Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day has always been one of my favorite days of the year--even before I was a mom myself.  My birthday (May 11th---today!) always falls on or very close to Mother's Day and, as a kid, my family always had fun celebrating the two together. Or at least I did. My poor mom was often robbed of a proper Mother's Day because she was busy hosting a houseful of family that was over to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day.   Now that I'm an adult and my birthday is more of an "extra fun day" than something I long for and dream about for months, I get to spend the appropriate time and enegery dedicated to my mom. And nothing makes me happier than doing little things for the most special woman I know.   And then, just a few years ago, I became a Mama myself, and now I have two days so close to each other that I get to celebrate. And you know me--I love celebrating life's little moments.   When I think of Mother's Day now, I think of my mom and I think of Gia. One of them showed me how to be a mom and one of them made me a mom. Both of these things are priceless.  And, I'll never be able to say either of those things about anyone else. And that's just so awesome to me.   Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, moms-to-be and mother figures out there. You are so incredibly loved!    

Gia painting a birdhouse for Nanny

And painting a picture frame for Yadi

     

I forgot...

The beginning of this pregnancy was no fun. I was sick, tired and chasing around my very active 2.5 year old. At one point, I was complaining so much that even Gia started to randomly say, "I don't feel good."  When I'd ask her what didn't feel good, she didn't have an answer for me. It took me a few days to put two and two together and realize that I was, in fact, the reason my kid was going around saying she didn't feel good. (There were a few times in there when she'd say and actually mean it. Like the day she had a fever.)

Gia with a fever.

Suffice to say that was enough to shut me up and cut way back on the complaining. That and the fact that I know I don't have it that badly. In the grand scheme of pregnancy issues, a little morning sickness and nausea is not a big deal. At all.    In the middle of all my moaning, I kind of forgot about all the good pregnancy stuff. I didn't totally forgot (check out THIS POST), but it was definitely on the back burner.   Well, so far the second trimester has been really, really good to me. There's so much less nausea and so much more energy. So many more foods sound good to me, so eating healthy has been much easier the past few weeks.   

And then, last night, it happened.   I felt the baby move!   It was an awesome moment--one I had forgotten all about. I remember the kicks and jabs and dance parties Gia used to have in my stomach (she was active even in the belly), but I forgot about that special moment that is the very first time you feel movement from the little person growing in there. To me it feels like popcorn popping on the inside. Or like a butterfly flapping its tiny wings. I felt it three times last night (after drinking a cold glass of water) and then one time this morning after some juice.   This is like the icing on the cake that is the 2nd tri. I'm already feeling good and now I get to experience this.  And I know there are so many more amazing moments to come, like when Jon and Gia can feel the kicks from outside my belly, and when we find out if this baby is a boy or a girl. Ahh the miracle of life is alive and well in this house!

Not so WW: Who does Gia look like?

One of the questions I'm asked most about Gia is where she got her curly hair. The short answer is: me. But, Jon has super thick, somewhat wavy hair too. So while it's probably mostly from me, he had a hand in it too.   In general, people tend to think Gia looks like me. The same thing happens with me and my mom. People say we look alike all the time. My mom and I are both petite, dark haired women, and we certainly have the same mannerisms. So, yes, there are major similarities but, in reality, I have many more features from my dad. I think the same thing happens when people see me and Gia. They see one thing that looks like me and, because she's a girl, they tend to see all me. I think there's more Jon though!   So, for Wordless Wednesday, I'll let you decide.   Jon at age 3:

Me at age 3:

  Gia, nearly 3:  

  And, a side by side:  

So, what do you think?     PS. I just showed Gia the side-by-side pictures. I pointed to Jon and asked "Who is this?" Her answer: a boy! I told her it was daddy when he was a baby and she smiled. When I pointed to my baby picture she said, "That's ME!"  So I guess she thinks we look a like too!