While it's not standard operating procedure, it's not uncommon for an older gentleman who is done having kids to get a vasectomy. When it comes to having sex, I imagine it is a much more convenient and efficient method of birth control than using a condom. These days, however, it's not just granddads who are taking advantage of that convenience.

According to this article, younger men are opting to take control of the contraception situation themselves -- and permanently. Or at least semi-permanently, since vasectomies are, in theory, reversible. When the vasectomy is done at an early age and the reversal much later, however, the likelihood of restoring fertility is much lower than when the initial cut is made later and the reversal done sooner thereafter.

So why would a guy take such a chance with his potential fatherhood? Well, actually, it's because they don't want to take a chance on fatherhood. After half a dozen near-misses with an unwanted pregnancy, Tim Vass got snipped. Afterwards, he says, the sex was much better -- "It's like eating junk food and knowing you're not going to get fat."

Personally, I'm not in favor of any surgery, no matter how minor, that's not absolutely necessary. Of course, I've got the most reliable form of contraception -- kids. Still, even though I'm done having kids, I think I would rather use a condom than get snipped. But if I were young, and single, and had any chance of getting lucky, I could see how a vasectomy would be a tempting alternative to carrying a bunch of condoms around with me.

After two attempts at IVF failed, Darla Pritchard's twin sister Dana wasn't leaving anything to chance. She offered to improve her sister's odds at a successful pregnancy by being a gestational carrier (commonly called a surrogate). Darla and her husband Mark agreed, so during the next IVF cycle, doctors placed embryos inside both Darla and Dana.

Darla and Mark got their wish of becoming parents... times 3. Darla and Dana both became pregnant, Darla carrying two of the babies and Dana carrying one. Darla gave birth in February, while Dana gave birth six weeks later, so while the children -- all biological children of Darla and Mark -- are considered triplets, they'll have different birth dates.

In a twist that makes this tangled family tree even more interesting, by Missouri law, Dana is actually the mother of Mattie, the child that she carried for her sister. So Darla and Mark will have to actually adopt their own child before she is legally theirs. Hopefully these triplets will grow to be as devoted to each other as these sisters are!

I'm not especially into watching Jon and Kate plus Eight, but my wife likes to catch it. I've never been a big fan of hers; I feel that she is too obsessive and doesn't treat Jon particularly well. Well, it seems I'm not alone. In fact, one woman feels even more strongly about it and isn't afraid to say so. She has suggested that perhaps the show should be cancelled.

Her reason -- Kate's incessant berating and belittling of Jon. Is he an abused husband? I'm not exactly sure, but he's certainly not treated all that well. The author, Tammy G, cites an incident at Toys R Us as an example. Kate hollers at Jon across the store and he ends up leaving in embarrassment. I'm not sure I would stand for such treatment either.

Tammy G suggests that Jon and Kate are not good role models and offers up the Duggars instead. It seems to me, however, that not everything on television needs to be an example of how we should be; sometimes television can shows us how not to be.

Actor Ethan Hawke welcomed a baby girl into the world July 18th, according to his representative. Hawke and his wife, former nanny (to his kids with Uma Thurman) Ryan Shawhughes, are proud parents to Clementine Jane Hawke. Clementine is the first child for the newlyweds and joins siblings Maya Rae and Levan Roan, Ethan's kids with Uma Thurman.

Mara Buxbaum confirmed the happy news. Hawke and Shawhughes married a month ago. Hawke split from Thurman in 2004, and it is alleged that she may be pregnant as well.

Congratulations to the couple!

I have a memory from when the twins were about 2-years-old--I was past the intense worry of any relapse that would send us back to the NICU, and I'd finished reading everything I could find about Down syndrome. I began to poke my head up and look about and wonder, What are other families with kids with Down syndrome like? It was this curiosity that brought me to my first special needs play date at our local Child Development Center.

I remember rushing out the door, after spending too much time looking for an inexplicably missing shoe. I remember feeling nervous at the thought of meeting new people, especially other moms. Several times, I nearly turned the car around and headed home. Even in the parking lot, when I could see that a small circle of women had already gathered, I was overcome with doubt, thinking, Why did I agree to do this? and then telling myself, "It's for the kids; it's for Avery." But of course, it didn't turn out that way.

All these thoughts were familiar, and reminded me of my very first play group with my oldest son Carter. Both times, there was a wicker laundry basket in the middle of the room, filled with board books and stuffed animals and a Little People Yellow School Bus and bright Duplo blocks and a Lights and Sounds Shape Sorter. Nearby, there was an assortment of cookies and juice boxes. A mountain of shoes and jackets were piled in a corner, next to a stack of empty baby carriers and a line of parked strollers.

