I’ve ceased to be surprised by major shifts that happen without apparent preparation. That seems to be the rule in adulthood in general and parenthood in particular. There was that day in October 2012, when I woke up with no inkling that the throwaway Loseit.com account I’d started just to see what the fuss was…
Read MoreAll articles filed in Nicholas
The Un-Twinning of the Littles
It lingered so much longer than I expected. When Nicholas first left babyhood, he seemed like Julianna’s developmental twin. I expected it to last just a few months, but the twinning grew firmer and firmer. For over three years, they have kept pace with each other, Julianna managing to stay just far enough ahead in key…
Read MoreDoes Pizza Come From Chicken’s Feet?
“Does pizza come from chicken’s feet?” Nicholas asked the other day. Christian and I both stopped, looked at each other, looked back at him, and cracked up. Nicholas is the king of random questions. He asks questions that have no answer, like “Why is it too late to go to the playground?” That seems straightforward,…
Read MoreRaising My Strong Willed Child
We don’t parent on our own. Or at least, we shouldn’t. If we try to muddle through on the basis of our own (lack of) expertise, we’re more likely to screw it all up. So I was very grateful to sit down for a long, focused conversation with a woman I respect deeply. She is…
Read MoreAdventures In Tee Ball With Mr. Jabberbox
Things Nicholas said and asked in the twenty-minute drive from Daddy’s office, where we dropped off his siblings, to the baseball field: Why is campus so small? What do you mean, we’re at the edge of campus? Where’s Daddy’s building? This is the way to my school! How do they make glass? How do they…
Read MoreHeartbreaker
On a beautiful Sunday evening, the whole neighborhood goes outside, something deep in our hearts feeling a need to connect with creation in some small way, even if it only means spraying the neighbor’s car with a hose. As soon as dinner–also eaten outside, on the deck–is finished, Nicholas shouts, “Can I go play with…
Read MoreFamily Dynamics and Parental Guilt
I’m supposed to be writing about being taken down from the cross this morning, but my heart is full of my children. Nicholas had his kindergarten screening last week, and the mediocrity of the scores…well, to be honest, I freaked out. Nicholas is exceptionally bright, and because he learned so many things alongside Julianna, I…
Read More(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: The Box
What is in this box, I wonder?….Not meat, I’m pretty sure. Hmmm, let’s see…. Oh, silly me. It’s Steve Rogers, newly made into Captain America. (Note: Although Nicholas is modeling it, this was Alex’s baby.)
Read MoreNicholas: How ‘Bout Some Ham With That Cheese?
On Death, But Without Being Morbid (a 7qt post)
This entire week, the subject of death has been front and center, but I promise I’m not being morbid today. In fact, to prove it to you, I will begin with….Nicholas, of course. ___1___ Earlier this summer, when we first thought Grandma was dying, Nicholas took the news very hard. So on Tuesday, I wasn’t…
Read More
Kathleen M. Basi 