My cousin Monika from Poland arrived in Chicago earlier this month.  She is spending the summer here – helping my sister and me out with our kids and getting a taste of American life.  Her English is excellent and her zest for life is infectious. We are so happy to have her here! My mom […]

I don’t want to jinx it, but it seems like summer has (finally) settled upon our fair city. Sun shining, farmers’ markets open, sidewalk seating at every cafe. If only it was like this year ’round…! Even though we live in a big city, I still want my kids to feel a strong connection to […]

We have been fortunate enough to take a few trips with our kids lately.  New York and Connecticut in December. Mexico in March.  In January I flew solo to Jamaica with all three of them.  Many people thought I was nuts taking three kids age 4 and under on an international flight, but I politely […]

We just returned from a 8 day trip to Isla Mujeres, a tiny island off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.  Its a peaceful haven where life moves at a much appreciated slower pace.  The weather was warm and the drinks were cold, and as a family we were so happy. The trip was blissfully […]

Vivian and Mack celebrated birthdays this weekend, so last night we hosted what will hopefully be the first of many joint birthday parties for the two. Both are still too young to really care about sharing their special day with a sibling, but like all siblings there is a fair amount of rivalry in our […]

I’ve been having a hard time falling asleep lately. Later this month, Vivian and Mack will celebrate birthdays which means that another year has flown by. Life is going too fast. I could live to 150 and still not check off everything on my to-do list.  I want to stop time and live without distractions […]

For me, this blog is a love letter to my children.  Yes, its nice to see so many loyal readers stopping by to see what’s new at Homemade Mothering, but first and foremost this blog as a way to document my young family’s milestones and memories so we can look back fondly and remember this […]

I don’t think I’ve ever had an *amazing* Valentine’s Day. Its always been a Hallmark holiday for me.  When I was in high school, the booster club sponsored a carnation delivery – boys would buy carnations for girls, and the flowers would be delivered during class.  Every year I wished for a carnation. And I […]

My brother recently sent me an article about research from Notre Dame professor Darcia Narvaez that suggests “modern” parenting practices are bad for babies.  The professor believes feeding babies infant formula, living apart from extended family, sleep training, choosing medicated childbirth, etc hinder the moral development of children. In short, she says that our modern […]

Another year has come to an end.  As a mom to three little ones, my New Years Eve consists of pajamas, a cosmopolitan and frozen yogurt with raspberries, and I couldn’t be happier or more content.  2013 is just an hour away, but it still sounds so futuristic – shouldn’t we have flying cars and […]