MollyMadonna.com

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encouragement. (29)

Before the clock even struck noon today, two people took time out to very intentionally encourage me as this big globe I’m carrying gets bigger and bigger. I’d only just met the one, and the other was a complete stranger, but both were an unexpected gift this morning. As you know, I’ve discovered that the belly is a direct target–either for people’s irrational and insensitive comments, or for the kind of encouragement that more than covers over the rest of the world’s silliness. I’m so grateful for the latter.

It’s striking when someone you’ve never met goes out of their way to stop you and say something kind. I’m not sure why we don’t feel that this is totally commonplace, and I wonder if there was ever a time when this was the norm and not the exception. Regardless, I am so thankful to the woman today who made a point to encourage me as she wandered through a store with her husband and children. She absolutely didn’t need to say anything, but unknowingly, she unwound some of the comments I’d gotten from others about my appearance earlier this week. I didn’t even know I needed the emotional push, but it was beautiful of her to offer kind words.

In the other instance, I had the chance to sit down for twenty minutes or so with someone I’d just met. She felt prompted to share some wisdom from her experience as a mama to four, particularly regarding what she learned when she went from having one child to two. This advice wasn’t the typical, “Ohhhh, you just wait. His (Henry’s) world is about to change!” kind of conversation. Instead, she shared about her heart when she was nearing the end of pregnancy number two, some of her fears then about having enough love and attention for both her eldest and her newborn, and what God did in her life at the time to show her something beautiful about parenting and the reality of being a mother. Her story was a very timely gift to me today–and certainly one that seemed God-ordained for such a season as this. I’m always so blessed when someone else chooses to honor God’s prompting on my behalf. This woman is an absolutely beautiful soul, who very clearly loves and values her children (and her mama role) a great deal. I love receiving wisdom from people I hope to emulate. God is quite generous to use others in our lives in this way.

Tonight as I recap the day in my mind, considering what stood out and what was ordinary, these two interactions with almost-strangers are the things I want to remember the most. That, and the fact that there is now a crib assembled in the baby’s room, which feels a little triumphant as well. 😉 We’re heading into a whirlwind of a weekend, planning to celebrate lots of people we love for a variety of great reasons. The emotional boost today comes at a good time, when I most especially want to be able to pour out to others just as much as they pour into me.

thankful for the chance to reflect and see the good,

mm

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whoa, baby. (30)

How did we get here, little Button? The countdown is at 30 days, which means you’re almost in the world and I’m in awe of how much life is going to change very soon. I really cannot wait to meet you. The thought of it gets more exciting every day. So many of my reflections on the day of your arrival have changed over the past few weeks–from spots of anxiety and worry about our care provider and possible hospital scenarios, to a little bit of hesitation at feeling unprepared to welcome you, to now. Not a whole lot has changed besides our doctor (which feels like a very, very good thing that’s buying me peace), but somehow my heart is entering a space that feels much more ready and healthy and whole about that day and what it will look like. I know this probably doesn’t mean a whole lot to anyone else at the moment, but for me, it means that I know God is preparing your mama for the big, beautiful day that you’ll be born. And I think it probably means that people around us are covering our little family in prayer right now over this very thing, which is humbling and wonderful and perfect.

Something I’ve learned over the past few weeks little one (while life has been trying and harder than I’d like to admit), is that it’s necessary and ok to lean into the body of believers around us for strength. I’ve asked a lot of people to be praying for us, and God is honoring and answering those prayers. See, the thing is kiddo, we’re not supposed to do this alone–not any one of us. And when we can’t always see the road ahead for ourselves, sometimes we need to enlist the vision and strength of others for the journey. People say it takes a village to raise a child. I think it just might take a “village” to usher one peacefully into the world as well.

You are already so blessed and dearly loved, sweet babe. Not only do your mama and daddy and big brother think the world of you, but we are surrounded by family and friends who are going to love you to their fullest capability. Isn’t that amazing?! You aren’t quite here yet, but you’re beginning to feel so tangible and close and essential to the fabric of our lives. We love you more than you will ever possibly know.

