It was almost exactly 9 years ago (to the hour) that I went in for a routine pre-natal checkup and wound up in OR getting prepped for an emergency c-section. Nine years from the day my OBGYN asked my husband if he would prefer me or the baby (his answer? BOTH). Nine years from the day I woke up in a fog to hear a blurry nurse type object say, "you had a boy, honey. Now get some sleep, you're gonna need it."  Nine years ago when I realized I was going to miss the opening of Episode I because I was forbidden from riding in the car for the next six weeks.  Good thing that kid was cute.


Happy birthday, Zachary. You are my oldest child, and have taught me so much about being a mother. Tonight we will feast in your honor. Tomorrow, you will need to empty the cat box, since it's your turn on the rotation.

That's life, baby.