not so much

"It was like a crumpled piece of paper under a thousand books."

This afternoon was hard. 

Elia cried. 

I cried.

Might have even made some other mamas cry.

Michael was the safe place in the midst of our insecurity.

In the end we learned some things about ourselves and each other,

which is good

and hard.

Geometry of 35 weeks

Sphere...

...or oval?

Both.  Depending on how I sit.  

Don't know about you, but I think there is some definite Easter egg belly painting in order...

Did I forget to tell you?

On November 20th we had an ultrasound.

With babies 1 and 2, we opted for a surprise about the gender (which is fun and I totally recommend)!

With 3, 4 and 5 we decided to find out ahead of time (which is fun and I totally recommend)!  But this go around it felt like a particularly big deal to know whether or not Austin was going to get a brother.

When all the kids were together, they got to open this box.  They would know if the baby was a boy or a girl by the color of the stuff inside.

PINK!!!  We have another baby girl.  I was completely surprised myself.  Three girls and two boys made so much sense that I didn't even spend time thinking about the possibility of FOUR GIRLS!!

We are so totally happy.  Austin will remain my one-and-only Favorite Boy in the World.

And we will have another daughter.  Win-Win.  I mean, common, what's not to love about daughters?!

In 1952 on July 16th

My mom was born.  She had blond hair and sparkling blue eyes.  She still does.

I know this photo is wintery and out of context for the month in which she was born, but it is one of my favorites.  She will tell you she doesn't like it and that it's not "her".  But I don't think that's true.  Ok, vibrant rainbow colors are not her usual wardrobe palette.  She is typically all elegant and soft in blues and browns, creams and corrals.  But this photo is not necessarily reflecting the rich-gentle hues of her inner self.  

I see this as reflecting what she gives out of herself.  Like a rainbow on a cloudy day, she brightens peoples' world.  She pours out vibrant shades of kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity and acceptance.  Somewhere along the lines she got the nick-name "Janta".  Why?  Because she is like Jesus and Santa--she rolls into town joyfully giving gifts where they are needed.

She is pure goodness of heart.  And I am so honored to be her daughter.

Happy Birthday Mom.

I love you!