sherrynorth - Profile | Pictures | Blog
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User: sherrynorth
From: Sunrise
Joined: Mar 4 2008 - 12:10:24 PM
Last Visit: Nov 18 2009 - 12:39:10 PM
Website: http://www.sherrynorth.com
I am a: Work-at-home parent
My work and family: Children's author and journalist, former CNN medical producer
Bio/Interests: I live in Sunrise with my husband, 4-year-old son, and 2-year-old daughter, who is recently adopted from Kazakhstan. Read about our adventures on my blog every Tuesday. If you're looking for a beautiful and unique gift for new parents, check out my latest book, Because You Are My Baby. -
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Family 1 photos
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Radioactive Kitchen Counters: Urban Legend or Serious Health Threat? | Moms Miami Radioactive Kitchen Counters: Urban Legend or Serious Health Threat?
While remodeling our kitchen, my husband and I stumbled upon a “hot” controversy. We were reading about the pros and cons of countertop materials – granite, quartz, Corian, etc. The last word we expected to enter the discussion was radioactivity. But some people say granite may emit dangerous levels of radiation, including radon gas – the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers....read more...My Worst Mistake as a New Mom | Moms Miami My Worst Mistake as a New Mom
We all make mistakes with our firstborn, and I’m pretty sure I made more than most. I had not been around many babies before I had my own. Now that my son is in kindergarten, I sometimes think about what I might have done differently during his infancy. One mistake stands out as a doozy – and it has to do with day care. I was lucky to be able to stay home with Julian for his first six months. When I went...read more...Swine Flu Shots at School: Should Your Child Get One? | Moms Miami Swine Flu Shots at School: Should Your Child Get One?
If your kid goes to public school in South Florida, you probably received a peculiar permission slip in the past couple of weeks. It’s not for a field trip, but for a trip to the office to get a “free voluntary vaccine.” The vaccine in question is a shot or nasal mist designed to protect against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Your child will only get the vaccine if you sign the consent form – so...read more...Remodeling May Cost Less than You Think | Moms Miami Remodeling May Cost Less than You Think
When we first moved into our house five years ago, I dreamed of making one major modification. But I never thought it would really be possible... Our dining and living areas are part of a long room that is completely cut off from the kitchen by a wall. That means whoever’s stuck in the kitchen cooking or doing dishes gets left out of the party. Even when there's no party, my kids (ages 3 and 5)...read more...Now My Little Girl Wants Boy Hair | Moms Miami Now My Little Girl Wants Boy Hair
In my last post, I blogged about my 3-year-old daughter wanting to dress like a boy -- her favorite clothes are hand-me-down jeans & t-shirts from her big brother. But now she is taking her gender-bending to a whole new level. Last week, Jonna went for her first real haircut. "Would you like me to make you look like a princess?" the stylist asked. "No," Jonna said, shaking her head so her coffee-colored...read more...My Girl Dresses Like a Boy | Moms Miami My Girl Dresses Like a Boy
For the first two years of her life, my daughter had no clothes of her own. In her orphanage in Kazakhstan, all the children shared -- when a child got dirty or had an accident, the nannies put on whatever happened to be clean. Unisex jumpers were all the rage. So when we brought Jonna home to her new bedroom, she was delighted with the closet full of girlie clothes -- sundresses, coordinated skirts and tops, even a pair of pink...read more...
Who is the girl?Spanking Lowers IQ | Moms Miami Spanking Lowers IQ
New research suggests spanking young kids can lower their IQ an average of 5 points: Does Spanking Make Kids Dumber? Before you think I'm getting up on a high horse to decry the horrors of spanking, I have a confession. I am not one of those perfect mothers who has never, ever spanked my children. In my pre-Mommy days, I always swore I would never spank. I didn't believe in it. I still don't believe in it. But a...read more...Why Fasting Just Makes Me a Bigger Sinner | Moms Miami Why Fasting Just Makes Me a Bigger Sinner
Yesterday was Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. Like many other Jewish families, mine observes this holiday by fasting until sundown. But I find that fasting makes me more likely to commit the very sin I want to atone for. Although I'm not very religious by nature, I appreciate a day to reflect on what I would have done differently over the past year. Again and again, what tops my list is all the times I snapped...read more...Bribery Works! | Moms Miami Bribery Works!
