Tuesday, August 18, 2009

One


The Cub is one. A full year. JD thinks it flew by. I don't think it did so much as the birthday snuck up on us. Either way, he is beautiful and gorgeous, and more expressive and able every day.

I tried to explain to a friend what I was feeling on Cub's birthday, and it all seemed a strange mess. I am, apparently, still wondering whether he is here to stay, as betrayed by relief-like feelings on the cuff of the day. Which, you know, make so very little sense. