Mother' Day

I know, I know - it's halfway through May and I haven't blogged at all!  And there is so much to blog about!  Max turned one (I can't even handle it)...all my flowers are starting to bloom, we've had lots of fun house guests etc. -- but I couldn't let May go by without recognizing a pretty important holiday...Mother's Day!  This time last year, I was sitting in a hospital bed with my newborn baby...food was being brought to my bedside, Rob was changing all the diapers...and I was crying literally anytime my family left the hospital.  :)  AND - I was just starting to understand the amount of sacrifice that goes into being a parent (and turns out, it's way more than just sleep).  I've learned a lot this past year - but the biggest thing I've learned is... I STILL NEED MY MAMA! So here's the thing.. I'm about to wax on emotional about this because yeah...turns out she knows a lot.                (See below - as I clearly got all my camera cheesin' skills from her!)

 

 

Not long ago, I came across a little you-tube video that was entitled,

life doesn't come with a manual, it's comes with a mother. More true words were

never spoken.  It's no joke when I say I call my mom at least once a day (but probaby more like two). She knows all the big and little details of my life. We have discussed mundane things (i.e. what she's cooking for dinner or a bird she saw in her yard) and really important things ("should I go out on a date with this guy from work...turns out she was right on that one too, because I married him!).

 

 

She always makes sure we celebrate all the details of the holidays...from coloring eggs, to carving pumpkins...and even making Maxwell James a new stocking this Christmas to match the rest of our families as they hung from the mantel.  All this and she even manages to document every moment of every holiday and all.the.moments.in.between.

 

 

Every party I've thrown in my adult life - from bridal showers, to baby showers, to birthdays she has helped with.  Always willing to bring a cheese tray, veggie tray, or rent out the clubhouse!  She is literally the life of most parties - she never lets the conversation run down....and has a constant barrage of stories to tell and questions to ask.

 

 

She loves my sister and I something fierce.  In college she sent me mail weekly and packages too (and I only lived an hour and fifteen minutes from home). On my summer vacations during high school she flooded the local post offices where we had mail stops with literally mounds of mail.  She was a typical high school band parent (sporting the brown and gold and gigantic button with my mug on it) and she never missed a game.  She still carries on supporting me - attending Zoo functions, helping me plant my flowers, asking about my friends, and knowing most details of my days.

 

 

She has inspired a love of travel. The above picture was taken in "the Bean" in Chicago on a girls trip with my sister and I. But, we've been all over...Alaska, San Fransico, New York, Florida, lots of cruises, and even Africa together! The best part is - she is so organized.  She takes the time to plan every detail of the trip - purchasing tickets beforehand, booking fun excursions, looking at the map, checking the weather etc. Rest assured, when you vacation with Amy - you are going to see all.the.things!

 

 

As you can tell, from previous blog posts - when we do go home for the weekend, she drops everything to complete my to-do list.  She won't stop till we get it all done (even if that means staying up till after midnight!)

 

 

When we added Rob to the family - it was like a match made in heaven - because my mom could continue asking the barrage of questions and telling all the stories and there were fresh ears (and patient ones that didn't sass back) to listen. She adores Rob.  Honestly, sometimes its's annoying -all Rob has to say is he wants to do something, try somehwere for dinner etc. and my mom is making it happen!  (Above - Rob wanted Chinese for his birthday...so off to North China buffet we go!)

 

 

All this to say - she has been my rock this past year.  Her car has run a constant track from Dayton to Columbus and back this year.  She has helped me in so many ways - getting us out the door to Menchi's days after bringing Max home (otherwise I probably would have never left), suggesting the overnight diapers, bringing dinner (and sometimes dessert), helping with childcare, conducting "Mim's monthly lessons with Max", making me feel better when breastfeeding didn't work out, (not before attending my lactation consultation and seeing things she probaby wished she hadn't), and reassuring me that being a working mom was going to be okay.

 

(Mas and his mimsy)

 

But you know what?  She's not the only Mama in my life!  I'v also been blessed with two amazing mother-in laws.  Below - is Sugar (I guess technically Rob's step mom...but she's always just felt like an old friend).  I will never forget on my first trip to Oregon - she made a handmade sign for the front door that said "Welcome Carrie"!  She made me feel right at home and has ever since.  She shares my love of travel and is one of the most easy going and easy to talk to people ever!  She never misses a holiday (or blog post) and even sends me great articles on email about books, zoo stuff, and even stuff for Max. She's got an eye for detail (always remembers what we like), a love for family, and a good perspective on everything.  And I would be remiss if I didn't mention her impeccable handwriting!

 

Rob's mom Suzi (in the below picture) has also been such a great friend and supporter from the beginning too! I think she knew Rob and I would end up together because she let me be in the formal family portrait right from the beginning (much to Cassie's chagrin! haha!) She has taught me so much about how to be a great hostess, how to make good coffee, steam vegetables, and not stress or sweat the small stuff.  When she was here for Max's party - she did everything from cleaning a bathroom, to quietly making a delicious salad for all, getting to know all our friends, and then insisting we conclude the party with wine (always a good idea). She literally leaves our house cleaner than she found it everytime she visits and couldn't be happier than to just hang out with us when she's here.



 

 

All in all - I have to say all the women in my life are pretty great!  I hope they all had a fabulous Mother's Day and truly know how important they are to me (and my sanity)!

XoXO