My Mommy

Today is Mother's Day! While I'm adjusting to picturing myself as a mom, I have to sit back and realize that I've had the best example to learn from in my mother.

Today just happens to be my mom's 50th birthday (Shhhh, don't tell her I told you how old she is!) Just another reason to celebrate my mom. Her name is Sherrie and she is pretty awesome. She is absolutely beautiful and knows how to make those around her feel beautiful too. I don't think she realizes how beautiful she really is sometimes. She has the best laugh in the whole world (it kinda sounds like Betty Rubble from the Flintstones!!) She's a great example of how to be a loving sister to her 3 sisters (I wish I would have paid more attention to that when I was younger!) Her straightforward opinion will never leave you guessing what sort of mood she's in, and you can never fault her for not being 100% honest, whether thats what you want to hear or not. She loves me and my sisters with her whole being and showed us all how to be strong women. She has always been a great partner to my dad and whether they want us to know or not, I know that they adore each other!

She has raised 3 strong-willed daughters (which would drive anybody nutty!) and has taught us to never settle, but also to understand the art of compromise, whether we practiced it or not. I  know we all 3 gave her hell growing up, especially in those teenage years, but if I could speak for my sisters, I know we would all say we are pretty lucky to have her. I used to think that she wasn't very cool. But my mom is really cool. She is the greatest shopping buddy (again with her honesty), and she has the best listening ear. I know I can call her anytime I need her and I know she'll be there for me. She is the first person I call when I've had a bad day, when I've had a good day and the one who I know is always there to support me. She knows me better than I know myself.

Its not always easy being a mom. You have to be honest and not be scared to hurt your kids feelings. I learned that you have to allow your children to learn things, yes even sometimes scary things, on their own. You can't hold your child's hand forever, you have to let them explore and take life as it comes. I will never forget all the times I asked for my mom's opinion on whatever I thought was important at the time. I was so frustrated when she would say, "Sounds like you have 2 great options, you can't go wrong." All I wanted was her insight, but she knew better. She knew that I wouldn't want to disappoint her and then I would make a biased decision based on her opinion. I still get annoyed when I ask her and I don't get a "good" response from her, but I am so thankful that she allows me to make my own, unbiased decisions. I'm sure thats not the easiest thing for her either, I know she has got strong opinions about things! Some people might say a good mom is one that protects her kids from failing, but I think an even better mom is one who can allow their kid to make mistakes and cry with them when they realize it and help them learn how to not make the same mistakes again.

My mom is the epitome of the best mom in the world and I can't imagine life without her. She has taught me so much about how to be a mom and I'm excited to show her how well she did teaching my sisters and I when its time for me to be a mom. Almost every day I do something that reminds me that I am my mothers daughter. I do so many of the same things she always does. They do always say, you become your mother. I was scared of that thought a long time ago, but now I accept it with open arms. She taught me so many things its hard to sum up into a little ditty about her, but I think you might get the picture. My mom is fabulous.

A Pregnant Mothers Day

Its mothers day this weekend and I've been doing a lot of thinking about what mothers day really is all about. It is a "made-up" holiday, but I think its very important at the same time. Its a day to be extra thankful for your mother and show her how much you care about her and show appreciation for all she does for you. I know my mom is pretty super and I'm pretty lucky to have her. Mothers day reminds me how awesome she is and how much I should probably thank her for all she does more often than I do.

All that being said, this year obviously I am pregnant. I have been out and about doing errands and people keep stopping me and saying, "Happy Mothers Day to the expectant Mommy." This usually starts a quick, causal conversation about due dates, first babies, etc. I absolutely appreciate the kind thoughts and wishing me a happy mothers day, but it just gets me thinking even more. This whole expectant mom thing on mothers day, especially the first time around I'm sure, is sort of an awkward thing for me at this point. I should probably not even think too much about this, but I can't help it, I'm me and thats what I do, over think things!

Now I am not denying that I am going to be a mother. Its just that at this point, its hard for me to picture myself as a mother currently. I wonder if that is just me, or if other pregnant women feel the same way. I very much so have an active little one that I know is fully living and would survive if it were born today (making me instant momma!). I am very aware of the baby items that are starting to accumulate in my house. We've been working on a nursery and planning our time off when our little one arrives. It just all seems too surreal to me at this point to actually think of myself as a mother, right now, in this current moment, for mothers day this weekend.

When is 'I'm going to be a mother' turn into 'I AM a mother?' For me I'm not sure that realization has happened yet. I am almost 30 weeks pregnant and I feel a  little behind the eight-ball on this one. Am I totally off my rocker here, or is this normal preggo momma stuff? I am beyond excited for all the things to be coming, but maybe thats just it. I can only picture all these motherly things happening in the future still. The future is going to quickly change to the present quicker than I can ever imagine. Maybe with baby showers and having the nursery done and ready for a baby will make it more real. Nonetheless, I know its coming whether we're ready or not and I am beyond excited!