I love your necklace in that picture!

Yeah, I thought you weren't supposed to be apologizing or saying sorry?

Does that make US boring if we like your blog? hahaha

My concern would be: Are YOU sorry you don't have these things in your life anymore? (B'Man, no edge, etc.)

Obviously, the readers haven't come to hear about Playa Dust, heheheh.

Feel good about yourself, mama!

Wow...that is the best family portrait I've seen in a long time.

Whew...you mean I'm not the only one who has no edge? What a relief.

For everything you do (and those things you don't do) you are WONDERFUL.

Whew...you mean I'm not the only one who has no edge? What a relief.

For everything you do (and those things you don't do) you are WONDERFUL.

Oh Man... pregnancy brain.
Please forgive me posting that comment like a hundred times!
Argh!

Andrea oh Andrea...
You have nothing to apologise for.
Your blog is always great!
Always!
AND that is one cute photo of you and your family :)
Bx

What the hell? Andrea, I can't explian your feeling this way except to look at HORMONES!!!!!!? Otherwise it makes NO sense.

You are every bit an inspiration as ever and that's saying something, more of one actually since Benjamin has come, because the transformation into motherhood has to be the most earth shattering, wholly wrecking, adjustment a woman can ever make.

You're making that great shift with grace, style, and your integrity, who you really are, intact and enhanced! You're making it look too easy!

From one perfectionist mother to another: Be willing to be compassionate, even with yourself.

Your blog is an ispiration. Your life shows a transformation. You will find your hip, and excitement again. Right now you are finding and being your inner mama. That is exciting to me.

Sharing is of substance. It is that you share that makes the substance.

Did you know when a caterpillar goes into its cocoon it actually becomes goo. I always thought it was growing wings in there. It actually loses all itself and in this goo grows an imaginal cell. This cell is attacked by the immune system. This is repeated until there are enough imaginal cells at one time to fight off the immune system. Then the butterfly begins to grow.

Your imaginal cells are multiplying. Your goo is transforming. Your butterfly is coming.

Love, Compassion and Joy to you.

Jen

missy miss, no apologies!

you remember just over a year ago wondering if you would conceive? you did. life had to change. and it's better. you're better for it.

so it shifted. you're still inspiring and adorable.

you are forever a superhero.
then, NOW and always...just as you are.

what's going on in your life might have shifted, but you are still the same wild, succulent, juicy, wise, gorgeous, fabulous, inspiring person and friend.

truly...

love you.

ps. i would love to have this picture of your fam for my home! can we swap? so fricken cute and perfect.

xoxo

I don't have to tell you how wonderful and beautiful I think you are because you already know that my dear! But this photo of you and your family is wonderfully beautiful ~ it shows the true happiness you have!

This list of apologies really free'd me and I hope it free'd you....

xoxxo

Even though you are a superhero, you are allowed to be human as well. To quote the Incredibles, "who wants the pressure of being super all the time?"

And who says your posts aren't of substance? They make people happy. They help people connect. I think that is plenty substantial.

thank you for your thoughts, your photos, your apologies. They are all Super :)

you wrote something a while ago about experimenting with not apologizing...i just searched it- it was dec 13, 2004. since reading that, I always try to reword myself, because i did end up noticing how much i apologize for myself.

you are a devoted mama...loving ben and being a family and giving it your all... and your creative spirit and everything is all swirling together with it in happiness and lost sleep and memory slips and ups and downs...........and it's ALL GOOD.

there's NO need to say you're sorry for all that wonderfulness.

Hey there... the myth of 100% perfection... it's been obliterated. You're marvelously perfect just the way you are... promise.

You are perfectly imperfect or imperfectly perfect. Just like the rest of us. Love your blog. Keep it real!

