The Definition of Motherhood

May 18, 2018 – My family and I recently relocated to Birmingham, Al. One of the many things on my to do list was to find a counselor in this new city. In one of our first sessions together, she asked me this seemingly simple question. “What does it mean to you to be a mother?”  I started to answer by listing off things that I do as a mother, tasks that I assume as my son’s mother, but that’s not what she asked me. I had to stop, take a breath, and answer as honestly as I could.

Caring for Rare

February 27, 2018 – In honor of Rare Disease Day 2018, I’m sharing with you my experience so far in raising a child with a rare diagnosis. So rare, in fact, he shares the diagnosis with approximately 50 other people worldwide. For us, this means many things physically, and emotionally. It requires patience, the ability to acquire and hold on to new knowledge, the openness to learn how to care for your child in a way that does not come naturally, and making peace with unknowns. Let’s dive in.

No such thing as planning in parenting

January 31, 2018 – It’s always a good idea to educate yourself and try to prepare for the challenges that parenthood will inevitably bring. There are various parenting self-help books available and, of course, an experienced mom or dad may be able to offer a pointer or two. But even if you do access all your resources – guess what? You’re going to make mistakes because you’re human and child-rearing is not a perfect science. I promise that nobody has it completely figured out.

Ser mamá de 3

January 29, 2018 – Una pregunta bastante común en estos días es ¿qué se siente ser mamá de 3? Y con el corazón en la mano y muchas ganas de compartir esta aventura, les contaré lo maravilloso y lo complicado que es.
Yo soy hija única, crecí sin hermanos y sin primitos, por lo que siempre soñé con tener una familia grande. Después de tener a mi primera hija, estaba segura que quería tener otro bebé y sin dudas ni miedos, buscamos a mi pequeña Sabrina.

Holidays in the Hospital

January 23, 2018 – ’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring because we were stuck in the Special Care Unit at our local children’s hospital fighting a terrible trifecta of pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and gastrointestinal issues. What a vacation, right? Five days of respiratory support, holding feeds, and sleeping on a couch did not really meet our expectations for a Christmas holiday this past year, but it’s where we ended up.

Tough Love

December 20, 2017 – Sometimes it seriously feels like my child hates me, and I know I am not the only mom to ever feel this way. I love that kid more than I could ever adequately express in words, and every single thing that I do, I do with the intention of providing the best possible childhood for him.

"Priorities"

December 13, 2017 – Having a kid with multiple chronic health conditions has given me a whole new outlook on prioritizing. And I don’t mean the more obvious “putting your children’s needs before your own” kind of priority, I’m talking about the minuscule tasks and goals that need to be prioritized each and every day. 

A Mother's Oath

November 22, 2017 – As mothers, we sometimes assume all responsibility for our children’s pain. We forget that it’s not only impossible to absorb or prevent all of their suffering, but it may also be detrimental to their well-being. Sure, we want to eliminate whatever stressors we can, but some obstacles will not be removable. And sometimes, just because a challenge can be avoided, doesn’t mean that it should be.

El amor por los primeros hijos

November 15, 2017 – Isa es mi primer amor, mi sueño de ser mamá hecho realidad; mi primera compañera de desvelos, de amamantadas con miedos y una pregunta constante cual es ¿Qué hago ahora con esta bebé? Con ella he aprendido a ser mejor persona y mejor mamá.  Es mi guía y maestra para entender que funciona, que no funciona y tal vez que puedo hacer diferente con sus hermanas Sabri y Mikis. Con ella he aprendido a superar miedos y obstáculos que me permiten estar más tranquila y segura cuando los vivo con mis otras dos chiquitas.

“But, He doesn’t Look Disabled…”

November 08, 2017 –

It’s the reason why I cringe as people walk past me after I’ve parked in the handicapped spot, the reason why I chose a bright blue hearing aid instead of one to match his hair, and the reason why I’d almost rather be using an adaptive stroller rather than an average one (though the cost of adaptive equipment will make you re-think that real quick). To the untrained eye, no, my son doesn’t look disabled/ handicapped/ abnormal, and I guess I am glad for that - although to say that is rather guilt-inducing because I don’t think that anyone with more obvious disabilities should be ashamed of that, either.