Happy Mother's Day!!!!

It's a good day around here. After a beautiful day of outside time yesterday, we are spending much this rainy day inside. We started with a breakfast at Angelo's (one of Cara's favorite breakfast joints) and now we are relaxing while Maia naps. It is well needed, as this kid is high energy when she is awake these days... which makes me appreciate Cara even more on this Mother's day.

Maia is a beautiful kid, but she is exhausting. I know this is nothing out of the ordinary, but it is still a lot of work for us. Cara has made the decision to stay home with Maia for as long as we can manage and this has a lot of implications. It means that she manages Maia's energy level every day which must be exhausting. When it comes time for Maia's nap time, she spends her time cleaning the house and keeping things in order. On many nights and weekend days, she is out teaching Lamaze classes or working with Doula clients, making it possible for her to stay home with Maia.

I can't express how much I appreciate everything she does. Maia is a strong, confidant girl and I can only attribute that to the work Cara has put in to raising Maia. From Maia's perspective, things are a bit different, though. Mom is the one who cuddles (snorgles) with her and gives her milk. She is the one who gives her baths (she loves baths and asks for every night) and makes her feel most secure. When Maia is scared, she wants Mama. When she is sad, she wants Mama. When she wakes up in the morning, she wants Mama. Mama takes her downtown to see the world and takes her to parks in the afternoon. Mama takes her to book stores and libraries to play. Mama takes her to Zingerman's for treats. Mama is her everything. Don't get me wrong, I am not absent here, but when it comes to the one who Maia best connects with, it is undeniable that it is Cara.

It turns out that in addition to today being Mother's Day, today is also our 6 year anniversary together. It is interesting to look back at who we were 2 years ago. Having a baby has certainly changed our relationship. In some ways it has been really good, and in others, not so good. But in all, I can confidently say that we are a different, better couple than we were 2 years ago. We don't do a lot of the things we used to do together... but we have new things that we love to do now. I love Cara with everything I have. When I go over the previous list of things that Maia sees in Cara, I can't help but have a very similar list! (minus the milk and bathing, of course)

I could go on about my sappy feelings for Cara, but I will hold them back... I don't want to sicken everyone... but you get the drift. I love and appreciate Cara with everything I have.

Finally, I want to give a shout out to all the other mothers in my life.
Happy Mother's Day to my Mom (Debi) and my two Grandmothers.
Happy Mother's Day to Dawn and Cara's Grandmother.
Happy Mother's Day to my sister Laurie. It is her first Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day to our friends (Lesley, Jen FA, Jen C, Kitty, Kelly, Terry, Dana)
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms Cara has taught or been a Doula for