If NFP is so effective, why do its users have so many children?

I feel like we have been marketing NFP the wrong way. We have been presenting it as an alternative to contraception, but it’s not. “It’s just as effective as hormonal birth control without all of those nasty chemicals!” This may be true, but then when contraceptive users see how many children Catholic NFP users tend to have, they see that as undermining our claims of effectiveness. The reason for this is because the contraceptive mentality is entirely different from the mentality that follows Pope Saint John Paul II’s cornerstone piece on Catholic sexual dogma, Theology of the Body.  read more

Oh Christmas Card, Oh Christmas Card

The first Sunday of Advent was yesterday. The Christmas season is upon us! Scott’s office changed locations last week, so he spent the entire week immersed in moving activities, with the only exceptions of Thanksgiving Day and Saturday. Hence, our Thanksgiving holiday wasn’t quite as relaxing as we may have hoped. However, he is really excited about his new office, and I can’t wait to see it! I should drag all four girls with me. The last time I did that, people were turning right around and foregoing their lunch outings to gawk at us. Nothing to see here, people.  Just a mama duck and her little ducklings following behind her, fighting over who gets to press the elevator buttons. read more

Gift Ideas for Little Girls (and how to give to your favorite causes while shopping!)

We typically only give the girls one Christmas gift each, so we like to make it count. I prefer toys that encourage imaginative play and are tried and true classics, rather than whatever toy is trendy that year. We have done a lot of trial and error through the years, and I thought I would write about the ones that have been successes with the girls.

These are our favorite toys for little girls:

1. Calico Critters

I LOVED playing with Calico Critters when I was a little girl, and when Ruth found my old Calico Critters at my mom’s house, she was in heaven. They are so cute, and can inspire hours of imaginative play. They also appeal to a wide range of ages, so you really get your money’s worth. read more

What on Earth is a Marian Consecration?

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: The Almighty has done great things for me, and Holy is his Name.

Portion of the Magnificat, Lk 1:46-49

What on Earth is a Marian Consecration? That is what I thought to myself when I read some fellow Catholic bloggers mentioning the subject. I felt like such a bad Catholic having never heard of it (it didn’t help when I asked my parents about it, and they both said they knew all about it and had both done Marian Consecrations themselves!) So I did some research on it, and bought myself this book: read more

Rhea is Six Months

At our six month well check, the pediatrician kept saying he couldn’t believe she was six months old already. I’m glad I’m not the only one.

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She is a chubby, long little one with a head size that is literally off the charts. Huh. It doesn’t look at that big to me. But apparently, she is supporting a cabezón. Clearly, it’s full of brains.

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Milestones: Sitting up unsupported for a few minutes! First solid food (I mashed up some banana for her). She must have finally rolled from her tummy back to her back because I have found her pretty far away from her play mat. I have yet to actually witness it, though (bad mommy). She much prefers to fuss until I roll her back for her. She is starting to babble a little bit, and I could have sworn I heard her say “uh oh” in her car seat the other day. Impossible, you say? Keep in mind her head is off the charts, mmmkay? read more

Please Don’t Take My Sunshine Away

You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away!

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Before I had kids, I always thought that last line was kind of morbid. Way to make it weird, song writer. Way to make it weird.

And then I had a miscarriage. And then I had another miscarriage of twins. And then my first child was born with little holes in her heart and a possible metabolic disorder. And my third child was born with a more serious congenital heart defect. And my comfortable world with its simple cares before that first pregnancy came tumbling down. read more

Wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch

So says the Swan of Avon.  I say, an apt expression for a post on our little Wren.

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Does that photo progression make anyone else weepy? Just me? Ok.

We have Wren’s next heart appointment next month, and those always make me nervous. We have gotten results anywhere from open heart surgery is possibly imminent to her heart looks great and we won’t need to check it as often maybe in the many, many pediatric cardiologist appointments we have had. We got the latter opinion last time, and I am hoping and praying that trend continues. read more

Tummy Bug Survival Kit

Since we’re in the thick of the tummy bug from hell, I figured I might as well jot this all down before I suffer from momnesia before the next time around and I’ll make all of the same mistakes. This stomach virus began ravaging our family about ten days ago, and I have figured out a few things since then. (Or if I am being honest, my dear friends and family have made kind suggestions that have served us well.)

So, if your little one is suffering from the annual (or in our case, bi-annual) stomach virus, this list will hopefully make your life a little bit easier until you emerge on the other side of the dark, dark, tummy bug tunnel. Solidarity, mamas. read more

Clicks that tempt me

A new post two nap times in a row! Can you tell I’m surviving on coffee alone this Daylight Savingspacalypse with a side of messy stomach bugs? If I have one materialistic weakness, it is buying clothing and accessories for all of my girls. I may spend my days with holes in my shoes and shirts and $20 jeans from Old Navy that keep sliding down precariously, but my girls are going to look runway ready, dammit! Not really, but a girl can dream.

First up!

This dress from Duchess and Lion. I’m usually not into fur (faux or otherwise) because I am still traumatized from the fur vest craze a la Hagrid (curse you, Rachel Zoe!), but this dress! I die.  And only $180! What a bargain. read more

Our First Halloween without Buying Costumes

Halloween should be on a Saturday every year. I came into Halloween with a really bad attitude, but it actually exceeded my expectations. While the men folk watched the (extremely disappointing) GA/FL game and the girls napped, my mom and I channeled our crafty sides and made the girls’ costumes. I decided Rhea was going to be the sun and Wren was going to be Minnie Mouse. Rhea has a yellow June and January romper and Wren has a Gap polka dot dress that served as our starting points. I paired Rhea’s romper with her gold moccs and Wren’s dress with her black tights and silver moccs. We only had to make their hats. We glued some felt circles and a polka dot ribbon  to a headband and voilà! Minnie Mouse hat.
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