Mother Talkers

Graduation and Mother's Day

Fri May 18, 2007 at 03:29:57 PM PDT

For those of you who didn't know, until this Weds, I was a full-time student at Cal Berkeley, working on my English degree.  I transferred in from a community college, and spent 3 years finishing up my undergrad degree.  During those 3 years, I haven't had a single semester where I wasn't pregnant or breastfeeding, so somehow it seems fitting that my graduation day fell on Mother's Day.

Of course, since that was a Sunday, it meant it was a pain in the butt for those out-of-town family and friends to come.  My grandmother, my biggest supporter, is dying in Southern California, and couldn't come.  My mother did make it up, though, something I am truly grateful for.



I picked her up at the airport the day before, and told her I was expecting a new baby in December (she didn't know yet), so she was very pleased all weekend.  She, like me, was upset that her mother couldn't make it, but it was great to have her there.


My inlaws did NOT make it, calling two days before to say they had to work on Monday and so couldn't come.  Nevermind that we drive down there ALL the time on weekends, and have to back here and at work Monday mornings, they didn't FEEL like it.  DH couldn't help it and had to tell them about the baby, and when they heard about that THEN they called DH's aunt to try and get me flowers and such.  In 7 years, the only things of mine they've come to are my wedding and my graduation from community college (only 45 minutes from their house).  I'm mad, and I'm a little ticked at DH for telling them since I wanted to do it fac to face (we see them when WE drive down in 3 weeks).  Still, whatever.


Rory spent a good deal of graduation in my lap:


followed me up onto the stage:

and actually walked across to get my scroll with me:

In my tenure at Cal, she came to classes with me for a whole year, and my professors loved her, so it seemed right.  The woman who actually handed me my scroll was a prof of mine who used to pick Rory up when she was fussy and lecture with my daughter on her hip...I love her to death.


Two days later my finals were over (no word on the grades yet) but it looks like I'll have graduated with a 3.5 GPA, a BA in English and 1.5 kids.  Not a bad deal, really, right?

To see our whole Mother's Day adventure, please head to Rory's website, or look at the grad page.

The plan for now is to do a little babysitting, work on my teaching credential at night (JUST enough classes to avoid paying off my loans)and start teaching middle/high school English once Rory is in kindergarden.

Tags: Graduation College Mother's Day (all tags)

Permalink | 18 comments

  • congratulations! (0 / 0)

    Hope you're revelling in your achievement and the milestones to come! Well done.

  • Oh my! (0 / 0)

    I actually choked up seeing those pics of you walking across the stage with Rory. So, so sweet. You must be so proud of all you have accomplished, and rightfully so.

    Mazel tov!!!!

    • Awww, thanks, Erika! (0 / 0)

      Yeah, my mommy started to cry.  Dh just about died as well...I kinda wish my dad/the inlaws had been there, but whatever.  I knew YOU all would appreciate it.

      • I checked out the rest of the pics (0 / 0)

        Looks like you had a wonderful weekend, despite the absence of your dad and in-laws. I can sympathize somewhat...my MIL has skipped both of Maya's birthday parties so far, and she lives 25 miles away. :-/ What are you gonna do?

        Quick question...I saw the pic of Rory watching Muzzy. Is he the bloke who's supposed to teach babies foreign languages? What do you think of the videos? Do they seem to be working?

        I am desperately trying to teach my daughter Spanish, but so far she speaks wonderful Spanglish. It's Maya-ese. :-)

        • Yup, Muzzy is the BBC (0 / 0)

          monster who speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish.  Rory has picked up "ojos", "manos", "muzzy" and "gato" in the last 4 weeks (how long she's had it), and especially considering 4 months ago she had only 5 words...I'm impressed.

          On ebay you can find them at a better price than on BBC's website...especially if you go the VHS route.

  • You're awesome! (0 / 0)

    I'm sorry some of the people in your life haven't been as supportive as they should.  But for today, just enjoy your accomplishments!

  • Congratulations! (0 / 0)

    Over the years National University has held their graduation on Mothers Day a few times too. I always love that! Especially for a college like ours which is almost exclusively working adults - tons of parents - it's a great day for the celebration.

    I know very well how hard it is to complete your degree while pregnant and nursing etc etc. Did the same thing with the older son. Be very proud of yourself. Hugs to DH as well for supporting you along the way.

  • congratulations!! (0 / 0)

    Life is good: your family is beautiful, you kicked ass in school, and you've got another sweet one to come. Thanks for pictures. I'm feeling all teary now. :)

  • congrats on a huge accomplishment! (0 / 0)

    I have to say English majors rock, having been one myself back in the day!

  • Congrats! (0 / 0)

    What a lovely story about your professor who would pick up Rory and lecture!

    • Yeah, she was an ANGEL (0 / 0)

      Her husband is a preschool teacher, and this Prof had to be the sweetest person alive.  She said "Rory just wants attention," picked her up, carried her down to the front of the hall, and let my daughter babble (5 months old at the time) for a minute or two.  Then she looked at her and asked, "Are you sure?", settled Rory on her hip and went back to lecturing.

      Loved her.

  • Congratulations! (0 / 0)

    Glad your mom was there and that Rory participated in the ceremony -- she surely has been through it all with you!

    Thanks for sharing this special and beautiful day with us!

  • Sometimes life is just SO GOOD! (0 / 0)

    Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.   These are the times that truly make memories.  

    Best of luck to you all.  

  • Congratulations! (0 / 0)

    Good for you.  :)

  • So beautiful (0 / 0)

    The photo of Rory in your lap during the ceremony is one of the most beautiful pictures ever.  What a wonderful reminder to you of how hard you worked and how courageous you were, and what a wonderful visual for Rory to have throughout her life to see your example.  Good luck and congrats on the new baby!

    Cindy

  • Congrats! (0 / 0)

    What an accomplishment!  Loved the diary and the photos.  Rory is adorable.  Good stuff!

    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

    by 1plain1peanut on Mon May 21, 2007 at 08:10:22 PM PDT

  • Hi there, Round Peg! (0 / 0)

    I don't know if you remember me from over at Big Orange, but ages ago I used to be an (ir)regular on C&J (posting as mrsdbrown1) and I always loved the baby pics you would post!

    She's gotten big.....!  :-)

    I don't get on line much anymore these days because I've been back to full-time teaching, but I saw your post and wanted to say:

    1.Congratulations!

    1. I've been a high school English teacher for 20 years-- please let me know if I can help at all as you continue your jouney to the front side of the classroom!  Feel free to e-mail me off line any time.

    Cheers!

    -Deb

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