Mother's Day Look Back

Now that my 13th Mother's Day as a mother is over I would like to share some things I was thinking about this year. I was thinking back to my very first Mother's Day when Natalie was just a few weeks old. It was a special day I'm sure. However, I distinctly remember wanting a true day off from being a mom. Meaning no diaper changes, no feedings, just me enjoying the day. It didn't happen that way of course. And it never has, but every year I would always really really want that on Mother's Day. Just that one day.

This year I just didn't care. Maybe I've learned to just not expect it. Maybe I've learned to not expect a whole lot. Maybe mothering is just so much a part of who I am now that I just wouldn't know what to do with myself. Now don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed all of my other Mother's Days even if it wasn't what I expected it to be. This year was just different.

I got up like any other day and I fed Alyssa. CJ cried for daddy who wasn't home and didn't want me to get him out. I did dishes, I washed laundry, I cleaned up, I gave baths, and I of course changed diapers. I broke up fights and dealt with preteen attitude and toddler temper tantrums. I did what I do everyday. I was a mom. I got presents and dinner out with family. I cut up my toddlers meal and I shared my meal with one of my children. I did not resent a single second of having to do any of it either just because it was Mother's Day.

As shocking as this may be, the best gift I got for Mother's Day was Alyssa not crying during her bath. It's the little things. Don't get me wrong, I love my bracelet that the kids got me, I love the necklace that Joe got me, and I loved my millions of homemade cards and artwork from the children, but to not have to bathe a screaming squirmy baby really was the best thing I could have gotten. It took me 13 years to get it I guess, but being a mom really is a 24/7 job. There really is no break from it and I wouldn't have it any other way.

If I had to change anything about the day it would have been a televised Mets game and they would have won. I mean really, is that asking too much?

In honor of Mother's Day starting tonight and for the next 4 Mondays I am going to be sharing my birth stories. So check back later.

Happy Mother's Day

A tribute to my mom:

To the woman who gave me life. The one who tucked me in at night and took all of the nightmares away. To the woman who tickled my toes and wiped my tears. To the woman who hugged me tight and kissed my boo boos away. My mom!

To the woman who took the heartache away. The one who gave the best advice. To the woman who has always been by my side. My mom!

To the woman who cuddled my children. The one who baked cookies with them and made them giggle. The woman who gives the best hugs in the world. My children's grandma. My mom!

My mom means the world to me now and always. I'm so lucky to have a mom like her. Thanks Mom! Happy Mother's Day!

You had me at "Dog Crap"

May all of the dog crap be picked up for you!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

My Mother's Day

I never did say how my Mother's Day was. It ended up being a nice day. I got up to a bunch of homemade gifts from the girls. A mother always loves that stuff. Then I got to fold laundry and clean up the living room just like any other day. Fed CJ breakfast. Listened to the girls complain about having cereal for breakfast. Listened to Joe complain about my parents coming over. Pretty typical day so far. Then Joe made me some hot chocolate which I drank. I then vacuumed and Joe went off to work. Changed CJ and put him down for a nap and then cleaned the kitchen. Joe did not put the tea cups away that I had asked him to. So I had to do that. Got the kitchen all clean and then went to take a shower while the girls weren't fighting and CJ was napping. Came out and got dressed and wrapped my mom's gifts. Then it was about time for my parents to arrive so I made lunch. My parents came just as I was finishing heating food up and CJ woke up from his nap. So I was juggling a million things just like any other day. Fed the kids, my parents ate too, I ate, and then my mom and I opened our gifts. I got a new Mets t-shirt and a Mets rug. My mom got jewelry. Then we took the kids outside until Joe came home from work. This was the fun outside in the beautiful weather.



