My third post about Mother's Day and Juice Drop's Update

My second mother's day was absolutely perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better, more relaxed day and I think the best part was the very end when Travis exclaimed, "that was one of the hardest days of my life." Uh uh, welcome to my life, buddy. Now you won't question what I do all day and scoff when all I want to do is fall into bed as soon as I lay Anna down. It really was a wonderful day though. It was full of me doing a lot of nothing and receiving a lot of love and affection (and great food--that's always a must). The day was completed with a special Mother's Day journal written in by Travis and colored in by Anna and will continue to be throughout the years. It's my all time favorite gift because it's the gift that keeps on giving. Ever year I'll be able to look back and see what my man and children have written or drawn for me and every year there will be a brand new entry with thoughts and pictures of love that only a mother would cherish. It's crazy to think next year I'll be enjoying my third mother's day with two little ones. It's still so hard to believe but it is getting more real considering I've finally felt little pitter patters against my belly! I almost forgot what that felt like but as soon as it happened on Friday night there was no doubt in my mind it was our little Juice Drop in there letting me know he/she is real. I didn't even mind that it was close to midnight and the flutters were keeping me awake. Best. Feeling. Ever.

How far along? 16 Weeks

How big is baby? the size of an avocado and can hear our voices. He/she will know Anna's voice very well by the end of all this! 

Total weight gain: I've been packing on those pounds. I'm chalking it up to my uterus expanding at an exponential rate and knowing exactly what it's doing since this isn't my first rodeo.  

Maternity clothes? some days

Sleep: just ok, but again it's because I can't breath. Allergies are the worst.

Best moment this week: How can I not say my mother's day??

Miss Anything? sushi. I saw some at the grocery store this week and couldn't help but salivate over them. First meal after this baby comes!

Movement: YES!!! 

Food cravings: anything and everything

Gender: our ultrasound is a week from today and we'll find out the 24th with our friends and family! ...had another dream Juice Drop is a boy! 

Symptoms: bloody noses, a few headaches, bloating, and heartburn. I feel like an old man. 

Belly Button in or out? in between

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy!

Looking forward to: the pool at the YMCA opening! It's been so hot! What happened to spring?

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone! Don't get too wet out there :)

I'm Turning Into My Mother: A Mother's Day Tribute

I told myself I wouldn't do it. Don't we all? And then it happens. One day you look in the mirror or you hear the all too familiar words flood out of your mouth...I've turned into my mother. I'm pretty sure it's inevitable. It's going to happen. Just because. Because she's ingrained in us. Because we are a part of her. Because we once were inside of her. Because she created us (with a little help from our fathers, but only about 5 seconds worth ;)). So how could it not happen?

But I'm starting to think it's not such a bad thing. My mom loved (and still does) with a love only a mother could give. I have the same love for Anna so it's only natural to act in some way like my mom. Also, my mom lives 8 hours away from me so when I'm reminded of her in the little things I do I smile. Though the distance is far she's still there, with me, in me.

I'm turning into my mother when:

1. I lick my finger than try to smudge off whatever is on Anna's face. Could be spaghetti. Could be dirt. Could be crusted boogers. (Yup, I said it. And if you're a mother too you should not be disgusted. You know you've done it too).

2. I try to give Anna "the look" after she's done something or is about to do something she knows she's not supposed to do. Still trying to perfect this. My mom's look is the best, even though she still tries to use it on my siblings and me and we just laugh at her.

3. We're driving and Anna starts to wine out of boredom I begin singing kiddie songs (wheels on the bus, old mcdonald had a farm, how much is that doggy in the window). This was my favorite time with my mom when I was about 3 years old. Every morning on our way to daycare we'd sing together. I'm hoping Anna has the same fond memories I did with my mom of these times.

4. I'm playing with or doing Anna's hair. And just like how I was when my mom played with my hair Anna always tries to get out of it. She turns to me and says "DOP!" ("stop!"). Since I have naturally curly hair after every bath my mom would run Paul Mitchell mousse through my hair. I can still smell the coconut scent. I hated every minute of having my hair brushed, combed, put up, played with but I really do miss those moments, and I think my mom does too because whenever we're together (which isn't often because of the distance) she still wants to play with my hair. And most times I let her.