At my wit’s end over the way my little ones fight, I finally resorted to a big, fat bribe. I’m somewhat embarrassed about the nature of the bribe – but so far, it is working! I should say that I never intended for bribery to be a cornerstone of my disciplinary plan. Before I had kids, I always thought my parenting style would be based on logic rather than the carrot or stick. If my darlings...read more...1-800-BABY-DOC | Moms Miami 1-800-BABY-DOC
I was driving south on 95 near Hallandale when I saw the flashing billboard. It gave the name and number of an OB/GYN and even flashed the fee for delivering one bouncing baby: $2700. I did a double-take when I realized the sign was promoting the very same doc who delivered my own son five years ago. For a moment, I had the ridiculous sense of being two-timed. A man who had been there during one of the most...read more...Armed and Ready (A Poem About My Birthday) | Moms Miami Armed and Ready (A Poem About My Birthday)
Today is my birthday. I’m over the hill. I’m armed with a tweezer And ready to kill. My target can’t run Cause it’s right on my head: Another gray hair That’s about to be dead. My grip’s a bit shaky, My back’s a bit achy, And most days, my memory Seems a bit flaky. You won’t catch me bragging –...read more...Biopsy Update | Moms Miami Biopsy Update
In response to my blog, To Biopsy or Not to Biopsy , several women sent me emails saying basically the same thing: stop dawdling and get that biopsy! A few shared their own experiences with breast cancer and urged me to take advantage of the opportunity for early detection. I was touched by the outpouring of concern from women I haven’t even met, so I feel I owe you all an update… ...read more...Who Is This Kindergartener – And What Has He Done with My Baby? | Moms Miami Who Is This Kindergartener – And What Has He Done with My Baby?
Monday was Julian’s first day of kindergarten. In the weeks leading up to this momentous event, my mommy friends (especially those with older kids) fussed over us. “Oh, poor baby, are you OK?” they asked. “Are you going to cry?” They weren’t talking to my soon-to-be kindergartener, but to me. But why would I cry? I’m excited for Julian to start real...read more...
“Is Heaven Real?” My Son Wants to Believe. | Moms Miami “Is Heaven Real?” My Son Wants to Believe.
A couple weeks ago, I blogged about my 5-year-old son asking, “What is God?” So I should have seen this next question coming… Julian was helping me plant a few shrubs in the garden when he said casually, “Where do you go when you die?” I know some people can answer that question with certainty, but I’m not one of them. I honestly have no idea. ...read more...To Biopsy or Not to Biopsy… | Moms Miami To Biopsy or Not to Biopsy…
Last week, I wrote about that mid-30’s rite of passage – the first mammogram . Mine was abnormal, so I was sent for several follow-up ultrasounds. At the most recent one, the sonographer called the radiologist into the room – never a good sign. After studying the screen for a few minutes, the doctor told me, “You have a mass in your breast… and I’m trying to figure out...read more...Posted on: Aug 11 2009 - 06:00:00 AM“Your Mammogram is Abnormal” | Moms Miami “Your Mammogram is Abnormal”
It’s not a sentence any woman wants to hear. But it’s also not a reason to panic. Now that I’m 35, my doctor sent me for a modern rite of passage – my first annual mammogram. The results were abnormal – something about “asymmetrical density.” I took the news calmly. Abnormal mammograms are very common. There are all kinds of harmless oddities in...read more...“What is God?” my 5-year-old asked. How should I answer? | Moms Miami “What is God?” my 5-year-old asked. How should I answer?
We were watching TV when one of the characters said, “Oh my God!” It’s a common enough phrase, but this time my son had a question: “What is God?” Julian asks a lot of questions: What do flowers drink? Why do smokers have yellow teeth? How do babies get into their mommies’ tummies? I always try to answer as accurately and honestly as possible. But what if...read more...Hot vs. Cold – Which is Worse? | Moms Miami Hot vs. Cold – Which is Worse?
It’s that time of year when all of South Florida is as steamy and smelly as a men’s locker room. Just walking from my car to Publix makes my shirt grow “watermarks” and turns my hair as frizzy as an ungroomed poodle’s. And despite the blast of cool air when I step inside, I can never lose that sticky feeling. Have you noticed the summer heat kills brain cells? The longer my walk...read more...Waiting to Say Goodbye (Poem) | Moms Miami Waiting to Say Goodbye (Poem)
The world lost one of its quiet heroes last week. I’m talking about the death of my grandmother, my Bubbie. In truth, we lost her five years ago. That’s when her Alzheimer’s disease became so severe that she could no longer communicate or even recognize the people who loved her. We lost her five years ago, yet there was no process for grieving – no funeral, no eulogies, no recognized period...read more...Why My Baby Can Never Scuba Dive | Moms Miami Why My Baby Can Never Scuba Dive
We all want to tell our children the sky is the limit – or the bottom of the ocean, if they so desire. But it’s not always true that our babies can grow up to do anything they dream of. I recently learned that my daughter has a mild medical condition. It won’t impact her life much, except that she can never go scuba diving. When we brought Jonna home from Kazakhstan a year ago, our pediatrician...read more...What Not to Wear – Should We Care? (Photo) | Moms Miami What Not to Wear – Should We Care? (Photo)
My sister nominated me for “What Not to Wear” awhile back. This is a cable show with a sharp-tongued host, who makes fun of everything in your closet and throws it all in the trash. Then you get a fashion lesson and a shopping spree. So why did my sister nominate me? In case the above picture doesn’t say it all, my wardrobe also includes old acid-wash jeans, an over-sized t-shirt with Styx...read more...
Sherry is no fashionista.How Young Is Too Young for The Talk? | Moms Miami How Young Is Too Young for The Talk?
