Mother's Day

Well Mother's Day came and went and I hope for everyone it was as wonderful as it was for me. I meant to post about Mother's Day during.. well Mother's Day but on Friday of last week I started having early labor symptoms that escalated through the weekend and by Sunday I thought for sure River would be a Mother's Day baby. Alas she did not arrive and still has not. I am 38 weeks today, sitting back with my most likely 8 lb baby girl, enjoying the 13 days left of my pregnancy.
So this year for Mother's Day I got a wonderful and heartfelt card from my wonderful Hubby,







and flowers from Bug.









I also got my family ring which was something I have wanted since Bug was born  but wanted to wait until I was sure our family was done before I got a set family ring. It has Hubby's, Mine, Bug's, Asya's and River's birthstones on it.







I spent the day outside planting the flowers Bug bought me, as well as a few I picked up and working in the garden setting things up for summer.

One of the best surprises though was the dandelions that sprouted up the morning of Mother's Day for the first time of the year. Not only are they my favorite flower they also represent River. They were a welcome sight. So as much as bringing home my baby girl that day would have completed my Mother's Day, it is still miles away from where I was last year, and I am so happy to be 38 weeks closer to bringing home my rainbow baby!

International Midwife Day

Today is International Midwife Day. I can honestly say that I would not have my beautiful children if it were not for midwives. My first midwife was there through my entire pregnancy with Bug. She helped me every step of the way with every question, every worry. She was never cold, never unfeeling. The day they decided to do a c section she told me she would still be there with us every step of the way. She held my hand in the OR until Rob got there. She was the one who took the first pictures of us as a family. It was just amazing how sweet and caring she was.
With River I was offered a midwife. I was so happy because I couldn't have one with Asya. The midwife I got has been amazing. She has helped us and walked us through what has been a very hard, very scary, high risk pregnancy. She has been our rock and made sure our every concern was addressed. I don't think we could have gotten through this without her and the wonderful staff she works with.
With Asya I didn't have a midwife. I was told no midwife in my town would see me, and so I chose a female OB. If you remember the posts after we lost Asya, she was cold unfeeling, and let me miscarry for 17 weeks, and blacklisted me from getting any other help in my town so I had to seek help 3 towns away and go to a different hospital, where I received immediate help and surgery. Now I am not saying all OBs are bad or that all midwives are great but in my experience OBGYNs often do not have time to go the extra mile for their patients. So if you have been lucky enough to have a midwife make sure you thank her (or him) and that they know how much they are appreciated!

International Bereaved Mother's Day

Yesterday was International Bereaved Mother's Day. A day to remember not just mothers who have all their children with them here on earth but also those mothers who hold some of their or all of their children in their hearts only, having lost them. A mother is not made when a baby is born, a mother is made when a baby is first wanted, conceived even just in thought and mind. I have carried 5 children, though two of them I lost very very early. The other three, one walks the earth as a wonderful 4 year old, one is in heaven, and one is still inside my womb almost ready to be born. I can not hold all my children in my arms but I can hold them all in my heart. I get to join in all the joy and love of Mother's Day with my two live children, but I also like the quiet, somber, remembrance of  Bereaved Mother's Day, and acknowledge the importance of remembering ALL mothers.

It's May? IT'S MAY!

Well the sliver of sun coming out from behind the rain clouds, and the 7 lb baby kicking my ribs both tell me that it is finally MAY. As of today in 27 days (or sooner) our rainbow princess will be here. So what has the Green Mommy been up to?  Not a whole lot. Mostly just getting ready for our new arrival. Starting this Tuesday we start our one week Midwife/OB appts. We have three of those and then a last ultrasound and then of course ... the c section. We did get the nursery finished though, and did some tie-dyeing to upcycle some stained white stuff and of course celebrate our rainbow baby with lots of color. We also had a blast doing some really amateur maternity photos. Bug actually took them. He isn't a half bad little photographer.  So I guess without further ado.. here are some pictures to share.
Here are the four tie dye projects we did. It's a sling style baby carrier, Bug's t shirt, one of my sundresses, and one of my skirts. I think they turned out great!

And here is a pic of Bug in his "new" t shirt and me in my "new" sundress.

Here is a picture of River's Nursery all finished and ready for her. I hand painted and designed the letters. Everything is hand made or recycled. When she is born the bassinet will be secured close to the bed, but for right now I am too pregnant to be able to get out of bed that way.







Last but not least here a few of my favorite pictures from our "maternity photo shoot".