5. I put Anna down for bed. I sing the same lullaby to Anna as my mom sang to me. It was a simple song but very special because I felt like it was mine and hers. She'd rub my back while singing it and whenever she thought I was asleep she'd stop until I "twitched" and she'd start back up again. Now it's mine and Anna's lullaby.

Of course there may be things I want to do differently than my mother did. We all have that. But I know for sure the reminders I listed above I'm proud to say I got from my Mama. She is a wonderful women, full of love, full of compassion, full of laughter and the ability to make us all laugh.

Mom, I love you. Happy YOU Day!

Countdown to Mother's Day

Travis has been asking me what I want to do for Mother's Day. I haven't been able to come up with an answer. You mean a day where I can choose to do WHATEVER?! I feel like I should have the answer at the front of my mind considering most days all I want to do is do whatever I want but a majority of the time it doesn't happen. So now I get a day to choose whatever and I still have no clue what to do. I can't decide if I want to be by myself or spend it with the one who calls me mother (well, Mama or Mommy to be exact). Should we go out to eat or stay in and have Travis cook? (and clean the kitchen after ;) ) Really I have no idea because I have so many other things on my mind, like taking a few of our girls to a lake house this Saturday (Sunday's not even on my radar), pondering over gifts for our own mothers, and thinking about this tiny babe below. 

How far along? 15 Weeks

How big is baby? the size of a naval orange and might be hiccuping in there! Bring on the tiny little bump, bump, bumps. I can't wait to feel those :)

Total weight gain: still around 10 lbs, I've slowed my roll when eating 

Maternity clothes? some days

Sleep: hasn't been great but I think it's mostly due to allergies and the fear of my nose bleeding in the middle of the night

Best moment this week: this has nothing to do with Juice Drop but Anna has started saying "thanks" without being prompted! It's the sweetest :)

Miss Anything? nothing I can think of this week

Movement: no

Food cravings: sweets, I just want candy all the time!

Gender: won't know until May 24th but I did have a dream that we were having a boy! I'm always wrong so it's probably a girl ;)

Symptoms: still those darn bloody noses, so annoying! 

Belly Button in or out? in between

Happy or Moody most of the time: pretty happy this week

Looking forward to: my second Mother's Day even though I have no clue what I'm going to do!

Maybe you can help me out in trying to decide what to do this Sunday...What has been one of your favorite activities to do on Mother's Day? 

Thank You, Hallmark!

For creating a holiday designed to honor mothers because, let me tell you, Sunday was glorious! Sleeping in until 8 am (yes, 8 am is sleeping in for me now), napping in the afternoon, not having to lift a finger to do anything, and being told all day long what an amazing mother I am (said by Travis for Anna, of course) was the perfect way to celebrate motherhood. Not to mention, it was a beautiful day--exactly the kind of weather you'd want on a mothers day--so we enjoyed an hour or so in the park as well.

Anna's learning how to give kisses. What a great mothers day gift!

One of my favorite pictures from the day but look closely! Anna's nose has been running for 3 weeks now. When does the runny nose phase end?

Thank you, Anna, for making me a mommy! I've loved every minute--even waking up every morning at 6 am (not a morning person), being spit up and snotted on, and the incessant crying when all you want is to be held. It's all worth it! It is all worth it especially when I walk into the room you're in and your face lights up and your hands move in circles because you just can't contain your excitement or when I go to get you in the morning from your crib and you greet me with the biggest hug or when all I say is "Anna" and you look at me with a huge smile or when you look into my eyes while you're nursing and I know you're telling me that you love me. 

Agh, I just can't get over this little babe! I never knew my heart could love so much and yet it continues to grow bigger and bigger as she gets older. I've told Travis several times I hope Anna never doubts my love for her. I hope she always knows, I hope she can always feel it, I hope I always do a good job of showing it. Becoming a mommy has been the best thing in the world... and having a day devoted just to me makes it that much grander!  