So... my sister is pregnant, and my 5-year old wanted to know how the baby got in there. I read him Where Did I Come From? , which is a very candid book about the whole process. I guess Julian wanted to doublecheck the book's accuracy. Last week, he asked his aunt to explain how the baby got in her tummy. "Your uncle helped me put the baby here,” she answered. ...read more...When a Therapist Slips You a Business Card | Moms Miami When a Therapist Slips You a Business Card
You know your child is out of control when a therapist stops to slip you her business card. This was one of the most memorable moments of our recent trip to Switzerland (our first big vacation with both kids – Julian, 5, and Jonna, 3.) The setting: a petting zoo in Zurich. We helped our kids onto ponies for a ride around the ring. They gripped their saddle horns and waved proudly each time they...read more...
Julian did not want to get off this pony.Should Cell Phones Be Used on Airplanes? | Moms Miami Should Cell Phones Be Used on Airplanes?
Some people say there's no scientific reason cell phones should remain off during air travel. The idea that the phones could somehow interrupt communications with air traffic control seems dubious. But this is one instance where I'm grateful for the regulatory nonsense. With the exception of an occasional crying baby or pair of chatty spring breakers, airplanes are quiet places. People tend to read, sleep, work on laptops...read more...Most Beautiful Spot on Earth | Moms Miami Most Beautiful Spot on Earth
Shh.... I'm about to share one of Switzerland's best kept secrets. I only know about it because I married a Swiss boy, and he used to spend his summers here while he was growing up. (When it comes to visiting the in-laws, I'm so thankful my beau is from Switzerland and not Indiana... no offense to Hoosiers!) There are many beautiful spots in Switzerland, most of which attract hordes of tourists during the high season....read more...
Lauenen, SwitzerlandDesperately Seeking First Class | Moms Miami Desperately Seeking First Class
The difference between First Class and Coach is striking even to preschoolers. So striking that my 5-year-old son made a scene when we boarded our flight to Zurich last Thursday. My husband is Swiss, and we try to visit his family once every year or two. This was our first time making the 9-hour overnight journey as a family of four. Our daughter Jonna is 3 years old, but we only adopted her a year ago. We expected...read more...Raise a Kid Who’s Never Bored | Moms Miami Raise a Kid Who’s Never Bored
The secret to preventing summer boredom may not be the latest high-tech gadget. Kids could experience medieval castles, daring rescues or alien planets with an old invention – one that requires no batteries or headphones. If only they realized the possibilities… Last week, I was at the airport waiting to board a delayed flight. I was lost in a book and barely noticed the passage of time. The 10-year-old...read more...Sex and Ambien: A Cautionary Tale | Moms Miami Sex and Ambien: A Cautionary Tale
Insomnia. It’s a familiar foe to stressed-out moms. We drop into bed exhausted, but then our minds begin to race – analyzing all the glitches of the previous day, ticking off all the things that need to get done once the sun rises again. Help may come in the form of a little yellow pill with a funny reputation. You’ve probably heard that Ambien has been linked to sleepwalking, as well as...read more...The Sound of Drowning | Moms Miami The Sound of Drowning
How does it sound when a child is in danger of drowning? I always imagined there would be a loud splash if a kid fell in the pool. Maybe a yelp or a quick cry for help. The thrashing of arms flailing in and out of the water. A sequence of sounds you would hear if you were nearby. I had it all wrong. Not long ago, I blogged about my 5-year-old son saving himself when he fell in the pool. I feel...read more...Our Tax Dollars Paying for Something Good! | Moms Miami Our Tax Dollars Paying for Something Good!
The government wastes some of our money, to be sure, but not all of it. People who complain about taxes or attend “tea party” protests should stop and look around: Our roads don’t have potholes. Poor children get medical care. On beautiful days, our parks are full of families enjoying clean and well maintained grounds… These gifts don’t appear miraculously – they are delivered...read more...Happy Endings (Dog & Kids Update) | Moms Miami Happy Endings (Dog & Kids Update)
The moment of truth. We’ve finished the 5-day course of doggie dialysis. Now we’re back at the vet’s office, waiting for the results of Xena’s kidney test. The hardest part about possibly losing her is the thought of telling my kids. Xena has been Julian’s best friend since he was a baby. He dresses her up in funny hats, hides her under blankets and helps to feed and walk her. Five...read more...
Xena, Warrior PrincessMy Kids Have Pneumonia and My Dog Needs Dialysis | Moms Miami My Kids Have Pneumonia and My Dog Needs Dialysis
I wanted my blog to remain a whine-free zone, but last week was a deal-breaker. The week started off bad and tumbled downhill from there. It began with an email from my publisher. He’s not interested in my latest children’s story. I’ve been working on it for the past six months, so the disappointment made me want to crawl into bed. I reminded myself that I’ve had plenty...read more...
"Doggie Dialysis"Joint Birthday Parties: Are They Fair to the Kids? | Moms Miami Joint Birthday Parties: Are They Fair to the Kids?
