This Mother’s Manifesto
I’m an omni-mom - step-mom, mom of three, dog mom married to an awesome man and life partner. My oldest daughter was born at 29 weeks and two days and spent two months in the NICU. My son was diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome and spent three weeks in the NICU. I got pregnant with an IUD - surprise! - and welcomed another daughter in 2022 (If you’re reading this, I’m your statistic - so I’ve got you covered).
I write about breastfeeding and pumping, high-risk pregnancies, navigating the NICU and extended hospital stays, raising a kid with a disability, and my decade-long attempt to qualify for the Boston marathon. I haven’t run a race since 2018, but the good news is the older I get the longer the qualifying time. I published a breastfeeding journal, Let it Flow, inspired by the highs and lows of my own breastfeeding journey.
I love storytelling as a means of human connection.
I have spent a good portion of my life feeling like an outsider, especially in high school, woof. I always have a book in my hand, a story to read, which makes me feel like less of an outsider. Turns out I have a gift for appreciating the beauty, complexities, and depth of life which at times was at odds with the priorities of super-thin eyebrows, getting a tan, and going to N*SYNC concerts. I understand myself better now, and leverage that understanding to share my gift through the power of story.
I write from my perspective and personal experiences and do not consider myself an expert. I am just trying to figure things out, day by day, minute by minute. Things that help me might not be for you. I am trying to balance the joyful struggle of motherhood, where one minute you can be covered in kisses and the very next, vomit.
I’m a little anti-social when it comes to social media. There is so much out there already. I aim to try and avoid putting more in your feed all the time. I want you to put your phone down and focus on something else, like finding a few minutes for yourself. I want to put my own phone down. Plus, I don’t like what it’s doing to our society. Let’s not forget it all started as a hot-or-not website in some dude’s dorm room.
Mainly I am here to write and nourish my creative spirit, build community, and sell boob journals. It’s not my intention to be an influencer. I will make best efforts not to rep any service or product I do not use myself. If I recommend something, I will disclose whether or not I am being compensated for that recommendation.
When we were in the NICU after my second was born, one of my dearest friends showed up at the hospital. We became friends because our daughters both spent time in the NICU. I will always remember the profound sense of relief and comfort when I saw her on the hospital concourse. She knew my story and lived a version of it herself. It was so powerful in that moment we didn’t even need words. I hope that by sharing my stories someone else will get to have a similar experience.