Other things were familiar: introductions, including the names of the children. The questions: "How many kids do you have? and "How old is your baby?" and "Where did you deliver?" Later, mostly told quietly, birth stories.

But these birth stories included a part about getting a diagnosis. Sometimes they were sad; other times they told of great relief in having an answer. The stories often referenced medical terms, and things like monitors and IV lines and extended hospital stays, even surgeries on tiny newborns.

The conversations covered practical matters, like PT, OT, ST. SSI, SSA, Early Intervention. Low tone versus high tone. Ear tubes, vitamin therapy. Dry skin, thyroid tests. And theoretical matters, too, like how prenatal diagnosis impacts the rights of the unborn, or how sibling relationships are affected by disability, or how various cultures view children and adults with visible differences.

The same, in both groups: mother guilt ("Am I doing enough?"); striving for balance ("Sometimes I feel overwhelmed."); and love ("I can't imagine my life without my child.") Both times, the hours passed too quickly, resulting in a mad dash to match shoes to feet, coats to kids until everyone was headed out the door, back to real life.

What I've come to realize is no less true for its obviousness: the play groups are as much for the moms as they are for the kids. It's a place where women can meet, if only briefly, with other moms who might share similar experiences--who might come to their mothering with common reference points.

Increasingly, I've been finding those shared experiences by connecting with other mothers online. Our words are what defines us; I'm drawn to the woman whose son might have a different diagnosis than mine, but her outlook on parenting feels like my own. Or a family halfway across the world, living in Australia--but they, too, have one older sibling and a set of twins, one with Down syndrome, one without. Sharing our stories--across the miles, across time--enables me to see our connectedness, our common bonds as families.

In the spirit of sharing, here are two sites that I love: Can I Sit With You? is an ongoing book and blog project that explores "The Stormy Social Seas of the Schoolyard." It's a collaborative effort fueled by donations of time and talent, and all proceeds are used to fund a local Special Needs PTA.

And identical twin sisters Janice and Susan, founders of 5 Minutes for Mom, recently launched 5 Minutes for Special Needs, edited by Tammy, who writes about her experiences mothering a medically fragile boy with Down syndrome at Praying for Parker. It's a group blog where parents of kids with special needs can find "support, insight, and inspiration."

What I've found, in all these instances--online and in person--is the value in telling our stories, to each other and because of each other. There we find strength, we find solace, we find commonalities. But mostly, we find ourselves.

On the surface, 42-year-old Deborah Angilley probably looks like your typical soccer mom. Attending games and even coaching at one point, you could say she is very involved with her kid's athletic life. Maybe a little too involved.

The Edgewood, Washington mom is accused of embezzling $72,000 from the Fife-Milton-Edgewood Soccer Club. And she wasn't just feeding her Starbucks habit and gassing up her SUV with all that cash. It seems she had a little gambling problem. Police accuse her of spending a big chunk of the stolen money at the Emerald Queen Casino. In fact, she spent enough to become one of the casino's "preferred players." You don't earn that status playing quarter slots.

She is also accused of writing checks to her teen son as well as her landlord, who could also be in trouble if they had any inkling where the cash came from.

Her thieving ways nearly ruined the soccer league. "The club almost folded due to this theft, but has stayed in existence only through the generosity of those that have loaned us about $40,000," League president Jeff Flesner said.

While I am shocked and saddened that anyone would steal money from kids this way, I am also blown away by how much money she managed to pilfer. $72,000! It won't happen again, though. Flesner says the league has now taken steps to prevent future treasurers from having unchecked access to the league's money.

Sometimes, a little vice makes all the difference. No, I'm not talking about drugs or sex or anything like that. I'm talking about things like playing escape-the-room games or surfing real estate websites to find the perfect (or at least affordable) vacation home. Or, in Stefanie Ilgenfritz's case, watching soap operas.

She writes, in the Wall Street Journal, about her secret love of soaps and how she looks forward during the week to watching her taped episodes on the weekends. For me, it's the occasional game (usually one posted on Lazy Laces) or reading some of my favorite webcomics (like xkcd or Questionable Content) or looking at houses for sale in the Russian River area and fantasizing about taking the kids up to the river on the weekends.

I'm sure there are just as many such guilty pleasures as there are parents, but these sorts of harmless fun -- while not exactly getting the chores done -- help us all keep our sanity. And, as I learned a long time ago in another life, you have to care for the caregiver.

