November 5

Stayed up late last night watching 3 episondes of Lost and somehow couldn't manage to find 5 minutes to blog. 

Sorry about that.

A bit off the wagon today. I figured it just wouldn't be right to celebrate Lillian and Naomi's birthday without a bit of homemade apple pie.  Though, in retrospect, I think our hours at the birthday party were plenty sweet, all on their own. 


Its amazing to think it's been two years since that breathless day when our "extended family" welcomed Melinda's girls, two little beings in a rush to enter this world, tiny two-pound things who were tenacious and strong and perfect....  Just as they are today.  Two darling girls in party dresses, the one with the impish smile climbing alternately on chairs and into laps; the little actress, not feeling well, snuggly and sweet and very excited about new play food.   A study in contradictions, these twins who couldn't be more different, these children of our hearts.  And joining them-- beautiful Tommy and little Matthew, army crawling his way through the world; Jack and Greg, tumbling through bubbles and wrestling with Nat; and Ivy Jane, the "third twin"-- the noise and distraction and beauty of all these little people in one house. 

But the sweetest part of this evening, and of the little 2-year-olds we celebrated? Knowing, and seeing, and feeling in that room with us, all the joy they bring to their parents and their family.  The way they complete a family, and bring people together. 
Its awe-inspring to look around and see the continuity of generations moving forward, and know the hope and the dreaming and the glimpse of immortality that our children bring; to know the importance of them, these children.  To be humbled by the task of parenting them, even as we run a bit ragged behind them, or cut up their lasagna, or change their diapers, or just hold them for a moment in our laps. 

It's amazing, and huge, and staggering-- and so very mundane and busy and cacophonous, too-- this business of being a parent.  And no sweeter way to celebrate it than with perfect little individual cakes, balloons, sprinkles, and presents. 

Oh, and it was a perfectly, stunningly lovely fall day, too.  I had this wonderful gift of a half hour in which Corydon and I--just the two of us!-- walked around the 4 blocks of our neighborhood, me sipping from a travel mug of iced coffee and inspecting the architecture, Cor meandering nearby, my little companion.  Its not so much "walking a dog", taking her out.  Its more "walking with a dog."  I had her leash and collar with me-- in my pocket.  I love my dog.