It Still Happens...Even Today...

...Moms die during/after childbirth.

I mean, we've all heard stories about how many women passed during or after childbirth long ago or in countries were medical care isn't what it is here. But when you hear stories of it happening in your own world, it just seems so unreal - but certainly makes you stop and think and realize just how unbelievably blessed we are to be MOMS.

Read such a mom's story at my pregnancy journal.

You Know You're a Mom When...

Recently our local newspaper ran an article that shared some thoughts from Hawaii moms on "You know you're a mom when..."

They gathered the information from HawaiiMoms.com and I just thought you'd get a kick out of reading what some Hawaii Moms had to say. You can read the article HERE.

Wanna know some of my thoughts? Here they are...

You Know You're a Mom When...

...going to the grocery store by yourself is a big treat.

...the word "No" becomes the most commonly used word in your vocabulary.

...the majority of your conversation for the day happens with people who are under the age of 5.

...you look for your kids even when they aren't with you.

...you know that a room of quiet kids often means trouble.

...the day you meet the kids named "I don't know" and "Wasn't me" they are really going to get it!

...you feel super special when you get a meal all to yourself and you don't have to share.

...you don't need an alarm clock to wake up by 7 am

How about you? Do you have some you can share?

Water is Wonderful

I am now 23 weeks pregnant and water is so great! Being that it's summer and quite warm some days does have something to do with it, but the pool and the beach are so wonderful because I can submerge myself in water and take all the weight and pressure off my legs, back, and hips. I love the feeling of being in the water. There are so many movements I can do in the water and I probably wouldn't be able to do on land bearing my own weight. So I get to relax, move some muscles around that wouldn't normally be moved in that manner, and I also get to practice my relaxation.

Why do I practice relaxation? In hopes of an easier labor and delivery experience of course. I've learned that the more relaxed your body is, the more efficiently it progresses through the birthing process. Of course, staying relaxed and calm during a contraction isn't easy. So I'm practicing relaxation and breathing now so that I can, hopefully, become better and better at getting my body and mind into a relaxed state, and, therefore, be able to do it during contractions as well.

One of the things I visualize when I practice is being "weightless" in the pool. I only wish that I would have the opportunity to labor in water. I could, of course, fill up my bathtub at home and labor there before going to the hospital, but based on previous labor experiences, I probably won't have time for that. Or, if I do get in my own tub, chances are baby WILL be born, unattended, at home which I don't want. So, I'll just have to use my imagination and pretend I'm surrounded by comforting water.

Ah yes....right now, water is my friend.

Progression of the Belly

I don't know why, but with my first 3 kids, I never really took any pictures while pregnant. I don't really have any belly shots from those pregnancies. Maybe it's just because I was young and didn't think I wanted pictures of myself with a big belly and "tissue stores."

But, now that I'm older, things have changed and this time, I have LOTS of belly shots. :) I've always heard of people talking about "popping" preggo bellies, but never really felt like I experienced it until this time. It seems like overnight, I went from "bump" to full blown "belly" and I'm loving every minute!

So.....here's a picture for you...the progression of the belly....

Click for larger view

What Will You Do "Someday"?

As I sat down to write this post, I was thinking of all the little annoying things that we deal with on a daily basis with little kids around.

Like not being able to put our purses just anywhere because as soon as we turn our backs the 4 year old has our lip gloss all over her face and the 19 month old has thrown our debit cards and receipts all over the house.

And I thought about how when the kids grow up our lives will be so different, and what seemed important enough to be stressed about (like a clean house) suddenly isn't such a big deal anymore.

Like my Mom, who used to put me and my sister to bed and then stay up until 2 cleaning house, but who, now that we're "all grown up", can't be bothered with housework anymore because she's too tired from playing all day at the Tea Room.

So what are your Somedays?