These maternity photos are about to redefine what it means to be badass
A week or two ago, UK photographer Emma, of Emma Lucy Photography, sent over these photos of Penny, who is now my hero for life. The photos would be awesome even if Penny wasn’t pregnant in them, but the fact that she is = a whole new level of incredible.
Honesty and kids: just because you told the truth doesn’t mean they will
Honesty is the best policy. I truly believe that. I am like Honest Abe Lincoln who, when confronted about chopping down the cherry tree, shouted “Give me liberty or give me death and I’m really sorry about the tree but Babe the Blue Ox told me to do it!” Growing up, I may have kept things from my mother but I only really lied to her once.
A photographer uses monthly photos to document his premature niece’s growth
These photos by Albuquerque-based Justin Thor Simenson have the sweetest story to go with them. His niece, who turned one in November 2011, was born several months premature. Before her birth Justin had mostly focused on fine art, but he began taking Amya’s portrait in the hospital. This turned into a regular thing — every month he took several photos of her. The end result is hundreds of photos of a now quite happy and healthy girl.
My hopelessly-hooked-on-Craigslist home tour
We moved in a month ago and have worked extremely hard to make it feel like a home. We are strong believers in “reduce, reuse and recycle” and try to apply it to our home as much as possible. We tend to shop at thrift stores and garage sales — and love a good Craigslist deal. Take a look around and I hope you find inspiration in what you see.
How can I easily navigate the transition back to working outside the home?
I’m getting ready to go back to work, but here’es the catch: I haven’t done paid work in six years. I am feeling so anxious about every step of the process: proving that even though I didn’t get paid, I’ve built skills steadily along the way; learning how to get back into the groove of dealing with co-workers; what might make the transition easier for me and my two sons, right down to wondering what professional women wear nowadays.
The Incident: my son was bullied for having gay parents
A few months back, I wrote that my son had never been bullied at his Texas public school. Perhaps it was inevitable, given that Waylon is in third grade now, but a week or two later there was an incident. The story unfolded over dinner at our favorite neighborhood Texmex restaurant. Waylon was well into his second bean and cheese taco when he broached the subject. “Mom, B– said that being gay is bad.”
I’m a grownup who loves kid decor
Circo? Is that a kid’s brand? It had some circus-y merchandise around it, sure, but certainly I didn’t buy something aimed at kids again, did I? Yep, that’s my burden. To search the world for elephant-shaped mugs and eyepatch-wearing bird art. Hi. I’m Superman, and I buy children’s decor but have no children (that I know about).
I want a doula, but my partner doesn’t. What to do?
I’m only 13 weeks, so this is super early, but I’ve been thinking about how much I’d like a doula with me during labor. I’m not super crunchy, but I plan on having an unmedicated birth and I’m really happy with my choice in hospital and doctor. However, I also think a doula would provide even more support and make it as close to the experience that we want as possible.