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What a trying week. I don't know if someone spiked the kids food or what, but this has just been one of those weeks that make you long for the days before you had kids. Everyone is healthy- its just their behavior that leave something to be desired. Irene is a pretty good kid overall.  She is … [Read more...] about Sometimes being a mom is hard

This week is all about some big things that happened for Irene and me. We pick up where my last post left off- extolling the virtues of my wonderful parents who have taken Irene to Lake Tahoe for an extended visit!  Irene loves being with my mom and dad- and Peter and I were really enjoying it as … [Read more...] about Big changes – and I am not talking about Sam

Its spring break time here in the Oakland public school system and my parents have taken Irene to Lake Tahoe for the week.  Yes, you read that right, we are Irene free from April 15-23.  The freedom is a bit paralyzing.  So many things we could do, we just don't know where to start!  Aside from a … [Read more...] about A weekend without Irene

What a week.  After 7 months of giving Irene just some of my attention, I decided it was time to make her the focus and take her away for a night.  This of course meant leaving Sam for the first time and having to pump again- if just for one day.  It all seemed worth it just to see the smile on … [Read more...] about A fun week

Its been a while since I have been able to write.  My intention is to put out a weekly update, but sometimes that is just not possible.  At least this time, my excuse is we were having too much fun.  Believe it or not, the Oakland public schools were closed last Thursday for Cesar Chavez day.  To … [Read more...] about A week of lots of ups… and just one down

This past week started off like a dream!  For the first time since Irene entered kindergarten, I was able to volunteer in her class.  Irene has a wonderful teacher, Mr. Thompson, who really is able to engage, entertain and educate a room full of unruly kindergartners (with Irene as one of the ring … [Read more...] about A remarkable – if rainy – week

Wow.  6 months have passed since Sam was born.  It is so hard to believe.  In one way, this has been the longest 6 months of my life, and in another it has gone by so fast.  I can't believe that just 6 months ago I was lying in Room 8 of L&D, enduring my 6th day of trendelenburg and watching … [Read more...] about Hard to believe… but Sam is 6 months old

This week has been a bit better ending on a mix of the highest high and the lowest low... Most of the week has been consumed with my looming return to work date of April 4.  It is so hard for me to believe that I have been off work for a little over 6 months.  In the normal birth world, 6 months … [Read more...] about The pity party is still in effect

What an emotional week.  So much has been going on, I don't even know how to capture it all.  Its important to make it clear that everyone is OK, but emotionally, this week has been a killer. Irene The past few weeks have been really rough with Irene.  She has been acting out a lot.  More than … [Read more...] about Its my pity party…

This past week is not one I ever want to repeat.  After our Monday visit to the ER, we tried to take it very very easy at home.  Sam seemed to be doing OK.  He was eating and sleeping like a champ.  Mom, on the other hand, was working on little to no sleep.  Tuesday we went to Sam's regular doctor … [Read more...] about A long week for the Harris-Odums

My last post was a bit down. What can I say, its hard being a mom to a preemie. I am trying to do better about getting out of the house but it is still hard and isolating. For those that read my last post and have reached out, thank you. It really did help! The past two weeks for Sam have … [Read more...] about Jan 29-Feb 10