My son and daughter’s birthdays are a week and a half apart – with Passover in the middle this year. I couldn’t stomach the idea of pulling off two preschooler birthday parties – plus Passover preparations – within a 10-day span. The obvious solution: a joint birthday party! Of course, not everyone thinks this is a brilliant idea. Julian is turning 5 and not too eager to...read more...3 Secrets About Mom’s Business Trips | Moms Miami 3 Secrets About Mom’s Business Trips
We’ve all heard about the skewering guilt moms feel over business trips, but there are also hidden pleasures. I’m blogging from the road this week (my work brought me to Atlanta.) So it seems like a good time to share a few secrets about Mommy Road Warriors. Business Trips Are Better than Bubble Baths Remember the “Calgon, take me away!” ads? For a real get-away, a quick business trip...read more...Posted on: Mar 31 2009 - 06:00:00 AMFirst Road Trip: 5 Tips to Prevent a Family Feud | Moms Miami First Road Trip: 5 Tips to Prevent a Family Feud
As we loaded the cooler into the car, I felt a twinge of panic. We were about to spend three hours in a rolling cage with two preschoolers. What were we thinking? Nightmare images flashed through my mind: · 3-year-old Jonna begging to be let out of her car seat, screaming for hours before giving into exhaustion. ·...read more...
When Breasts Head South | Moms Miami When Breasts Head South
This is a personal story about my body, so prudish folk may want to turn back now. If you’ve ever breastfed or even been pregnant, you know about “the change.” They become bigger at first – some of us even develop cleavage for the first time in our lives. But when the Milk Duds lose their milk, the party is over. Your breasts pack up and head for Mexico without so much as a...read more...Preschooler Saves Self from Pool | Moms Miami Preschooler Saves Self from Pool
My 4-year-old son fell in the pool last week. It was one of those cool, sunny days we’ve been having, and my kids were playing on the patio at my parents’ house. Julian found a stick and used it to push around a raft that was floating in the pool. He lost his balance and… SPLASH! Straight into the deep end. Julian had his first swim lesson when he was a toddler. He screamed and cried and begged me...read more...Body Snatchers: A New Perspective | Moms Miami Body Snatchers: A New Perspective
I'd like to recommend a book for anyone who enjoys a good adventure, particularly a bit of romance mingled with science fiction. I just finished The Host by Stephenie Meyer (of Twilight fame.) The book is about aliens invading and taking over human bodies. BUT it is told from the perspective of one of the aliens, who begins to have misgivings about invading Earth. I've never read anything like it. read more...Baby by Email (Photo!) | Moms Miami Baby by Email (Photo!)
A year ago, I saw my daughter’s face for the first time. Not in the delivery room, but in an email. My husband and I had decided to adopt about a year earlier. After a tedious paper chase, we were on the waiting list for a baby girl from Kazakhstan. In January of last year, we learned that the wait times were getting longer. Our adoption coordinator told us we probably wouldn’t hear anything until April...read more...
Mile-High Mugging | Moms Miami Mile-High Mugging
I used to enjoy napping on airplanes. Not anymore. Not since I learned that the person in the very next seat might be a thief. I was flying alone from Philadelphia to Atlanta. After boarding the plane, I stashed my purse under the seat in front of me. I noticed my seatmate was a bit odd. She was very pale with stringy blonde hair and too much eyeliner, but what really caught my eye was her carry-on. ...read more...When Do First Memories Form? | Moms Miami When Do First Memories Form?
After I tuck Jonna in at night, she often rocks back and forth in her big bed. If I listen closely, I can hear her whispering the names of all the people who love her: “Mama, Dada, Julian, Mimi, Papa, Mama, Dada…” It’s as if she wants to hold onto us, to make sure we don’t slip away like a dream. This makes me wonder if she can remember the time when she didn’t have us. We...read more...
Jonna's room at her orphanage in KazakhstanIs It Bad to Marry Young? | Moms Miami Is It Bad to Marry Young?
Marrying young (say, around 20) has become the exception rather than the norm in the U.S. For American women, the average age of first marriage is now slightly over 25. That’s up from 22 in 1900. Feminists usually see this as a good thing. Women are more financially independent today, and they can be choosier. There’s no need to rush into marriage and a lifetime of homemaking. But getting...read more...New York vs. South Florida (Photo!) | Moms Miami New York vs. South Florida (Photo!)
Many South Floridians, especially those who relocated from New York, have a love-hate relationship with the Big Apple. Take me, for example. I love visiting New York – I feel energized and alive every time I go. But I hated living there – it left me feeling perpetually spent. Last weekend, I took my two preschoolers to the City for a short visit. They played in the snow in Central Park. They rode the...read more...
Julian and Jonna wait for the E TrainIVF or Adoption: How Do You Choose? | Moms Miami IVF or Adoption: How Do You Choose?
