The other thing I underestimated is the community of moms and moms-to-be. I've loved reading your comments and reader emails and I thoroughly enjoy hearing your experiences, joys and challenges. I'm learning no two pregnancies, adoptions, moms or children are alike, and what works for one family may or may not work for another. Proving that having compassion and understanding for one another as parents is the key to supporting other moms. At the end of the day, we're all doing the best we can to have a happy, healthy, home.
I'm also grateful to have a such wonderful friends. Their honesty, understanding and guidance have meant more to me than they know! A recent, long overdue lunch date with a girl friend, provided much guidance for newborn necessities ~ it hadn't even dawned on me to have multiple crib sheets and a whole slew of burping clothes, like 30!. She's a mom I adore and look up to, and was a huge influence for me seeking fertility treatment. Not to mention her son is hands down the best looking kid I've ever seen ~ C, you know who you are! Another mom I greatly admire is my oldest childhood friend, we first met as newborns! We recently re-connected and while I don't chat with her often I look up to her from afar, mainly facebook and instagram stalking! She currently lives in Maine and took the time to write me a most valuable email chalked full of mommy-to-be advice! N, I promise to email you back soon :) Another invaluable friendship and mom I adore is Brian's cousin, who's candid info (she's an RN) and hilarious stories on motherhood, make me feel like motherhood, while challenging is a complete joy! I've also created some new friendships during this pregnancy, one that has meant a lot has been a neighbor who is also expecting this fall! Our weekly walks and talks have been refreshing for the mind, body & soul and having someone experience pregnancy at the same time as you, truly is invaluable! A, you're going to be the best mom and I look forward to weekly walks with strollers in our future!
And I couldn't write this post without a shoutout to a community that mean so much to me...my blogging friends! Jordan from
The 2 Seasons
recently announced their plans to adopt ~ you can read her post
here
. She has the biggest heart, is super talented and going to be a great mom! My sweet friend Erin from
DIY On The Cheap
is expecting her third child this fall ~ that girl somehow juggles it all while looking good and getting tons done! And Lindsay from
The White Buffalo Styling Co.
is expecting in 2015!!! I can't wait to see what she does in the nursery!
Trust me when I say I'm leaving tons of people out of this list, and of course it goes without saying that I'm so lucky to have such amazing role models in my own mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and other female family members. All have been so encouraging and supportive, and while I've typically been more of a guy's girl ~ I'm learning that female friendship and support is so important during this time!!
JEEZ...you actually read all of that?! Sorry for the soapbox :) I'm feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude lately!
