1. I was 7 1/2 months pregnant with Aidan. My husband didn’t get anything for me. Later, he explained I wasn’t a “real” mother yet. My feelings were really hurt. When a waiter at a Mother’s Day buffet gave a carnation to me, I felt vindicated. Wherever you are, carnation guy, thank you.
2. Unbeknownst to me, I was pregnant with Ryley. Aidan was 10 months old. I wore a pretty floral dress and felt so proud of Aidan. Funny. Mother’s Day seemed to be more about my child and I was fine with that.
3. I remember nothing. I had an infant and a toddler.
4. I remember nothing. I had an infant, a toddler, and I was pregnant with Sam.
*5. I remember nothing. I had a preschooler, a toddler, and an infant. Oh, and I was pregnant with Tommy.
*6. I remember nothing. I had two preschoolers, a toddler, and an infant.
*7. I remember nothing. I had a kindergartner, two preschoolers, a toddler, and I was pregnant with Joel.
*8. I remember nothing. I had a first grader, two preschoolers, a toddler, and an infant.
9. I remember everything. I had a second grader, a kindergartner, a preschooler, two toddlers, and we took them all to Red Robin for lunch where one of the kids, who was answering the questions of a waitress (shocked by our family size), said “There was another baby, but it died.” Had we used hashtags back in the wilds of 2005: #Downer. Then, we drove up to Lookout Mountain to see Buffalo Bill’s grave. We bought two pounds of fudge at the curio shop. Unknown to us, Joel spent the ride home eating one pound of white chocolate fudge and he threw up in the driveway when we got home.
A new era began. We’ll call it the BIB years, also known as Breakfast in Bed.
10. Breakfast in bed. I had a third grader, a first grader, a kindergartner, a preschooler, a toddler, and I was pregnant with Beatrix.
11. Breakfast in bed. Just add a year to each kid and note Beatrix was about 8 months old.
12. Breakfast in bed. Again with the adding the year. I was about 30 seconds pregnant with Archie.
13. Breakfast in bed. Catching up on the math: We had sixth, fourth, third, and first grade kids along with a preschooler, a toddler, and an infant.
14. Breakfast in bed. We had five kids in school, two at home, and Teddy on the way.
15. Breakfast in bed. Hashtag blur. 8th, 6th, 5th, 3rd, 1st, and three little ones.
16. Breakfast in bed. Aidan was in high school! Beatrix was in kindergarten. I was pregnant with Ollie.
17. Breakfast in bed. I was a mom of a complete family. Nine kids! We went to a park in Centennial. I was sitting under the shaded picnic area when a family walked in, claimed the table next to ours, and unfurled a tablecloth. They cracked out some wine glasses. The dad uncorked a bottle of red while the mom set up china plates and silverware. They opened a cooler and took out the most amazing-smelling collection of Asian foods and sushis and spread them around. The family dined like Kings while I sat there awkwardly pretending to not notice.
18. It snowed as I ate my donuts…in bed. I lamented a change I felt brewing.
I have no idea what this 19th Mother’s Day will bring. Hopefully, some BIB. Maybe some wine at a park or a pound of fudge to eat on a twisty mountain road? I’m counting on some sort of school-made surprise involving a handprint. I love that stuff.
Mostly, I look at my bunch year after year after year and marvel how they’ve grown since the previous second Sunday in May. It’s not odd that I remember how old the kids were or who was riding around in my belly because they’re the reason for the season.
They also inspired me to look at my own mom and my mother-in-law in a deeper and more appreciative light. What kinds of Mother’s Days did they have? My mom shared one that stood out in her memory. I wish I had done more for my own mom when I was still a kid. I didn’t understand. I don’t wish my kids did more for me. I just wish they knew how beautiful it is to be in my spot. Here I am, lucky enough to have my children and to have both our mothers. I have a day when I can sling them all together in one beautiful bouquet.
* I seem to remember a chaotic lunch at Olive Garden one of these years, but I can’t pinpoint which.
As always, make me laugh and make me cry. You are blessed, I am blessed. Motherhood is awesome! I pray your 19 Mother’s Day is as amazing as you are.