tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31006581576048791212026-05-10T05:19:45.799-04:00Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.comBlogger2083125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-76267356910882105022016-05-08T12:24:00.004-04:002016-05-08T12:24:46.815-04:00

I was in the hospital, hours after giving birth to our first child, Mary Grace. A stream of visitors had kept us busy most of the day, and by the time Brandon, our best man, arrived with his daughters, Mary Grace was done. She started to cry in his arms. I panicked when he said, "She wants her mama." I thought, "This is the moment when I'm revealed as a fraud - this is when they're going to

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-91966769154241660892016-04-28T17:37:00.001-04:002016-04-28T17:37:42.418-04:00

A woman just called me wanting to know if she could count on my support on Tuesday..... for Ted Cruz."Well, I suppose if every other republican and democrat is kidnapped by aliens, there might be a chance that I would vote for Cruz... No, actually, I don't think I would even then.""So you're not a Cruz supporter ma'am?"And then I started quoting his positions to her, and instead of refuting any

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-42972997186030451122016-04-25T09:40:00.003-04:002016-04-25T10:13:13.294-04:00

This weekend I found myself in a situation where a friend (male half of a couple that BJ and I are good friends with) corrected something I did that offended him. He was 100% right, and I was wrong (although wrong with good intentions, which he acknowledged right away). I have to be honest, it really stung. When I got his first text I was so angry. I went straight into defensive mode. I wanted

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-48490281422450665812016-04-21T11:35:00.004-04:002016-04-21T11:35:53.557-04:00

My kids are now 10, 9, and 5.  Jack is starting kindergarten in the fall, which is completely insane. I can't remember the last time I changed a diaper. And for some reason I feel moved to dust off This Old Blog today and say a few things to you moms who are still in the trenches that I wish I could go back and say to myself 10(!) years ago. You Matter Oh, please take care of yourself.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-54514245564990913912014-12-02T22:42:00.000-05:002014-12-02T22:42:11.661-05:00

I'm the worst blogger ever.  We're busy.  Mary Grace was in the 2013 Christmas Show at Purdue, and we're both in it this year.  She's the third kid from the left (red dress) in this video.  Gorgeous!  Love these kids, and this organization, so much. Someday I'll have stories again.  Until then, friend me on Facebook, where I'm sharing most of my crazy these days.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-78574667772896543192014-03-21T09:59:00.000-04:002014-03-21T09:59:06.400-04:00

Dearest Claire, Please pay no attention to the date on this post.  I know that your birthday was a week ago.  I'm sorry to be posting this so late. School Picture On Thursday, your actual natal day, I worked, and then we went out for dinner.  You chose Pizza King where they have trains to deliver your drinks - not because it's your favorite,

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-74100010710180504972014-01-06T22:19:00.001-05:002014-01-06T22:19:31.281-05:00

Lots of fun science is happening during the Polar Vortex of 2014, or whatever this will be remembered as, but apparently there are a bunch of people burning themselves with boiling water because they're trying to make snow. B.J., my brilliant husband, figured out a better way.  Observe:

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-55548117943244562642013-12-31T11:41:00.001-05:002013-12-31T11:42:07.070-05:00

Happy new year, from the world's worst blogger!  As we bid farewell to 2013 and look forward to the coming year, I have a few reflections to share. I didn't do the couch to 5k program that I started in January.  I didn't even finish a full week.  Turns out that while my internal organs weren't literally dragging behind me on the ground, it felt close enough to the truth to put

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-21865162558237635012013-12-19T10:53:00.001-05:002013-12-19T10:53:08.297-05:00

Dearest Jack, You are three.  I am so sorry for not writing your birthday letter on your actual birthday, but things have been ridiculously busy at our house.  But we'll pretend that it's because most of my pictures of you are on my work computer, because that's where I back up my phone, ok?  Cut Mommy some slack. Last year I was so worried about you because you weren't

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-23298137662914729592013-10-29T10:05:00.003-04:002013-10-29T10:05:19.091-04:00

In the car this morning: "Look at the pretty trees, Jack!  Aren't the leaves pretty today" "Why somebody paint doze trees?" Oh, this kid, he is my heart.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-79928867788478259102013-10-28T10:23:00.001-04:002013-10-28T10:23:23.188-04:00

I was adjusting the "static correction" collar we got for Penny, because she barks constantly. Mary Grace said, "Set it to extra crispy!" *** I complained that Jack hadn't touched his dinner.  He stuck out one finger and gently nudged his sandwich.  "I touched it." *** Aunt Mimi was babysitting, Jack had a dirty diaper.  He wouldn't let her change it.  She asked him why.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-37359350161296230262013-10-04T09:15:00.003-04:002013-10-04T09:15:51.152-04:00

I'm heartbroken this morning to learn that the woman driving the car in Washington DC who was shot to death by Capitol police after running over a member of the Secret Service and driving erratically in the mall area suffered from postpartum depression. Actually, chances are that she suffered from postpartum psychosis, which is a different disorder, but since I'm not a shrink and I've never met

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-47843618270792855532013-10-02T22:32:00.001-04:002013-10-02T22:32:18.507-04:00

Dear People, In the interest of being able to send the children to college one day, I have elected to never ever ever buy prints of their school pictures to distribute, because it would cost a fortune. Therefore, I have purchased the digital rights to these photos and you are welcome to copy them and print them to your heart's content.  Actually, if everyone prints each one 47 times it

