"Happy Day Mommy!"

I tried to work with Mädchen to say "Happy Mommy's Day", but I guess "happy day Mommy" will have to suffice. I'd like to say I had a wonderful day worth of stuff planned for Gretchen (or even, as suggested in the comments by Global Librarian, cooking and dishes for the weekend). But the reality is that we've both got a ton to do in the next few days because we're leaving for a week of vacation in Puerto Rico on Wednesday morning (her Mother's Day present), so I spent the morning of Mother's Day at work (!) and shopping, while Gretchen got to work in the basement and watch a cranky Mädchen. At least now she's going out with another stay-home-mom friend to get out of the house and get a pedicure while I have afternoon post-nap duty.

But even if it's turning out to be a pretty typical day around here instead of a reprieve, that doesn't mean Gretchen doesn't deserve a whole lot more. I know that even though my job pays much better than hers, her job as a Mom is way more difficult than mine. Mädchen is a sweetheart who is smart as a whip and who makes us laugh constantly throughout the day, but from day one she has never exactly been easy. She is as strong-willed as they come (a gift from her Mommy), and has always done things how and when she wants to. And what at one year old was simple stubbornness is now, at almost two years old, a strong independent streak. That's a good thing--she's very much her own person, and the things that make her so independent are also what give her so much personality--but it means some days can be a real struggle for Gretchen. But she handles everything with tremendous grace, humor and patience (which, before having a baby, she probably wouldn't have said was her strong suit), and is just an all-around fantastic mother in every way.

So, "happy day Mommy" to the best Mom (and wife) in the world!