What Mother’s Day Means to Me April 20, 2018
Thank you to 1-800-Flowers.com for sponsoring today’s post!
I became a mother for the first time in January of 2012. Even though we had been trying for a couple of months, I was still terrified. I told my husband by sticking a onesie on a bear with a pink and blue balloon attached, and said our dog had gotten into the guest room (where I placed the bear) and destroyed everything. Needless to say, it was quite the surprise. Unfortunately, we never got to meet that baby because we lost him or her (we never knew) just a few weeks later.
Our first miscarriage was the most painful thing I had experienced up until that point in my life. I often have flashbacks to the day we found out there was no heartbeat, and the bloody evens following. I can remember sitting on the toilet, bleeding, with a heating pad on my back while crying hysterically with my mom nearby in my kitchen and my husband just trying to keep at busy as possible to not show his emotions about our loss. Little did we know it wouldn’t be our only struggle on our journey to parenthood.
The following nine or so months were some of the darkest days we had both ever experienced. We were told to wait 2 cycles before trying again, but 2 cycles came and went..and then another cycle, and another cycle, and another cycle…and so on. All of our friends around us were getting pregnant while every night I cried into my husband’s arms asking God why it wasn’t our turn. It was a long and very painful nine months, and I think it’s safe to say neither of us were ourselves during that time.
Finally, we became pregnant again and in June of 2013, just 3 days before my 28th birthday, we were blessed with our first handsome little boy, Landon. Fast forwarding to 18 months later, we experienced our second miscarriage…something I never expected to happen because we already had our 1 in 4 (the miscarriage statistics). Thankfully, 5 months later we became pregnant again and in November of 2015 we were blessed with our spunky little girl, Noelle. Less than two and a half years after that, just this past February, we were blessed again with another beautiful little boy, and the final member of our pack, Austin.
Our journey to parenthood was not an easy one by any means. During our losses, I connected with many women who experienced the same or were struggling with infertility. While our situation is not nearly as difficult as what some couples experience, it was still challenging in its own unique way. If you ask me how many children I have, I think to myself, “Five,” but will respond to you with “Three.” Those 2 lost babies will never be forgotten by myself or my husband, and I believe they have shaped us into the parents we are today.
Motherhood, to me, is a gift. An honor. Something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Yes, there are days that my kids drive me crazy (that’s a given, right?), but that doesn’t change how so incredibly grateful I am to be able to have this role. There was a time in my life where I didn’t know if I would ever see this side of things, and I surely will never forget the days and nights I spent praying on my hands and knees for a baby to hold in my arms. That’s why Mother’s Day is so meaningful to me. It reminds me of the journey I went through to become a mother to these three beautiful children I can now hold, and the two waiting for me in Heaven.
I never expect gifts on Mother’s Day because I’ve always looked at my kids as gifts alone (I know that sounds so sappy, but it’s true!). I would rather a clean house and to not have to cook over a glamorous gift any day! But one gift I DO always love to receive is a beautiful bouquet of flowers, like these from 1-800-Flowers.com. My husband knows how much I love fresh flowers in our home (they make me happy, especially during the cooler months when it feels like spring is never coming!), so he always gifts me with multiple bouquets for Mother’s Day.
1-800-Flowers.com has been an industry leader for Mother’s Day gifts for over 40 years, and has recently unveiled it’s 2018 collection that includes beautiful arrangements for the number one floral holiday of the year. I love that they include unique arrangements like this beautiful Grand Succulent Garden that features a variety of succulents in silver, hammered finish bowl or the Spring Passion Tulips in a galvanized vase. Not only are these arrangements stunning, but I love that the vessels they come in can be repurposed afterwards as well! The 2018 Mother’s Day Collection has a variety of different price points, and is readily available online and through its network of talented florists. We love the ability to use 1-800-Flowers.com to send bouquets to our family across the country, showing our appreciation for them on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day will always have a special meaning for me because of the struggles we experienced on our journey to parenthood. Being a mother is the hardest, yet most rewarding job I’ve ever had! Our life may be crazy and chaotic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! 🙂
1-800-Flowers.com wants to gift YOU with one arrangement for Mother’s Day (to gift or receive!). Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below!
I would definitely gift my beautiful mother with some gorgeous flowers. She deserves it!!
This post definitely made me tear up! I have suffered from two miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy and infertility before being blessed with my daughter via IVF. Mother’s Day was a challenging day through the years of trying for our baby and I will never take it for granted.