Dear Andrea, it's so hard for some of us who are used to doing things at such a high level; we find it impossible to juggle everything once we become mothers. We judge ourselves more harshly than anyone else ever could. The work of mothering doesn't have the instant reward, the good evaluation from a superior, a salary, the feedback -- any of the perks we would get in the working world. So we feel it goes unnoticed. But it is real, it is valuable, it has far-reaching effects past the limits of our own lifetime. It IS life and is an art unto itself. This says it better than I could:

Invisible Work

Because no one could ever praise me enough,
because I don't mean these poems only
but the unseen
unbelievable effort it takes to live
the life that goes on between them,
I think all the time about invisible work.
About the young mother on Welfare
I interviewed years ago,
who said, "It's hard.
You bring him to the park,
run rings around yourself keeping him safe,
cut hot dogs into bite-sized pieces for dinner,
and there's no one
to say what a good job you're doing,
how you were patient and loving
for the thousandth time even though you had a headache."
And I, who am used to feeling sorry for myself
because I am lonely,
when all the while,
as the Chippewa poem says, I am being carried
by great winds across the sky,
thought of the invisible work that stitches up the world day and night,
the slow, unglamorous work of healing,
the way worms in the garden
tunnel ceaselessly so the earth can breathe
and bees ransack this world into being,
while owls and poets stalk shadows,
our loneliest labors under the moon.

There are mothers
for everything, and the sea
is a mother too,
whispering and whispering to us
long after we have stopped listening.
I stopped and let myself lean
a moment, against the blue
shoulder of the air. The work
of my heart
is the work of the world's heart.
There is no other art.

~ Alison Luterman ~

Dear Andrea, it's so hard for some of us who are used to doing things at such a high level; we find it impossible to juggle everything once we become mothers. We judge ourselves more harshly than anyone else ever could. The work of mothering doesn't have the instant reward, the good evaluation from a superior, a salary, the feedback -- any of the perks we would get in the working world. So we feel it goes unnoticed. But it is real, it is valuable, it has far-reaching effects past the limits of our own lifetime. It IS life and it an art unto itself. This says it better than I could:

Invisible Work

Because no one could ever praise me enough,
because I don't mean these poems only
but the unseen
unbelievable effort it takes to live
the life that goes on between them,
I think all the time about invisible work.
About the young mother on Welfare
I interviewed years ago,
who said, "It's hard.
You bring him to the park,
run rings around yourself keeping him safe,
cut hot dogs into bite-sized pieces for dinner,
and there's no one
to say what a good job you're doing,
how you were patient and loving
for the thousandth time even though you had a headache."
And I, who am used to feeling sorry for myself
because I am lonely,
when all the while,
as the Chippewa poem says, I am being carried
by great winds across the sky,
thought of the invisible work that stitches up the world day and night,
the slow, unglamorous work of healing,
the way worms in the garden
tunnel ceaselessly so the earth can breathe
and bees ransack this world into being,
while owls and poets stalk shadows,
our loneliest labors under the moon.

There are mothers
for everything, and the sea
is a mother too,
whispering and whispering to us
long after we have stopped listening.
I stopped and let myself lean
a moment, against the blue
shoulder of the air. The work
of my heart
is the work of the world's heart.
There is no other art.

~ Alison Luterman ~

Dear Andrea, it's so hard for some of us who are used to doing things at such a high level find it impossible to juggle everything once we become mothers. We judge ourselves more harshly than anyone else ever could. The work of mothering doesn't have the instant reward, the good evaluation from a superior, a salary, the feedback -- any of the perks we would get in the working world. So we feel it goes unnoticed. But it is real, it is valuable, it has far-reaching effects past the limits of our own lifetime. It IS life and it an art unto itself. This says it better than I could:

Invisible Work

Because no one could ever praise me enough,
because I don't mean these poems only
but the unseen
unbelievable effort it takes to live
the life that goes on between them,
I think all the time about invisible work.
About the young mother on Welfare
I interviewed years ago,
who said, "It's hard.
You bring him to the park,
run rings around yourself keeping him safe,
cut hot dogs into bite-sized pieces for dinner,
and there's no one
to say what a good job you're doing,
how you were patient and loving
for the thousandth time even though you had a headache."
And I, who am used to feeling sorry for myself
because I am lonely,
when all the while,
as the Chippewa poem says, I am being carried
by great winds across the sky,
thought of the invisible work that stitches up the world day and night,
the slow, unglamorous work of healing,
the way worms in the garden
tunnel ceaselessly so the earth can breathe
and bees ransack this world into being,
while owls and poets stalk shadows,
our loneliest labors under the moon.

There are mothers
for everything, and the sea
is a mother too,
whispering and whispering to us
long after we have stopped listening.
I stopped and let myself lean
a moment, against the blue
shoulder of the air. The work
of my heart
is the work of the world's heart.
There is no other art.

