Happy Mother's Day....

to Mema and Grandma, two of my favorite mothers who I am thinking of today...

Thinking of my friends on this Mother's Day Eve...

By Mama

Last Mother's Day, I wrote a post about many of the waiting Mamas. My "wait" was and still is fresh in my mind....I wondered if I would ever be able to celebrate this day as a Mother. The great news is that since then, a few Mamas are NO LONGER WAITING....they will celebrate their first Mother's Day with their child(ren). My heart is so full in thinking about them and how wonderful the day will be. I remember like yesterday my first Mother's Day with Gabrielle....it was priceless.

http://grs919.blogspot.com/2009/05/thinking-of-my-friends.html

This year, Julie has finally been able to feel the joy of motherhood with her sweet M&m home now for almost 9 months. It feels longer to me as I get to witness and read about (through her blog) the day to day of a beautiful family that was meant to be together.

And Jenny brought home her Mia from China after a wait that seemed to never end. Another childhood friend, Linda, also brought home Dani from China (until connecting on FB, I didn't know of her plans).

And Rana....is almost at the end of her wait for Baby Ade. Unfortunately, she didn't pass her first court date, but Rana and Yvan WILL be parents on the next court date coming up and hopefully, Ade will be in their arms very soon.

Unfortunately, both Grisel and Christine are still waiting....I am sending love out to both of you and hope that you both have your new babes in arms by next Mother's Day.

There are a few other Mamas and Mamas to be I want to mention today as they are in my thoughts....

Maria, sweet Maria, Mama to Foster. her furbaby. I have known Maria for about 4 years (or is it longer?) Maria lost her Mom when she was very young to breast cancer. She has been on a very long journey to become a mother and this year has been very difficult in that regard. In addition, her sweet Foster who has been with her through all of her pain on her journey to motherhood is in poor health. Maria is nursing him now and hoping his health will turn back in the other direction. She is an incredibly strong person and I hope this is not the end for Foster.

Suzi...I have also known Suzi for 4 or 5 years.....Gabrielle and I visisted for Fiesta in San Antonio a few years ago and had a fantastic time. We hope to see Suzi and Robert soon when they come to Venice. Suzi's journey to motherhood has been far too long and painful, including the loss of her sweet baby Grace.

Elena....Elena is not a waiting mama (anymore). She endured a very long wait and the pain of losing her 3 boys, Carlos, Rafael and Loran, is with her every day. In addition to her boys, she is Mama to Xavi and Ivy and has a wonderful husband, Mark. I am thinking of Elena today because of the difficult news she received 8 months ago regarding her health. In spite of this news, she has continued to amaze me with her lust for life.....nothing has stopped her from continuing to live and live well. BUT, the greatest news came this week.....her current treatment is working.....I hope that by next Mother's Day, Elena will be cancer-free.

Heather, mama to Mimi.....I met Heather through Julie. Heather is now waiting for a sister for Mimi. I know Mimi will be an incredible sister and I look forward to meeting her when she comes home.....hopefully soon!

Morning at the beach...

Today, Mama and Daddy took me to the beach for the first beach visit with my bathing suit this season. After playing on the playground for a little, I asked Daddy if he would get me a vanilla popsicle (also known as ice cream). Yum! After two bites, I walked over to the snacks Mama brought and had a carrot....then I continued to eat my ice cream with carrots in between.....probably 4 or 5 baby carrots .... (Mama says "who does this?" Gigi has never had that big of a sweet tooth, but carrots and ice cream?)

After playing and eating, time to go home....I was tired. It was a short beach visit, but so much fun! Maybe we will go back tomorrow.

My new school

This week was my first week at my new school! I am going 3 days from 9 - 12:30. Mama took me the first two days. She stayed with me in the yard for a little bit and then we went inside for storytime...

...here is "piggy" the Guinea Pig. I love him...

...anyway, when we went in for storytime, Mama had to give the teacher her phone number. Before I knew it, she was gone (I didn't notice). Mama felt bad that she didn't give me a kiss goodbye, but I was so attentive to the story that she was worried a kiss goodbye would be too upsetting. The teacher told Mama that I did great other than a short cry at around 11:30.