I’d give flowers to my Nana. I try to see her as often as possible, however my mom told me yesterday that she told her that “tiffany doesn’t visit as much as she used to” that broke my heart! She just celebrated her 85th birthday and I can’t imagine my life without her!
Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. You helped me through my first mom year and I know you will in the many more to come.
Thank you for sharing your story.
I’d love to receive flowers for Mother’s Day. I usually tell my husband not to worry about it because flowers are expensive.
This is such a good post! Thank you for sharing your journey to motherhood!
I became a mother for the first time last month to a precious baby boy! I’ve anticipated being a mom my entire life and I can’t believe I’ve finally entered motherhood.
I would gift the giveaway to my mother as she nurtured me into the person I am today. I hope to be half the woman that she is.
I would gift it to myself because this will be my FIRST Mother’s Day!! We had our precious baby boy, Cayden, on February 3rd! ???????????? He is amazing and I can’t imagine my life without him!!
i would love to win for my mom for mother’s day which happens to be the same weekend as her birthday
This is so touching. Like you said, being a mother should never be taken for granted. I just had my first baby and at times I’ve cried and even been upset because of how stressful it all is, but you have reminded me that it is the greatest gift GOD could bless one with. Thank you!!
Thank you for sharing your story!
I would gift the flowers to my momma. She is so caring and puts her kids first even in our adult years. She loves fresh herbs and flowers growing in her house and I know they would make her smile.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Lauren. My husband and I have been trying for almost 2 years now and 4 days ago we were very hopeful because I late. We were praying that because I am never late that God has answered our prayers and blessed us with a child. But 3 days in when we decided that we will take a test the next morning, my period came. We are dealing with the disappointment but know that God is good and his plan is always good. But I really want to Thank you for sharing your story because it is very encouraging knowing that one day I may get a chance to become a mother and that it will all be worth it at the end.
This beautiful post brought this pregnant mumma to tears! So incredibly written & I’m just happy your dreams cane true! ????
Love this! I’d gift flowers to myself cause my hubby thinks n thru are a waste of money
I would gift to my beautiful mother, I haven’t seen her in 3 years and miss her so much! I know these would brighten her day ????
I would gift these flowers to myself, then let my kids get together and go place them on their father’s grave, I know it may sound corny with these being Mothers Day flowers but I would let my kids give them to him as without him, they would not be here, they lost their father 9 years ago very unexpectedly to a massive heart attack and have not really ever been the same since
I would give these to my mom because she deserves them! My mom is not only my mom, but also my best friend. I am planning and paying for a wedding right now, so I dont have a ton of extra money to spend on gifts right now. I think these flowers would be an extra, beautiful gift that my mom would love and appreciate!
We have also suffered from multiple miscarriages, three recurrent ones and our first was twins. We now have a 12 year old “miracle.” I feel the same way about Mother’s Day, no flowers or gifts, but a clean house would be nice.
Thank you for this post. I haven’t walked the road of infertility or pregnancy loss. But Mother’s Day has always been hard for me. My mom lost her mom, before I was born — and so Mother’s Day left her depressed, and she isolated herself on the day. That was hard for me as a kid, trying to make her happy. That life long experience on Mother’s Day has really impacted my ability to accept the day as a mom now myself and see the day in a positive light. Reading your words on how grateful you are to be a mom, somehow snapped a piece into place for me. I’m now planning to spend some time reflecting on my own graditude for my children each day before mothers day comes along and give myself permission to enjoy the day for what I have here and now. Because it really is a very special thing. Thank you for the deep insight and the way it gave me permission to celebrate.
I love this – I’ve enjoyed following your blog/Instagram for many reasons but especially bc i had my baby boy 4 days before you had Austin. I also struggled with a miscarriage and almost a year of anguish and trying before we got pregnant with our precious boy….on last mother’s day! This year will mark a very special triumph, and i am glad you are speaking out about something that affects a lot of women but is rarely talked about. I think if it was less taboo to discuss, women (and men!) would have an easier time with the recovery.
My mom passed away in January and my elderly father has needed lots of care. My young cousin has been taking incredible care of him, his bills, and his meals. So I’d send an arrangement to her.
