Kristen Scharf
Saying Good-bye to Uncle Neil: A Story of Loss During A Pandemic
Thinking back to last year only a little over a year ago, Uncle Neil came over for Thanksgiving, all the way from Georgia, as he did every year since my parents bought their little...
The Blessing of a Sibling Relationship
Saint Pope John Paul II said, “The greatest gift you can give your child is another sibling." I didn’t realize the truth of that until my daughter got to experience having a sibling. It’s...
The New Man I am in Love With
Yes, everyone, I am in love. I am smitten and head over heels. There’s a new man in my life. I’ve never felt like this before! I feel butterflies in my stomach every time...
Second-Guessing Everything During a Global Pandemic
When I became a parent, I felt it was my solemn duty to protect my children at any cost. If something bad happened, I felt it was at least partially my fault, no matter...
Looking at My Body Through My Daughter’s Eyes
“Where’s the baby?” my daughter said in her own toddler way, trying to lift up my shirt to “see the baby”. She means seeing my bump, which has been getting super huge in the...
Giving Birth in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic
"You're having the baby in July? I'm sure by then, things will be normal," said an acquaintance of mine in March. Prior to the time of the stay at home order, it seemed like...
Round Two of Gestational Diabetes
At week 28 of pregnancy, I took the one-hour test for gestational diabetes with my second pregnancy. I had taken the test at 16 weeks and passed it during that time. I somewhat expected...
Dear Baby About to Be Born in a Global Crisis Situation, I’m Here for...
Dear Baby #2,
I’m sorry that we haven’t had as much time for you lately. Since you’re still on the inside and haven’t been born yet, sometimes it’s easy for other people to forget about...
I Don’t Know You Yet Baby, But I Love You
Dear Baby #2,
I’m happy to call you my little “Birthday Baby” because your due date is exactly nine months after my birthday. I’m not sure about the science on that, but I can be...
What If I Have Gestational Diabetes Again with Baby #2?
“We’ll test you again for gestational diabetes this time at about 16 weeks so fingers crossed you won’t have it again and then we won’t re-test until 26 weeks,” said my midwife. With my...