~ Alison Luterman ~

me too!

I concur with the others commenting! I find your posts inspirational, uplifting, and typically give me a new way to think about something. Because I have been feeling glum about my career lately, I sometimes read your posts and your positive outlook inspires me to figure out how I can be happier where I am. Also, I know when my husband and I have our first child, I will be returning here for more of your insightful wisdom.

And again, I love my Superhero necklaces! I wear them all the time and get tons of compliments.

~Another Andrea

I am going to add my voice to the chorus: don't apologize for these things, because they're not actually faults! We've all been able to see why your priorities are different now; you'd be inhuman if they weren't (or if you could give birth and raise a child without changing anything else about your life). Be kind to yourself. (And you got my jewelry orders right!) (And I suspect--though I write this from a tiny village in mid-Ohio...--that cool hipster things are kind of overrated, especially when compared to your beautiful family.)

Anne Lamott has a trick that someone taught her and that I pass on to my students--and use on myself whenever necessary. Take all the voices in your head that are telling you awful, critical things about yourself, and imagine them as mice. Pick each one up by its tail and drop it into a great big glass jar (also imaginary). Now, put the lid on the jar, and watch them scrabble around in there together. Imagine a volume dial on the jar, and turn that dial way, way down. I add one other thing: put the jar in a dark closet and close the door. And go about your lovely life. You are an artist, through and through. Ben is your artwork, too, and you're teaching him how to create himself every day. It's gorgeous to watch.

oh andrea. i adore you. your openness and honesty are what inspire me everyday. then, now and always. you are perfect because you are you, your very own wonderfully flawed superhero. just like the rest of us. thank you for that.

Andrea, you're silly. :) I love your blog, and your writing, and your photos, and you, just as you are at any given moment in time.

Laura

dear andrea,
i just want to tell you that you give me somthing no one else does at the moment. as a new mom i have all that feelings too (my son is one month younger then ben). i feel juged all the time for not being perfect for not being so interesting anymore for not being able to be as perfect as i would love to be (yesterday i was critised by people with no kids for not cooking every meal for my son by myown in holyday). I love it that i can still read that you are you in your blog that you seam to take ben seriously as a human being and trying hard to care for yourself. I am so happy to be not alone on this jouney. Thanks from overseas... katrin

Hello.
you don't know me, my name is Rina and im 27 years old and i live un israel. ihave been reading your blog since it was up and i check it often because it makes me feel good.
im in a terribly stresfull time in my life right now, and it feels like im going thru it alone (partly coz i am). (not as having a kid, but still). and i wanted to thank you for this post. i am a perfectionist and a people pleaser. and i needed to hear that permission to do things badly sometimes. i think you kind of saved me with that line. so thanks again. although i don't think u have to apologize at all. u are still bringing beauty to the world.

Rina

I must join the chorus! Your spirit reaches far and wide--sharing with us all your playfulness, your humanity, your trepidations and your victories. The substance is always there. Ben is astonishing and by sharing his photos, we are blessed by watching him grow. I can almost feel his personality through the various expressions you've shared with us. And, Andrea, you really have the most beautiful smile. I feel so lucky to have recieved the gifts of your artistry (through superhero jewelry), your honesty (through this blog), and your unadulterated joy (through the experience of watching Ben grow from your first tentative e-mail announcing his arrival, to this happy toddler clutching at this pop's hair).

I'm sorry that I don't have your gift of being able to share so much with so many others!

I check your site daily, because what you call "boring" and "lacking substance" is totally interesting to me. Keep plugging, it is clear you are a great mother, and there is no better priority than that. I'm a perfectionist too, so thanks for the quote. Let's toss the perfectionism out the window, eh? And no more apologies, not necessary whatsoever.

I check your site daily, because what you call "boring" and "lacking substance" is totally interesting to me. Keep plugging, it is clear you are a great mother, and there is no better priority than that. I'm a perfectionist too, so thanks for the quote. Let's toss the perfectionism out the window, eh? And no more apologies, not necessary whatsoever.

