Three years ago, I posted this picture on Facebook. By this point, I had written about my relationship with The Man and had introduced him to my close friends and family. But, the picture below was our first public “Facebook official” shot. I met The Man at my end-of-treatment fundraising celebration, and our relationship was on […]
When I found out that I needed to have a cyst removed from my right breast, I had an idea. Since I still have yet to finish my breast reconstruction, I wondered if I could get some or all of the next reconstructive surgery completed at the same time. One operation was better than two, right? […]
In 6th grade, my English teacher tasked the students in my class with writing their own autobiographies. I couldn’t think of a title for mine and asked my mom for help. She didn’t need more than a second to respond: Doing It Stef’s Way. Yes, I marched to the beat of my own drum even […]
Since I’ve had Roya, moms or moms-to-be often ask me the following question: Isn’t it amazing? I always respond in the same way: She’s amazing. It – motherhood – is exhausting. Motherhood is the toughest job there is. It is 24/7. There are no holidays, vacation days, sick days or snow days. I teach about […]
I didn’t throw a first birthday party for my daughter, Roya. I write that without any guilt or shame. Nonetheless, my decision surprised quite a few loved ones. Why didn’t I go the traditional route? Roya won’t remember anything about any event at this early point in her life. As such, her first birthday will come and […]
In 2010, I was on a date with a man who wanted to talk a lot about my blog. Him: Your stories would make a great book! Each relationship could be a chapter with the last chapter about the man you decide to marry and spend the rest of your life with! I thanked him […]
Roya was quite the busy 10 month old in April! We enjoyed brunch at Auntie Kate’s place, a visit from Grandpa and Nana, Easter service at Western Presbyterian, and my 41st birthday at Bourbon Steak. Roya also continued to go to Gymboree and music class, and we added a Baby Aquatics class into our weekly […]
March typically comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. For Roya, it seemed like the reverse. The beginning of the month found Roya meeting some of my dear friends. (Special shoutout to Auntie Sheila from making time for us during her trip from San Francisco!) We also had a baby date at […]
I was watching TV when I felt a lump in the middle of my right breast. I raised my arm, and I could still feel it. I looked down, and it was noticeable to the eye. “It’s just scar tissue,” I told myself. But, I immediately reached for my phone. I sent a message to […]
“There’s a reason why sleep deprivation is used as a torture mechanism,” said a friend who was experiencing sleep deprivation after the birth of her child. My friend’s words have resonated with me of late. Prior to giving birth, my internist expressed his concern that caring for a newborn during the night would cause my […]