Sarah and I were talking yesterday about how lucky we are. There are so many reasons, of course, but our conversation centered around family. Our own childhoods, with engaged, educated, interesting, fun parents who each respected their children and encouraged us all to excel, to take risks, to grow. OK, we didn’t use those words during our chat, but that’s what it comes down to, isn’t it? Having good parents means so very much. Now that we’re both in the thick of it, trying oh so hard to be good parents ourselves, we call upon our own childhood experiences more [...]
Read More in Dad, GG, history aka before kids, Jen Writes, siblings, sisters, special occasions, three kids, three kids (six kids), writingJanuary 24, 2012
Memories to strive for
December 9, 2011
On making a photo book
Hundreds of photos to choose fromThree years of life already lived.How do I pick and chooseThe images that tell your storyWhen what I want the mostIs to preserve every single moment?
Read More in holidays, Jen Writes, youngest childNovember 30, 2011
Silver vision
My heart is still swollen from a Monday night surprise that leaves me unable to write my own words. And so I share instead a few stanzas from a song that I’m listening to right now. If you recognize these words and maybe the melody plays in your mind and you find yourself thinking of strings and harmony, maybe you know what the surprise was—concert tickets tucked into an early Christmas card and landing in my hand when I got home from work. Sweetie and I don’t go out just the two of us very often. And Monday was a [...]
Read More in Jen Writes, parenthood, relationship, special occasions, three kidsNovember 27, 2011
holidays are here
It’s here. The season of giving. The jolly and cheer. What do you most wish for this year? What do you most wish to give?
Read More in holidays, Sarah WritesNovember 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Read More in holidays, Jen Writes, Sarah Writes
November 19, 2011
In which I contemplate a non-traditional holiday card
How is it that in a year’s worth of photos I have so very few of all three of my children together? And that in not one of those photos are all children smiling or looking at the camera or even fully in the frame? The good news is that if I wanted to send out a more non-traditional photo, I have plenty to choose from: (Hey, at least there’s an actual child of mine in that last photo.) So, what are you doing for a holiday card this year?
Read More in holidays, home, Jen Writes, parenthood, three kidsNovember 12, 2011
On formative experiences, past and present.
A weekend of friends. A sunburn. Conversation. Camaraderie. Picture taking. A dinner. A brunch. A row. Reminiscing. Reunions can be fraught with the unknown. With vanity that rears its ugly head, pointing out my too-long, uncut hair. My unfit middle. My dry, blotchy skin and tired eyes. Vanity can hold me back, grip me in the chest. Make me want to be invisible. But you can’t have the full experience and be invisible. You have to risk being the most wrinkly, most tired-looking, most frazzled, nervous person in the room (or at the boathouse, as it were). You have to [...]
Read More in body image, history aka before kids, Jen Writes, motherhood, special occasions, three kidsOctober 25, 2011
Rainbow
I saw a rainbow on my drive in to work today. I’m a sappy, sentimental, metaphor-loving writer. You can imagine how happy I was—practically grinning—to find myself driving under a perfect arc of ROY-G-BIV. I do not condone taking photos while driving, but I couldn’t resist. This photo captures not even half of the architecturally breathtaking half-circle that created a tunnel over Route 9. Only once before have I seen such a rainbow. It was a few years ago, driving the reverse trip. Leaving the town in which I work, and in which Sweetie’s sister also lives. Our sweet family, [...]
Read More in Jen Writes, parenthood, special occasions, three kids, work, writingJuly 19, 2011
501 on the coast of South Carolina
The last post, Sarah’s most recent and one of her best, was our 500th here at Momalom. 500. Now that seems worthy of ceremony, even if it’s after the fact. But ceremony is far from our reality right now, here during post 501, because we are on vacation, Sarah and I. With our spouses. And our brother and sister-in-law. And all of our nine combined children (eldest: 8.9; youngest: 2.9). And our mother (Geege!) We are on vacation. And we are having fun. Swim, snack, rinse, nap, repeat. Sarah’s husband has certain bartending abilities, and he sent me to [...]
Read More in Jen Writes, siblings, special occasions, three kids, three kids (six kids)April 24, 2011
Happy Birthday, GG!
This year, GG’s birthday falls on Easter, which for me means that I’ve been spending my time cleaning the house in preparation for the Easter Bunny’s arrival instead of writing a birthday post for her, which I would have liked to do. But last year, Sarah wrote the following, and it’s one of her best. Happy Birthday, Mom! A couple of generations ago a baby girl was born. Her parents named her Gail. She grew and grew and welcomed five brothers and sisters to her tribe. Eventually, her siblings dubbed her “sister-mother” and joked that her daughterly perfection was the [...]
