Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of those mothers out there who spend their days cleaning up messes, changing diapers, doing laundry and dishes, and, the fun things like reading, playing, and laughing with their children. Also, thanks to my mom for having done those things for many years and now still makes time to be a great mom (and Baba) in new and different ways.

Here are just a few reasons why I am so thankful for my madge:

• she calls and emails me to check in on me
• she listens to my incessant talk about whatever is going on with me (usually about Ella, of course) or what's bothering me
• she never is demanding, overbearing, or intrusive
• she knows what I need without me asking or saying (she "gets" me)
  
• she is thoughtful, respectful, and can always find a way to get me to laugh when I am upset
• she is funny and has lots of great things to "remind me to tell you about!"
• she gives wonderful nursing and mothering advice when I have questions (which is all of the time) about Ella

I hope that I am, and will be, as good a mother to Ella as my madge is to me.
Happy Mother's Day, Madge--you are the best!

P.S. Here are the gifts that we made for our moms--colorful pots filled with stationary, note cards, and photo books; and homemade garden stepping stones complete with Ella's hand print and photo (and her beautiful gem additions):

Ella adding the gems into the wet cement

finished projects

up close view of Baba's stone