I decided to make a formspring account because I get question sometimes about Piper Jane and her condition. Usually the person asking apologizes for being nosey, so I thought this would be a good way to help with that. One time a friend of mine, one that I consider pretty close, said she felt timid asking about Piper’s syndrome because she felt like we had been friends for too long for her to not know everything. I have been saving a lot of these topics for later so that they aren’t just randomly thrown into a post about Piper wearing a cute dress or wiping snot on my face.
Honestly, and I’m not saying this to scare you off, but sometimes questions do hurt my feelings. Sometimes people point out that parents can have kids at home on ventilators, so why don’t we, and that one seems to really make me feel bad every time. I am pretty sure it is 100% asked with intentions to give me hope, but for some reason, it hurts a lot. So I hope if you do have a question, you’ll be gentle with the way you ask it. And I hope you don’t feel bad if I choose not to respond to something. Maybe I wont even get asked a single blinkin’ question anyway.
If you want to ask about me and Jake and our life or why we eat weird food for dinner, you can. Although we are not nearly as interesting as that Pip…
It just occurred to me that maybe I’m too open. I am one of those people who never shuts up at a dinner party and often people are shaking there head like “too much, Reagan….too much”. Maybe I should be more private. Can someone teach me how to be more private?
NOTE:longer questions are being cut off. I think there is a limit to how many characters you can use. Kind of lame that they don’t specify and end up just cutting it off in the middle. but all you long question askers maybe want to retype it in a summed up version? Please, because I’m curious!
Don’t be any other way than the way you are now. You and your family are special to all who follow your blog. People who ask Qs are concerned and love little Piper Jane. Because you are so wonderfully open and honest, readers probably feel comfortable asking things… and would never, ever want you to feel bad.
I guess WE need to be more considerate of you.
If you figure out a way to be more private, with you let us all know? I too am afflicted with the “sharing-more-than-one-should” sydrome. That being said, I think it’s endearing.
Also, I think you are a fantastic, strong, loving, and beautiful mother. I found your blog through cJane, and you are definitely an inspiration. Thank you for sharing with all of us!
I’m an over sharer too….Sharing is a good thing right? Helps ppl get through stuff…
I have the oversharing disease as well. It’s a problem
We love your honesty though! Thanks for sharing your family with us!
My name is alisa and I am an over-share-er. My blog is proof. I can understand the hurt feelings that can surface from questions. I just love that you are as open as you are. You dont “owe” anyone any information you that you want to hold close. It all belongs to you.
Share what you want, answer what you want, and thank you for what you give.
Oh darling Reagan, please don’t ever change. (Says me, the sugar-addicted, over-sharing, talks-too-loudly and now taking-photos-of-my-food-in-public-places girl.) I am horrified at the possibility that I may have hurt your feelings with my question yesterday. I’m immensely sorry if I did, and am ever grateful for all that you share with us. Your blob makes me smile and cry and want to vote for going outside for president and, above all, reminds me to be thankful for so much good in the world…good stuff like you and your family. Big hugs and tugs on Piper’s braids. xo
no. don’t be more private. please. you are lovely the way you are! that pip is a lucky babe to have you for a mama…
Ususlly at the end of a party it’s me who’s saying (about myself) “who was that woman and why didn’t she ever shut up?”
I’m with you in the Oversharing Club too (is it oversharing to share that I share too much?)
I don’t have any specific questions but I think it is so kind of you to open up to people that way and to share a small part of precious Piper with the world. She brings so many smiles whenever you post an update.
More private is a very lonely place where no one ever gets to help you, be inspired by you or feel connected. I’m a new reader but I already look forward to your posts showing up in my RSS Feed because your writing is full of joy, love and humor. Never fails to make my day seem more manageable.
You are one of the bravest, most inspiring parents out there in the blogosphere. Your generosity and positive attitude are remarkable. I enjoy your (over)sharing.
You are honest and brave. And we have all fallen in love with Piper, so thank you for sharing her with us.
Do not ever think you over share. Many of us out there have children who are special and need extra care. You have such joy in the care you give her. Our children may not have the same needs as Piper, but you give us a place to read and understand – and you put things in a way that we can feel what you feel. We all love Piper through you and it is a joy to know her, and you.
Hey! I love reading your blog and seeing you and darling Piper. Please keep sharing!!! I also know that someday when I have enough money I am coming there to visit you and hug that little girlie!! Love ya lots!
I love your blob just the way it is. I hope you don’t change. It’s one of my new favorites (since you guest posted on Design Mom). And if you do over share (which I’m not sure you do), you do it is such a delightful way that it’s a joy to read. So thank you for inspiring me.
My Kids say, I would talk to a wall. I don’t think you talk too much and I Love that you Share, I feel really Lucky to get to read about your family and the Divine Miss Piper. My daughter and her friends have a Form Spring, sometimes with the Teens it gets pretty Snarky!! (not sure if that is a word, but it is a Jamie word) I’m sure people are Curious and I think it is Wonderful that you are so willing to open up and share. Your Blob and Family are a Bright Spot in my Day. Happy Form Springing!! Jamie
simplymeart.com
I agree. You are such a great talker/writer, that you have SO many people looking forward to the next post!! Don’t change who you are unless the change will make YOU happier. And I also agree with Alisa, share what you want to share and what you want people to know, otherwise it’s all your little secrets
Being open is an awesome quality, don’t change!