Read More in GG, holidays, Jen Writes, repost, Sarah WritesApril 20, 2011
A day older. A year older.
Seven years ago this very minute I was six hours from giving birth. I didn’t know that, of course. The unknowns of labor are just the beginning of all of the unknowns of motherhood. I remember the moment my son slid from my body. In an instant I can transport myself right back to that room and relive that miracle, just as I can do for the births of my daughters. But, oh, that first time. It is a brand-new kind of magic. And as I lie on my own bed tonight, thinking back to that early morning of my [...]
Read More in birthday, Jen Writes, motherhood, oldest childApril 19, 2011
Seven years and nine months ago
I remember the positive test. And the resulting sweaty palms and inability to stand. I remember calling my sister, herself already mother to a 12-month-old. I remember the disbelief. The excitement. The absolute wonder. I remember formulating the words in my mind, “I’m pregnant.” I remember sitting in a cafe, looking around the room and thinking, “I wonder who else is pregnant.” I remember walking down the street, wondering if any other women had the same secret. I remember dwelling on this strange feeling that, although I’ve never been someone to reveal it all, there was this huge part of [...]
Read More in birthday, history aka before kids, Jen Writes, oldest childApril 18, 2011
Discovery
Last night we played a game at the dinner table. One by one each of us added a word to string together a sentence, then two, then a paragraph. (Except for the 2-year-old, who nonetheless demonstrated her near-perfect understanding of the game after one time around the table.) With few fits and restarts the four of us created a sort of a story. It was silly. About a bubble-blowing monster with blue fur who sleeps on tongues, tends to fart and takes baths in mud puddles. No big surprises, given that silly is our dinnertime default and the fact that [...]
Read More in birthday, home, Jen Writes, oldest child, writingApril 12, 2011
On this day
Sarah was born, and sisters were made. Happy Birthday, Shaggy!!! Without you life would be incomplete. And lonely. And boring. (Hoof!!!)
Read More in birthday, Jen WritesJanuary 10, 2011
Mark all as Read
If life were like Google Reader, I’d click on a box and move forward. Maybe I’d wonder about all of the content and news I’d just effectively dismissed, but I’d be confident knowing that soon there would be more more more, and that I could–if not pick up where I’d left off–find my place again. A list looms in the back of my mind of all of the things I wanted to do during the holidays–make my mustard (how can a holiday season go by without my kitchen full of canning jars, the scent of Guinness making the house smell [...]
Read More in holidays, Jen Writes, motherhood, three kids, writingJanuary 2, 2011
Life on a winding road
Somehow our December-long Momalom in Pictures slipped away, not unlike the last days of 2010, for me spent driving back home from the West, a trip that spanned 12 days and a total of 4,059.8 miles. A trip of adventure, family, new experiences, inopportune bathroom needs, laughter, noise and food. It occurs to me that the trip–a first of such epic distance as a family–was perhaps a microcosm of our “real” life, the life that is ours in our little house in New England. And that life is a successful one overall, just as our maiden voyage to see our [...]
Read More in holidays, Jen Writes, three kidsDecember 10, 2010
Gifted: Riches where there aren’t any.
This year: More frugal than ever penny pinching, stretching resources, being creative. It’s difficult to have the confidence that these three children of ours aren’t seeing the stressors. They aren’t. I know they aren’t. But. But there is so much more. Much more that I wish I could give. Not only from their wish lists but in experiences, too. Next year, I tell myself. Next year, definitely. Meanwhile, this year: Frugal, yes. Also a trip to Colorado! Thirty hours in the van. Five of us! My bank account is paltry. But. But the riches of my life? Abound. A road [...]
Read More in Dad, holidays, Jen Writes, motherhood, siblings, sisters, three kids, three kids (six kids)November 25, 2010
Turkey
I didn’t have any. Did you? Perhaps the lack of tryptophan in my Thanksgiving day feast is the precise reason I still am awake.
Read More in holidays, Jen WritesNovember 13, 2010
What rhymes with butterfly?
I’ve been sending photo holiday cards much longer than I’ve been blogging. And, as a blogger, I’ve been hesitant to accept any offer from companies thus far. However, just as I was finishing the layout for this year’s holiday card, complete with four photos—one of which actually shows all three children together (gasp!)—I learned of an offer from Shutterfly. An offer too good to resist. Shutterfly has great options for holiday photos. In fact, 274 options. I myself didn’t have time to view every single one (three kids, remember). But it was easy to narrow down the choices by number [...]