I once heard someone say, “I don’t understand why people spend so much time and money on fertility treatments -- there are so many children out there who need a good home.” I don’t agree with this statement. Adoption is much more difficult than many people realize. And there are plenty of reasons – social, emotional, medical – to want your own biological child. ...read more...Dear Obama: A 4-Year-Old’s Wish List | Moms Miami Dear Obama: A 4-Year-Old’s Wish List
Today my two preschoolers will watch a new president take the oath. My 4-year-old son seems to understand what all the fuss is about. “The president gets to do special things,” Julian told me. “He can do good things to the world.” “What do you want Obama to do while he’s president?” I asked. Julian came up with the following list without...read more...When Strangers Call You a Sh*tty Mom | Moms Miami When Strangers Call You a Sh*tty Mom
Have you ever had a perfect stranger tell you how to raise your kids? Or worse, that you are quite simply a pathetic excuse for a mom? Just before Christmas, I was waiting in line to pay for some books at Borders. I had both kids with me, and my 2-year-old suddenly darted toward a rack of sunglasses. She began trying on the ones she could reach and then tossing them onto the floor like a spoiled movie star....read more...Fake Holocaust Story – Why? | Moms Miami Fake Holocaust Story – Why?
By now you’ve probably heard of Herman Rosenblat and his incredible love story. While he was in a concentration camp, an 8-year-old girl tossed him apples over the fence. After the war, chance brought them together again on a blind date in New York. They got married and proceeded to inspire millions of people with their tale of enduring love. The story is as beautiful as it is false:...read more...The Trouble with Hanukkah | Moms Miami The Trouble with Hanukkah
The Festival of Gifts – er, Lights – is over, and now we are coping with the aftermath: a toddler who demands presents at every meal. Who could blame her? For eight nights, we ate dinner, lit the menorah, and gave our children presents. Why should this pattern change? Christmas offers mountains of gifts on a single day. I think it’s easier for a toddler to grasp the idea...read more...From Orphanage to Holiday Wonderland | Moms Miami From Orphanage to Holiday Wonderland
When we first met our daughter in April of this year, she didn’t seem fully awake. Jonna was 2 and had lived in an orphanage in Kazakhstan since she was just a few days old. She was unnaturally still and quiet for a toddler – not unhappy, but not happy either. We began spending a couple hours a day with her at her orphanage, and she slowly started to come out of her daze. Over the next two weeks we saw...read more...Posted on: Dec 23 2008 - 06:00:00 AM
Jonna's First HanukkahDo Sugary Treats Turn Your Kids Into Beasts? | Moms Miami Do Sugary Treats Turn Your Kids Into Beasts?
When I bring my kids on errands, I live in fear of the candy bowl. You know – Tootsie Rolls at the bank, lollipops at the doctor’s office, the candy canes that crop up everywhere this time of year. These treats are there to bring smiles to little faces, and I’m not enough of a grinch to say no. But there is a price to be paid for all this sugar. I’m not talking about...read more...Should Jewish Kids Have a Christmas Tree? | Moms Miami Should Jewish Kids Have a Christmas Tree?
When we were growing up, my sister and I begged for a Christmas tree every year. And every year, the answer was the same: “Jews don’t have Christmas trees.” “We’ll call it a Hanukkah bush,” we would argue. “We’ll decorate it in blue and white and make little dreidels to hang all over it.” But the answer was still no. One year we were so desperate,...read more...Posted on: Dec 9 2008 - 06:00:00 AMWhen Grandma Doesn’t Know You | Moms Miami When Grandma Doesn’t Know You
It happened so slowly that I can’t pinpoint the day I became a stranger to my grandmother. But I do remember the moment I knew she was lost to me. Bubbie had always been a big part of my life, taking care of me after school when I was little, going shopping and even talking about boys when I was older. About eight years ago, she started doing strange things – forgetting to pay at stores and...read more...Thankful Not to Be Hosting | Moms Miami Thankful Not to Be Hosting
Of all the holidays, Thanksgiving is by far the most daunting to host – especially for people of questionable culinary skills. Food may be a big part of birthdays and other holidays, but those occasions exist to celebrate something else. Thanksgiving is the only holiday that is first and foremost about food . Sure, we give thanks for lots of other things in our lives. But mainly, we’re giving thanks for...read more...Book Fair A Dream Come True | Moms Miami Book Fair A Dream Come True
When I was a freshman in college, I went to a book signing featuring prolific fantasy author Piers Anthony. I had been reading his mesmerizing novels since sixth grade, and I could hardly believe I was about to meet the man who had dreamed all this stuff up. I stood in line clutching a worn paperback version of On a Pale Horse. As I got closer to the signing table, I tried to think of...read more...
