You're strong. I know because when you kick me it hurts.

It has been a while, little girl, since I have written to you. Don't be offended, though. Nothing too exciting has been going on for me to share with you (besides you growing and kicking in my gut, obviously.)

I am 34 weeks prego now. Dang. That's pregnant.

You like to put your feet underneath my ribs. It's fun for you. I used to get a little upset by this seeing how it causes me some considerable discomfort, but I got to thinking about it, and I realized your entire body is crammed inside my belly. You gotta put your feet somewhere.. So.... for now, the ribs will do.

I do have a little news in my life. I started doing stand-up recently. That's right. Stand-up comedy. Your mom is a professional at being funny now.

Actually, I'm nowhere near a "professional." I have just done a couple of open mic nights and make no money doing them, but I perform more for the experience than anything else. I talk about being pregnant mostly. You make me very entertaining. So, thank you for that.

Uh oh... Wait a minute... I think I sense something...

Can you feel a life lesson coming along? I think I can....

In life.... (oh gosh.. yep....another mom advice session) you have to make yourself do things you do not want to do. I'm not saying you should go wrestle a wild and rather irritated tiger because it is something you really do not want to do. I am saying, though, that there are going to be times when there is something that you do not necessarily have to do. You could say no. You could make up some excuse. You could continue your life as it is because that is the life you know and feel okay about, but deep down you will know that you should do whatever this thing is because, if not, you risk always wondering "what if?" If you don't do it, you won't push your own limits and grow as a person. You won't teach yourself how to face challenges. You risk becoming a person that always settles.

I really really really did not want to do stand-up right before I walked up on those stages. Right before it was my turn, I was DREADING going up there. I just knew I was dumb and the most unfunny person that has ever existed and that people were most definitely going to punch me in the face for wasting their time while I rambled on about some pointless thing in my life that I thought was interesting. BUT I went up there anyway because there was a part of me that desperately wanted to and truly needed to. And I am so glad and proud of myself for it. My parents didn't make me do it. No teachers told me I had to. No one said they would be disappointed in me if I didn't try. It was all me. I made myself. And that's how I know that while, yes, I can be weak and lost at times, I am overall a strong woman. And so are you.

Stay strong, Madelyn. And have fun.

Just a little more time left before you leave my belly (and my ribs) and you face the world. It is pretty exciting stuff. So get excited!!!!!!


-Mommy

Our family at 34 weeks

You kick me, but it doesn't offend me.

Madelyn!

How are you? It's me... Mom. I am just sitting in your dad's and my little apartment in Washington right now. Ingrid is sitting on my lap and pretty much on top of you (hope you don't mind,) and I am just happy to have all my girls with me. Your dad is still at work. He has been working so much, and I barely get to see him. We are very excited for you to be born. When that happens we are moving back to Tennessee as soon as Dad is done with the Army, and hopefully he won't have such late nights at work. We cannot wait to raise you around your family and our friends. Both your dad and I were raised in Tennessee, for the most part, and we turned out pretty dang awesome.

I had another doctor's appointment today. You are 23 weeks and about 4 days old right now. Your heartbeat is swell. You are movin' and kickin' all the time, and I love it. You like to wait until I am almost asleep and then BANG you kick one of my organs and things get awkward. I wake up abruptly and worry I may have wet the bed or something (too much information? nah...) You are very very picky when you kick, though. You rarely kick if someone else is feeling all up on my belly trying to get a sneak peek of the the sassy fiery girl that is you. Your dad used to get kind of offended because I'd be feeling you kick the heck out of me, and then as soon as he would put his hand on me, you'd stop. I think it's because you have a sense of humor, and you like to keep people wanting more. Good for you!

You just kicked me. It tickled.


So, for this little post I think I will share a little about me and my life right now. Then I was thinking your dad could share some about himself next time he isn't working. We are very fascinating people so I'm sure you will be thoroughly entertained.


