justcallmemiss

End-of-Summer Musings

Summer break 2016 has come to an end, and I feel…a lot. I sit here in the bed, showered but unpacked, ready for tomorrow, and not, watching Maya in the baby monitor. My last baby. Such a little character! I wonder where she gets it. I’ve relished the last few weeks being home with herContinue reading “End-of-Summer Musings”

So the year-long “optimism in the face of ignorance” experiment ended about 3 years ago. Then I got pregnant and the blog became about that. See The Vault. The verdict: People! Ugh! Eff ’em. (i.e. this whole Trump thing, the Stanford rapist, cable companies, bathroom fear-mongering, institutionalized racism, etc.) NOW this blog is about honesty. Being real.Continue reading “You Are Here”

I Am Not Black

If black is the absence of color, If black is what happens when all light is absorbed, None reaching the eye, Lacking in hue and brightness, Then I am not black. No. I am not black. I am color. Feisty and flawed and fabulous. I don’t just absorb light. I refract it. TakingContinue reading “I Am Not Black”

How to have a baby in 3 hours or less – Maya’s Birth Story

Step 1 Be shocked even though you KNOW you’re 9 months pregnant and can go into labor at any time. Then rush to the hospital in a controlled panic. 10:27 pm My water breaks. I lie there for a few seconds in disbelief. But it’s unmistakable. “Babe, my water just broke.” “Are you sure?” “Umm..yes.Continue reading “How to have a baby in 3 hours or less – Maya’s Birth Story”

How to have a baby in 3 hours or less – the prologue

I had a baby in less than 3 hours. Here’s how it happened. Thursday, September 25, 2014 was my grandmother’s 89th birthday, the grandmother after whom Maya Seneva is named. The day before, I’d actually whispered a little prayer humbly asking that the baby be born on the 25th. I also prayed for a volunteerContinue reading “How to have a baby in 3 hours or less – the prologue”

How to Appreciate New Mom-ness or “Dear Damn Baby”

I’ve had precious little time to write about my experiences as a new mom. That’s because time to myself, moments to write, are few and far between. Maya is almost 6 weeks old. Her schedule is not regular yet. I don’t really know how long she’ll be awake, or how long she will sleep. IContinue reading “How to Appreciate New Mom-ness or “Dear Damn Baby””

Weight-listed

I had a doctor’s appointment this past Thursday. It’s the one where you have to drink the nasty sugar drink, wait an hour and then have your blood drawn to see if you have diabetes. I suspect that I do have some blood sugar issues (since I’ve had more than a few episodes of hypoglycemiaContinue reading “Weight-listed”

#becausebaby

I’m 23 weeks now. (for the not-pregnant, that’s 1 week shy of 6 months) 16 weeks & 2 days to go. Give or take a few. So, what’s going on with me? Well, that depends on what minute you ask. I’m blaming my fluctuating moods and cravings and body issues on baby. In fact, I’ve been usingContinue reading “#becausebaby”

My pretty parasite

I’m supposed to be blogging about my pregnancy. Posting progression pics. Describing new symptoms. Cravings. But somehow, I can hardly bring myself to do it. It’s all been said already. Hasn’t it? I’m not the first woman to be pregnant, and I damn sure won’t be the last. Because, sex. Yeah, but all pregnancies areContinue reading “My pretty parasite”

The Brand New Heavies

I don’t talk about my breasts often, but when I do, I refer to them as boobs. Less out loud than in my mind. Caitlin Moran actually has a really interesting chapter about what women call their “feminine bits” in her book How To Be A Woman. I think she goes with “tits”, but she’sContinue reading “The Brand New Heavies”