Birthdays and moms....

When birthdays come around, I always feel like you need the thank your mom or the mom of the birthday person. They played a very important role in your birthday, perhaps the biggest part.....this explains how I felt about each one of my pregnancies~

The day is almost here, 2 to be exact. The day I will say goodbye to having you all to myself and the rest of world will say hello. I want to meet you, to see your tiny face and toes and nose. But sometimes, I wish I could keep you to myself forever. There is nothing like the miracle of bringing you into this world. Everyday of this pregnancy has been filled with triumphs and fear, an emotional and physical roller coaster that at this moment I am sad to see coming to an end. I glow when I am pregnant with you. I feel special, as if I am only here to make you grow in to a happy and healthy little boy. I can remember the anticipation of the arrival of your older brother. Oh how I could not wait for that pregnancy to end. The day after his delivery, I looked into the mirror and I was hit by an unexpected, overwhelming sadness. "My"baby was now "Everyone's" baby. I have heard another mother put it best when she described it like a mommy kangaroo with an empty pouch. You become used to the two of you as one, it is hard to adjust to being on your own again. I felt lonely. That experience has made me cherish every moment of this pregnancy with you. I wish time could stand still for just a little while so I can engrave this feeling and the beauty of you in my body forever on my mind. I know in a couple of days, I will wake up thinking "did I feel the baby kick?" and then I will remember that you are no longer there inside me. Don't mistake me, I can't wait to see you, hold you, learn your unique personality, but I am torn with these emotions. We will always share a special bond that only we experienced. The details will fade over time but I will never forget the joy of carrying you.

I awoke this morning to walk outside and see it still cloudy here, so no we did not sit out and see shooting stars yet, we shall try tonight. But I did awake to one of the greatest joys, of coming back to bed and having Maeve snuggle up with me, curling up to me face to face. So we cuddled and thoughts of my mom cuddling me 34 years ago came flooding back to me...it was a feeling that I never felt before, one that only now being a mom myself I could recollect in my mind, cuddling my own little one the day after they were born. So this day feels far more precious to me than my birthday did, the realization of how much I was loved comes the day after the big hurrah of everything that comes with labor and your birthday, the next day of settling in with your little one is so much easier to appreciate and understand now.....so I thank you mom, the day after, and 34 years later, of what you did for me and have so over the years...another good read below~

A Mother's Loving Advice

There is so much I've tried to teach you in these years that you have grown, and so much more I cannot show you that you will learn all on your own.

It's been said that life's a dance that you learn more day by day...so I want to share some of the steps that I've picked up along the way...

The first piece of advice I'll give you is the most important thing I've learned;

you shouldn't take things too seriously as each page of your life is turned. Learn to laugh at yourself, and enjoy the laughter of your friends. Find humor in things that offend you to ensure that laughter never ends.

Do not believe in first impressions, for things aren't always as they seem.

Sometimes the very smallest player is the best one on the team.

Always do what you feel is right; to your own self, you must be true. Remember you have to live with tomorrow whatever today, you choose to do.

Always be ready and willing to lend a hand where help is needed. Try to remember to treat other people as you, yourself, would like to be treated.

Continue to further your education although life's lessons never cease...Knowledge provides independence. Independence will provide you with peace.

Always plan a route to your destination, but don't be afraid to go off course. Sometimes life's surprises are gradual; sometimes they come with powerful force. Learn to humbly accept life's changes and know that nothing stays the same. Accept responsibility for your actions, and don't be reluctant to take the blame.

Do your best not to criticize others; we all have failings and faults that occur because no one has been born to perfection, though you'll meet those who think they were. And you are never too old for manners, so always remember to include the "pleases" and the "thank yous"that help express your gratitude.

Have understanding for those less fortunate; find ways to help and do your part. Stay focused on the compassion that you'll find deep within your heart.

Don't get so busy and hurried that, with little things, you're disenchanted.

Take time to count your blessings, and do not take them all for granted.

Cherish and respect your elders. Listen to stories from where they came and make them proud that you are one who carries their family name. And stay close to your family; don't let time or distance come between responsibilities create separations that very seldom are foreseen.

Thank veterans and be proud of your country. They are the reason you live unafraid.The freedoms and rights that you possess are from the sacrifices they made.

Give 100% of your efforts,to whatever task you do each day. Working hard will get you ahead...but still make time to rest and play.

Be careful what you choose to do in the name of having fun. Don't try things that cloud your judgement and make you regret the things you've done.

Don't dwell on mistakes made yesterday. Learn from each error and blunder.If you are caught in the middle of a storm,next time...take note of the thunder.

Don't become obsessed with money.It's not the secret to "living well."Do not measure wealth by what you have but by what you have, and would not sell.

Try not to grow up too fast;learn to cherish each childhood year, for it seems before you know it...they somehow silently disappear.

I hope you'll someday benefit from the guidance these words may bring, but you'll know you have someone in your life who loves you more than anything!

Love,

Mom

I can only hope I do half as good as you mom to my children, and thank you again.