What do you see?

Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?  I cannot tell you how many times I have said that line, whether it was in reading a bedtime story to my children, teaching a "Baby and Me" or an after school theatre program in my former life as a teacher, or in creating a curriculum aimed at building confidence ...

a squeeze kiss and ice cream trucks.

In August, I told my son about the fact that I'd had severe postpartum depression after he was born. I did not use those words, of course; rather, I told him that "I got a little sad" and he understood it and did not understand it and it was a pretty good balance. In January, my book came out and I ...

Mommy Gut

As humans, we are often told to listen to our hearts. We are told to pay attention to our "inner voice" and that its words should reign supreme over all else. There is an actual movement surrounding a greater effort to pay attention to our feelings, and while this is something that I would ordinarily get behind (and, in ...

Why I wrote “Beyond the Baby Blues”

(Originally published on postpartum project, as "Why I wrote "Beyond the Baby Blues") *** “If this can help one woman then it is worth it.” That was my refrain. That was what I said. That was what I typed, even when my hands trembled. In February of 2014 I made a decision that would change the trajectory of my life ...

Beyond the Baby Blues

Happy Birthday, Book! Today is the day! After years of writing, months of teasing, weeks of sharing photos and videos of reviews, copies and clips... today, "Beyond the Baby Blues: Anxiety and Depression During and After Pregnancy" is out! I am so overwhelmed by this -- we wrote a book! If you do get a chance to read Beyond the Baby Blues, ...

Their names

Ok. This is a biggie. Not in the way that some other posts are biggies, but in a different (and maybe even biggie-er) way. I have been writing this blog for over seven and a half years. On it I have shared my innermost thoughts and feelings; my deep secrets; my real-time triumphs and trials. I have even shared ...

déjà vu

(Editor's Note: This post was originally composed on Monday, December 19. Writing had to be postponed* which accounts for any confusion as I refer to "today" as "Monday" when it is, now, Tuesday. Many thanks!) Today, I had a massive case of déjà vu, and not necessarily for the best reasons. I am really fascinated by the concept of ...

Varsity

Dear World, Today is Election Day. (Go vote! Even if your kids are off of school, I urge you to vote! However, NOT THE POINT OF THIS POST!) I am writing to tell you that, before noon today, I earned a varsity letter on my mom jacket. Let's start at the beginning: This morning, I woke up before 7, which is unusual for ...

Barcelona

I wrote this piece on Thursday, August 17, on the day when a van drove down La Rambla and into human beings; the day of a brutal attack. It was too fresh to post that day, and so I am publishing it now, a few days later, with no less heaviness in my heart. The photo above ...

Festen

"It's daddy's birthday, oh yes it is, and it is today!" This birthday chant has become a tradition in our family -- mostly as a joke -- after having seen "Festen", the dark, dramatic play based on the Danish movie, on Broadway. For my 21st birthday, my parents and I got tickets to this star-filled show, featuring ...