I’ve been reading your blog since Courtney (CJane) posted a link to it. I think you share just the right amount. SUPER inspiring blog. Love it. Don’t change a thing!
I have been reading Hairdresser on Fire, then CJane linked to this blob and I realized you were the same person – love both of your sites! I love the things you share, especially all of the beautiful pictures and stories about your darling Pip.
Pip is adorable, your husband and you are AMAZING parents, Pip looks very loved!!
I know this is crazy, but…………
I live in north Jersey, can I come into the city and get my hair done by you?
Please don’t think you are TOO open…I love open people…then you never have to guess which personality you are talking to at that moment…hahaha…Sometimes I feel that I am also too open, but I prefer it that way! What you see is what you get…
I love your blog and you make me smile everytime I read it…thank you for that!
There is a big difference between TMI and sharing. You absolutely share and do it with such grace and style. Surely you know that your warmly written, sunny-natured blob has much to do with why people are so curious and want to ask you all sorts of questions. We all think of you as a friend.
Oh hooray! I love formspring. I think it is a really cool concept. And I don’t think you are too open. Being open is the only way we can change people’s thinking about things.
I absolutely love your blob – I think you might be one of the coolest people ever and as a single childless woman, I am em-spired by every post.
Am I the biggest nerd? What’s formspring?
Reagan, you must promise to never ever EVER change one single thing about your wonderful self! You will never know what a blessing you are to all of us that read your glorious blob!
I’m sitting here with my 3 year old, Mia on my lap as I type this. She usually likes to hang out and play in the office and only rarely comments on what I’m reading/watching/shopping for. But on the day I found your blog (a link on a friend’s page) she ran over an insisted on sitting right on my lap and squealed,
“Oh my gosh! I love that cute baby!”
My little Mia is IN LOVE with your sweet Piper- even though she’s never even met her (…is that weird? I promise she’s not a tiny stalker!) Every day I sit down at the computer she’s asked to “see the cute baby”. She asks questions about the machine she’s hooked to, and comments on her “supah cute shoes!” We were buying a b-day card for my brother the other day when she ran over to a card with monkeys on it and said, “Just like the cute girls!”. (Hmmm, come to thik of it, maybe she *is* a tiny stalker…)
It’s clear that you are a very special family that has touched many people by sharing your journey- including 3 year olds! Thank you for being so open and honest, and for giving me something to be thankful for (or jealous of) every time I read your blog.
Oh, and Mia would love for you to tell Piper that she says “hello cute baby”.
Reagan,
I am a new reader of your blog and just love it! Your little Pip is adorable. I just had to share with you that I offer up too much information ALL THE TIME. Its so embarrassing at times, but oh well. It’s who I am take it or leave it… I just wanted to say (and I am sure you get this always) but I am really inspired by you and Jake and Piper. Thanks for sharing your life!
-Whitney
I recently found your blog and was instantly hooked with it. I want to thank you because, before I started reading your posts I was one of those people who might have questioned or even judged moms who have their kids at rehab facilities (thankfully I never felt the need nor the right to point this out to anyone, it all stayed in my mind). So thanks to you, I now understand and know that every family and every situation is different. The fact that your precious daughter doesn’t live with you doesn’t make you any less of a mother. It makes you an extraordinary one, because you are willing to go home without her every time you visit her no matter how difficult it might be to do that. I understand that you do it because you and your husband feel and know that that is the best for her at this time. From now on, I will applaud you and other courageous mothers that are in similar situations. I wish your beautiful family the very best in your future.
I don’t know what formspring is, but it’s nice to hear from you what your “limits” are.
I found your blog through cjane. I just want to say I’m hooked! I love looking at the pictures of your little Piper. She is a blessing and quite adorable at that!
I have a child with health issues, and have had very hurtful q’s asked. At times i know they don’t mean it hurtfully but then there are times . . . I just want to slap them. I can’t imagine all the questions you must get asked, but in the small amount of time i have been following your blog, it is easy to tell how much love you and your husband have for Piper and that you want nothing but the very best for her!
I don’t have a question! Just wanted to say I really enjoy your blob! Your Pip is a rock star! I really enjoy your pictures! Have a great night!
I found your blog through c-jane, >>> which I found through her sister Stephanie >>> which I found through a gal I know in Seattle who had a significant medical event. Amazing how that all works and the amazing people you meet,…well kind of “meet” in this internet world. I’m sure there are many other parents who also face challenges. You are an inspiration. Only you can decide what is too private. Perhaps it’s because I’m a nurse but I think this kind of honesty and openess is inspirational.
Oh…by the way..that’s a great little vent. I ordered it for the flight program (medical helicopters) I managed, especially because of it’s portability, ease of use and pediatric capabilities! Glad to see you have some freedom to explore with you little Pip! I look forward to checking in on your blog to see her progress and beautiful smile.
i love your posts and that you were smart to think of the question form and honest to tell your readers that their questions sometimes hurt your feelings. God bless! and keep posting adorable additions to your blob! you might have invented blobbing even if you didn’t invent blogging