Team Kendall navigated numerous changes in 2018, most of them with enough grace to see pretty amazing benefits. Tom took on a new role as Stay-at-Home Dad, Kendall transitioned to middle school, and I changed employers for the first time in nearly 10 years. Shifting gears and getting all we can out of a new... Continue Reading →
In choosing a father for my future child, I knew that I could place the bar incredibly high because I had seen and felt the positive influence of my own dad. Master of dad jokes, sound advice, and listening to hours of piano practice, my father claimed that he had learned everything he knew from... Continue Reading →
This blog is titled "Team Kendall" in honor of all of those who have volunteered to be a member of our team. We use this term often to recognize people who have shown love and acceptance to our family--relatives, friends, caregivers, and educators. The reality is, though, that we honor the members of this team... Continue Reading →
It took Kendall quite a while to find her voice. Her first "word" made its debut when she was 10 months old, and I think it was even longer before we officially declared that it had happened. She didn't use much purposeful language until after the age of two. The summer before her third birthday... Continue Reading →
I desperately wanted to be a mother. I yearned for the feeling of carrying, birthing, and caring for a child, and when I finally became pregnant, I felt healthier and more connected to my body than I ever had before. I practiced prenatal yoga to prepare my body for labor, and I couldn’t wait for the... Continue Reading →
I usually describe my transition to special needs parenting as a series of waves. We went into parenthood with pretty typical dreams in mind--movie nights and family vacations and shared hobbies, but as it became more and more clear that our version of parenthood was going to be anything but typical, it felt as though... Continue Reading →
Our girl has big dreams. If you ask Kendall what she wants to be when she grows up, her immediate answer will be "animal doctor." We'll work on the job title later, but I can assure you that any animal in her care will certainly feel loved! Tom and I are continuously learning how to... Continue Reading →
Universal truth #1: parenting is hard, but most parents make a whole lot of thoughtful parenting decisions because of their love for their offspring. Universal truth #2: those who try to shame others' thoughtful parenting decisions do not add value. Here are some of the parenting decisions we've made lately. Knowing that the lack of... Continue Reading →
"She looks JUST like you!" Kendall's Daddy, my Team Kendall co-captain, is reminded regularly from everyone they pass that his daughter is his spitting image; from the very dark hair (although his has gotten a bit...lighter) to the big brown eyes to the heart-shaped face, they are two peas in a pod. From the moment... Continue Reading →
Dear Veggie Straws Team, When you set out to produce a new better-for-you snack option, I'm sure that your aim was simply filling bellies in exchange for some profits. I have to tell you, though, you accomplished so much more! Our kiddo, Kendall, operates differently due to a neurological disability, and transitioning from one activity... Continue Reading →
Team Kendall 