This is such a sad, happy and beautiful post. My husband and I have been struggling with infertility while we watch all those around us have their second and third babies. We’re just finishing our first round of IVF this weekend. I can so relate to your feelings of why us and when will it be our turn. I’m so sorry for your losses. You have such a beautiful family and this was such a great reminder of how thankful I’ll be one day when I will have Mother’s Day of my own to celebrate! Brought a tear to my eyes for sure!
Love this post! I have 3 babies waiting for me in Heaven and 2 sons that I am so thankful to be the mother of here on earth. Losing 3 babies were some of the darkest times in my life, but grateful for the hope of seeing them again! It does not matter if you are a mother through birth or heart(adoption, etc), it truly is the greatest job.
I love that little succulent garden! It’s PERFECT!
I would gift this to my Mom – she’s my lighthouse and greatest supporter!
xoxo
I would love to give flowers to myself to know that one day I will be able to be a mom too
I love that succulent arrangement. I may have to gift that to myself.
Thank you
Beautifully said Lauren! I had a miscarriage last year at 6 weeks into my firsr pregnancy and I was bleeding on Mother’s Day. I remember feeling so upset and frustrated and that it was unfair that this life was taken from me at such an ironic time. But now mother’s day for me too will always have an extra special meaning. God blessed us with a second pregnancy just one month later and we now have a beautiful boy that will be 3 months old this mother’s day. I feel so incredibly blessed to be his mom, like you, even on the hard days! Happy Mother’s Day!
You are such a beautiful human being, Lauren! Thank you for being you and for sharing your story!
I am pregnant for the 2nd time and last year I lost my first pregnancy the week of mother’s day. I spent the day with my husband alone in our home because I could not bare to celebrate other mothers when I was not going to be one. Thank you for being so open about tour journey, it has really helped me!
I would gift a bouquet to Myself because it has been fhe best but also the hardest last 6 years of My life getting Our 4 Babies into this world and We just had Our last one and Our first little Girl 2 months ago. Three C-Sections, Postpartum PTSD and Anxiety that has rippped Me apart emotionally and I am still fighting it!
I would gift this to myself in memory of my mother who is no longer here.
Such a beautiful blog!! This mother’s day I would gift flowers to my Mom who recently fell and broke her humerus bone and also to my friends who are trying to become Moms and the journey has been extra tough for them.
I would give it to my mom! She is the best and always there for me no matter what!
Lauren,
Thank you for writing this post. My husband and I are struggling so bad. We got pregnant the night og our wedding (October 2017) & I had a miscarriage January 7th on my husbands birthday. It was traumatic to me. We have been trying ever since and it gets harder as every cycle shows up….. my best friend is currently pregnant, as well as a handful of my coworkers. So I know exactly how you must have felt. You give me hope. We have been praying everyday. I pray we will be blessed abundantly with children. I am so happy to see your dreams came true. Your family is so beautiful! Gappy Mother’s Day to you ????
Xo The Crafts
I would send flowers to my mom. She is an amazing beautiful woman and the best mom. I’m so blessed to have her with me in he same town to shop and do fun things. I will be a first time mom in September and am so glad she will be around to help out!
I absolutely adore your blog posts! They’re so inspirational! I love what you do, and the things you post is exactly the kind of things I’m interested in. ❤️
I’d gift these to my mother, who helped me get through my years of waiting for our little one. We welcomed our daughter in October and she is wonderful!
Your kids are adorable, Lauren 🙂 Always smile 🙂
I would love to give this bouquet of flowers to my mother for Mother’s Day. She lost her own mother last month and is preparing to be a grandmother in September for the first time (my first baby). I do not live nearby my mother and it would be amazing to send her some flowers to remind her of good things that bloom after the rain. 🙂
It is the hardest job, but the best. ????
I would send flowers to my mom! Having just had my first baby four and a half months ago, my appreciation for my mom has grown more than I ever thought possible. Not only does she help with my baby girl, I call her for absolutely everything and am so grateful for our relationship.
I just cried while reading this! Thank you so much for sharing your story. I also have a beautiful baby in heaven that I will one day meet. I waited three long years to get pregnant with my second and now have a beautiful baby girl. I just want you to know that I haven’t been following you long but I think you are amazing and inspiring and doing an awesome job at being a mom and having an awesome blog. Just wanted to thank you!
My momma <3
I would buy for my mom.
Love how real you are on your blog and on insta stories. Love watching you with your family. Here’s hoping you have a wonderful Mothers Day!