I check your site daily, because what you call "boring" and "lacking substance" is totally interesting to me. Keep plugging, it is clear you are a great mother, and there is no better priority than that. I'm a perfectionist too, so thanks for the quote. Let's toss the perfectionism out the window, eh? And no more apologies, not necessary whatsoever.

I check your site daily, because what you call "boring" and "lacking substance" is totally interesting to me. Keep plugging, it is clear you are a great mother, and there is no better priority than that. I'm a perfectionist too, so thanks for the quote. Let's toss the perfectionism out the window, eh? And no more apologies, not necessary whatsoever.

as a longtime lurker, i just wanted to say that your blog is extremely inspiring. Sometimes it's the simple act of sharing an experience that means the most.

Andrea, THANK YOU for your wonderful, imperfect blog, the very excellent photos of your baby, and your continued presence.

I hope you'll always keep writing.

Ha - so much for apologizing! THANK YOU for making me feel like a kindred spirit in new-mommyhood. :o)

I don't know whether this came about because someone was giving you a hard time or whatever (I hardly read other comments), but I just wanted to say: Welcome to being human! You're still fabulous - don't let that go!

Oh Dearest Andrea,
I REFUSE to accept your apology for listing the awesome realities of becoming a mother =) It should be a proclamation ! A declaration ! i celebrate with you and all the other mothers who still feel they owe someone an apology for PRIOROTIZING mommydom over the 5 billion other things one could - or god forbid "should" be doing.
you are a wonderful beacon of openess and truth!
You keep ond doing just what your doing and trust and old 45 year old grandma =) when I tell you , you will look back, even 5 years from now and say ' i am so , so grateful i stayed true to myself and my instincts!
Love you girl and give that precious Mr b a big warm desert hug!
xo
MB iN JTREE

Hi Andrea!

#1. NO apologies necessary and
#2. Welcome to the club!

As a LONGtime mom of two (and mine are 12 and 15 now so i dont have "new baby" excuses)I completely understand the change of focus. It is to be expected and it's ALL GOOD! Why do you think that I've NEVER managed to keep up regular blog entries?? (and as far as cool hipster things on my calendar - forget about it!) Although I do get out of my house quite a bit (there are benefits to having older kids! - but every stage is fun)

I've been meaning to apologize to YOU for not immediately responding to your sweet note about my Literary Mama piece a couple of months ago.

maybe i'll just blame the kids....:)

And whenever you're up for it I would still love to get together for a walk or a trip to totland.

Ben is COMPLETELY adorable. Love seeing all the pics and entries....

Love,
xoxoxo

Stephanie

so, what you're saying is...you're sorry for being human?

Your pictures tell your story. Welcome to parenthood! The rest will come back to you in time.

Andrea, you sweet soul!
These are all the reasons why I love your blog! You are so honest and real and your willingness to out yourself out there and share your journey *just as you are* gives me hope and courage.
I check your blog every day from work and it's one of the brightest spots in my day. Please believe that I have absolutely NO EXPECTATIONS as what or how you will write, or that you will respond to a comment.
I read your words and I understand that I am not alone. I trawl through the comments and I am reassured that a community of like-minded souls can be found in all corners of the globe.
I can't thank you enough for this precious gift. Please continue, as splendidly human as you are!

But do you know, I've loved calling by to catch up on you and your news. Really, no need to apologise.

You might feel sorry about all those things, but in the photo you look more beautiful and happy than ever. It's strange, many new mothers probably feel that they look a bit messed up, tired & with baby sick on their clothes, but in all my friends (including you) I only see that they are more beautiful. Like all those emotions have opened up the face (and the spirit, who knows?). And for the record, I think you *are* inspiring.

no apologies needed. I love your blog because it's you, whatever that "you" might be at this moment in your life.

I have uttered the same words as you. I remember when my now 5-yr-old was around 10 months old and wouldn't sleep and still nursed around the clock and I felt like every fiber of my funkiness was coming unraveled and time was moving so slowly that I couldn't think of where we would be three weeks in advance. And then, all of a sudden, this week I'm faced with my little baby, the one I felt I had just yesterday, going off to kindergarten and now I'm mourning the loss of my out-of-control boring life as a stay-at-home nursing mom and I come to your blog (as I have for years) and I'm living vicariously through your honest posts about your life at this moment in time. THANK YOU FOR THOSE. As crazy as it seems I really truly miss being what you are right now. I wish someone had told me how quickly time flies and how in a blink five years will pass by and all of a sudden our little babies need us less and less and just when we think we've settled into a routine and an identity and everything changes yet again. Maybe this parenting thing is just one big lesson in constant change. One big lesson in going with the flow and accepting that we can't craft every second of our lives because inevitably something will change our plan.

