Prodromal Labor is a condition during which a pregnant woman experiences actual labor for hours at a time, day after day, for what can be weeks before “actual” labor begins. I’m one of those lucky few that has experienced this; 4 times. My first indication that I am pregnant, the symptom that causes me to pull out the test in the beginning, is cramping with no bleeding. I’ll have cramping... 

I’m 36 weeks pregnant this week. I’m measuring almost 41 weeks. I look and feel 41 weeks. My maternity clothes no longer fit (my mother suggested buying a Mumu, since it’s too hard to go anywhere with four kids anymore anyway. I’m about a day from taking the advice) My pelvis is such a disaster that I can’t sit up and put my knees together, or even cross my ankles. Plus, I can’t roll over... 

Childhood Vaccinations and why we don’t do them Occasionally I’ll have someone ask why we do not vaccinate our children. Usually it’s a don’t ask, don’t tell kind of world on those things. Or maybe it’s that most people assume you do. I mean, why wouldn’t you? Well, there are plenty of reasons. As with most of my parenting decisions with my first child, I just did “what everybody did”. ... 

I recently read a news story on BabyCenter.com about Favoritism. In the article they cite a new study that shows that the effects of a mother’s favoritism last long into adulthood. It suggests that “children of mothers who favor or reject one child are more likely to suffer depressive symptoms as middle-age adults.” Now, I’m not sure I fully support the methodology of the interview-based study,... 

As I say often, each pregnancy brings with it an entirely new indignity. In my first pregnancy, I thought mine was merely the poor fashion choices for pregnant women. I was so proud of myself that at 8 months I was still not sporting a single stretch mark. My belly looked almost as svelte as those of naked pregnant cover models. I was smug. At 38 weeks I caught a glimpse of the underside of my... 

Our lives have changed just a tad over the last few months. Not only did I learn I was pregnant with my fifth child under 9 years old in January, but a few days later I learned we were moving for the second time in 6 months. Then I began teaching college courses part time. My husband’s job changed, and he returned to college. And some time after our move I began writing for the blog. So the kids... 

In my first pregnancy I excitedly anticipated my 20 week ultrasound, like every first-time preggo. I dutifully drank my gallon of water and even while fighting back tears, as much  from my over-stretched bladder as the wonder of the first glimpses of my baby, I lay still and quiet on the table, basking in the fuzzy lines that the ultrasound technician assured me were the parts of my baby. And when... 

I hate to cook. And it definitely shows in my finished work. My husband will usually make himself a sandwich rather than eat what I’ve made, and the kids meet it with a luke-warm reception at best. Consequently, my husband has always done approximately 362 days of cooking per year. In the first quarter of this year, after a move, a change in jobs, and going back to college, my husband seriously fell... 

After the birth of our third child my husband began talking about getting a vasectomy. He knew I didn’t want to do anything permanent, but he really was sure. While he loves our children more than anything in life, he insisted we “couldn’t afford any more kids.” When pressed, this was the only real reason he could give. It wasn’t a good enough reason to me. Despite always having envisioned... 

Out of the mouths of babes… Being the excellent parent that I am, I do my best to minimize my children’s exposure to profanity. Well, not my best, but an ok job, let’s say. In addition to traditional “bad words”, in my house name-calling is on the not-ok list. Things such as “stupid”, “fat”, “ugly”, the real confidence killers. Things that have involved the word “butt”,...