Photos – Page 20

Small Successes 15

1. I carved away some time for an evening walk with a dear friend leaving the older girls behind. The baby slept the entire time, and I appreciated how easy having only a newborn is now (throw in toddler and preschooler and things can get a little crazy). The outdoor air, the adult conversation, theRead the whole post >>

Kangaroo Care

Love Has No Limits

Me: How much do you love me? Preschooler as she outstretches her arms: This much. After a brief pause… Preschooler: Actually, I love you more than that, but my arms aren’t long enough to show you. I needed to hear these words. We all need reassurance from time to time, but lately my mommy egoRead the whole post >>

The View Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This

Forget scarves, funky espadrilles, and fancy jewelry. Babies make the greatest accessories and add more than a splash of color and beauty. When I “wear” Mary Elizabeth, this is the view I have. It doesn’t get much better than that.

7 Quick Takes (Vol. 8): The Delicious Baby Edition

After a “quick takes” hiatus, I’m back. For this week’s edition, I’m sharing closeups of our newest addition (born on Palm Sunday) because I don’t want to forget… …the way her tiny ear moves with each suck when she nurses. …the way her small starburst hand wraps tightly around my finger. …the way smiles flutterRead the whole post >>

I’m a wife, mom of five kids, writer, speaker, storyteller, bibliophile, runner, eating disorder survivor, and perfectionist in recovery. I'm the author of Getting Past Perfect: Finding Joy & Grace in the Messiness of Motherhood and Weightless: Making Peace With Your Body.

I’ve tried a lot of things in my life – anorexia, bulimia, law school, teaching aerobics, extended breastfeeding, vegetarianism, trying to be perfect and failing miserably at it – and through it all I’ve been writing. And learning to embrace the messiness of life instead of covering it up, making excuses for it, or being ashamed of my brokenness or my home’s sticky counters.

Nowadays I’m striving every single, imperfect day to strike a balance between keeping it real and keeping it joyful.