I love your blog, I love your jewelry, I love your honesty. No apologies needed.

((HUGS))

Andrea - You are your own superhero. And judging from these comments, you're other people's superhero, too. No need to apologize. You're fabulous! Stay true to yourself and the rest (of us) will follow. Ben is adorable; he's well worth it.

are you kidding? any of the folks that have been with you through the years i'm sure are ecstatic about the changes that are happening in your life. to be honest i might love your blog even more than i did years ago. and even though i'm not a mom, i adore when i get to see more pictures of ben! you will always be an inspiration and a delight no matter what 'edge' you think you are lacking or think you have lost.
sending you lots of love!!

I check out your blog often. I find it very inspiring---it's authentic to your life, and I appreciate that. and... my grammer is shit.

thank you.

Bloody hell - I think you're doing very well.
If I did a 'Formal apology' post, it would be about 10 times longer than yours ( at least).
: )

You have no reason to apologize at all. You are a wonderful thriving woman with an edge.... and very inspiring! You inspire me with all that you do and write about- ALL!
But thank you very much for sharing these thoughts for it is so helpful to see how someone I consider so successful deals with all of the wonders going on in your life.
Thank you, thank you so very much- for being you- and for taking time to share that you with the world.
Sending you warm and fuzzy thoughts....
jen

Well, you finally sound like a full-fledged mom. Just give in to the new life. I certainly have and so have all of my friends. It's not so bad (wink). I love, love, love, being a mom, but it did the same thing to me that it's doing to you, and it still hurts occasionally nine years later.
Also, I try to remember one of my Buddhist teachings when I really feel like a fallen punk rock skateboard queen--ordinary is good enough.

dear dear andrea -- i only just recently stumbled across your blog & have been making my way through the older posts. and i got a little choked up, reading your apologies. your courage and depth and spiritedness and eloquence have meant more to me than i can really say here. i had a dream once, during a bad patch in my life, and in it i was walking on stinson beach with the most cliched-looking holy man figure you can imagine. i told him, through tears, that i kept making so many mistakes, and the same ones, too, over and over. he stopped walking and said to me: "yes, but even your mistakes are beautiful." that was four years ago, but who can forget that kind gentleness and generosity? if you want it, it's yours now. i know you know this, because you're the kind of girl who knows these kinds of things: what feels like contraction and loss now is only the big tight painful stretch of expansion and gain, your growth toward new forms of knowing and living, which WILL include everything you've been and known and done. right now, this very minute, all manner of richness and dimension are rooting in your life, andrea. like the kind lady at glide who had been praying for you, my wish is that you can trust this time in your life and rest -- rest -- in it even. and, on a more practical level, i'm in berkeley, recuperating after a lay-off from my publishing job (etc), with plenty of free time on my hands. i'm happy to help out, and that's gratis -- natch -- with getting your jewelry out the door . . . or what-have-you. really. really.

Although I agree with everyone else (you have nothing to apologize for!!) I can certainly appreciate your feelings here! I run into this all the time. Sorry I'm not doing everything perfectly! I'm sorry!

I love that SARK expression and I think I need to tape it to my mirror. You're doing a wonderful job and we love reading whatever you have energy to share. :)

Asking for forgiveness is as important as forgiving. Both acts take pressure off one's chest and heart.

But like the others who have commented, I don't see anything that needs to be forgiven. In the photograph of your family above the post, I see hope and joy and beautiful beautiful love. In your posts, filled with honesty, I still find inspiration *because* you have entered the world of the mundane -- a world which so many women must plod through, trying not to lose ourselves and our dreams among all the diapies we change and mouths we feed, the tears we dry and the songs we sing.

The magic hasn't left you or your blog or your writing -- it's simply shifted focus, and perhaps shines a bit brighter for all the love you have for your husband and your son.

No need to apologize at all! All of those things you listed...make you the new you, the new mom you are. You're learning and adjusting day by day!

