First Mother's Day

As Mother's Day was approaching, I wondered if it was something I could "officially" celebrate yet. As I thought about it, it was made very clear - of course I can! I am carrying the most beautiful little angel with a real heartbeat, a real personality (already), and I have a real love for her as my very own daughter. I started getting really excited about that day. And what a wonderful day it was...
On Sunday morning, I was woken up with a sweet little tap on my shoulder...and breakfast in bed! Matt made me eggs, toast, cereal, and orange juice! Man, he knows the way to my heart - with food! And these days, I don't miss a breakfast, so it was wonderful to get food before I even got out of bed! What a treat. I took my time getting ready for church, and all the while, I had little butterflies in my stomach - I actually get to celebrate this day now!!
While I was getting ready, Matt told me he had another little surprise for me...ooh, I love surprises! I had to go into Siena's room to find the surprise. I searched around a little, and to my surprise, I found a little box underneath our fluffy little friend Franklin (the huge furry duck) laying in Siena's crib. I got a little excited at the sight of a "little box" - as we women do - but I wasn't sure what to expect. I opened it up...and well, here's what I saw:


It is HOPEFULLY our little Siena's birthstone! What a precious gift - I was so excited! A beautiful peridot stone - August's birthstone. When Matt bought it, he knew it was a little bit of a risk, because really she could be born in July, but with an August 10 due date, we're just going to hope that the 2 week cushion will be enough to keep the stone! :) And, if she decides to arrive a little early, then I'll just show my love for my husband - he for sure was born in August!! :) Either way, the thought was what really mattered, and I wear that necklace with pride - for my little one and for my family!
At church, we were given a Mother's Prayer. It now hangs on my mirror and I read it every day. The line that really hits me right now is, "...thank you for entrusting this child into my care..." I think about that line a lot. I think about Siena all the time and I am constantly aware of her and wanting to make sure she is okay, healthy, and happy. God has given Matt and I this little angel to care for - and I am so blessed to be able to care for her. God help us as we continue on the journey!
I have not ever thought of Mother's Day like I did this past Mother's Day. What a special day it is - a tribute, really, to all the mothers and the love shared between family. It's an honor to be a part of this "group" now and to be able to celebrate being a mom. I am one happy, blessed mama. :)

"Moving" Right Along

Well, it's official...we have made it into the 3rd trimester! I can't believe how quickly this has all gone! It's amazing to think that it was over 6 months ago that we found out we were pregnant...oh, how things have changed in just those 6 months. For some reason, I don't think the changes are going to stop any time soon. :)
Siena is a free spirit, I can tell that already. She LOVES to make herself known...and I love it! Ever since mid-March, I've been able to experience one of the most amazing things I have ever felt...our little angel move! I came home from Michigan on March 14, and from then on, it was official...it wasn't just gas...it was really her. :) It truly is one of the best feelings in the world. To feel her move and wiggle each day is one of the biggest blessings for me right now - it's reassurance that she's doing alright and content to just "play around" inside. At first they were little and I had to question each time whether or not it was her. Now, not only can Matt feel her kicks, we can SEE them poking around in my tummy! I wouldn't mind if she did it constantly all day long - I love it so much. One of my most favorite times right now is when Matt and I are curled up in bed and he will wrap his arm around me and put his hand on my tummy. It's a morning and night ritual. She likes to wake up with us in the morning and she'll say her "good nights" to us at night before we fall asleep. It's quite a neat bonding experience for me (and Matt too). I know it means a great deal to him because he can finally "feel" her. He isn't lucky enough to have an itchy stomach or heartburn (thank God for Tums!) or this weird growing "baby bump" coming off his stomach to remind him she's here! HA! :)
Little Siena also likes to play games. For about a week, she was MUCH quieter than she had been in the past. I was used to her moving at certain times - in the morning, during my plan time, after lunch, after dinner, and at night before bed. She was super active. Apparently, she wanted to take a little time off and scare the mess out of her parents. I called the doctor to reassure myself that everything was okay. That lasted a couple of days and when she still wasn't back to "normal", I couldn't take it any more. My emotions and hormones were both completely at their peak, and I couldn't keep it together. I was so worried about her and all I could think about was her and the fact that she wasn't moving like she normally was. So, I called the doctor again, in tears, because I was petrified that our little one wasn't okay. They were wonderful enough to allow Matt and I to go down and see her - to make sure all was okay. So, when we were able to physically see her little heart beating away and her little limbs kicking away, our minds and hearts were truly put to rest.
Since then, she's been making up for lost time. She apparently realized she scared us so she's making herself very known - and I am so thankful!! She has been a moving machine lately! At the movies this past weekend, she was out of control! She loves the loud music and sounds, I guess. I thought she was going to break through my stomach and have a seat on my lap she was moving around so much! She also loves the cowbells at church - she wiggles around every time someone shakes them. (Yes, we have a church that uses cowbells to show their "approval" of things! I guess you have to be there and know Joey???) At school, I find myself in the middle of teaching, with my hand on my tummy, feeling her kick away. The kids also love to put their hands on my tummy and say "hello" to her. I can't get enough of it! In fact, I might miss it once she arrives...