Read More in holidays, Jen Writes, three kidsNovember 9, 2010
Nourishment
As I start to think about the upcoming holidays and all of the impossible chaos that is sure to ensue, I find myself retreating to books more than usual. It’s undeniably a kind of avoidance. But reading is also a source from which I draw strength. And because I anticipate needing all the strength I can get during the coming weeks and months, I’m seeking out suggestions. I’m offering a few books on my recent reading list, and I’d love to hear what’s keeping you from your own lives these days. Recently I’ve devoured: Little Bee by Chris Cleave Plan [...]
Read More in holidays, Jen Writes, three kidsIt’s November 1, which means… It’s our brother Justin’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Bro Grow. Be well. Also, Nov. 1 means it’s the first day of NaBloPoMo. Yup. We’re doing it again. Posting every day this month. We participated in this blog writing fest last year. It was fun. It was challenging. For me, the month took its toll on me both creatively and in my off-blog life. And yet. Here I am again. So please, tune in every day. One of us will be here. Which brings me to a bit of housekeeping. Those of you who subscribe, either by [...]
Read More in birthday, Jen WritesSeptember 30, 2010
Another girl’s birthday.
I’m tired, oh so tired. And I write that knowing that I’ve written so many times before about sleep, and how I don’t get enough.* So today, on Intentional Happiness day, I am keeping it simple. I am happy for my daughter, 5 years old yesterday. Somehow, she looks different to me now. Older. Wiser. More of a kid than a child, if that makes any sense to anyone other than me. And I am grateful for who she is and what she brings to our family. I am happy for her patience and her slow consideration of every option [...]
Read More in !!!, birthday, Jen Writes, middle child, motherhood, three kidsAugust 22, 2010
“They store up liquids like a water tower.”
“In case we disappear for a few days. Ya know?” Sarah wrote this in an e-mail to me, in response to my continued amazement at the liquid intake of my son. She and I each have a child who consumes copious amounts of liquid. Juice cups are filled and refilled throughout the day. Thermoses are constantly on hand. And while I sincerely hope there is no correlation between their intake of apple juice and water now to the amount of alcohol they ingest in their teen years, it really is remarkable to witness. It’s also extremely irritating. No matter what, [...]
Read More in birthday, health, home, Jen Writes, middle child, mind/body, motherhood, oldest child, three kids, youngest childJune 6, 2010
Vanilla? or Chocolate?
Remember Five for Ten? Well, I haven’t done a whole lot in the bloggy world since then. I’m trying to bounce back. I really am. In the meantime, chocolate or vanilla?
Read More in birthday, Jen Writes, oldest child, three kidsMay 9, 2010
The Evidence of Mothers–a post by our Mom
In a new Mother’s Day tradition, today’s post–like last year’s Mother’s Day post–is written by Momalom’s mom, aka GG or Geege. She’ll no doubt be checking comments, so let her know what you think. And, thanks, Mom, for gracing our space with your wisdom once more. The Evidence of Mothers One of my best friends’ 37-year-old son recently made her a grandmother for the first time. When I saw Chris last week, she grabbed me and gave me a shake, demanding to know why I had never told her what being a grandparent is like, how wonderful it is Of [...]
Read More in birthday, GG, GG Writes, guest post, motherhoodApril 16, 2010
Happy Birthday, Oh Matriarch of our Family
So very many of us wouldn’t be here without you. Your six children (and their spouses) Your more than a dozen grandchildren (and some of their spouses!) And nine great-grandchildren For now. We all have been touched by your wisdom, your grace and your strength. And we each have countless memories of moments shared with you, lessons learned, advice sought. And tomorrow, many of us will gather for a celebration in your honor. What a privilege for us all. To be in a room together, our eyes looking toward you in gratitude and admiration. All of us owing you more [...]
Read More in birthday, Jen Writes, three kidsDecember 27, 2009
A Christmas Wish Come True
I keep thinking about magic. It’s the time of year no doubt. The tales I tell of Santa and his sleigh. The songs we sing. The reindeer food that we’ll throw up to the roof on Christmas eve. The enchantment of gifts that will spill out from under the tree, delighting us all with their pretty papers and silky bows. It is magical. The spirit of giving. The charm of a season. The memories and traditions we are creating in this cozy house of ours. Despite all the stresses of money and time–how much to spend, what to give, when [...]
Read More in holidays, Sarah Writes, three kidsDecember 17, 2009
Sleeping Beneath the Tree
Jen is right. It is the experiences of childhood that tell the tale of our youth as we get older and gain perspective about our upbringing. It is not only the opportunities that we are offered–soccer camps, slumber parties and piano lessons–or the material gifts that shower down upon us on Christmas and birthdays, but the experiences we share directly with our parents. The small stuff as much as the big. The time that is devoted to us individually. A one-on-one experience. An experience that is engineered to delight both child and parent. A moment to be shared, to be [...]
