Great Mothers

This is my mom, Anita Martinson.
She's awesome.  I would like to be an amazing momma like her one day.  I'm hoping that some of her love, generosity, empathy, peace, forgiveness, patience, and giving spirit has rubbed off on me over the last 32 years.  And that it will then rub off onto Monika Marie.  I can only hope to be half the mother that my mom was to me.  I am seriously blessed to have her in my life.

Here we are after church (I went to church on Mothers Day for the first time in 6 years), it was special to be there with mom & of course Monika in-utero kicking away during the service.

Today I am thankful for her.  Everyday actually, but this past weekend, my mom wanted to give me the gift of landscaping for mothers day, since the house we bought has none, zero, zilch. She flew in late Friday night (so Todd & I could still have his day off together--and he planned a whole day of mothers day love for me) and flew out Sunday night. She worked her tail off in the yard all day Saturday and wouldn't let me help.  And now our yard looks great.  

Mom & I in front of her hard work & act of love--Hydrangea, Foxglove, Rhododendron, & Azaleas

I sometimes feel guilty for having an amazing mom since so many of my friends had not-so-nice mommas (and that is putting it very nicely), and that just isn't fair.  I'm astounded that my friends turned out as amazing as they did despite the lack of maternal care, love, empathy, and compassion shown to them by their moms.  So instead of feeling guilty, I am turning it into gratitude.  I am so thankful to have a great mother.  I didn't do anything to deserve it, but I am thankful. 

Todd & I celebrating our first HAPPY mothers day.

I wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who sent so much love my way on mothers day with texts, emails, calls, cards, gifts, and just sharing pure joy with us this holiday, it all meant so much to me.   Thank you all.

Here we are Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 36 weeks, Monika is the size of a crenshaw melon (again whatever that is, another fruit I haven't eaten or heard of), 6lbs and about 18.5 inches long. 

Today we did our pre-registration at the hospital, which is pretty bizarro, that the next time we will be there we will be in labor!