Learning Not to Turn Away

/ Anna

learning not to turn away

Turn turn away
From the weight of your own past
It’s magic for the devil
And betray the lack of change
Once you have spoken
Turn away
-Beck

It has become an almost automatic reaction.  See a pregnancy announcement – usually accompanied by photos – flinch, hide the announcement.  If the parents-to-be start to inundate my feed with cutesy photos, or complaints about the discomforts of pregnancy, then I am done.  I remove it from my sight until I am sure the baby is born.  I’ll provide the requisite “Congratulations” and then whether I bring that baby back into my feed depends on whether or not there are any other triggers. Continue reading →

Covering Up

/ Anna

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I began hot yoga back in March of 2016, mere days after I had been medically cleared to exercise again following Iris’s birth.  I was in a complete fog, on antidepressants, and going through the motions of the days without caring about much. Continue reading →

The Time Before and After

/ Anna

This winter has been so long, and rough.  We haven’t had everyone in school for a full week since before Christmas.  Between illnesses, snow days, or planned days of no school for an in-service or parent teacher conferences, every week feels like we are cobbling the days together and lacking the fluidity of our normal routine.  On Sunday evening I said to Ger “This is it – this is going to be our first week of ‘normal.” Continue reading →

Sometimes a Bit Lucky

/ Anna

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These past few weeks, we have felt very unlucky.  Ger had a nasty bout of pneumonia that put him out of commission for about 8 days, leaving me struggling to juggle work and the kids.  Then a week ago, with finally everyone healthy, we were driving to Noodles and Company for dinner, only to have our minivan die on the side of the road. Continue reading →

Playtime Evolving

/ Anna
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Playtime evolving

We had planned for Theo and Quentin to be about two-and-a-half years apart, and it happened that way.  We had a toddler that could walk, talk, and eventually was potty trained, limiting the overlap in two kids in diapers.  Outings eventually became a breeze with a double stroller.  They shared a room and played well together. Continue reading →