You certainly have made this new mommy smile and be able to relate...no matter how often you post or what the subject matter!

Andrea,
I think relevance is sanity and as a new mom too, i'm compelled to shout - YOU ARE NOT ALONE. i never knew i'd feel so ............ nope, can't even find the adjective. one minute i've got my shit together and in a split second, the same shit hits the fan.
although never a perfectionist, i desperately miss feeling creative and hate that i start 90% of my sentences with "before i forget to tell you..." blah. blah. blah.

please don't apologize, because reading your site gives me back some sanity and smiles. not to mention seeing gorgeous Ben always melts my heart.

hang in there Sister.

best from London,
claire (and Isla)

following your adventures is a wonderful opportunity, your energy is spread over your blog even in just a few words, with or without spelling mistakes, or just a picture a week does it well too.

The intention is the key, i'm here for your sharings about your real stories and love of life!

I'm confused!!!
Why do you think you have to appologize for anything????
You are a new mom...and that in and of itself is a crazy making, full time commitment.
Just keep doing what you are doing, and try to take a bit of time to nuture yourself, and forget what anybody else thinks.
Those who love you will love you more, and those who don't get it, never will and you don't need people like that anyway.
Hang in there!!
xo
Julia

Your blog has changed a lot since you had Ben. Life changes when you have a baby. Things are put into perspective. Sometimes, as long as he's happy, that's all that matters. I read your blog because it's beautiful. I love seeing photos of your life, of Ben. So, don't apologize to me, because I keep coming back for a reason. :-)

O darling Andrea, You are a buoyant, gleaming treasure. All that read you REJOICE in hearing and knowing about your actual experience. THAT is inspiring; the poop, the sleeplessness, misspleiings;) ALL of it.
no sorry.
no way.
i love you

O darling Andrea, You are a buoyant, gleaming treasure. All that read you REJOICE in hearing and knowing about your actual experience. THAT is inspiring; the poop, the sleeplessness, misspleiings;) ALL of it.
no sorry.
no way.
i love you

I find your blog is so inspiring. Your list of what are sometimes perceived as imperfections, actually define what I often refer to as the imperfection of perfection. YOU are a superhero.

Ohh, this makes me love you even more.
No- you haven't lost your edge. Now you have simply become a super cool mama!
I still come here regularly and love what you share and celebrate the changes in your life. Just rejoice in being YOU. Let go of the expectations, especially when you know you are doing the best you can do.

Ohh, this makes me love you even more.
No- you haven't lost your edge. Now you have simply become a super cool mama!
I still come here regularly and love what you share and celebrate the changes in your life. Just rejoice in being YOU. Let go of the expectations, especially when you know you are doing the best you can do.

Oh Andrea,
I think you do a great job just posting at all. You have a lot on your plate. I mean another human being totally depends on you to be his EVERYTHING (I'm not talking about Matt). That's a lot of pressure especially considering that he can do nothing for himself and if he doesn't like your service you'll hear about it right away.

You are loved no matter whether you answer e-mails or not, whether your site is changed, or your orders are exact, or your photos are of ben, your butt, or a trashcan! you are loved no matter what!

by the way- ben was such a long awaited joy in your life, you are allowed to take as many pictures of him as you possibly can! aside from what he represents in your life- he is quite possibly the most beautiful child i have ever seen. :-) i hope to meet him some day!

(sorry for my CRAZY e-mail in the middle of the night a few days ago- i was just in desperate need of venting. you rock and i love you! and like you said--- it is a pleasure just to know you!)
xoxo
eMiLy

I love reading your blog, and I can so relate to the feelings you're having with your new adventure in parenthood. My kids are slightly older now, but I can remember how it felt when they were so little and so dependent and needed me constantly. (It's hard but it's great bonding time with that sweet baby.) I am inspired by your honesty and your willingness to share. Best wishes to you and your beautiful family.

WHAT?!?!
you shine, andrea, you shine...always and always.
and i can't get enough of that beautiful baby of yours. and one of the coolest hippest events that i've witnessed so far, is your life unfold in magical ways.

be!

xo,
w

Do not worry your beautiful head about it. We love you just as you are. Photos of Ben are just a nice bonus. You are doing what you are supposed to do for now, and doing it well.