Reading my book at the Miami Book Fair (Photo by Eileen Cukier)5 Signs You Need a Break from Your Kids | Moms Miami 5 Signs You Need a Break from Your Kids
We mommies love our children more than life itself, but there are some days when they seem to drain the life right out of us… Here are five signs you might be due for a Mommy Mental Health Day: You find yourself reduced to whining and begging. “Pleeeeeeeease, just this onnnnnnnnnnnnce, go to bed without arguing.” You actually look forward to folding laundry while the kids are...read more...Voting Moms Defy Labels | Moms Miami Voting Moms Defy Labels
Every election cycle, label-obsessed pundits saddle mothers everywhere with some catch phrase. We’ve been called soccer moms, security moms, lipstick-wearing hockey moms… But trying to sum up the political views of American mothers with a single label is ridiculous. Imagine doing the same thing for fathers – this year they might be “economy dads.” Can you picture newscasters saying,...read more...How I Met Matt Damon | Moms Miami How I Met Matt Damon
I’m about to commit the crime of shameless name-dropping, but it’s a good story so I hope you’ll forgive me… I got a tip last weekend that Matt Damon would be speaking to a small group of Obama volunteers in Broward. So I tucked my camera in my purse and made my way over. The campaign office was long and narrow, no bigger than an ice cream shop, and it was packed with people in...read more...
Rainbow Families | Moms Miami Rainbow Families
As the adoptive mother of an Asian daughter, I don’t expect many politicians to relate to the particular dynamics in our family. That’s why it is so refreshing to have two presidential candidates who personally understand and appreciate the beauty of multi-ethnic families. With a white mother and Kenyan father, Barack Obama knows what it is like to call two different cultures his own. This makes him an...read more...Religion & Adopted Children | Moms Miami Religion & Adopted Children
Celebrating the Jewish High Holidays got me thinking about the patchwork of religion in my immediate family. I’m Jewish. My husband was raised part-Christian, part-Quaker. And our daughter was adopted from Kazakhstan, a predominantly Muslim country. When my husband and I were married, we agreed to raise our children Jewish. Aside from an Easter egg hunt here and there, that’s what we’ve been doing...read more...First-Rate Debates | Moms Miami First-Rate Debates
As a journalist, I’m not supposed to take sides in the debates. But I do want to share something I felt while watching the first two debates – pride. I felt proud of our country for putting forth intelligent, qualified candidates who were ready to have serious discussions about the issues. The first presidential debate and last Thursday’s vice-presidential debate are two of the best political...read more...Poetic Doctors | Moms Miami Poetic Doctors
The cardiac exam room is no place for poetry. As a writer, it feels strange to say the world could benefit from less lovely language. Until last week, I probably would have said the opposite… but now I know better. A few weeks ago, our pediatrician referred my 4-year-old son to the cardiologist for a heart murmur. “It’s nothing,” she said, “but just have it checked out when you...read more...Should Small Siblings Share a Bedroom? | Moms Miami Should Small Siblings Share a Bedroom?
It seemed like a great idea at the time. We would put our newly adopted 2-year-old daughter in the same room as our 4-year-old son. They would develop the bond of roomies in addition to being siblings, and our guest room would remain free for visiting relatives. Our son was all for it. Before we went to Kazakhstan for the adoption, we asked Julian if he wanted his sister to share his room or sleep in the guest...read more...Third Day Jitters? | Moms Miami Third Day Jitters?
When my 2-year-old daughter started preschool a couple weeks ago, I had plenty to worry about. Jonna has only been with our family since May, and well-meaning people warned me that preschool might remind her of her orphanage. The similarities are obvious – a room full of children with only one or two adults. Group meals at a long table, group activities, group naps. Would Jonna feel she was being abandoned to another...read more...A Tease Named Ike | Moms Miami A Tease Named Ike
Having grown up in South Florida, I am used to being taunted and teased by those “projected path” graphics that show a hurricane headed our way. We spend days glued to the TV or, more recently, the web. We stock up on canned food, fill the bathtubs, shutter our windows… And at the last minute, the storm veers north or south, leaving us with nothing more than a touch of rain. Maybe it’s...read more...Taking a Preschooler off the Beaten Track | Moms Miami Taking a Preschooler off the Beaten Track
Kazakhstan doesn’t exactly top the list of great family vacation spots… and of course, we didn’t go for a vacation. We spent six weeks in this central Asian country adopting our daughter. We knew it would be difficult making the trip with our 4-year-old son, but we just couldn’t leave him behind. Looking back, I’m so glad we included him in the experience. What...read more...Why Do Floridians Take Beach Vacations? | Moms Miami Why Do Floridians Take Beach Vacations?
