Mother's Day Blessings

I didn't go on the computer at all on Saturday or Sunday (Mother's Day) so I am doing a belated Mother's Day post in the form of a list of some of my favorite moments as a mom as well as a few other things I'm grateful for that have nothing to do with motherhood. :-) I am thankful...

1. For my mom - as we were growing up, we children were a very, very high priority in her life. She drove us to and from school, listened while we practiced our instruments, etc. We are still a very high priority in her life. Now that I have a cell phone (same company as her) we talk rather frequently on the phone which I enjoy. Whenever I have a concert or do special music, I miss seeing her in the congregation when she's not able to come (she still comes when possible). I am thankful that she and my dad will be celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.

2. For Paul's mom - I knew it was quite an honor when Paul told me (when dating) that I was one of his four favorite women. I knew the other 3 were his mom, Nan (mom's mom), and Aunt Debbie (mom's sister). Grandma loves our little Nadia very much which of course means a lot to me! They celebrated their 42nd anniversary this past Wednesday while we were in Antigua.

3. For Nadia - I had my first Mother's Day with a baby in my arms last Sunday!!!

4. That we were able to go to Antigua - It was great to spend a week in the Caribbean with Nadia, Paul, and Paul's parents.

5. For the little one (or ones) growing inside me!! It was the best Mother's Day gift possible to get a BFP the day after. I have done one hpt the past 7 days, but I think today will be the last as I don't think the test line can get any darker. I have 3 hpts left, but maybe I'll give them to whomever I give my unopened vial of Follistim (anyone know someone who would have to pay for it themselves and could use it?). Yes, Lucia it's finally sinking in that I am pregnant, LOL! Since we ttc for 5 1/2 years before we found out Nadia was growing in my womb, I think I am in shock that it happened so quickly this time around. Of course we did go straight to ivf which we didn't try until we'd ttc over 5 years the first time around. I am so very thankful. I was told my odds were 25% since I am 37 years old, but it seems we've been given at least one more miracle. YAY!!!

6. For my hubby - I am very proud of how well he's done in his doctoral program at PSU this year. In the fall semester he had a 4.0. He didn't get a 4.0 this semester, but his lowest grade was an A- which I still think is impressive considering he has taken really hard classes like Quantum Mechanics 2. In all his years as a student (from bachelor's to the present) the lowest grade he's gotten in a chemistry class is an A-. Way to go, Paul!

7. For my brother's recent accomplishment (see photo) - Yesterday Maurice graduated from Capital Bible Seminary (in MD) with a graduate degree (Master of Divinity). He is going to candidate school with a mission board in Philadelphia next month and hopes to serve as a counselor (what his degree was in) in Ireland. We'd like to go visit him some day over there as we haven't been to Ireland yet. :-)

8. For my newest niece - Rachel will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. Most of the photos in this post are of her. I can't wait to meet her and also meet my nephew (Nathan) who will be 6 months old next Sunday. I should meet him in late July.

9. For the wonderful feeling of Nadia sleeping in my arms or on my shoulder and for the other moments when she cuddles with me such as when I rock her before her naps and bedtime.

10. That I'm Nadia's very favorite person. Of course I want her to love her Daddy, grandparents, etc very much, but it is a wonderful feeling to be viewed as the most special person in her life. :-)

11. That I was able to nurse Nadia for 7 months. What a wonderful experience (not at first but eventually it was!)...

12. For Nadia's smiles and laughter - they are priceless!!!

13. For the joy we experience watching Nadia learn and grow.

14. For the 3 weeks I've had off of work. I start teaching again this week (Tuesday night).

15. That the Lord was in control of how many embryos we needed. I have been praying for months about that. I kept praying that we wouldn't do ivf and end up with zero children, and I also had been praying that we wouldn't have triplets plus have a lot of frozen embryos. I was sad when I found out we didn't have any others that made it to blastocyst by day 6, but now I realize the Lord knew we didn't need any frozen ones this time because He enabled us to get a BFP from the fresh transfer. I am very glad we don't need to think about things like giving up a frozen embryo through adoption. Whew... I am dying of curiosity though as to how many little ones have implanted and are still growing!! With my first pgcy my first u/s was at 5w0d (which I'll be on Wednesday), but my 2nd (Nadia) it wasn't until my 6th week (can't remember exactly which day). Hopefully my first u/s will be next week. That also will mean the end of shots for me although of course I am very glad to continue them as long as our baby or babies need them!!

16. For the date Paul and I had on Friday (almost 8 hours long!). Although it wasn't the type of setting where we had much time for private conversation (we were on a boat with about 25 other people), it was great to have all that time for just the two of us. :-)