Gratitude

After that last whiner's post, I need to balance the chi with a reflection of my recent blessings.

1. This baby. He may be big, but he is perfect.

2. This guy. Love him more than anything.

3. These guys. The only shot I've got with all four. Yep, it's going to be fun rounding them all up.

4. An on-call OB who resembled this guy. He was a soft-spoken, gentle giant who was patient enough to let me labor without rushing into an unnecessary C-section. And he was calm enough during delivery to only let a moment of concern flash across his face and only sternly said "Don't quit on me now!" while he wrestled Pete's shoulders loose.

5. A labor and delivery nurse who literally skipped into my room to inform me of my baby's weight--how he was the biggest they've had in a long time and how I was the talk of the hallway. And that my baby's head measured 15 inches. In my fatigued stupor, I told her, "I think you mean centimeters." "Nope," said she, "Fifteen inches." And she told me they all thought I needed some more fentanyl. I hoped she was as generous with my dose of narcotics. (It's only a week and a half later that I discovered head circumferences are indeed measured in inches. Who knew? Geometry, smeometry.)


6. My mom who showed up bearing chocolates--a custom box of only Milk Bordeauxs and Milk Butterchews (they're new, and they're spectacular!). Absolutely deserved.


7. This shade of pink. I'm thinking of redecorating my entire house in it. Or maybe at least my whole wardrobe.

8. Clear eyes. A drive home from the hospital without having to plan the trip to Sacramento and the first surgeries, and hoping and praying that we'd be able to save some degree of sight. And an all clear report from the pediatric ophthalmologist. We know we aren't out of the woods, since congenital glaucoma can present at any time in the first year, but we are keeping our fingers crossed and celebrating the good news. (Note the bruise from attempted forearm IV.)

9. A husband who arrived at the hospital without delay (after my urgent pleading to please get me away from the roommate from hell), carrying a Diet Pepsi, and having stopped to buy a new carseat since he rushed off without ours. He even remembered to get a gift receipt so we can return it.

10. This product. Big baby = big sucka. There were times in a sleep-deprived state that I actually believed I was nursing a vampire baby (Thank you, Stephenie Meyers). Upside, big sucka = big sleeper. Last night Pete slept nearly 6 hours straight. Yes, I do realize I've just cursed myself.

11. This magic snooze button. None of my other kids wanted anything to do with them. Pete loves his. I can see why it's so hard for some parents, I mean kids, to give them up.

12. Moments like these.

13. Little smiles. I swear it's not just gas. And even if it is, I don't care.