Bio: Tracy
- Age: 41
- Spouse: Matt
- Kids: Caitlin and Ellie, 9 and Natalie (aka Talie), 4
- Pets: Trapper, ravenous 9-year-old black Labrador retriever
- Hometown: coastal Maine
- Writing: co-author of WALKING THROUGH PREGNANCY AND BEYOND and PEDOMETER WALKING; written on fitness, health, parenting, and travel for more than 15 years.
Favorite time of day: Bedtime, because at last we have nowhere to hurry
off to. I look forward to this calm time to read to Talie. Caitlin and Ellie
are old enough to read to themselves now, but I love to hang out with them for
a few minutes. They love to hear a story about me when I was little while I
rub their backs.
Most proud "Mom" moment: The latest — watching Caitlin deliver an entire PowerPoint presentation to half of her fourth grade class and their parents. School hasn't been easy for her, and boy does she hate the spotlight, but she overcame all her fears and delivered her report clearly and with charm. I thought I'd burst with pride.
Least proud "Mom" moment: Any weekday morning that I end up nagging and rushing everyone so we don't miss the bus instead of helping them start the day on a positive note
Biggest fear: My kids getting mixed up with drugs
Favorite part of getting older: Gaining the perspective to understand that my mom is the same person she was when she was 20, 30, or 40, too.
Funniest thing my kids have said or done lately: Last week Talie told me she plans to live in Africa in the grasslands and have 8, 9, or 99 babies. "I'll probably be too busy to play, mom."
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Most stressful holiday: Without a doubt, Christmas!
Nagging insecurity: Being horribly indecisive
Best decision I ever made: Moving to Maine
Five things in my purse: Well, it's not a purse, I hate them. It's actually either a backpack or an old tote bag, but: Bandaids, crayons, raisins, three small notepads for a) kids doodling and b) my endless to-do lists, size 4 kids underwear
TV mom I wish I was like: Ma Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie"
Best thing about my husband: His fabulous sense of humor and ability to always keep things in perspective.
Biggest Parenting Challenge: Maintaining patience; and carving out time to do things individually with my twin girls, who are different yet similar, and often get "lumped" together
Favorite family dinner: Winter: pizza with steamed zucchini on the side, ice cream for dessert; Summer: crab rolls with corn on the cob
The most important thing I can teach my children: I'll always love them no matter what; the bumps in the road of life are what makes you strong
The biggest lesson I've learned from my kids: Not to see things so black and white; there many ways to approach things, big and little, and mine isn't always the right or best one
Most proud "Mom" moment: The latest — watching Caitlin deliver an entire PowerPoint presentation to half of her fourth grade class and their parents. School hasn't been easy for her, and boy does she hate the spotlight, but she overcame all her fears and delivered her report clearly and with charm. I thought I'd burst with pride.
Least proud "Mom" moment: Any weekday morning that I end up nagging and rushing everyone so we don't miss the bus instead of helping them start the day on a positive note
Biggest fear: My kids getting mixed up with drugs
Favorite part of getting older: Gaining the perspective to understand that my mom is the same person she was when she was 20, 30, or 40, too.
Funniest thing my kids have said or done lately: Last week Talie told me she plans to live in Africa in the grasslands and have 8, 9, or 99 babies. "I'll probably be too busy to play, mom."
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Most stressful holiday: Without a doubt, Christmas!
Nagging insecurity: Being horribly indecisive
Best decision I ever made: Moving to Maine
Five things in my purse: Well, it's not a purse, I hate them. It's actually either a backpack or an old tote bag, but: Bandaids, crayons, raisins, three small notepads for a) kids doodling and b) my endless to-do lists, size 4 kids underwear
TV mom I wish I was like: Ma Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie"
Best thing about my husband: His fabulous sense of humor and ability to always keep things in perspective.
Biggest Parenting Challenge: Maintaining patience; and carving out time to do things individually with my twin girls, who are different yet similar, and often get "lumped" together
Favorite family dinner: Winter: pizza with steamed zucchini on the side, ice cream for dessert; Summer: crab rolls with corn on the cob
The most important thing I can teach my children: I'll always love them no matter what; the bumps in the road of life are what makes you strong
The biggest lesson I've learned from my kids: Not to see things so black and white; there many ways to approach things, big and little, and mine isn't always the right or best one