...I gave birth to Isaac.  He came into the world hungry and nursed for about 5 hours straight, preventing the exceptionally mother-friendly nurses and doctors at Ashland Community Hospital from doing much of their post-birth routines.  They put him on my breast seconds after he was born, and then they left him there to suckle to his heart's ( Read more... )

When I was a teenager, I had a premonition that I wouldn't live to see 30.  I sincerely believed it right up through about the second year of my marriage.  By then, the desire to grow old with Steve and have a family overpowered the weight of the premonition and I officially began believing my premonition had been a bunch of hooey.  But for a good ( Read more... )

1. Yesterday was Steve's 34th birthday.  We had a good party with friends in and out, decent conversation, and two birthday cakes!  Steve took the time to thank me a number of times yesterday, and I felt so pleased and honored to have made him so happy.

2. Steve finally finished restoring his motorcycle to practically pristine condition.  He's put ( Read more... )

I sat in the kitchen waiting for fish sticks to cook.  (Okay, so it's not the healthiest meal, but it's easy.)  Isaac went outside.  Moments later I heard a wailing cry.  Usually cries like this are followed by Isaac running into the house to seek comfort and tell me what happened.  So, I waited ( Read more... )

Today is Isaac's third birthday, and I woke up in a funk.  The rain pattered lazily outside, and the sky was dark. The clock read 6:45am.  I hoped the dreary morning would help Isaac and Samuel sleep in.  It often does.  When that happens, I am so happy for the extra sleep.  Instead, Isaac woke up and started crying for no particular reason at my ( Read more... )

Today Steve took me on a drive on a dirt road trail.  The trail went around a reservoir and gave a nice view of small cliffs and water.  He commented on how lovely it was.  His exact word was "beautiful."  I wished for his eyes.  I saw a dry patch of mostly-flat earth populated by scrub cedars -- far from beautiful in my book.  It's a gift to be ( Read more... )

Weird, really.  So far I haven't had one person tell me "Happy Birthday."  But, I honestly don't mind.  Steve's gone until tomorrow morning.  And, of course, Isaac and Samuel have no idea when my birthday is.  Everyday is just like every other to them.  (Isaac's just now getting to the point where he can understand the idea of yesterday, today, and ( Read more... )

I meant to write this earlier today, but couldn't seem to find the time. I had a fantastic birthday thanks to my beloved hubbie and dear friend Gabriella. Just after I finished my shower, my husband came home with Isaac. He swept me away to a delicious and beautiful lunch on the Western shores of Lake Austin at a tiny little hole-in-the-wall ( Read more... )

So, today's my birthday.  Isaac woke up for the day at 6:30am, a short 5 hours after I went to bed at 1:30pm.  Plus, he woke up at 3:30 and 4:40 during the night, so I was exhausted.  Steve took Isaac for the morning in order to go run some unfinished "Birthday Errands" and to let me have some extra sleep.  Well, since they were at home until 9:30 ( Read more... )