7 random things...

So Susan at Adventures at Seay nominated me for this lovely Kreative Blogger award -

Susan married an old friend of mine, Ryan, and they have the most adorable baby, Cooper.  He would be Lilli's boyfriend if we lived closer, I'm sure of it.  I love reading your updates, Susan!

Ok here are the rules :

Copy the award to your blog.
Insert a link to the person who nominated you.
Tell us seven things about yourself that you haven't told us before.
Nominate seven other bloggers for the award.
Link to their blogs.
Tell the nominees about their award.

I'm always up for something like this, so here are my 7 things-
1. I am afraid of being under water.  I love being in a pool, and enjoy swimming, but have a strange fear of aquariums and high water on roads.  It all started with a horrible snorkeling experience that I won't even explain because it will give me the willies.

2. When I was pregnant I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a "serious disorder affecting 1% of all pregnant women.  It is basically very severe form of morning sickness characterized by extreme, unrelenting nausea, dehydration, and vomiting during pregnancy, and sometimes leading to hospitalization."  I was hospitalized twice and basically couldn't function for the first 26 weeks of pregnancy.  It was absolutely horrible and makes me scared to get pregnant again. 

3. I experienced an ectopic pregnancy/miscarriage before getting pregnant with Lillian.  My doctor told me to wait 3 months before trying again, but I read that women can be very fertile after a m/c.  Apparently that was true, because I got pregnant the following month!  I knew I was pregnant (both times) before my positive test because I had very early, strong symptoms.

4. I cannot stand to open salt containers (the metal spout.)  The sound makes me want to vomit my lunch.  I make Jason do it.

5. I am dreaming to build a house.  I look at house plans in most of my spare time, even though we have no plans to build soon.  I love watching houses being built in my subdivision and hearing about all things related to building.  I made Jason go to the Home and Garden Show with me this spring...hehe.

6. Jason and I knew we would get married within a week or two of dating.  We started looking at engagement rings (secretly) after one month.  It was obvious very early one that we were meant to be together.  On our 2nd date we went to the lake and I saw "Amber Perry" written on the rock quarry and I told him that would be my name someday!  I took a picture of it and still have it.

7. Jason's Granny and my Granny have been close friends for over 50 years, even though we didn't know each other.  His 1st cousin is my 2nd cousin, even though we aren't related.  Don't worry, we checked.  Small world we live in!


Here are my nominations for this award.  Tell me more about you!!
Ribbons and Butterfly Kisses
Cameras, Cupcakes and Cinderella
Five Peas in a Pod
From 5K to Marathon
Heather G. Young
It's Ella's World Now
The Greatest of These is Love...


Have fun sharing!

Mother's Day 2010

It has been a while since I have blogged - life has been busy!

Mother's Day-
This was not my first Mother's Day, but last year I was deep in the newborn days - middle of the night feedings, long days alone at home, and nursing struggles.  I am pretty sure when this picture was taken I hadn't washed my hair for a few days!

This year, I really felt like a Mom for the first time.  Maybe it is because I have had experienced motherhood for over a year now.  Or maybe it is because L just started saying "Mama" with purpose, so I get to hear it now and again.  Either way, the holiday was a special one, indeed.

When I was reading other bloggers tell about their Mother's day, I was trying to think what to write in my own blog.  I finally decided I would make a list...being the list person I am!

My favorite things about being a mother (in no particular order):
1. Going in to get her out of her crib in the morning.  She is so happy to see me, but what she doesn't know is that I am even more happy to see her.  I love her sleepy eyes and bed head!
2. Seeing those little hands reach up for me to pick her up.  Even when I am busy and can't hold her, knowing that she wants me to warms my heart.
3. Taking her out and about and hearing compliments - makes a Mommy proud! 
4. Knowing that she needs ME, and no one else will do. She doesn't do it much, but every once in a while she will cry just for her Mommy.
5. Our days nursing, feeling her skin on my skin and watching her sweet little mouth.  I think of those days often, and remember the good parts.  What a beautiful time for us to bond as Mommy and baby.
6. Her open arms, walking to me to give me a hug, then seeing her flutter away to play with her toys.
7. Saying goodnight - Daddy reads her a book and then I give her kisses. Such a blessed time each day, when I can reflect on how lucky we are to have her in our lives.
8. Thinking about her future, and what it may hold - and sometimes tearing up thinking about giving her away.
9. Praying for her, that she will grow up to be a beautiful Christian woman
10. Tickling her and hearing that precious giggle (and sometimes a snort or two!)

I could go on and on, but these are what came to my head.  Lillian Brooke, you are my everything.  My heart outside of my body.  My honey bunny who loves her Daddy.  My precious princess who is going to rule the world someday.  It won't be a stretch, as you already rule our house!

My mom made our matching dresses for church on Sunday. Lilli didn't want to slow down for a picture!

I can't end this post without telling about my own mother.  She is truly my best friend, aside from Jason.  I pray that Lilli and I have the relationship that her Nana and I share.  I tell her everything.  I seek her advice.  I trust her instincts, even when I don't trust my own.  I love seeing her with Lilli. I am so thankful to have a mom that is selfless, creative (see above!) and so caring.  She constantly puts others before herself, for which I am very thankful.  Example - this weekend, she watched Lilli so Jason and I could plant flowers -

I know that she probably wanted to be at HER house, planting flowers in her own backyard, but instead she stayed at my house to watch my daughter, loving every minute of it.  Because of her, the transition back to work as a teacher has been so much easier on our entire family.  I don't have to worry about Lilli's care, and I can enjoy working outside of our home because I know that Lilli is growing up very close to her Nana.

Lilli LOVES her Nana -

And so do I!

I also wanted to mention my Granny.  Since becoming a mother, I have gained more appreciation for my own mother and grandmother.  My Granny and I have grown closer than ever before.  Many afternoons we have spent chatting on the phone, talking about the mundane things that she loves to hear.  We discuss Lilli, she tells me stories of raising her boys.  She loves me and she especially loves her Lilli.  What a Godly woman she is and a wonderful role model for me.

Jason's mother is in Heaven, but I wanted to mention her, as well. We visited her gravesite on Saturday, taking her some flowers.   I know that yesterday is a bittersweet day for some of you, those that have lost mothers or those that have lost children.  My heart is with you.  We want Lilli to know that she has a "Nandi" in Heaven that is always watching over her!

Jason's Granny Margaret has lost all 4 of her children, so Mother's Day must be especially tough. We visited her on Sunday and Jason took her a corsage to wear to lunch.  She is a remarkable lady - one of strength that I could never match.  God bless her!

To all the mommies out there - regardless if your children are here, in your bellies, or in Heaven, thank you! 

To Jason - I can't wait to celebrate you as a father.  Thank you for making my Mother's Day so special.  I love you!