Happy Mother's Day 2011

 We had a lovely brunch with Dad & Diane.  It was yummy and relaxing, and I am so blessed.  Especially since they got very little sleep last night.  The newest member of the Taylor family (my Dad's best friend's son's wife water broke at my Dad's best friend's 50th birthday party last night and she was born early this morning.  Congrats to all of you, I love all of you!  So excited for this next chapter in your lives.  She is perfect!  Happy FIRST Mother's Day Hayley, I can't think of a better first Mother's Day!)

 My Mother-in-law, the kids, and I.  I knew I wanted a picture with each of my mom's today.  Thank-you to my Dad, Wes, and Rob for taking these pics <3  

 My Mom, the kids, and I.  <3

The reason I exist.  I was born to be your Mom.  Thank-you for choosing me.  I cannot for one moment imagine my life without you in it.  You motivate me in everything I do.  I am so very thankful.  You bring so much joy (and chaos) into my life.  Alorah had a bad asthma attack last night, thankfully aggressive and early treatment kept it from getting worse.  She has been much more stable today.  She has a follow-up with her Pulmo tomorrow....always a great time.  

Some Mother's Day thoughts...........

Single Motherhood.
Mother of an angel.

Things that "change" Mother's Day.

Tomorrow there will be no break from dishes or laundry or bathing or breaking up sibling squabbles.
There will be no breakfast in bed.
No gifts w/ help from Dad.
No sleeping in or fresh hot coffee waiting for me.

There will be 3 very happy children who love me with all of their hearts beaming with pride because they made their gifts for me at school (thank-you to their teachers, thank-you).  There will be 3 kids who will try their best to be as good as possible, for me.  There will be kisses and hugs and even a song, I'm told, written and sung by my girls.  There will be smiles of joy.  They grasp Mother's Day now, all on their own.

We will drive to my Dad's, he is making  breakfast (which means there will be one meal tomorrow that I neither have to cook nor clean up).  We will hang out and hope Alorah's asthma attack does not get any worse (fingers crossed aggressive meds got it under control).  We will enjoy our time together and I may even get to watch a Lifetime movie...or something.

Most of all I will appreciate these 3 miracles that I get to raise.  I will miss Reese, and I will think of her and as always wish that she was here to jump in my bed and give me kisses and wish me a Happy Mother's Day. I will be thankful that for one Mother's Day Reese was snuggled up and thriving under my heart.  Alive.  Like she should be.

We will stop by my Mother-in-law's and Mom's and drop off their cards.  I will be thankful that all 3 of my Mom's are here to celebrate and love.  Being a single mom, and the mom of an angel, make Mother's Day a little less sweet but I will find the joy, my heart will be thankful for what I do have and I will love my kiddos like crazy...just like every day.  At the end of the day I will thank my lucky stars that I get to be a Mom.  The best gift-and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the whole, entire world.

Mother's Day is Sunday....

Motherhood is the unexpected.  Having to experience the NICU after 2 'typical' experiences...and learning exactly what "wimpy white boy" means.  He's been throwing curve balls since he was in the womb.  My little miracle....

 There are in terrible order, so figure me.  These pics sum up motherhood to me.  Alorah nursing and playing with my face, she was a toddler and finding her independence but still needed me in that way that nursing so perfectly provides.  Trust me there are times I STILL miss when my magic boobs could fix anything!  

 My wonderful mother-in-law who has supported me through so much.  Loved me unconditionally.  Who I know I can trust explicitly and who loves my children as much as I do.  She has been my saving grace and  I am beyond thankful for her.  That pic was from my baby shower with Faith, 11 years ago.

 Motherhood will always be a sleeping baby on my chest.  There is nothing better.  Nothing. (Fafers 9 mths old)

 Motherhood is a big 9 mth belly being trampled by an older sibling.  When pregnant with said older sibling I never would have let a toddler near my belly.  Somehow Alorah and Vance survived.  I love this pic, it was taken a few days before Alorah was born.

 motherhood is bathies and snuggles after a long day.  Still my favorite time of day is jammy-time.  There is still nothing better than clean kids in fresh jammies curled up either reading a book or watching a movie. 

 Motherhood is my mom (and yes I was an UGLY baby), just slightly older than I when she had me.  She had to go back to work when I was 6 weeks, after a complicated cesarean section and subsequent infection.  I see that newborn and I see Vance.  Good thing he filled out fast!

 Motherhood is 3 year olds, the universal age of suckage.  They truly suck the life out of you, I am quite sure I was no angel :)  My mom wished myself on me....she got her wish.  She is so mean.  Most moms are.

Motherhood is strong woman who come into your life as a guiding force.  Whom you respect and love and cherish and adore and cannot for one moment fathom your life without.  Diane.  The one who breathed life back into my Dad in '97.  Who I welcomed into my heart with open arms and where she has stayed.  Tucked into a very special place.  I am so glad my kids get Gran Diane, too.  She is pretty amazing.  

Mother's Day Breakfast

Levi was so sweet, he made me breakfast in bed for Mother's Day. Unfortunately he didn't take great care with washing his hands after he cracked the eggs. Bless his heart, he paid for it (big time) all night Sunday and most of yesterday :( Thankfully no one else got sick and he learned a very important lessen!

I want to upload the video from the Mother's Day Tea Alorah's class put on, I'll try to do that tomorrow!

5w5d today (I can't wait to get an exact date from ultrasound, but that is my best guess), so far I'm not feeling too bad. Just a tad queasy. I'm really enjoying Preggie drops. They help...for now!