This is why my school is called "The Treehouse School"....it is so much fun to play in the treehouse.

This is me on my second day. I love bringing my lunchbox. I feel so grown up!

On my second day, I didn't do as well. Mama said goodbye to me with a hug and kiss and I cried....I cried on and off for awhile, but when Mama asked if I had fun when she came home from work, I said "YES!"

Today was my third day....I told Mama that I wanted her to go to work and I wanted Daddy to take me to school...Mama had to drive me and Daddy met us there (Mama told me that her car is safer for me). I wasn't happy when Daddy put me in Mama's car because I wanted to go with Daddy. When we arrived and mama went to open her door, I told her "No, I will wait for Daddy. You go to work."

Well, Daddy and I walked into the school (Mama was behind because she had to drop a few things off). I showed Daddy around and we went to play a little.

Has anyone caught on to why I wanted Daddy to go with me? Mama figured it out right away... so, Mama took me to the bathroom and we were talking. I told her that Daddy was going to stay with me and she could go to work. Mama explained that both Mama and Daddy were going to work and then very soon, Grace would pick me up. I didn't like that idea....so I told her I wanted Daddy to go to work. I gave Daddy a big hug and off he went. Mama and I went into the yard and about 10 minutes later, she asked for a hug so she could go to work. I started crying and said over and over through my tears "I changed my mind....I changed my mind". I wouldn't give Mama a hug because I didn't want her to leave.

In the end, I had a great, fun day once I got over Mama's departure. We had a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. I made a headband to wear and Grace came early for the party. There was a pinata and yummy food and I spent time with my new friends.

Biking with Elmo and with Daddy

This past weekend, I tried out my "new" Elmo bike....well, it really isn't new. I got it for Hanukkah from Grandma and Grandpa, but I wasn't tall enough to use it until now. It is a balance bike....doesn't have petals, so I scoot along with my legs and learn to balance. It should help me learn to ride a big girl bike faster than if I were to start with training wheels.

Daddy and I also took his bike to the duck park for an outing. I am getting so tall that soon we will need a new bike seat for me!

And, a bath picture since it's been awhile.

Tati's Daddy's Birthday Party

Last night, we were invited to Tati's Daddy's birthday party. I went and played with Tati and another of her friends. Of course, I changed into dress up (Belle dress). Tati's Mama told Mommy that last weekend, she did a detour when they were out on a bike ride and bought the Belle dress and many other great items at a yard sale in Santa Monica. Oh no, now we have competition! (She told Mama it was all Mama's fault for talking up the yard sale deals :)).

We took the birthday candles out of the banana creme pie.

Tati and I were playing her piano toward the end of the evening.

Only 8 weeks to go!...and another baby bargain

Baby brother and baby sister are getting bigger which means Mama's belly is growing. I can't wait to hug them but I still want them to be tiny....in 8 weeks or less, I will finally meet them.

I hug and kiss them all the time....

and practice with my babies....having a picnic....feeding them, cuddling them.

and bouncing them in our new bouncer....This bouncer (doesn't it look brand new?) was only $20 (new $120). Mama bought it on Craig's List!

Pictures from School (Blueberry)

On Friday, I went to Blueberry. I am going to continue going there every Friday until mid-June. On Monday, I start 3 days per week at The Treehouse...my new school. I can't wait!

Here, I am painting Mommy a Mother's Day present.

A picture of Me and Mama From Saturday....

Zoe's 4th Birthday Party!

On Saturday, we went to Zoe's princess party...

There was watermelon eating (my boyfriend, James)

and Ariel came to play with us!

we played with the parachute

and played a dancing game that started with a bunch of hula hoops. When the music stopped, we had to get in the hula hoop until at the end, there was only one hoop left!

Here's Isabella and her mommy, Sharon

And, of course, the pirate pinata!

poor pirate!

Happy Birthday, Zoe!!

I had SO much fun!