WELL... I just graduated from the University of Tennessee about 7 months ago. I have my degree in theatre, which was by far the best and worst decision of my life. Why best? I LOVED school (once I got settled in, that is. I don't adjust well to new things. I hope you don't get that from me.) I learned so much about life because I was studying my passion and, therefore, I invested all of myself in the art I was helping to create. So gratifying. (I don't care if you become an artist or not, but I hope you will appreciate its value.) Plus, I met some of the weirdest people in the world, and they taught me to be openminded to all lifestyles. Why was a theatre degree the worst decision? Oh.. because a theatre degree does not really leave people begging to hire you when you graduate. And when you got a baby on the way, you need to work! So, now I am a receptionist at a tax firm. Just saying that is absurd to me. This is not at all what I imagined for my life after graduation. I am married. I am having a baby! And I am a receptionist at a tax firm. I'm not going to lie.... I don't know anything about taxes. BUT I can be sort of funny and entertaining so I distract people that ask me questions long enough to find someone that actually knows the answer.

Now don't fret. I may not have imagined myself in the life I am currently in, but it has made me such a strong person. Plus, it has brought your father and I together. Not to mention that it has taught me to enjoy life no matter what your job is or how much money you have. Working at a tax firm sounds heinous, I know. Actually, though, it is hilarious. Tax professionals are insane! And I get to meet some really odd, interesting, and groovy (yes, the word "groovy" is out-dated even as I say it now) people at the front desk and over the phone.

Life is never what you expect, and it's often a struggle. You'll hear cliche things like that a lot in your life so get ready for that fun stuff. Sometimes its hard to really care when people say such things. But listen to your mom. I have no reason to lie to you. It is a good thing to know that life is hard for everyone sometimes, and it's important to understand that you may plan and plan and plan a "perfect" life for yourself, but life doesn't care about those plans. If you believe these things and let them sit in the back of your mind as you grow and learn all of life's lessons for yourself, you will be able to handle anything. You just keep on keepin' on no matter what obstacles you face, and they will eventually stop being obstacles.. and who knows.. they may turn into blessings.


Ok I'm done with the cheesy life advice. You'll get enough of that later. You just keep growing and kicking in my belly, and I'll keep eating a lot and looking weird when I try to bend over to pick things up.


I love you, little girl.


I really do.


I DO!



If when you read this, we are in the middle of a big uber huge nasty Mother/Daughter argument, just take a moment to forget how annoying I am and just think, "Golly gee, my mom is a real person...with hopes and dreams and flaws (not many though). And she loves me. And that's all that matters."

Ok. You don't have to say Golly gee. That is pretty lame. Just say the modern cool version of what I just typed.


Ok. bye.



I love you!



See you in a few months! AHHH! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!



-Mom

You're in my belly

Well hello little girl. 

I am your mom. Weird, huh? 

You are just kickin' and sleepin' and hiccupin' away in my belly right now, and you are already the most important thing in my life. 

This blog is for you when you can A) read B) use a computer and C) understand the brilliant humor that, I, your mother, will fill these posts with. 

Really, this blog is a way for me to let you know how much you change my life...for the better... just by being you. You don't have to be the president, or a movie star, or a famous musician, or a star soccer player, or a brilliant mathematician, or anything in particular in order to make your father and I happy. You just have to be you. All you. All the time. I am so anxious and excited to find out what kind of little girl you will be and what kind of woman you will become. But at the same time, I want you to stay in my belly forever because there you are safe, and warm, and I don't have to share you with anyone. 

We just found out you are a girl a few days ago. Although, we knew before the doctors confirmed it. We just had that feeling with you. On that same day, we decided Madelyn was to be your name. It means woman of elegance. I think that is a beautiful way to describe you already. While we watched you in the sonogram, you were so lovely and at the same time so funny. You kick and move in a way that is all your own, and it makes me proud of you already. 

I have so much to say. I could tell you a little about me. A little about your father. A little about your big sister (who is a cat named Ingrid, by the way). I could leave you some deeply personal life advice that would blow your mind and transform you to your core, but there will be time for that later. Instead I think I'll just end this little post with a picture of you. Because, in the end, what matters is that you stay true to yourself (that sounds like advice. oops.) 

I love you, Madelyn Harper Gabor.

(You at about 20 weeks- You have my nose.)

Love, Mommy