Love Jen

oh hush silly! In your writing i still find as much inspiration as always. You are authentic and keepin' it real and i love that about your blog.
And Ben pics are always good.

I love the photo - how you are holding Matt and he is holding Ben and Ben is holding his hair. One big happy family of tangled limbs :)

I just recently started reading your blog. It is something I look forward to everyday. If there is nothing new, I just read old post to catch up! You are the kind of person I wish was my friend. I wish I had the opportunity to talk to you and spend time with you because you just seem so uplifting and inspirational, and fun to be around. You make people want to be better. Everyone needs a friend like that.

As for the mom-thing....never apologize. Family comes first. You can never get this time back, concentrate on Ben. There will be plenty of time to post new entries on your blog, go back to being a perfectionist, etc...

I freakin love you, Andrea Sher!!!
Someday we will meet in person and it will be as if we've known eahcother for lifetimes. I know it. ;o)

I completely empathize with all of those feelings. I can so relate. It seems to me that you are doing incredlibly well!!!

AND you owe noone an apology, but if it makes you feel better to put it out there, it is accepted.

Do you think you guys will try for a 2nd baby? Those feelings are even harsher with 2, so if you do go down that road you should try your hardest to embrace feeling this way. hahaha! ;o)

Hey! Me too! Sorrys all around. And I am crawling out of my mommy pit of hermitry to say so.

Being a mother has been one of life's biggest challenges to my idea of who I am! Before baby- independent, creative, on-the-go, hip, stylish, social, wild, gorgeous, free. After baby- uhm... I've gotta go, cause the baby just pooped and I must have coffee to deal.

But on the plus side, 2 years and 2 babies later, I feel the original me peeping through the curtains.

PS.

I never even noticed ANY of the things you are apologizing for... I swear! Isn't that funny. I find you very profound in these times...!!!!! Oh this makes me laugh!

Michelle

I was just going to say that you are perfectly imperfect...but someone stole my thunder.

Although, I found this post heartwarming...and cute, in a way that only a true Superhero can create...and useful...I think that after years of hearing wonderful things about SARK that I'll soon be needing regular access to her wise written counsel (I'm going to be a Mom too! My Valentine is due in February)....

I do feel the need to tell you that you have NOTHING to apologize for. You are living life...to the fullest....in a beautiful and rich way. In a Super-heroic way, as it were.

We dont tune in to hear about Burning Man....or to look for grammatical mistakes....we tune in to find out how you are doing, what you (and your family) are up to....and to be let into your Superhero World.

Thanks for continuing to share that with us....and please, PLEASE dont apologize for being you....perfectly imperfect.

Dear Friend:

You have no idea how much you are doing this just right and that you will never know the details of the amazing impact you are having on people. Enjoy that you are making a difference in ways you cannot and will not ever know. Just be (even in a dirty, poop filled, just trying to get the critter somethin' decent to eat mode :) )..... We learn and grow in the most complicated AND what seems to be the most mundane ways. There is nothing to apologize about, dahling. But, I totally understand where you are coming from, so apologize if it makes you feel better... Love love love to you.

Michelle

I think you are doing great, and I love reading your weblog. Thank you for doing what you do!

also, I love every pic of little Ben... It's fun to see him grow so fast!

you are good enough as is -- scout's honor!

I love your blog... no apologies necessary, miss.

xo,
p

I think the above photo indicates that you are doing just fine and have nothing to apologize for. You are living your life and that is incredibly inspirational.

i love you...because you write the things i think as a mama. i'm sorry too. does that make it easier? or harder?

You are perfectly imperfect. An inspiration to
many people and to many moms. And if you are not, well then they can find another blog that inspires them....Motherhood has changed me, made
me open, completely incomplete and changed my view of the world---the beauty of "imperfections" in myself, in my children and in this world...I have grown out of "Perfect" and into "me"~~you are beautiful just as you are--and ANY blog you have a chance to post is a gift at least to me...I love to visit your site and I think you and your family need no apologies....

Thank you for sharing you, your talents and your craft...

I find you an inspiration...

xxo Kathleen

We think you rock and love you still. You and your family are stunning, beautiful and kind! Don't forget to post a pic of your beautiful face once in awhile!