"Motherhood has its marvelous power-blended pain and joy-and the deepest influence in the world. That it brings joy no one can doubt sees the mutual love of mother and child. Perhaps its chief grace lies in the fact that it is a ministry in which there is blended purposeful self-sacrifice with the confident expression of love in its purest quality."-
The New York Times, May 10, 1929
That quote was on my little daily calendar over the weekend, and I have kept thinking about it. How eloquently put. I think about my own mom and all the wonderful things she has done for me in my life, being an amazing cheerleader, encouraging me to no end. Watching her sacrifice growing up, but at the time just thought that's how life was, and now older and realizing she worked her tail off for us.
I hope I can be the mom I had. She is still the sounding board of advice.
Here's to the 300th post and to a fabulous Valentine's Day, one of my favorite holidays. Ever.
Mark arranged the entire date, lasting 6 hours! It was all a mystery to me, and I was VERY curious as to exactly what we were doing. Mark is very predictable, which is one of my favorite things about him because I can count on him with his word. But he doesn't give any clues when he has something up his sleeve, and that's the part that I can't stand! Anyway...on to the date...
We first headed to get a massage. They call Mark back first. My massage therapist takes me back to the room and she stares at me. Then she asks, "Did you just have a baby?" I'm thinking she's kidding, and by the look on her face I can tell she's not. I reply, "No, I'm still pregnant." Then to clarify she says, "You are pregnant?"
I'm just getting it now, and hoping that my stomach doesn't naturally hang out this far after the baby comes.
Mark forgot to mention when he made our appointments that I'm pregnant and to schedule a licensed prenatal therapist. But, since he was already "in session" I didn't know what his appointment scheduling conversation was. It was a bit awkward having to tell the manager and all the receptionist that yes, indeed, I am pregnant, and explaining the obvious is such a ridiculous feeling. And that my husband better know I'm pregnant at this point and why wouldn't he say so when he called in. The licensed prenatal therapist was already booked for that hour and so I got to sit in the lobby while Mark got his massage. And it really wasn't so bad. I read a few articles in the Golf Digest magazine.
Lesson Learned: Always state the obvious. Even when you think they have your required OBGYN's approval note on file.
Mark felt terrible, as I was expecting he would. I actually wasn't too bummed out about not getting my massage and had to let him know not to feel so bad. I rescheduled for tonight anyway!
Mark and I get a babysitter for going to the temple and try not to get one "just because" we feel like seeing a movie or whatever. With the last year of re-adjusting our budget, we've spent a little less on babysitting and take the kids with us. If it were me, I'd love for Mark to take me out every weekend with out the kids.
This is why I love Valentine's Day. Mark makes it extra special and I totally relish in being pampered by him.
After Mark's massage (LOL!!), he took me out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory...which we haven't been in two years. It was delicious, but learned that they discontinued making my favorite cheesecake. Bummer, but not really. Any cheesecake they bake is darn good.
Then he took me to see the movie, Valentine's Day....which I HIGHLY recommend seeing. I was a little cautious thinking the movie might be a hit out of the ball park with so many huge movie stars in it, maybe they need all those movie stars because the plot is lacking...but it was NO disappointment. It was that high flying home run, over the fence hit!! Go see it, even if you have to take your kids with you to the theater!
And to top the night off, Mark took me to a favorite store to stock up on lotions that I was running low of. In fact, I really can't imagine living without these lotions, I got into the habit of lotioning down after I shower (Vegas is a desert) and so now it just seems like something I have to do, kind of like shampooing and conditioning your hair...same with the skin.
I have to say that I had a fabulous date, one of the best in a long time, even despite sitting in the lobby of the massage place. I LOVED going out and getting spoiled by my honey. It was a terrific weekend and I can't say thanks enough.
And of course, no baby shower would be complete without some nothing bundt cakes!
Look at this diaper cake....isn't it the sweetest, most adorable thing ever??? How cute did that turn out?!?! Some great friends made that for me, and I just LOVE it!
My sister, Jen, helped bring some of the delicious spread, it was so yummy!
And the cute little girls getting to come to the baby shower!! Bryanna, Abby, Lexy and their friend Julie.
How cute is this little guy....on a chair playing with the balloons!!!
Camille, Monica, Bryanna, Alissa, Michelle
Mom got these adorable matching jammies...aren't they sooooo gorgeous? Bryanna wore them last night, I think these little jammies are her new favorite!
Christa, the quilting queen, made this precious butterfly quilt to go in Cali's room! It is SO sweet, she is seriously such a pro with quilts, and she is such a good friend! Love this lady!
And my sis got this cuper cute Petunia Picklebottom Diaper bag...its vinyl so I can keep it nice and stain-free!
one of my favorite things during the newborn stage are the dress jammies....no zippers or snaps or buttons to mess with in the middle of the night...how cute are those ruffles?
did they have to get THAT face on film?
My first little angel with the balloons...she is so excited to finally have baby Cali get here!
I get to be induced this week...HURRAY!! It's nice to know when she will get here...we have lots of things "to do" this week in prep for the new arrival...like get the dog to the groomer...put in the laundry room sink...put in a new banister upstairs, bryanna accidentally kicked out one of the spindles. Darn! Now Mark gets his wish of putting in an iron banister!
