It made me want to rethink how I write in my journal- usually it’s a place for me to vent but the idea of writing it more narratively to give a sense of what the slice of life is at that time is really compelling. I found myself laughing out loud at times (John the blanket, smelling the desperation for urgency). Such an intimate form of writing, love it.
More of these life “essays” please. This was exactly what I wanted to read from you and didn’t even know it. And it’s not that I want details about your personal life but more that I appreciated some insightful nuggets you wrote that I could apply to my own life and relate to. Thank you for this sweet and real update.
Lovely essay and lots that resonated with me. More than anything, the Dyson maintenance. I think mine might be from 2015?! Every time I do some maintenance on it, I’m reminded that this is how we should be treating our possessions - not just as disposable, only to be replaced by a similar newer model every couple of years. Anyways… insanely proud mine is still kicking and has now survived an international move to Germany, and shortly moving on to Spain 😂
I don’t have a Dyson, I have a Shark (but I love it!) I had been good about pulling the hair out of the brush but eventually it seemed to stop working. I complained to my dad that I was going to have to buy a new one and he told me I probably just needed to change the filter. I did just that and of course it started working beautifully again (duh!) Thank you for the reminder to treat all of our things with care before just tossing them!
“That thing coming towards me” if my child pointed that out to me at 3am, I would never sleep again 😭
Also the Mary-Kate and Ashley-ification of mommy and daddy is hilarious and also so relatable. My 20 month old just started doing this with me and my husband which I love. She thinks of us as a team and on weekends she definitely prefers us all to be together. I feel a jolt of joy because it means we’ve both shown up for her as a united pair.
Like Sunny, I had a slightly bent thumb throughout childhood. I remember being able to “pop” it into straightness in elementary school, but it was happiest slightly bent until eventually I simply grew out of it. I don’t know the specifics of your situation, but if it helps at all to hear! I have no ill effects today and don’t remember it affecting me at all as a kid either. And funnily enough, I’d forgotten about it until now!
I LOVE affirmations. I'm into the world of 12-step programs, and am always walking around repeating little mantras and sayings to myself. Also, re: all the referrals and appointments, etc - obviously Sunny's thumb may actually require medical attention, but the other day I was telling a friend that my one month old baby apparently prefers to turn her head to the left so much that it's flattening that side of her head, and our pediatrician told us it's no big deal but to start gently turning her head the other way. And my friend joked, "don't you kind of feel like that's the type of thing that in the 80s parents would just be like, 'yeah her head was flat on one side until she was three!' and not care".
Love seeing these snippets come together into bigger themes - the narratives we decide on for our lives. Sunny is so precious. You have a family full of love!
I love this looser writing!! So beautiful — I really enjoy the analytical essays but I also think that some things in life are just better described as is. Thank you for this.
Haley, I LOVE your writing like this! The perfect read for me.
Personal highlights include learning that my childhood teddy has the same name as Sunny's blanket (John is the perfect name), and that we both give our vacuums the same haircut. Also laughed out loud at 'that thing coming towards me' with no further explanation 😂
The start of this feels like Haley saying "I just threw this together" and then she drops a masterpiece. This was so fun to read!
It made me want to rethink how I write in my journal- usually it’s a place for me to vent but the idea of writing it more narratively to give a sense of what the slice of life is at that time is really compelling. I found myself laughing out loud at times (John the blanket, smelling the desperation for urgency). Such an intimate form of writing, love it.
You guys are so kind. I promise my actual journal entries do not look like this hahaha
I'm LOVING John the Blanket
John the blanket 😂
My friend’s son named his blanket Cecily. Already great but what puts it over the top is that it’s his cousin’s name as well.
Long live!
More of these life “essays” please. This was exactly what I wanted to read from you and didn’t even know it. And it’s not that I want details about your personal life but more that I appreciated some insightful nuggets you wrote that I could apply to my own life and relate to. Thank you for this sweet and real update.
What a beautiful snapshot of a week in the life. Thanks for sharing. I love your writing like this.
Lovely essay and lots that resonated with me. More than anything, the Dyson maintenance. I think mine might be from 2015?! Every time I do some maintenance on it, I’m reminded that this is how we should be treating our possessions - not just as disposable, only to be replaced by a similar newer model every couple of years. Anyways… insanely proud mine is still kicking and has now survived an international move to Germany, and shortly moving on to Spain 😂
You’re my Dyson North Star!!
Never give up.
I don’t have a Dyson, I have a Shark (but I love it!) I had been good about pulling the hair out of the brush but eventually it seemed to stop working. I complained to my dad that I was going to have to buy a new one and he told me I probably just needed to change the filter. I did just that and of course it started working beautifully again (duh!) Thank you for the reminder to treat all of our things with care before just tossing them!
Ok, also the happy songs riddled with anxiety during transition moments with a toddler hahah. They always see right through it.
“That thing coming towards me” if my child pointed that out to me at 3am, I would never sleep again 😭
Also the Mary-Kate and Ashley-ification of mommy and daddy is hilarious and also so relatable. My 20 month old just started doing this with me and my husband which I love. She thinks of us as a team and on weekends she definitely prefers us all to be together. I feel a jolt of joy because it means we’ve both shown up for her as a united pair.
This is so true, I was trying to figure out why I liked it!!
it also struck me as so sweet that she didn't default to only calling for one of you!
When I was away for a long period for work my 1 year old daughter started calling her dad "Mama-dadda"
Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. My favourite mantra, featured both in The Pitt and the Brad Pitt F1 movie!
Absolutely loved reading this, long live the blog and John the blanket.☀️
Loved this <3
And if anyone has any good 2026 blog recs….pls share!!!
This is such a lovely snapshot of the everyday!
Like Sunny, I had a slightly bent thumb throughout childhood. I remember being able to “pop” it into straightness in elementary school, but it was happiest slightly bent until eventually I simply grew out of it. I don’t know the specifics of your situation, but if it helps at all to hear! I have no ill effects today and don’t remember it affecting me at all as a kid either. And funnily enough, I’d forgotten about it until now!
Oh this is great to hear!!! I actually had the thought that it seemed slightly less bent yesterday. Definitely seems possible she’ll grow out of it!
I LOVE affirmations. I'm into the world of 12-step programs, and am always walking around repeating little mantras and sayings to myself. Also, re: all the referrals and appointments, etc - obviously Sunny's thumb may actually require medical attention, but the other day I was telling a friend that my one month old baby apparently prefers to turn her head to the left so much that it's flattening that side of her head, and our pediatrician told us it's no big deal but to start gently turning her head the other way. And my friend joked, "don't you kind of feel like that's the type of thing that in the 80s parents would just be like, 'yeah her head was flat on one side until she was three!' and not care".
Hahaha omg I remember all the flat head and side preference fears!!
And yes very 80s
Love seeing these snippets come together into bigger themes - the narratives we decide on for our lives. Sunny is so precious. You have a family full of love!
🥹❤️❤️❤️
I love this looser writing!! So beautiful — I really enjoy the analytical essays but I also think that some things in life are just better described as is. Thank you for this.
"write the piece you want to read" - today's potential affirmation. as others said, i loved this one
This was a delight to read
Haley, I LOVE your writing like this! The perfect read for me.
Personal highlights include learning that my childhood teddy has the same name as Sunny's blanket (John is the perfect name), and that we both give our vacuums the same haircut. Also laughed out loud at 'that thing coming towards me' with no further explanation 😂
Hahaha I will never forget her saying that. Absolutely haunting
My 3 year old also once said "who is that behind you" when I was comforting him in his dark bedroom/ no one else was home. Horror movie vibes