Starting several months ago, every time I achieved a rather difficult toddler task I was asked to do ... my little guy would begin clapping and say, “Mommy tried, Mommy did it.” Of course, this is the kind of affirmation that he receives and all children need in order to grow into confident human beings. But it ends up that it is also the affirmation that I — and all of us parents — needed this year, as well.

The day after Thanksgiving ... November 23, 2017 ... will probably go down as one of the most emotional and gut-wrenching, darkest days of my life. ... After 13 months of trying to become pregnant, 13 months of ovulation kits, different medications, blood tests, trial and error, nothing was going as planned.

My little nugget turned one this month. I can’t believe how time flies. I also can’t believe that I never posted this, dare I say, beautiful hospital photo of us three.

For the past few years, I would browse card aisles irked by the spelling of Mother’s Day. My inner grammarian would nag at me. Shouldn’t it be Mothers’ Day (S apostrophe)? ... This year, I finally understand Mother’s Day ... apostrophe S.