By Sarah Fader My feelings about labor during my second pregnancy were vastly different from the way I felt about it during my first pregnancy. When I was pregnant the first time around, with Ari, labor was an abstract concept. I knew it would be painful, but I hadn’t experienced what that truly meant. I…
Category Archives: 5 Minutes For Parenting
I’ll Just Pick:The Snacking Baby
By Sarah Fader My parents have a joke about food. The story goes that they went out to eat, my dad ordered something, meanwhile (when asked what she wanted) my mom replied: “I’m not that hungry, I’ll just pick.” This meant that she would snack on whatever struck her fancy on my dad’s plate. Whenever…
Sleep is An Urban Legend
By Sarah Fader When I had Ari, two and a half years ago, I told myself I was never going to sleep again. What did I know? I was a new parent, I’d heard babies didn’t let you sleep because they constantly needed something or other, to be changed, held, fed and all that jazz….
One Minute At a Time
By Sarah Fader After I had Samara, and was recovering in the hospital, I started to freak out. How could I love two kids? How could I handle both their needs at the same time? Thoughts were racing through my brain at an uncontrollable pace. My anxiety was compounded by the fact that I wasn’t…
Unintentional Natural Childbirth
By Sarah Fader On Saturday morning, I knew I’d had enough. I’d been having contractions all week long that led to nowhere. I’d been in constant pain, and sometimes for 6-8 hours at a time. So I called my midwife. I told her I couldn’t do it anymore. She said she totally understood, and that…
I’m In Labor?
By Sarah Fader On January 17th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I was sitting on the couch trying to relax. I closed my eyes and listened to “Screaming Infidelities” by Dashboard Confessional. All of a sudden I felt a warm gush of fluid fall out of me. As is my tradition, I immediately removed my…
The Baby is Coming in Two Hours
By Sarah Fader I was having contractions last night, and (just for fun) I asked Ari: “Ari, is the baby coming now?” He replied: “No. In two hours.” This alarmed me so much that even though I’ve been on a good streak with regard to getting Ari to bed at a reasonable hour, I was…
Yes, I’m Ingesting My Placenta
By Sarah Fader I was talking with my midwife recently about my fear of getting Postpartum Depression. I’ve been so depressed this pregnancy, that I am legitimately concerned about hitting a major low after giving birth. I would like to avoid taking anti-depressants, if possible, and breastfeed for a year, like I did with Ari….
Know Thy Enemy
By Sarah Fader I’ve often heard people equate two-year-olds to adolescents, and now I’m starting to understand what they mean. Much like a teenager, Ari has pronounced likes and dislikes. For example, he has decided that he hates jeans. This becomes a major battle when we are attempting to get dressed and leave the house….
I Have An Insomniac 2 1/2 Year old
By Sarah Fader I’ve dreaded writing this, because if the words come out they make it real, but I can’t take it anymore, I have to let it out. My child is an insomniac. There have been several nights that he’s been up until midnight and slightly beyond. Now, before you judge me, hear me…