […]
Thirty
Today is my thirtieth birthday. And it is turning out to be the worst birthday that I can remember. Actually, the past couple of weeks have been pretty horrible overall. This past Friday, I discovered that J was planning a surprise party for later that night and I became furious at him. How dare he plan a […]
Last Week, I…
Quit breastfeeding. Had to choose between quitting cold turkey and gradually quitting (by cutting out one pumping/nursing session every couple of days). Decided that engorgement pain is preferable to the razor-sharp pain from thrush I get every time my right breast is emptied. Smelled like cabbage soup as I stuffed my bra with cold cabbage leaves […]
Happy Turkey Day
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. This picture of Turkzilla was too good to pass up. Courtesy of Boing Boing. There are many, many things to be thankful for this year. But right now, at this moment, at 6:14am on Thanksgiving Day morning, I am most thankful for our cradle swing that calmed down my daughter who suffered […]
My Goth Baby (And More Breastfeeding Woes)
In my last post I asked if anyone could guess why my breastmilk has turned purple. Well, kalen, mlwindc, and LatteLove got it right: it is due to gentian violet, which I am using to treat our latest bout of thrush. While gentian violet is proven to be one of the most effective remedies against thrush, I […]