The funny thing about not blogging daily: things accrue. So much takes place that sitting down and writing them out is a tad overwhelming. I will try to begin at the beginning.
Work has leveled out, for now. I managed to pull together the humongosaurus publication with only a few kinks, and not the cool kind of kinks, the Ray and Dave Davies kind or the kind that makes a cute if useless kitty cat tail. No, the kind that makes people mad, forcing you to choke back the urge to yell and apologize for not having superhuman powers.
Upon finishing the publication, we set out on a week-long vacation. It's been years since we've taken a full week away from home, and it was eagerly anticipated. On Friday, we flew to Nashville, Tennessee. It was cheaper than a direct flight to Atlanta, our destination, even with a car rental and gas expenses.
First stop: Krystals. For a full bag of the delicious little greaseball burgers sent to us from Heaven. Did you know that Kobayashi wasn't just a hot-dog champion, but Krystals as well? It's true. I'd hate to see the man's arteries, but what a delicious way to go.
We arrived in Atlanta, and stayed with Brad's sister for several days. Lauren chased their "KeeTee" all over the house. Clara was a trooper for being as patient as she was, given that she was unaccustomed to babies. Good kitty.
Lauren's big 1st birthday was on Sunday, Sept 7. It's hard to believe it's been a full year since that perfect day. The day when I had a needle in my back, anti-nauseas in my veins, and an incision that made a gateway for that perfect little being to enter the world. I admit, I was bummed that I couldn't post a florid entry about her birthday and what it meant to me, reminiscing about the birth and the journey to get there. We didn't have internet access that week, so it came and went without my being able to post.
To sum it up, watching my baby turn a full year older was surreal. There are days when I'm still not quite rooted to Earth enough to realize she is here. I see her, I hug her, I take care of her and tell her how beautiful and smart and funny she is. I adore her. However, sometimes I look at her and subconsciously wonder when her very lucky mother will be by to take her from me. I wonder if all mothers feel that way?
Anyhow... On her birthday, her Aunt Cathy got her a hot pink cupcake and a birthday hat (which she amazingly wore for a considerable amount of time). Uncle Chris scored major points when he gave her the giant bag of Legos.
In the subsequent days, we visited our old 'hood. We checked in on our house, which is doing well. Visited our friends and neighbors, whom we had missed greatly. We went to the Children's Museum and Georgia Aquarium.
The Aquarium was a hit. A HUGE hit. Girl loves the fishies.
On Wednesday, I turned 37. On my birthday, Lauren and I visited a couple friends in Athens. I have known M & SA for several years, but never actually "met" them before. M & I were members of an online support group for recurrent miscarriers. SA is M's cousin. We all became very close friends, separate from our bad reproductive luck. They bought me a berry cobbler that still lives in my dreams.
(drool break) Mmmmm... berry cobbler.
Last weekend was Lauren's birthday with her little friends, at Gymboree. So. Much. Fun. I couldn't have had more fun if I was small enough to play myself. It was two days after her urologist appointment, where we got the news of her coming surgery. I was afraid the news would cast a bittersweet shadow over the day, but it in no way affected the mood. Who knew watching a group of toddlers rolling around and climbing on vibrantly-colored ramps and pillows would be such a hoot?
That brings me up to date. Hopefully I can keep up now. Maybe I will even throw in a political entry if I'm feeling feisty.
