Ella recently made up some lyrics to the tune of that old “this is the way we wash our hands, wash our hands, wash our hands” song. Her alternate words go something like this: “This is the way I do everything, Do everything, Do everything. This is the way I do everything, With octopus arms.” … Continue reading Multitasking

When we were growing up, we had a Magic Book. I can’t remember what it was actually called, although I’m pretty sure my dad still has it on a shelf in his living room – “Treasury of Children’s Tales” or something like that, full of nursery rhymes and short stories. To my little girl arms, … Continue reading Magic and Mud

I’ve been thinking all day about how to tell you about the day Ella was born. This story usually works best when I’ve had a few drinks and can shout out words like MUCUS PLUG and CERVICAL CHECK and CROWNING. Ugh. Here are the main things you should know: I had promised my sister, who … Continue reading The Day We Got Ella June

Four years ago today I woke up in a Very Bad Mood. The baby who was Ella had dropped four days earlier, so I was feeling discomfort for the first time in my entire #blessed pregnancy. (Note to 2013 Danielle: subsequent pregnancies will be neither easy nor comfortable, enjoy this while it lasts.) I had … Continue reading The Day I Wasn’t in Labor

I have a confession to make: I am not actually naturally a great baker. I'm not patient or particularly careful when I cook. I tend to improvise instead of sticking with a plan. And I hate, hate, hate reading and following instructions. Seriously, I was a party pariah in the late 90s because I decided … Continue reading Dough Day

I've had "go through Ella's baby stuff" on my to do list for about six months. I meant to do it before we moved in July, because it seemed crazy to move with a bunch of disorganized baby boxes. But of course, the actual packing and moving took precedent and I never got around to … Continue reading Boxes of Memories

We were in Tribeca on a crystal clear winter morning. I was in the middle of hustling Ella past the open doors of a parking garage, hoping to catch a cab and get us out of the biting wind. She was dragging her feet a bit, and I’d been fighting impatience. We had plans to … Continue reading Thank you for this glorious day