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-47057566561244769002013-09-23T08:44:00.000-04:002013-09-23T08:44:07.005-04:00

"Mommy, one time I was at Miss Monica's house, and I saw a toy that we got from the Easter Bunny, and I asked her about it, and Miss Monica said, 'That's because your mom and I went shopping together.'  Is the Easter Bunny real?" "Are you sure you want to know?" Hesitantly, Mary Grace said, "Yes." "No, honey, the Easter Bunny is a story parents make up to make Easter magical for their

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-53794635693648401432013-09-09T16:13:00.001-04:002013-09-09T16:13:30.648-04:00

Our friends the Perrys gave us a life sized cardboard cutout of Han Solo today. MG immediately claimed it.So, BJ and I watched a movie tonight. Afterward, at midnight, I came upstairs to get ready for bed. The kids sleep with their doors open so I didn't turn on the hall lights - I just had my phone in my hand when I saw this:I assure you it was much more startling without the flash. I

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-63446066829871875612013-08-29T10:18:00.002-04:002013-08-29T10:18:36.011-04:00

On the way to the sitter's house this morning, Jack said, "Have ickies, Mommy?" "What?" "Have ickies?" "I don't understand, honey, have ickies?" "Yes.""No, I don't have ickies." "I have ickies?" "No, you don't have ickies." "Oh."  Pause.  "Have a hug, Mommy?" Oh my gosh, he was asking for a KISS.  Have a kiss, have ickies.  I am a horrible mother. Of course I gave

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-90215976934790743872013-08-12T16:32:00.001-04:002013-08-12T16:32:18.281-04:00

While doing some online back-to-school clothes shopping, Claire informed me that she no longer likes polka dots, and that she wants to wear a lot of black because it "goes with everything." Every single item she picked out was black or denim. Isn't 6-1/2 a little young for a goth phase? So if you see her walking around looking like a midget Morticia Adams, know that I tried.  But she

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-41482793487693106342013-08-10T07:00:00.000-04:002013-08-11T13:08:53.045-04:00

(I wrote this Friday night and scheduled it to auto-publish on 8/10, but I must have done something wrong because it never did.  Sorry, Kiddo...) Dear Mary Grace, Once a year I have a good cry about my baby being X years old, and how could that possibly be because it seems like just yesterday... blah blah blah.  But seriously, you were just born, how can you be 8 already? Official

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-75937370491443444482013-08-09T08:50:00.001-04:002013-08-09T08:50:20.751-04:00

Tuesday was a work day for me, the kids were home with our awesome friend and babysitter Erin.  I had to run an errand on the way home, so I thought, "I'll take that old fabric travel crate to Natalie's on my way.  If I go without the kids, I won't come home with a dog!" Famous. Last. Words. I was on the phone with Amanda when I rolled up.  Got the crate out and tried the

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-19613837955700404182013-07-07T10:55:00.003-04:002013-07-07T10:55:54.794-04:00

Sorry if any of you got spammed.  My sister said that a post claiming to be from this blog showed up from "Angie" on Feedly. I have no idea how that happened. We're getting settled in at the new house, the fence should be installed next week which will make everything a LOT easier.  Penny and Jack are kind of going nuts.  Penny has a small dog run, but she can't really get much

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-2108358170378482342013-06-20T11:34:00.003-04:002013-06-20T11:34:55.571-04:00

If you haven't yet, read this. Right.  So I literally backed down the street, rolled down the window, and yelled, "NICE HOUSE!" at the Realtor and the prospective buyer who were coming out. "Want to see it?" the Realtor replied. "Hell yeah!"  I said, but then she asked me if I was working with someone, and I said I was, and she said that she wouldn't want to step on someone's toes

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-30422311454861717152013-06-13T15:40:00.001-04:002013-06-13T15:40:42.753-04:00

"Where," you might be saying to yourself, "the hell has Amy BEEN for the past month and four days?!  Her niece turned one and she disappeared!" I will tell you, my friends.  I will tell you chronologically and in a series of posts with ample pictures and hyperbole. It all started about 50 days ago.  How do I know?  I'll get to that.  But about 50 days ago my sister

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-13263628777658948932013-05-09T05:08:00.005-04:002013-05-09T05:11:00.818-04:00

Dear Kate, You are ONE!  I just can't believe it, because this... ...seems like just yesterday. All babies change and grow so much during their first year of life, and you are changing and growing faster than I can keep up.  You were a very early walker - starting at 9 or 10 months old.  I loved watching your face when you were beginning to walk, because you were

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-6530334972817952902013-05-01T07:54:00.001-04:002013-05-01T07:54:42.443-04:00

Jack learned the phrase "I want" yesterday, and at bedtime we were talking about all the things one can "want."  After a few minutes we settled down, and I thought he was falling asleep.  Then out of nowhere he said, "I want baby." "You want a baby?" "Ha Mama," ha means yes. "Do you want Mommy to have a baby?" "Ha.""You want a brother?" "Ha." "What would we call him?" I laughed. "

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100658157604879121.post-56406478645369708522013-04-16T08:59:00.003-04:002013-04-16T08:59:49.264-04:00

Hey, remember the other day when I told you about Jen and Ricky and how he needs to raise money for charity to run the Chicago Marathon?  I texted with Jen this morning, and they're not going to let what happened in Boston stop them from running.  In fact, they're more determined than ever to run it, even though I totally tried to talk her out of it because I am a big chicken. Jen and

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315843187811122669noreply@blogger.com0