Samuel getting ready and talking to himself in the mirror this morning: “Mommy and Aram sometimes take a long time to get ready, but African boys get ready fast....and daddies.....I have two mommies and two daddies.” End of thought. … [Read more...]
The Crazy Cat Lady is Back: We’re Getting a Cat!
May 2, 2013 | 10 Comments
We just told the boys we could get a cat, which means we’re definitely moving because our building doesn’t allow pets. ( Our shrimp seem to be the exception. ) I have to say, it has been nice living the past four years without an animal. Cat litter boxes drive me insane. Before we get this promised cat we are going to do some thorough research on how to either: 1. Toilet train a cat or 2. Acquire the best litter box system, with daily human intervention, to keep the smell as … [Read more...]
Love Connection
May 1, 2013 | 2 Comments
After our two recent posts about my best friend, Bryan, we received an overwhelming amount of emails inquiring about his romantic status (among other things). So, in order to answer the questions more efficiently, and add to the embarrassing factor for him, here is a post that will do just that. Commonly asked questions: “Is Bryan single?” He is single and ready to mingle. “Is Bryan heterosexual?” Yes. Unfortunately, that limits some of the inquiries, but the heart wants what the … [Read more...]
Things That Make You Scratch Your Head
May 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment
Do you catch something so awesome on your camera it could only have happened by accident? Yes, that is a traffic cone on his head. … [Read more...]
New Study on Bullies and Bullying
April 30, 2013 | 1 Comment
Yahoo came out with an article about the new study in the Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect about bullying. The title of Yahoo's article was Study: Overprotective Parenting Can Lead to Bullied Children I found this article to be truthful, yet slightly sensational in approach...but I clicked on it, so 'mission accomplished,' Yahoo. And you know what? I'm glad that I did. I actually read the study. You can get it here. Quick notes from the study: Overprotective and maladaptive parenting= … [Read more...]
Arrested for Swaddling
April 30, 2013 | 15 Comments
I'm from the East Bay, and my family still lives up there. I was a little shocked to hear two day-care workers in the area were arrested for dangerous swaddling practices (i.e. too tight). (Both of the workers are pregnant and each have one other child. ) I'm not a huge fan of swaddling, but there are doctors (like Harvey Karp) who teach safe swaddling practices. The women who swaddled these babies did so (it seems) to restrict their movements, not to recreate the feeling of safety in the … [Read more...]
Walk of Shame: Family Style
April 30, 2013 | 1 Comment
Most of us know the definition: The Walk of Shame: an instance of walking back home on the day after an unplanned overnight encounter, dressed in the same clothes as the previous evening. Of course the original intended meaning behind it was to slut-shame women- let’s ignore that for this post. We had a G-rated “walk of shame” as a family this morning. We had a movie night with our friends and the kids fell asleep in the guest bedroom. Unfortunately, we’re not as young as we … [Read more...]
PMS in the airport.
April 29, 2013 | 2 Comments
Part 1 of this story *disclaimer* If menstrual cycle talk freaks you out - click away immediately. Bryan and I landed in Addis Ababa well rested thanks to the upgrade, and I thought the trip might go off without a hitch from here on out. I knew that time of the month was starting in a day or so and I put on a pad to be safe. Unfortunately, what I forgot to think about was the fact that the medication the travel doctor had given me actually changed my entire cycle. We walked … [Read more...]
Adoption and the Real Mom
April 29, 2013 | 15 Comments
“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day.When you’re 9 years old and a girl, I suppose being an emotional wreck is to be expected. Ah, heck. When you’re 37 years old and girl, I suppose being an emotional wreck is to be expected. But sometimes, it’s hard to know which 9-year-old wrecks are I Stubbed My Toe And That’s A Great Excuse To Let Go Of The Emotional Mess Smouldering Inside Me, and which wrecks are Real. Yeah, yeah. I know they’re all real. But the Real … [Read more...]
Home Spa: Charcoal Face Mask Recipe
April 28, 2013 | 1 Comment
Why charcoal? You may have noticed more and more beauty products to improve skin complexion have "activated charcoal" listed in the ingredients. Activated charcoal is been said to draw out skin impurities and aid in healthy oil and skin cell production. Here is a fun at home recipe for an activated charcoal mask: Ingredients 1 teaspoon (or 2 capsules) activated charcoal powder. (You can find in most health food stores in capsule form.) 2 tablespoons gel … [Read more...]