Tonight you’re a bundle of energy and life inside my belly…dancing to music that your daddy’s playing, reminding me that you’re so very present here and getting stronger every day. I have so many curiosities about who you are, and I’m so excited to find out! These last days will be some of the very sweetest as we move ever closer to your beautiful arrival!

can’t wait, can’t wait,

mama

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a little love for the button. (31)

This morning, almost our whole play group and all of our kiddos gathered at a nearby park to have lunch together and to celebrate the Button. In a way it almost feels strange that baby’s arrival is close enough to shower, but with only 4.5ish weeks to go, it was perfect timing. I love these mamas and their little ones, and it has been sweet to share in the joy of each of our new arrivals as they’ve all been born. We started out with six moms and kiddos in play group, added another mom and her son, and then let time runs its course. Since we began gathering well over a year ago, four of the seven of us have had a second baby. The Button will be munchkin number 12 in the group, and no doubt #13 and #14 will follow close behind. We’ve started to joke that we’ll have to meet in public places only, or that the group will eventually need to divide into two smaller bunches to manage our growing crowd.

It was a good deal of fun to watch our two year olds interact today as they ran around together, up steps and down slides, round and round in the wood chips and grass. They’ve all changed so much–even though it seems like mere minutes since they were all under one, they’re now talking and having little conversations, interspersed between sharing and paling around like old friends.

Between manning the littles and trying to catch up with each other on the latest since our last group gathering, it was a busy morning. And it was a beautiful one. The weather was more spring-like than summery, we had a delightful lunch to celebrate baby (PB&Js shaped like onesies, fruit salad, blueberry zucchini muffins, cheese, crackers, and pink and blue rice crispy treats), and Henry and I had fun opening up some lovely gifts for his soon-to-arrive brother or sister. It’s such a humbling thing to be celebrated, and the whole morning was a sweet reminder of community–and of the friendships God has blessed me with on this journey of motherhood.

Even though we still have plenty we’d love to do before baby gets here, I’m feeling super grateful that there are few things we know for sure no matter when baby comes. He or she is already so loved and wanted here. We are surrounded by amazing friends and family who will help us to usher in this new life, and there’s no way our world won’t be better and changed by such a sweet little addition. I can’t wait to wash baby’s new blankets and items from today that will make his or her arrival feel even more tangible and close!

thankful for all that God provides!

mm

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thoughts on a tuesday. (32)

Sometimes on this countdown, I think it’d just be fun to have a random reminder of the events of the day. Nothing that sticks out more than the ordinary, but still, exactly where I was and what what happening when I was X number of days pregnant. Since I’m a bit tired and running out of steam tonight, this feels like the perfect day to record all of the run of the mill “stuff” that doesn’t quite add up to an entire blog post on its own:

-Today was a long one, and I am definitely feeling as pregnant as I look (which, based on the comments of total strangers this week, is VERY pregnant). Don’t worry, man I’ve never met. I’m not going to go into labor right here at work in the middle of the floor four weeks before my due date. At least I’m not planning to. But it sure would make for a good story, right? And let’s be honest. It’s all about the story. Emergency medical personnel unnecessary. Even if my water did break in the middle of work, I’d hope to get home in time to deliver in a slightly more plausible environment. 😉

-The gender of this babe (as you already well know) is a surprise. For all of us. But I still got to share in the joy of the guessing game today with at least two men I’d never previously seen. One said boy, hands down. The other said girl, without a doubt. Good news fellas! One of you is right!

-Henry did an admirable job of rolling with the punches today as plans changed, and as I needed his help in hurrying to get to things on time. As promised, when he came home with a great report from the friend who watched him, there was a Matchbox vehicle waiting for him. J had picked up a very cool airplane from the store yesterday, and when he gave it to H, Henry actually declined it because it wasn’t a car! We figure it’s only a few weeks until the movie “Planes” comes out…perhaps H’s first movie in the theaters is in order…

-Tonight we only had to walk 1.5 blocks to find all of the action in town. H counted four fire trucks and two ambulances, followed by two cement mixers and a host of other construction vehicles. All of this after two police cars! We have to have struck some kind of vehicle jackpot or something. The kid was in his glory, checking everything out with his dad. I, on the other hand, enjoyed a lovely bench seat in the breeze and shade, while the blue sky floated overhead and the beach grass danced right in front of me. I can’t remember such a perfect weather day over the past few weeks. It was quiet and contemplative and glorious, despite the braxton hicks contractions that came and went until we got home. Getting ready for baby! Who can complain?

