Mother's Day

Here is the first shot from the pregnancy, taken today at almost 21 weeks. I have failed big time at documenting this pregnancy, which makes me sad because I'm pretty sure it will be my last. We were thrilled to find out that Ava will be getting a sister. I had a hunch (I get SO much sicker with girls), but thought having another girl would be too good to be true. I don't know how we got so lucky to get two of each. I couldn't have planned it more perfectly.

This sweet little thing has sucked everything out of me. I decided not to take zofran this time around, just in case it contributed to Ava's fussiness/reflux. Aside from severe dehydration and some weight loss, we both survived. I remember sobbing to J-P many nights, telling him to take care of the kids and tell them I loved them because I was sure that I would die at any moment. I sobbed when I saw the scale drop below 100 lbs, and I sobbed when my ribs became visible. On the days that I thought survival was a possibility, I sobbed because I was sure the baby would come out bright red or deformed because of all the Sonic slushies I had to sip to stay hydrated, or from not being able to take prenatal vitamins. I became quite skilled at throwing up while driving, and remember one particular day where I threw up the entire way to Ian's preschool. It's a small miracle I never crashed. Luckily I am feeling much better, and am almost back up to my pre-pregnancy weight.



I am feeling especially blessed this mother's day. My kids are happy, healthy, and bring so much joy to my life. Max hid the mother's day presents he made for me at school, and has been taking everyone up to his room to show them when I'm not looking.  I thought he would explode out of his skin with excitement when he gave them to me today. It melted my heart to read the things he wrote and see the pictures he drew. I wish I could make these days of being home with little ones last forever.