I’m taking a blogging challenge from the Gypsy Mama today. She encouraged writers to take just five minutes to write based on her prompt: Deep Breath.
I sit here now with my two big kids in my bed, sound asleep. I heard their breath – the life giving air – in and out. They’re calm. Claiming that much needed sleep after a day of rush, rush, rush.
From swimming lessons to grocery shopping and chores. From playdates to birthday party.
And then, as the clock ticks toward 8, the deep breath.
In our house, it’s …

Reading a bedtime story is routine in our home. However, also routine are the bedtime stories my kids hear.
When my son was born, I adopted a few favorites: “The little mouse, the big hungry bear and the red ripe strawberry,” a few Thomas the Tank Engine tomes and “Goodnight Moon.”
I read them so much that I memorized them.
My infant son heard these stories night after night. Then my daughter came along. It was just as easy to share with her the same stories.
As they’ve gotten older, we’ve broken up the …

As a new mom 8 years ago, I took in lots of advice from friends and books. One book suggested putting the infant on a schedule fairly quickly. Another recommended holding the child a great deal and co-sleeping. Friends suggested “attachment parenting,” Dr.Sears, “Babywise” and more. Eventually I adopted a pretty attachment form of parenting (if we want to classify things).
My baby boy most often shared our bed until we moved and he had his own room. But since he was 10 months by then, to transition him he used …

About a month ago I wrote about how we’ve had some sleeping issues in our home – as in children NOT sleeping! After weekend away with my mom (who was exposed to my daughter’s nighttime rantings), it was time to take action.
We don’t know why she does this, but for several months my 5-year-old has cried out in her sleep. Sometimes it’s loud enough that I hear her down the hall. It may simply be, “I want my toy back,” or “Are we there yet?” But other times she just …

With the flu wrecking havoc across Valley hospitals and schools, it’s inevitable we will all know someone who gets sick.
Count the Reese household as a likely candidate: We have two children in school. Two young children who put their hands in their mouths and noses and eyes and ears.
Two children who love each other dearly, hug each other and everyone around them.
Two children who are among the most likely to get the H1N1 virus.
And with one at home with a fever yesterday, count us as likely victims of this bug, …