I knew I shouldn’t have gotten used to the 12 hour nights, perfect, clockwork naps, and how amazing you were doing with independent play in the past few months… I knew that. But I did… I sort of took it all for granted. That’s how well you were doing! Until, of course, that nasty molar […]
Read MoreLittle girls always fall in love with Prince Charming from their favorite Disney film. They daydream about their beachfront colonial, two kids, and golden retriever when they’re in their teens, and later, nearing their 20s, search for “the one” at every grimy college bar, every keg party, never giving up hope, never losing sight of that perfect ending they’ve been […]
Read MoreWhen I was 8 months pregnant with you (a year ago exactly today), crouching in the pasta aisle of the local Stop and Shop, an older woman crouched down beside me and wished me a Happy Mother’s Day. I thanked her and laughed, because even though I did think I had earned that title, most […]
Read MoreI had a conversation with an old friend the other day and he said, “when I look at your pictures, it looks like the whole motherhood thing is a breeze for you.” I was flattered of course, but kept thinking about what he’d said later that day. And the next… Don’t get me wrong: I’m […]
Read MoreShe’s the mom who was not budging on her birth plan. The one who didn’t sleep the first night, and the second, because she couldn’t take her eyes off her sweet little boy. Who held her breath, each night, as she checked for her baby’s heartbeat. Because she’s the kind of mom who is judged […]
Read MoreWe were out in New York City with friends when we decided we were ready. A packed bar downtown, the kind of place you forget. We’d both had way too many nights like this one: too many watered down vodka sodas, nights spent shoving through the crowd, competing for the bartender’s attention. This wasn’t the […]
Read MoreHere we go again… After perfecting Liam’s schedule and having some much appreciated consistency in our lives, it’s time for yet another time change. In terms of what to do to facilitate the process, there are a lot of different methods out there. Some sleep experts say you should get your baby used to the […]
Read MoreI work part-time (I teach three college courses), which basically means that aside from the 5-6 weekly hours I devote to teaching, I am a stay at home mom. Yes, there are many benefits to being home (I get to be with my baby almost all the time, am there to witness Liam’s “firsts”, don’t have […]
Read MoreWith Liam now sleeping through the night and starting to follow a pretty consistent eating/sleeping schedule during the day, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Goodbye sleepless night and worrying over short naps, hopefully for good? Everything goes by so quickly… It feels like only a few weeks (not months) […]
Read MoreIt’s funny how parenthood works. When you’re pregnant, you decide all of these things you’re going to teach your child and will or will not let him do -You’re adamant about them. It’s only when your baby is first placed in your arms, then starts to sit up on his own, crawls, says his first words, […]
Read MoreMy father’s first piece of advice when I told him I was pregnant was, “You and Joe are going to have to be team players. Some days are going to be rough. The most important thing is for you to support each other even when you are exhausted and just want to snap at each other.” My […]
Read MoreAs a teenager, I was sometimes too nice. I often didn’t voice my opinion in order to not make a scene. I didn’t like ruffling feathers. I wanted others to like me. I said “yes” too often to satisfy others rather than myself. I replayed what I actually should’ve said over and over in my […]
Read MoreAs we celebrate Liam’s 4 month birthday (be jealous, it’s a party every month at our house!), I find myself reflecting on how motherhood has changed me. Far gone are the days when I whined about being bored or slept in on weekends… Nowadays, I pray for a long nap so that I can get all my chores, […]
Read MoreMy life has changed drastically since Liam has come into the world. Aside from the obvious–budgeting for diapers and wipes, the bags under my eyes, my sore back–being a Mom has made me a better, stronger person. I try to be healthier. I’ve always been concerned about health and nutrition. I choose organic whenever I have the […]
Read MoreWe all know those first three months are tough. Veteran Moms will try to warn you about how hard it is at first, but you’re not quite there yet so it doesn’t sink in… Really, you’re still trying to cope with the idea of childbirth and dilating to the size of a bagel. Truth is, once […]
Read More1. You will get very little (or no) sleep the first month. Not much of a nap person? Believe me, that’s going to change. During the first few weeks, you will be sleeping 2-5 hours per night, and that’s if you’re lucky. As your newborn adjusts to the world outside, he’ll sometimes need to eat every […]
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The Real Johanna Riehm 