Once Joe came home from work we started bringing all the toys inside and washed up to go out to dinner. Joe had bought flowers for me and my mom which were very much appreciated. After everyone was ready we went to a very nice restaurant called Carmine's Italian Grill. My parents paid for the meal. We tried to pay the tip, but they said no. We said our goodbyes. Went to the grocery store to pick up more Pediasure for CJ and get gas in my car. Then we went home where the girls took a shower and then we sent everyone to bed. All in all it did end up being a nice day. My parents were nice and Joe was nice to them and didn't grumble. The kids were well behaved. So I would say it was a nice day.

Happy Mother's Day

Some quotes about moms that I really liked:

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

All mothers are working mothers. ~Author Unknown

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

A man's work is from sun to sun, but a mother's work is never done. ~Author Unknown

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest. ~Irish Proverb

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

Who fed me from her gentle breast
And hushed me in her arms to rest,
And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?
My Mother.
~Anne Taylor

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ~Charles R. Swindoll, The Strong Family

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. ~Chinese Proverb

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children. ~William Makepeace Thackeray

It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't. ~Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

To all you mothers out there, I hope you keep these quotes in your mind and your heart. Have a great mother's day. Motherhood is the most difficult job in the world with the greatest reward!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's to all you moms out there!

"Mommy, Mama, Mother." These are all some of the names I've been called over the past 9 years or so and last night there was a new one. I'm Aa-Ma according to CJ! Awwwww, what an awesome Mother's Day present for a mom. My last child and my only boy said his first word Aa-Ma. Okay, I know it was probably a mistake. I mean I've only been telling him to say mama over and over again for the past 6 months. He was bound to say it eventually. Or some form of it eventually. He looked right at me after about the 15th time of me repeating mama and just said it with the most adoring little smile on his face. What mom wouldn't melt over that?

Then this morning the older two were so sweet. They quietly came out of their rooms arms full of little presents they had made for me at school and even here at home. Kaitlyn made a book about me and gave me a flower with a beautiful poem on it. I also get to make my own bracelet. Natalie gave me a butterfly card which says I'm Fling Fun inside (it's supposed to say flying fun, but she forgot the y). Awwww, she was so upset, but hey I like that I'm Fling Fun! Natalie made me a watch. Yes, it's way too big for me so I told her I'd hang it up on my rear view mirror in my car. All things to treasure forever.

Right now they are making me peanut butter toast for breakfast. I think they actually looked forward to today more than I have. Seems like just another Sunday. Joe's at work and I'm home with the kids. There's still laundry to be done and dishes to be washed. Diapers to change and mouths to feed. Still, it's nice to see the excitement in my little ones faces as they've handed me all of the treasures they have made. The adoration in my little boys eyes when he sees me walk in the room. Motherhood truly is the toughest job you'll ever love. I feel so blessed to be a mom to 3 such wonderful kids even on the days when they make me want to pull out my hair!

We got a Wii!

So for months now we've been looking for a Wii. Yesterday Joe was calling all around to find one. Everyone was saying we have none or our shipment hasn't come in yet. Finally Joe called one of the Walmarts in the area and they had ONE left. Joe asked the guy to save it and said we'd be there in half an hour to get it. He told him okay, but if you're not here in 30 minutes I'm selling it. This was 11:30 yesterday morning that we finally found one and Kaitlyn is supposed to be at school at 12. It takes about 20 minutes to get to this Walmart. So needless to say Kaitlyn was late for school yesterday so we could get the Wii. We ran there quickly and we got it! So two days before Mother's Day we buy Joe's Father's Day present. Hmmmm, doesn't seem quite fair, does it? At least now he can stop bugging me about this stupid thing. Of course I swear I'm going to get hit in the head with the controller when Joe is playing the thing. I guess at least it's getting the kids up and active. Natalie was playing boxing today and she actually broke out in a sweat. She was pretty tired from it too.

So what am I getting for Mother's Day you ask? I'm supposed to be getting a family portrait done by a professional photographer. Just don't know when that's going to happen yet.

Oh and Kaitlyn was 15 minutes late for school yesterday. No, I did not put her reason for being late was we had to get a Wii. I did think about it though. It's a good thing that she didn't end up having her field trip yesterday because of rain though.