A Sweet Papaya and a Mother's Day Blessing

We've hit a big milestone, folks! Juice Drop is weighing in at one whole pound! We're not talking ounces anymore. She's getting big and Mommy can feel it! Yep, that's right, Mommy can feel it in her lower back, in the way she walks (soon to waddle, I'm sure lol), in the extra breaths she needs to take...but it's all worth it knowing that our baby girl is growing strong! Praise God for this beautiful miracle and for the discomforts I have to go through so that our child can become all that He wants her to be! Some of the symptoms I feel aren't the greatest but I know they are for a reason. I love learning about what my body is doing in order for her body to form and grow correctly. It's so interesting, and I can't stop saying this but it's truly a miracle! I love being a WOMAN! (haha!)

How far along? 22 weeks 

Total weight gain: 12 lbs

Maternity clothes? I bought a new pair of shorts, and let me tell you, I thought I was ok in my pre-pregnancy shorts but when you step into a pair with a giant elastic band your whole life changes! You can do moves you didn't think you could before! Yay for maternity shorts!!! And I also bought a much needed bra (sorry fellas if you're reading this lol)

Stretch marks? no :)

Sleep: pretty good

Best moment this week: hearing Juice Drop's heartbeat for the 4th time--that sound never gets old and celebrating my first MOTHER'S DAY!!! 

Miss Anything? fitting into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes
Movement: at least two to three times a day! And Travis and I have both seen my belly move now because she's either kicking or punching in there!

Food cravings: sweet

Anything making you queasy or sick: ham..we had it last night and I couldn't finish

Gender: GIRL!!!

Labor Signs: still nope lol

Symptoms: lower back pain if I sit for too long, peeing like a racehorse, and still the best symptom that negates all the bad symptoms is feeling her move!

Belly Button in or out? outie! 

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy but the mood swings hit pretty quickly and Travis gets the brunt of it; sorry, babe! Last night's mood swing was pretty bad. I was in a bad mood and I didn't even know why--I annoyed even myself! 

Looking forward to: Charleston this weekend!!!!  

Mother's Day was this past weekend as I'm sure you all know (I hope you did something nice for that special lady in your life :) ) and with it being my first, the day was more special than it's ever been before. I've always loved Mother's Day anyway because I was able to spoil my mom and come up with creative ways to tell her I love her (she's always preferred homemade gifts as opposed to store bought). But this Mother's Day, this day, it was for me! Travis did an amazing job of making me feel that way too. We went shopping for clothes that actually fit me (hallelujah!), he took me out to dinner to a delicious Italian place (Italian is my favorite!), and then topped off the night by giving me a gift card for a prenatal massage! Isn't he the best?! After an amazing day with my baby and her daddy, I realized something about special days like these. I think Mother's Day is better than birthdays! (besides the cake and ice cream part lol) It's a day to celebrate the role God has given women (I believe all women are mothers regardless if they have children or not, they are a mother to someone). What an amazing gift and one of the most rewarding roles to be granted! I woke up Sunday morning reading Proverbs 31 and my prayer is that I can be half the woman that lady is! Go read it for yourself--it may just change your life :)

My Mother's Day cards from a dear friend, Mama Terri (Travis' Mom), and Zing (our neighbor)

My mom's Mother's Day gift this year: a beach bag made by moi (homemade, just how she likes it :) and little Juice Drop's picture :)

My Mami

There is one lady I love so much and I want her to know it. She gave birth to 4 big babies and now she's becoming a Grandmami! What a great accomplishment! Here's to you, Mami, on this beautiful, yet rainy, Mother's Day! We celebrate you today!

Baby Mami--Isn't she presh? 

Mami's senior pic, just gorge!

Mami and moi

Bumble Bee Mami (with glasses and a stache?) and her two little kitties (Stef and me)

Mami with her 4 big babies (me, Stef, Emily, and Zak)

Mami and me, Easter 2010 

Mami is the real queen of the diamond!

And the trophy should go to Mami for the being the best Mami around! (Actually the trophy is for Emily's team winning State Runner-Up for Ohio!)

We love you, Mami! XOXO