I don’t know about you, but I enjoy these days as much as they do. Today is the day I officially became a mom. It is a day that I also celebrate because of the incredible honor it has been to raise my sweet girl for the last seven years. Yes, I’m getting tearful right now and have been all day. Not only because I am an emotional person at my core, but because loving my children is one of the most all-encompassing and overwhelming loves I have ever felt in my life.

I am grateful that I am a mom. The sleeping baby in the photo above is seven today and each year goes by even faster than the last. I can feel time slipping through my hands. This is why this project, my commitment to be more present in my life, is so important to me. I really believe that it is the one thing I can do to make time slow down…even if only a little. If we are truly present in as many moments that we can be throughout the day, especially with our children, we are creating more moments to experience and savor which in turn makes time run by a little slower.  Why? Because we are conscious of it.

So, today, I’m celebrating the sweetest seven-year-old I know. I’m incredibly proud of her and can’t believe that I’m lucky enough to be her mom.

Tomorrow I will be posting about writing letters. I save many letters that people have written me and I’ve saved a few that I have written.  One of my favorites is below. I wrote this to Danica just a week before she was born.

“October 27, 2005

To my Danica,

I am so excited that you will be here soon. Being pregnant with you has been so much fun! I am sure that I am going to miss having you in my tummy, but it is going to be even more wonderful to hold you. I have a funny story to tell you. When I was pregnant with you, I won (much to my surprise) Young Business Woman of the Year. You must have been my lucky charm. And, I had to wear a formal dress that evening and was still able to fit into one of my favorites. Daddy had to really help me zip it up. Right after the awards event, the mayor of Tampa, Pam Iorio, told me that having you in my tummy was the last time in my life that I would definitively know where my daughter was. I thought it was very cute and true.

I really hope and pray that I am a great mom for you. I am sure that I will make mistakes, but please know that I will do my very best. I want to encourage you to do and be anything you want in this world. I want to teach you so many things…I want to show you the world, the different cultures, different people, different places. I want to show you what true love is…I have this with your Daddy and it has been the best part of my life. I know that we both can’t wait to share this love with you. I want to teach you about being a good friend. I have so many wonderful friends who can’t wait to meet you. I am sure that you will have the same kind of relationships in your life. I want you to achieve all that you put your heart to. I will support you in every step of your life and I will always be here for you. Always remember to be who you are and be true to yourself. I always want to encourage you to do this. Life will present you with so many opportunities and you are the one who gets to choose which ones to take advantage of…your Daddy and I will be there if you need us with support and guidance.

Speaking of your Daddy, you are very lucky. You have a wonderful father. I can’t wait to see him hold you for the first time. Your daddy will keep you laughing your entire life, he will always support you in your dreams and he will teach you so many wonderful things (sports,trivia, architecture, art, music). Your daddy is so very smart, too. I really hope that you get your intelligence from him. He is amazing! When you need help on your homework, he is likely the one that you will go to (I will help, too). Another funny story for you, your daddy created nicknames for you while you were in my tummy. He first called you “MUD” (my unborn daughter). I told him that I did not like that one. Then, he came up with “OLGA” (our little girl, almost). He is such a funny guy. He is really excited for you to be here too. He talks to you every day.

I really hope that you arrive soon. I am getting so anxious to meet you. I think that everyone is really anxious to meet you. You are the first grandchild on both sides of the family…so everyone is very excited. Your daddy is looking forward to what he calls “DJ HAM” sessions (Danica, Jessica, Herschel and Mike sessions)…this is what are going to call all of the wonderful times we have together as a family.

I love you with all of my heart.”