-We went downtown as a family for $2 hamburgers and house cut fries for dinner, then wandered the local baby/kids boutique for a bit to check out the latest additions to the store. I’d be lying to say I wasn’t itching to buy item after item. I’m so ready to have things prepped and ready to go for baby. I just can’t help it! At the end of it all, I only spent $6.35, and it was on a little game for Henry. He’ll get to enjoy it once baby arrives, as it’ll make its way into his “Big Brother Activity Bag.” More on this in a later post, perhaps.

-The boys made their way out to the beach afterwards to watch the waves, and I met up with a dear friend over dessert and tea. The three hours we spent catching up were lovely, but not enough after a five month hiatus from more frequent visits. Life just keeps getting busier! Thank goodness for the blessed times we do find to share in fellowship and motherhood–and all that goes with it!

-I am one sleepy mama, looking forward to my pillow and the promising contents of the day tomorrow. It might have been a long one, but today had a lot of good in it, and I’m so thankful for moments of laughter and relief…and for God putting such beautiful people in my life!

cheers to day 32 (or 68, or something). here’s to counting!

mm

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on royalty and naming names. (33)

I’m getting a kick out of all the news coverage as the third in line to the British throne was born to the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge earlier today. The official announcement is a delight in and of itself:

“Her Royal Highness the Dutchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4:24pm today. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.”

All of the excitement delights me, as any baby should be so celebrated to have joined the world and given the greatest gift to a pair of expectant parents. Don’t we all wish to roll out the banners and blare trumpets when our little ones are born?! Naturally, the Prince’s birth brings about a bit more pomp and circumstance, but the display and level of celebration is no doubt what many new moms and dads are feeling on the day of their own baby’s arrival.

I would be lying to say I hadn’t checked CNN News each morning over these past two weeks, hoping to stay in the know if a royal baby had in fact been born overnight. Why not be interested is such upbeat news? Of equal interest to me is Kate’s publicly expressed commitment to a calm and naturally-minded delivery. I hope for her sake that it was everything she anticipated and more…no pressure on the style icon who has been watched so calculatingly from day one of the announcement of her pregnancy! I don’t envy her position in many ways (although I do envy her wardrobe), but she has arguably handled her very public pregnancy with grace and strength, holding steadfastly to her paradigm of birth and willingly sharing her position on the ideal birth scenario. I won’t pretend to be one who clings very closely to any celebrity or name. I will admit, though, that Kate is someone I’d love to have around my “if you could have dinner with any five famous people…” table. I just think she has very tough shoes to fill and is doing an admirable job.

So the pressure of girl or boy is off now–Prince ______ of Cambridge is officially on the books. Next of course, the hype will continue to rise until the world hears first mention of his honorable name. And naturally, we’re all curious. (Especially, perhaps, those of us who are pregnant at the moment with a boy or a surprise.) In our case, surprise baby number two has a few names on the list (if in fact we have another boy), but none are set in stone. Our girl name has long been decided, but the boy? Well, it’s entirely conceivable that some of the names we’ve tossed around could be the same that the world’s newest prince will boast very shortly. Knowing that said name will very rapidly become a contender for the top baby name of 2013, would we shift our list around a bit between now and August? Who knows. I guess maybe the royal prince will unknowingly help us to narrow down the list a bit further, as I’ve never loved the idea of our little one being one of six with the same name in every classroom.

Oh, babies! They just bring so much excitement and joy into the world, no matter their royal or more common position. I can say this much is true…our little Button, boy or girl, will be royalty to us when he or she arrives–perhaps just with a little less weight of the world on such tiny shoulders from day one. And maybe the UK’s petite prince will start paving the way right out of the gate…if Kate has anything to do with it, he’ll undoubtedly make waves in the baby fashion world by next Tuesday–something a mom with boys would never hate. The arena of baby boy’s clothing (at a reasonable price!) could certainly stand the boost as William and Kate’s little one makes his way onto website and front pages 😉 Most certainly, he’ll be the best dressed tot in all the land.

royally invested in all things birth and baby…today and every day.

mm