post on mom

Ann Dee, this is for you AND for Grandma AND of course, for my mom.

My mom was present when all four of my babies were born.  I have memories of each but I'll never forget when Ruby was born.  It was April 5th when we checked into the hospital and I was uncomfortable and in a lot of pain.  When I arrived they told me I was at a 5 and would probably have this baby within a couple hours.  A couple hours turned into a few hours and soon it was 1 am and still no baby.  The room was FREEZING and Tod finally fell asleep on a chair next to me.  My mom found a blanket and stayed up with me for awhile but eventually fell asleep as well.  I remember that dark hospital room, ice cold, monitors beeping.  Next to me my sleeping husband and across from me my sleeping mom.  My sleeping mom who had been here before.  Who had been in labor, in the newborn sleepless night phase, who had raised small children into teenagers and who now had four adult kids.  I was so thankful to have her right there, sleeping near me.  I watched Gone with the Wind that night by myself while they slept.  Throughout the night she'd wake up and ask me if I was okay or if anything had changed.  By morning....still no baby.  She didn't dare leave for breakfast because she didn't want to miss anything.  And she was standing right next to me when my stomach started to change shapes and I told her to look and we both said, THAT BABY IS FLIPPING OVER!  And Ruby was flipping over.  As soon as she did, the contractions came closer and harder and pretty soon the nurse announced I was at a 10 PLUS.  This is when bright lights are wheeled in and the room fills with nurses and the doctor shows up and starts talking to Tod and it became very hectic.  I will never forget, though, this quiet feeling I had inside and how the thought of my dad came rushing to my head.  I mentioned this to my mom and it seemed like all noise went away for a minute as he told my little girl goodbye.  I felt him there as I looked right at my mom.

 The room became very quiet as they dimmed the ceiling lights and the doctor told me to push.  It felt like everyone was whispering and there was no drama or panic.  After a few pushes, he held up a baby and I saw that it was my first girl.  My only daughter.  And I looked over at my mom and she had tears streaming down her face.  Ruby was the best most spectacular surprise of my life and my mom was there for it. I will always be grateful.  Happy Mother's Day to the incredible women in my life.

Thanks Ann Dee xoxoxo

larry the liger / weekend par-tay

Our little Larry turns four tomorrow.

In February he informed us he wanted a King of Beasts birthday party.

 

Then about a week ago he informed me I had a big belly.

 

A day later Tod informed me I have "body builder buns" which are "soooooo much better than pancake buns" but not as "huge as power lifter buns."

 

Where was I?

King of Beasts.

His theme fit him perfectly.



Awesome cake by my good friend Tabitha.  Note: Masks were purchased as well.  I make nothing.

This picture is one of my favorites.  He is pure joy.  He was born during one of the hardest times and just lit everything up.  He is funny, playful, affectionate, and happy to run errands with Mom all day.  Usually.  Almost daily he grabs a blanket, lays it over me and says, "Hey...let's snuggle." 

 

I hope his wife won't mind. 

Photos: Courtesy of the infamous Hannah Mainor, photog genius

Tod's contribution to the party: An arousing game of Pin the Tail on the Liger.  Check out that liger.  First -- educating the kids on ligers.  Wevers are alllllllllll about education.

 

The liger -- a mystical beast.

 

 This one observed and didn't enjoy the feel of grass on her legs.

As we left the park Lennon asked if this man was dead.  We weren't sure but told him probably not.  And then (naturally) we took a picture and left.

Last t-ball game the next morning

Tod's parents in town -- thanks for coming so far to see the kiddos.  Sorry two out of three won't pose for pictures.

Lennon - still in character.  Still in snow gloves.  Played entire game like this.  I love his confidence.

And this little peach snuggles with her dolls.  Hugs and kisses them.  So different from our boys already.

And finally Mother's Day today -- when I think of Ruby as a mother I get really emotional.  She has so far to go but then again, so does her mom.

 Happy Birthday Lar Bear and Happy Mother's Day everyone. 

Happy Mother's Day

Three weeks before my dad died I went home for a weekend.  My mom looked tired.  We sat on the porch and she cried.  She cried about my dad and about how hard it was.  He was sick for 13 years.  Surgeries, hospital stays, dialysis, transplants.  We often focus on the person who's sick, not the one caring for them.  It's exhausting.  I still remember when Tod's phone rang at 3 am three weeks after our talk on the porch.  One of my first thoughts were, "Mom can finally breathe."

The week following his death we cleaned out all his stuff. Going through his bathroom closet tears flowed as I threw away tubing, needles, syringes, bandages, and endless bottles of prescription pills.  Living far away from the situation often removed me from the dailyness of it, all he was enduring and all my mom was enduring, too.  It seemed tragic that they'd spent the last 13 years dealing with disease instead of traveling or building their dream house or even just living a normal life.

Looking back now, those 13 years were not tragic but important.  My parents showed us what life/marriage is supposed to be: hard.  They also showed us what you do when life happens: keep going.  Marriage is not just for convenient times but for dark times as well.  My mom was loyal and true to my dad when he couldn't financially provide.  She stayed when he got sick.  She sacrificed everything for him and us.  It's comforting to know my dad lived a life full of love and devotion, thanks to my mom.  He had it good.  She was there for him until his last day.

I miss you Dad, and Happy Mother's Day Mom.  I want to be just like you.