Former supermodel Christy Turlington is campaigning for maternal health. The mother of two (with husband actor Ed Burns) is attempting to get the U.S. government to provide more resources to women during childbirth.

According to Turlington, a woman dies every minute of complications from childbirth. She believes that women around the world do not have access to the same medical care she had when she gave birth to her children. I would wager she is right. I couldn't believe the amount of care I received during the birth of my son and after in recovery--and I'm just a regular gal! Women the world over deserve the same amount of care, so I am right there behind Christie in her endeavor.

Joining Turlington on her campaign is former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, who is mom to daughter Bluebell Madonna Halliwell. Turlington is ambassador for Care, an organization dedicated to fighting global poverty.

Fall is coming, but with the price of gas as high as it is, you're probably not shopping for a whole new wardrobe. You're also most likely not looking for pieces that can only work for a few weeks out of the year; instead, you want to add one key piece that will work now and work later and work next year, too. You also want something that you can dress down for playgroup and dress up for date night.

Seems impossible, doesn't it?

Fortunately, cropped jackets are the answer. Wear over a sleek camisole or simple tank for warmer days; layer over a long sleeved tee or turtleneck when the weather gets cooler. Pair with your capris or long shorts or jeans (skinny or boot cut but NOT Mom Jeans).

Where do you find a cool cropped jacket? We've found five, in varying styles and price points -- one of them will work for you.

Why we love this: The details! Big buttons, great sleeves, fabulous color. We also love the balanced shape -- slim through the shoulders but pleated across the bust, to make room for even nursing breasts. Uncertain about the orange? Jacket is also available in ebony.

Wear it with: Khakis or jeans or wool trousers. Be sure to balance the jacket with something slim and sleek, though -- this is not a piece you want to pair with a full skirt. Let the ruffles on the sleeves be the focus.

GO International double-breasted jacket, available at Target for $44.99.

Why we love it: This is a fabulous piece for long fall days -- heavy enough to actually keep you warm but not exactly a winter coat. Traditional peacoat shape in a short sleeved alternative; made of machine-washable cotton for ease. Available in black and charcoal gray.

Wear it with: Layer over a tank or tee or a flowing feminine blouse or camisole. When the weather turns, wear over a simple long sleeved tee or a button down blouse. Pair with an A-line skirt for the office or jeans for the weekend.

Gap short sleeved pea coat jacket, $78.00.

Why we love it: Great cheery color, simple shape, and those buttons! Who wouldn't love those buttons? This jacket is a little warmer, just perfect for climates that don't ever really have the deep freeze winter -- this is an ideal coat for running errands or going to church or just driving around the block to get away from the kids.

Wear it with: Jeans or corduroys or even your yoga pants -- this jacket spiffs up your most casual mom wear.

Ann Taylor Loft half sleeve contrast button topper, $139.00. But keep your eye on this one; it might go on sale before the cold weather kicks in.

Why we love this: The collar is dainty without being frilly; the shape is flattering for a post-baby tummy; the sleeves are the perfect length for summer AND fall. We also love that this jacket is made of 100% cotton and is machine washable.

Wear it with: Walking shorts, a slim skirt, straight-leg jeans (either a boot cut or a skinny jean, if you dare).

Three quarter cropped jacket, Forever 21, $24.80.

Why we love this: The minimal shape plus the bold pattern makes this a conversation piece, but the sleek black and white color scheme keeps it from going overboard. This is also a jacket that is cut for a real mom body, with proper shaping and sizing for breasts and tummy. Made of cotton and spandex for a perfect fit; machine washable for simple care.

Wear it with: Your black pants, your jeans, your favorite white trousers. This is a jacket that can go to work or work for the weekend.

Lane Bryant short sleeved textured jacket, $54.50.

According to the definition of abortion contained in a new proposal -- "any of the various procedures -- including the prescription, dispensing and administration of any drug or the performance of any procedure or any other action -- that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation" -- birth control pills would be considered abortion.

The proposal, still in draft form only, is intended to prevent any organization that receives funding from the Department of Health and Human Services -- including hospitals, clinics, and medical schools -- from refusing to hire doctors that are unwilling to perform abortions or provide contraception, even when that is part of the job. Mary Jane Gallagher, who heads the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, worries "that under the proposal, contraceptive services would become less available to low-income and uninsured women."

Naturally, there is a lot of outcry over the proposal. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says that, if enacted, the proposal "will launch a dangerous assault on women's health." While I don't think the new and expanded definition of abortion would include abstinence as some have joked, I do think it is pretty ridiculous.