Hi! Thanks for visiting. I’m Mallary Tenore Tarpley, a mom with two kids — Madelyn Joelle, who was born in February 2016, and Tucker William, who was born exactly 19 months later in September 2017.
Pregnancy and motherhood have changed me in ways that I didn’t think were possible. They’ve helped me appreciate my body more, become less perfectionistic, and strike a better work-life balance. Throughout these early months of motherhood, there are so many personal essays and reflections I’ve wanted to share about these changes. This blog is home to these essays — along with a lot of baby-related photos!
When I’m not blogging, I’m Associate Director of the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas at the University of Texas in Austin. Previously, I was Executive Director of the media nonprofit Images & Voices of Hope (ivoh) and Managing Editor of The Poynter Institute’s media news site, Poynter.org. I grew up outside of Boston and graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island. In 2015, I received a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University.
I live in Austin, Texas, with Madelyn, Tucker, my husband Troy, and our cuddly cat Clara. I’m working on a memoir, slowly but surely. You can reach me at mjtenore[@]gmail[.]com.
Essays on motherhood 
Oh. My. Goodness. Your words. I lost my mom to breast cancer (after a 5 year battle) at 46. I too nurse my kids, but can’t help but think of (and commonly refer to) my breasts as death bags. When I read your article about donating breast milk, your thoughts and fears, and how it is actively helping you to heal….I couldn’t help but to face my own struggle. THANK YOU for writing this piece. I also have a freezer full of pumped milk, thinking at any time I could be gone. Oddly just this morning before I read this article, I thought of how (or if) I should donate this milk once it is no longer needed. Again, I can’t thank you enough for your article, so carefully written. 💕
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Thanks for reading the piece, Ashlee, and for taking the time to comment on it. I’m so sorry about your loss. Part of why I write about my mom’s death, and all the ways that it still affects me, is so that I can help others realize that they’re not alone. I’m glad I could help you, even in just some small way. Sending you warm thoughts!
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