I’ll keep this short since I’m at the beach. Isn’t it strange that many of us South Floridians have to travel before we find ourselves lolling on the sand? I love the ocean, my kids love the sand, and the nearest beach is only a 20-minute drive from our house… yet we almost never go. This week, we drove to a beach rental three hours away. Seems illogical to...read more...The First Day that Wasn’t | Moms Miami The First Day that Wasn’t
I can’t write the blog I was intending to write today – about my son’s first day of VPK (his official entrance into the school system) or my daughter’s first foray into a daycare setting (just three months after leaving her orphanage.) Blame it on Fay – there was no first day. There has been a lot of anticipation in our house over the past week. “I’m nervous about...read more...Posted on: Aug 19 2008 - 06:00:00 AMSeparation Anxiety Part 2 | Moms Miami Separation Anxiety Part 2
I stepped out of the airport into the familiar blanket of muggy Florida air. After a thrilling 48-hour book tour in Atlanta, I was happy to be home and couldn’t wait to see my children. The short trip had been my first time away from my 2-year-old daughter. I stood resting on the handle of my suitcase, craning my neck to spot my husband’s pale blue Matrix. As soon as I saw it, I started waving wildly and...read more...Posted on: Aug 12 2008 - 06:00:00 AMSeparation Anxiety | Moms Miami Separation Anxiety
Since we brought our 2-year-old daughter home from Kazakhstan in May, I have been with her nearly every waking minute. Until now . I am in Atlanta for 48 hours, attending book signings and visiting with old friends. My book, Because You Are My Baby , is about a mom who would do anything for her child. So it seems ironic that I have left my children behind for this mini book tour. Prior to...read more...Posted on: Aug 5 2008 - 06:00:00 AMHow I Became an Internet Thief | Moms Miami How I Became an Internet Thief
Picture the scene: It’s twilight, two weeks post-Wilma. I’m in my car, prowling around my neighborhood at 5 mph, one hand on the steering wheel, the other holding my laptop. I have “Network Connections” open on the screen. It shows two encrypted wireless connections nearby – no way to tap into those without a password. I drive a few more feet and tell my computer to search...read more...My 15 Minutes of Fame (or Shame?) | Moms Miami My 15 Minutes of Fame (or Shame?)
I have been “recognized.” When my 15 minutes of fame came last week, it caught me by surprise, leaving me both thrilled and unnerved. It happened at my son’s ice skating lesson. As I was untying Julian’s skates, another mom said to me, “You’re a celebrity.” She turned to my son and added, “You too!” This month’s Broward Family...read more...WANTED: A Mom’s Guide to Surviving Sibling Rivalry | Moms Miami WANTED: A Mom’s Guide to Surviving Sibling Rivalry
I adore my son and daughter, ages 4 and 2. They are funny, smart, and good-hearted. But when they fight, they grow fangs and horns and basically turn into irrational, unfathomable beasts. There’s pushing. There’s pulling. There’s punching. There’s poking. There’s hair-yanking, name-calling, even the occasional teeth marks imprinted in skin. And what do they fight about...read more...Posted on: Jul 8 2008 - 06:00:00 AM“Upgrade” Button for Family Photos? | Moms Miami “Upgrade” Button for Family Photos?
When my anti-virus software needs an upgrade, I just click “OK” and in a matter of seconds my computer is once again up to date. I wish there were a similar button for upgrading the family photos that grace the walls and shelves of our home. Our house is teeming with pictures that show a family of three – me, my husband, and our 4-year-old son. Our 2-year-old daughter is nowhere to be seen....read more...Posted on: Jul 1 2008 - 06:00:00 AM
Can You Top My Terrible, Horrible, $#!%%!, Very Bad Day? | Moms Miami Can You Top My Terrible, Horrible, $#!%%!, Very Bad Day?
Supermarket Meltdown It started with the classic supermarket meltdown. The setting: Our neighborhood Publix. My son and daughter were sitting side-by-side in one of those pimped up shopping carts – the big green kind with the toy steering wheels. After getting everything on my list, I struggled to squeeze the cart into a check-out lane, and that’s when the trouble began. My son decided he had...read more...Top 10 Things I Missed in Kazakhstan | Moms Miami Top 10 Things I Missed in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a beautiful, fascinating country, and we feel lucky that we got the chance to know our daughter's birth country during her adoption process. But six weeks away from home also gave me plenty of time to appreciate how much I love living in Florida. Here are the top 10 things I missed: 10. Good Company on Bad Hair Days South Florida moms are always out and about with ponytails or other hairstyles that...read more...A World of Baby Sisters - Part 2 | Moms Miami A World of Baby Sisters - Part 2
As I was putting my 4-year-old son to bed, he made a startling request: “Tell me about when you got me from Kazakhstan.” The thing is, Julian is homegrown – born at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, and not, in fact, from Kazakhstan. In “ A World of Baby Sisters ,” I blogged about the day I told Julian we would be getting his baby sister from Kazakhstan. I...read more...Home from Kazakhstan (Photo!) | Moms Miami Home from Kazakhstan (Photo!)
After six weeks in Kazakhstan and a grueling 25 hours of travel, we are back home with our new daughter. As promised, I can share her photo now that the adoption is finalized. She seems to like her new home and is adjusting better than expected. Our 4-year-old son, on the other hand, is in shock. A few weeks ago, he was an only child, and now he suddenly has a toddler sister who wants to mess with all his toys!...read more...
One Orphan + TLC = Wow! | Moms Miami One Orphan + TLC = Wow!
