World Mental Health Day. 10.10. I remember the first time I had a (recognizable) panic attack. It was the 3rd of July, I was 18 and my now husband and I had broken up for the umpteenth time. Except this time was different. He moved on. He was dating someone else and when I dropped off a box of his stuff I saw her name written all over a piece of paper on his bedside table. I was being left behind. Probably because I was too much. Too many emotions, too much of a rollercoaster. More trouble than I was … Read more
Tag Archives: essays
why small fry?
There are images from history books that stay with us: a group of women washing clothes together in the stream, a line of mothers walking with tall pitchers of well-water perched on their heads, babies wrapped tightly to their backs. Painting their faces and dancing around a fire. Gray haired women in rocking chairs sitting around a bucket shelling peas, shucking corn. Praying together, reading together, cooking together. Living in a modern culture that builds walls and fences around our kitchens and laundry rooms can make motherhood feel intensely isolating. So we reach out to see ourselves in others, to … Read more
Moms You Should Meet: Oryana
This post is in partnership with Uber. Sign up here to become their newest driver, where you can earn extra money driving, on your schedule. By Emily. I talked with Chicago-based Oryana on the phone and within minutes the purpose of this post changed. I was inspired, I got the chills, and I even teared up at one point, not at all what I expected when we were planning this post. So much of Oryana’s story resonated with us, whether it be Nicole making it work as a single mom, or Jenna being far away from her family, or myself. If … Read more
heart awareness month
For Valentine’s Day and also Heart Awareness Month we are grateful to have Kierra, mom to Evanna sharing their story with CHD. Congenital heart defects are the #1 birth defect, with nearly one of every 100 babies born with a congenital heart defect – ranging from a small hole, to extremely complex. Congenital heart defects are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths, and the leading cause of all infant deaths in North America. More than 50% of all children born with congenital heart defect will require at least one invasive surgery in their lifetime. Little is known about … Read more
Plate Glass at my Party
Today we have an important post by one brave reader and friend, Marylin. We feel really fortunate that she was willing to come forward and share her experience so candidly. We also wanted to note that while we were prepping for this important post we learned some information that we thought might be beneficial to share. We tried at first to contrast baby blues with Postpartum Depression, put them on a nice neat little chart, but after consulting with family physcian Dr. Erika Noonan we learned an important piece to this puzzle. Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression are nearly exactly the … Read more
why i chose to bottle feed
Breast versus Bottle feeding is a long time hot topic that is sure to fire people up on both sides of the spectrum. One thing we noticed when researching for this post is how moms who decided to bottle feed largely felt and feel judged and looked down on not just occasionally but day in and day out. This is heartbreaking! Having a baby is a roller coaster of intense emotions and if this post can help spark even a little understanding and compassion in others, and allow parents to let go of some of that guilt, we will consider it a … Read more
a new us
In January of this year my little family took a turn for the different which caused this year to be a bucket full of firsts. I’ve recently stumbled upon a couple quotes that interestingly seemed to define the last year for me perfectly. Both by M. Scott Peck. While reading The Road Less Traveled this one stopped me dead in my tracks: Benjamin Franklin said, “Things that hurt, instruct.” Peck goes on to say “It is for this reason that wise people learn not to dread, but actually to welcome problems and actually to welcome the pain of problems.” Now I’m not … Read more
another chance
By Emily. Earlier this month I found myself staring at a big screen TV’s image of my empty womb. “Where is the baby?” I trembled, expecting to hear that horse galloping heartbeat and a tiny adored bean. I went to my 9 week appointment solo, as I insisted, because I avoid being high maintenance at all costs, and assured my husband that he was more needed getting our boys dressed and fed at home (instant regret on that one.) As the OBGYN and Midwife talked at me of next steps, possibilities, statistics, its-not-your-faults, my mind drifted off. My thoughts were dark and … Read more
a new year
By Jenna. 2014. In a way I can’t believe it’s over, in another I look back at these 365 days that felt at times like 30,000. It was the hardest year of my life but also the most blessed. Isn’t that how life works? It gives, it takes and in the end you’re left in a introspective balance that causes you to pause and humbly thank the trials that refined your heart. I’m leaving in 2014: Self Doubt. In a year of weaknesses, miss-steps, struggle and absolute bare bones humility I learned that we’re all just people. Real life people. … Read more
FRYday: Emily
Happy FRYday everyone! For those of you who asked for the full article from our Somerset Life magazine feature, we can finally share it! Here’s the full essay I had the opportunity to write if you’d like: When we started Small Fry last Fall, we had no idea what would happen. We knew we had a supportive network of friends and family who would be on board, but would anyone else care? What would even talk about day in and day out? How fast would we run out of inspiration? What would it take to make time away from our … Read more
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