Posts by Nat
5 Things You Should Never Say to a New Mom
1. “Enjoy every moment. It goes by so fast.” The only people that say that are the ones that are out of the moment. They’re feeling nostalgic. In retrospect, life seems like a blurry Norman Rockwell painting viewed at warp-speed. Those first few months are long. Pain-ful-ly long. You think your child will be six weeks old…
Read MoreYou’re So Lucky: The Parenting Double Standard
I have a fairly modern marriage. My husband cooks, cleans and does laundry. I do, well, a little bit too. Under duress. By far the most traditional thing I’ve done, in addition to getting married, is becoming the primary caretaker for our daughter. And, in doing so, I discovered a little modern-day parenting double standard.…
Read MoreYou or Me?
Zach (smells something while feeding his 7-month-old daughter): Ooh, Lilly, was that you or me? Nat: You don’t know if it was you or not?? Zach: I can’t remember. Zach (smells daughter’s diaper): It was me.
Read MoreThe Woman Behind the Man? The Rationale of a Reluctant Stay-at-Home Mom
I try not to be judgmental. It’s a work in progress. Years ago, I worked with a woman who seemed to have it all: gorgeous husband, two adorable kids — one of each, natch — and dream job. So when she up and quit, moving to another city, I was shocked. She had many years…
Read MoreMy Breasts Are Broken: One Mother’s Struggle to Nurse
It’s 5:00 a.m. My daughter is sleeping, therefore I should be too. Every mother knows when your baby sleeps, you sleep as you don’t know when the next precious window will present itself. But every writer knows when inspiration strikes, you capitalize on it, to hell with sleep. I’m laying here in a pool of…
Read MoreRoyal Wedding
In honor of the Royal Baby, an oldie but goodie… Prince William & Kate Middleton’s Wedding: Zach: That’s a pretty modest bouquet for her. Nat: You’ve been spending too much time with me.
Read MoreSwaddle
Nat: One of the moms on my walk today borrowed a swaddle blanket from me. Chances I get it back? Zach: None. Zach: Which one was it? Nat: The owls. Zach: Damn. I like that one. Nat: Me too. Which is your favorite? Zach: Stars. Nat: Me too. Least? Zach: Stripes. Nat: Me too! Which…
Read MoreLabor Edition, Vol. 3
At the hospital… Nat is experiencing painful contractions. Zach offers her his hand and begins to squeeze the life out of it, causing her more pain. Nat: What are you doing? Zach: Oh, sorry. I forgot how this works.
Read MoreOh, Baby (in New York)!
Once you become pregnant, there’s no shortage of advice, opinions, questions and stories from family, friends, colleagues and, my personal favorite, complete strangers. I heard my fair general share and, in light of my move back to New York City, I also received many an email and Facebook message offering specific New York baby tips.…
Read MoreLabor Edition, Vol. 2
Zach arrives home frazzled after Nat tells him her water broke. Zach: What do I do now? Nat: Change your clothes. Call your parents. Get your stuff together. Zach: Okay, what now? Nat: I ran the dishwasher. Can you please unload it and put the dishes away? Zach: Sure. No problem. I’m on it. Zach:…
Read MoreThe Relationship Advice You Can Stop Taking Now
Did you happen to see Katie Holmes on the cover of a recent issue of Allure? She was topless. She was wet. She was looking hotter than ever. But that’s not what caught my attention. It’s the confession she made about not letting a man witness her do a particular activity. “When you’re cleaning out your…
Read MoreLabor Edition, Vol. 1
Thursday, May 2nd, 2p.m. Nat, 9 months and 2 days pregnant, calls Zach at work and tells him to bring her home a slice of cake. 3p.m. Nat calls Zach and tells him her water broke. Zach: What do I do? Nat: Come home. Zach: Should I still go to the bakery? Do you want the cake?…
Read More