Mother’s Day isn’t exactly a year apart every year, but it doesn’t really matter. Today is the anniversary of when Joshua and I found out we were pregnant. I can hardly believe that an entire year has sped by…that I was pregnant for so much of it (43 weeks!)…but it has been such an amazing, blessed year. After we found out we were pregnant, we put everything in motion: doctor’s visits, buying things for Noah, jobs, insurance, future plans…we did so much in such a short period of time.

Noah will be 4 months old tomorrow and every time I hold him, I realize how big he has grown. At first, I felt I never had a small baby, but in hindsight I realized that I really did. I compare his older pictures to now and I see such a huge difference in size, development, milestones and growth. He is such a healthy, happy baby…smiles and laughs are abundant in our household. I have been given exactly what I prayed for.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. You are amazing, whether you know it or not.

New pictures are uploaded to my “nursing” Flickr set to go with my new LJ icon. I used to go months without changing it but now I keep having new things to put up! Noah spent most of today attached to me (in fact, he just barely let me put him in his swing about 20 minutes ago so I could get a short break) and at one point, there was good enough lighting that I asked Joshua to bring me the camera. These are, quite literally, just snapshots…but I love the way they turned out.

Every day is an experience of its own. I never imagined that an infant could have such personality, but he does, he really does. One of my favorite times of each day is right after we wake up, when he’s snuggled up against me eating…and then right after that, when we’re spending some time “talking” together. He started smiling a couple of weeks ago, and he likes to talk back to me. He also loves it when I stick my tongue out at him because he’ll smile and stick his out at me (or try to, because he tends to not get it much farther than his lips).

I wish I could write more about these days but I spend so much time either working (and taking care of him) or holding him. At the same time, I rather be experiencing his life than sitting at a computer writing about it. I can do the writing later, right?

Joshua and I are getting a rhythm down, too. We’re able to clean, work, take care of Noah and play Rappelz (for the most part). We’ve also learned how to find a little bit of time in each day for us to ‘enjoy’ each other. I never knew how much I needed that part of our marriage until recently, but God knows I do.

I am trying to read my Bible again. It has been so long since I picked it up (once in the past six months or so, and that was for a funeral where it went unopened) but having Noah, I feel like I need God in my life again. The difference this time is that the feeling isn’t going away, like it usually does.

Mom is coming to visit with my stepdad and brother in exactly two weeks. I am bursting with excitement! I never knew I could be this happy and content, but with my husband and my son, how could I be anything else? Mom is just the icing on the cake.

*sighs happily*

ETA: Also posted baby smiles. =)

When I created this blog, I thought I would write about our journey to pregnancy (among other things). I felt broken, and being infertile was one of my greatest fears, but today…on Mother’s Day no less, I was given a gift that I will never forget.

I’m amazed at how easy the idea of being pregnant comes to me - I thought that motherhood would be something alien, something I’d have to adjust to - and it is, in a way. I haven’t had a baby in my home for years. I have to re-learn everything, and in some ways, I have to learn some stuff for the first time because being a mother is far different than being a sister, or a guardian. Far, far different.

It’s magical, almost, this little secret I have inside of me. Even though we have gladly told all of those close to us, I can go out in public and people don’t get to know just yet. I can’t wait until my tummy shows the life growing inside of me - of course I can’t - but in the meantime, this little secret makes me smile. I put my hand to my belly and I know that there is life and this amazes me in so many ways. The miracles God can create - anyone that has ever asked to see a miracle needs only to look at an expecting mother. How is that not a miracle? I know of no one else that can truly create life in this special way.

We’ve been disappointed before - thankfully not miscarriages (and that, right now, is one of my greatest fears) but so many negative pregnancy tests and so many delayed periods wreaking havoc with our minds - but this time, we were surprised with this miraculous gift. We weren’t officially trying, but we knew we’d be happy when it happened, and we really are. It’s cute to see Joshua whooping in the car and kissing my tummy. He’s so thrilled, and being a father will come so naturally to him. I’m not surprised this happened now though, and not before, because before I wasn’t sure. I wasn’t ready, entirely, to give myself up to God’s plan and the life he would want for me. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be a mother, or that I wanted to close some doors that, once closed, could never be reopened.

The thing is…this time…I knew that I wanted the test to be positive. I was bargaining with God in a way that I knew would probably be futile, and telling him that though I wanted his will, I was so hoping that a baby would be his will. Granted, at any moment, this could change…I know this. It terrifies me, but at the same time, I remind myself to simply have faith. God will deliver this child if he wills it.

We’re probably around six weeks along…I’ll be going to a doctor asap to have everything checked out and make sure we’re doing okay. I’m so thrilled that the calm I feel right now is kind of unexpected - I haven’t been calm all day!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you mothers out there…I hope you don’t mind me joining the ranks!