I read somewhere that when you adopt a child from an orphanage, she’ll perk up like a parched flower that has finally been watered. That’s not to say there are no challenges, just that children begin to thrive under the TLC of a family. I would never have expected this change to happen overnight, but now I have seen it for myself. Our daughter hardly seems like the same child we met last month. The first...read more...Gotcha Day | Moms Miami Gotcha Day
In the world of international adoption, there is a day that has no equivalent for bio families. It’s called “Gotcha Day” – literally the day you get your child. It’s a bit like bringing your baby home from the hospital, except the child is not a newborn and the “hand-off” takes place at an orphanage, foster home, or sometimes in a hotel room. There’s another...read more...Birth at the Courthouse | Moms Miami Birth at the Courthouse
OK, not literally. There were no labor pains -- just probing questions from a heavily mustached judge. The two-hour hearing was the last step in the process of adopting our 2-year-old daughter from an orphanage here in Kazakhstan. The judge wore a burgundy robe and sat behind a large desk flanked by the aquamarine flag of Kazakhstan. His assistant/court reporter sat to his right, taking notes with a pen in a spiral...read more...Posted on: May 13 2008 - 06:00:00 AMThe Best Mother's Day Gift | Moms Miami The Best Mother's Day Gift
Tomorrow I will become a mom again. Nope, it's not a scheduled C-section, but rather a court date. Those of you who've been following my blog know that I'm in Kazakhstan, adopting a little girl from an orphanage. I'm here with my husband and 4-year-old son, and we've completed the required "bonding time" - visiting our daughter at her orphanage every day. Today, my son told her, "We get to take...read more...The Bittersweet Side of Adoption | Moms Miami The Bittersweet Side of Adoption
We are two weeks into our “visitation period” with our daughter in Kazakhstan. According to the process here, we’ll continue meeting with her at her orphanage for another week before a judge finalizes the adoption. I am eagerly awaiting that moment, but I also recognize it will be bittersweet. This beautiful little girl is gaining a family at the expense of losing everything and everyone she has...read more...My Book Signing Without Me | Moms Miami My Book Signing Without Me
If good things come in three’s, maybe great things come in two’s. At the beginning of this year, I was looking forward to two rare and happy events – adopting a little girl from Kazakhstan and celebrating the release of my first hardcover children’s book. But it wasn’t all supposed to happen at once. The book, Because You Are My Baby, was due out in April, and we didn’t expect...read more...When Labor Lasts a Month | Moms Miami When Labor Lasts a Month
A few weeks ago, a close friend warned me that adoptive mothers don’t get to skip labor. “Your labor begins the moment you see your child’s face,” she told me, “and it doesn’t end until the judge makes the adoption official.” At the time, I thought that comparison was a bit of a stretch … but now I know otherwise. We have finally met our daughter, and she is...read more...
Almaty lies at the foot of the Tien Shan mountains.And We're Off..! | Moms Miami And We're Off..!
My family is en route to Kazakhstan today, possibly as you are reading this! After many months of difficult waiting, we found out earlier this week that we are finally going to meet our daughter. We only had a few days to finish packing, book our flights and get our visas. What a relief to finally be on our way! I am traveling with my husband, our 4-year-old son, and my mother, who will watch our son while we attend to the adoption...read more...The Work-At-Home Dilemma | Moms Miami The Work-At-Home Dilemma
As we prepare to bring our daughter home from Kazakhstan, I’ve been thinking about how I balanced work and child care during my son’s first year. Maybe this time around, I won’t make the same mistakes… When I was six-months-pregnant, I was chatting with an acquaintance about my career as a journalist. “What are you gonna do when the baby comes,” asked the mother of two. “Daycare?” I...read more...International Adoption: Five Great Books | Moms Miami International Adoption: Five Great Books
As we wait to meet our daughter in Kazakhstan, I’ve been doing a lot of reading. I’m pleased to find there are many wonderful books for families who are adopting internationally. Here are a few of my favorites: Waiting for May – This charming book is a great choice to prepare siblings for welcoming a sister or brother from another country. The story is specific to China, but I change it...read more...You’re adopting from where??? | Moms Miami You’re adopting from where???
Let’s face it – most Americans have never heard of Kazakhstan. If they have, it’s probably thanks to “Borat.” Although it’s a very large country – four times the size of Texas – even the highly educated are hard-pressed to find Kazakhstan on a map. (It sits at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, just west of China and south of Russia.) So why travel half-way around the...read more...A World of Baby Sisters | Moms Miami A World of Baby Sisters
It was a surprisingly simple question. Yet, I was totally unprepared. My 4-year-old son looked up at me with his gray eyes and asked, “Is my baby sister in your tummy?” It had been about two months since we told him he would be getting a baby sister, so I should have been ready. “No,” I said, “she’s not in my tummy.” I held my breath, hoping he would leave it at that....read more...Paper Pregnancy | Moms Miami Paper Pregnancy
I don’t have heartburn, leg cramps or an elastic waistband, but otherwise I feel about eight-months pregnant. My husband and I are adopting a daughter from Kazakhstan, and it’s amazing how similar this paper pregnancy is to the physical pregnancy I experienced with my son. There’s the same sense of waiting and waiting until the day you hold your child for the first time. There’s the same sense...read more...
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