Read More in holidays, motherhood, Sarah WritesOctober 20, 2009
The Holidays. Already?
It is mid-October. The Halloween hype is in full force. TV specials. Pumpkins on doorsteps and fake cobwebs in trees. Costumes in the Sunday newspaper flyers. I can deal with Halloween. This year I will be marching in the local parade alongside a firefighter, a MEAN witch and a baby chick. We will see friends. We will trick or treat. We will eat too much candy. And then, it will be over. But after Halloween? Thanksgiving. Christmas. The New Year. Yes. The holiday season already is upon us. I like the holidays. I do. Somehow even though we are vegetarians, [...]
Read More in holidays, Jen Writes, three kidsOctober 16, 2009
The not-so-big reveal
So, the secret project? It was a book. My sweetie recently endured a significant birthday milestone. Nope. Not that one. Add 10 years. And for his birthday I decided to make him a book. I worked on it during my regular blog-designated hours, and he thought I was blogging. Until he realized how much time I was “blogging.” At which point I had to lie to him. I told him I was working on stuff for momalom’s mom’s wedding. (Thanks, Mom.) I don’t know if he believed me, but he’s not the curious type. So, the book. I agonized over [...]
Read More in birthday, Jen Writes, relationship, three kids, three kids (six kids)September 28, 2009
The Unexpected
Oh, is it my turn to post? Sorry, I guess I’ve been distracted by a few other things. You know, the usual daily routines of raising children. Feeding, clothing, transporting. Also, children’s birthdays (two this week); school fundraisers; work deadlines; book group (at least I finished the book this time. But, um, isn’t it my pick? Damn.); preparing for a crew race this weekend; paying bills creatively; planning a birthday party; and the list goes on. But it is the transporting that got a little more difficult this week. Sunday evening, on the way back from a family visit, my [...]
Read More in birthday, Jen Writes, three kidsAugust 23, 2009
Seven Pictures for my Seven Year Old
I’m not prone to sadness about my kid growing up, but I’m getting a bit teary tonight. Typical of the first child, I pushed Jamis to walk, to talk, to the potty, and then off to school. And now I want to stop the clock. He’s gotten too old. I could use a rewind. To turn back the time. To hold him again – his whole body fitting within my body. Happy Number Seven biggest boy. You saved my life. And gave me a new life. And it’s a beautiful place to be.
Read More in birthday, oldest child, Sarah WritesAugust 22, 2009
30 Years Between Them
Here they are. The birthday duo. Their first encounter. 2002 That year we began a journey. As sisters. And then as mothers. And here we are. We have arrived. Happy Birthday Sister. I love you.
Read More in birthday, Sarah Writes, sistersAugust 21, 2009
Birthdays.
Tomorrow is my birthday. I am exactly 30 years older than my oldest nephew. I remember the day Sarah called to tell me she was expecting. She said she had a very early birthday present for me. It was a difficult phone call. She and I were not close then. We were geographically distant, emotionally distant. We were living very different lives, and we rarely spoke on the phone. I know now how difficult that call was for her to make. And I know that I didn’t respond well. I’m sure I didn’t congratulate her. Frankly, I was shocked. And [...]
Read More in birthday, Jen Writes, oldest child, sisters, three kidsAugust 20, 2009
I hate birthday parties
So I’ll say it. I hate planning birthday parties. I get stressed, anxious, and generally grumpy surrounding the whole birthday party thing. Do we have one? When do we have one? What day, what time, and where? Of course WHERE is of huge importance to the kid, and when is a matter of convenience for the parents – the me-parent and the parents of the OTHER kids, as well. And then there’s the whole coordinating it with the ACTUAL birthday thing. Details: Of which you probably don’t care so I’ll make it brief: Sunday the 23rd Jamis turns 7. It’s [...]
Read More in birthday, oldest child, Sarah Writes, three kidsMay 12, 2009
Tractor Masterpiece
Try not to focus on the melting frosting. I am especially proud of the hay bale cupcakes, thank you very much.
Read More in birthday, Jen Writes, motherhood, oldest childApril 25, 2009
What I Learned Today
Swiss meringue buttercream frosting and 90-degree weather do not jibe. Kids don’t give a sh*t about the drippy frosting. Or the fact that it was too windy to light the candles. They just want the hay-bale cupcakes. You can carve a cake with the non-spoon end of a plastic spoon! Pinatas are more sturdy than they look. You can get sunburned in April. When the cooler is empty of drinks, the ice cubes offer great entertainment (and cooling) value. No matter what, birthday parties are stressful. On the mom, but also on the kid. But they are also just about [...]
Read More in birthday, Favorites, Jen Writes, oldest child, three kids