OK, stop reading now if you've recently suffered a loss. Or have been trying to have a family without success so far. Or you hate children. Or you hate mothers. Maybe you hate children with mothers. If any of those sound like you, then I would advise you stop reading now.

In all seriousness, I really hate the idea that anyone goes away from my site feeling bad, feeling alone, feeling hurt, and thus the rest is below the jump. Today is Mothering Sunday in England (aka Mother's Day).

The babies provided me with a real card and two homemade cards.

They also presented me with a box, wrapped in a thin blue bag.

They had their morning bottles on my lap in bed, while I wore the beautiful black freshwater pearl coin necklace that I mentioned to them that I wanted.

We all had a massive breakfast (traditional English fry-up) then the babies got up to their usual antics (including Nora, who took four unassisted steps yesterday).

Five years.

Five rounds of IVF.

Two miscarriages.

One round of OHSS.

Rivers of tears.

Dozens of pure white pregnancy tests.

Legions of doctors looking up my nether regions.

Endless tubes of blood drawn.

Thousands of pounds spent.

Hundreds of acupuncture needles poked in.

Scores of prayers to whatever gods there are sent up.

Numerous health problems now.

And now two babies that I saw at three cells big on a TV screen and was told that my chances weren't brilliant. Two babies that are often the best and worst parts of my days. Two babies who made every single step of that journey so unbelievably worth it that as long as I live I'll never be able to tell them how honored I am to be their mother, and just how lucky I am to have gotten that role. It's cheesy, but today I admit to my cheese.

Happy Mother's Day.

-H.

Posted by: Everydaystranger at 10:15 AM | Comments (30) | Add Comment
Post contains 329 words, total size 3 kb.

1 These - stunning! - photos make me so very happy for you. Nick & Nora are extremely lucky to have such a fabulous Mum - and to have each other as well! I don't think I've ever seen children look quite so unbelievably sweet together! I count my blessings every day, but today I count them twice.

Posted by: Hairy Farmer Family at March 22, 2009 10:44 AM (YNNaI)

2 Happy Mothers Day.

Posted by: Veronica at March 22, 2009 11:52 AM (l5geK)

3 Happy Mothering Sunday!Looks like you are having a great one so far!

Posted by: justme at March 22, 2009 12:33 PM (8elqF)

4 Happy Mother's Day to a wondeful Mom!!

Posted by: Jamie at March 22, 2009 12:35 PM (JREdX)

5 That's the happiest, most beautiful laundry basket I've ever seen! Happy, happy Mother's Day!

Posted by: Evelyn at March 22, 2009 01:10 PM (mxAK2)

6 Looking at those two beautiful faces, there is no way anyone could go away feeling badly. Happy Mothering Day! PS, if I found stuff like that in my laundry basket, I wouldn't mind it so much at all!

Posted by: Donna at March 22, 2009 01:26 PM (Ev2nm)

7 Happy Mother's Day! Can't think of anyone more deserving of a wonderful day than you. Enjoy!

Posted by: donna at March 22, 2009 02:11 PM (uJ7AG)

8 I read it against your wishes, but I've survived. And I'm very happy for you and yours. Legitimately so. Besides, I save my massive moodiness for the American version.

Posted by: D at March 22, 2009 04:23 PM (qnAHh)

9 You know how I feel. I'm over the moon for you, girl. Those two make it all worth it. Happy Mothering Day. Happy rest of your journey as A MOM! (Mum. I forget.)

Posted by: Margi at March 22, 2009 04:32 PM (moD6q)

10 This makes me so very happy. Happy Mothering Sunday (aka Mother's Day) to you and your wonderful family.

Posted by: Lisa at March 22, 2009 04:53 PM (YEsan)

11 I have never seen two happier children. Good job Mom!!!

Posted by: Jill at March 22, 2009 04:53 PM (r+lsp)

12 Wow, how impossibly gorgeous are those photographs? Surely these kids were drugged to get some of the poses they are in? Happy Mother's Day!

Posted by: MsPrufrock at March 22, 2009 06:12 PM (CA+L6)

13 Beautiful pictures! I especially love the one of them on the trunk--so sweet! Happy Mother's Day!

Posted by: stacie at March 22, 2009 06:15 PM (NLFW6)

14 The photos are just magnificent! And I share your joy at being a mom. Just wait until one of them has a kid, and lays it in your arms. That feeling is not to be believed.

Posted by: kenju at March 22, 2009 06:50 PM (hMUhQ)

15 Dear Helen, what a fabulous mother's day! And such gorgeous photos! You've come a long way, baby. So, so happy for you!

Posted by: Kath at March 22, 2009 07:25 PM (CW9tB)

16 De-lurking to tell you Happy Mothers Day! They are gorgeous and amazing and you are a great mom! Don't doubt that ever!

Posted by: Cheryl at March 22, 2009 07:30 PM (6pQxe)

17 Wow! Congratulations on this Mother's Day! Great Mom, great kids, and great photos!

Posted by: Alison at March 22, 2009 07:49 PM (r8R2Z)

18 Super post. Happy Mother's Day to you and your family.

Posted by: Charles at March 22, 2009 08:28 PM (maQJG)

19 Awww, all kinds of lovely

Posted by: jungletwins at March 22, 2009 08:46 PM (wyPEC)

20 *sniff* *sniff* Dammit, you made me cry. Happy Mothering Day. And the other 364 mothering days, too.

Posted by: Elizabeth at March 22, 2009 10:07 PM (Y/P20)

21 I can't, but it's brilliant that you have. You deserve it... Happy Mother's Day...

Posted by: Serena at March 22, 2009 10:44 PM (+V0Jw)

22 they are so adorable - happy mother's day!

Posted by: jv at March 22, 2009 11:11 PM (pUWUV)

23 I absolutely LOVE the photo of them on the wooden box. ADORABLE!

Posted by: Lauren at March 22, 2009 11:18 PM (KBcpL)

24 P.S. I like your kinda cheese. *wink*

Posted by: Lauren at March 22, 2009 11:19 PM (KBcpL)

25 Fun photos of the babes! Happy Mothers' Day!

Posted by: Tinker at March 23, 2009 12:50 AM (rU3SM)

26 Happy Mothering day....to you AND your beautiful family! I love how close they seem to be in all of your pictures!

Posted by: wn at March 23, 2009 12:14 PM (MNV8U)

27 OMG!!! The picture on the chest? The most fabulous one I've ever seen! Congratulations Mama. happy Mothering Day!

Posted by: ODDYBOBO at March 23, 2009 02:45 PM (mZfwW)

28 Yep - it's all "worth it," isn't it. They are adorable cheese, for sure.

Posted by: hopefulmother at March 23, 2009 03:19 PM (sMSRy)

29 I'd say you were due all the cheese, and all the joy, you can find in this and every day. Look at those girls! They're gorgeous and you are blessed.

Posted by: Kim at March 23, 2009 07:18 PM (zAB3P)

30 I'd say you were due all the cheese, and all the joy, you can find in this and every day. Look at those kids! They're gorgeous and you are blessed.

Posted by: Kim at March 23, 2009 07:19 PM (zAB3P)

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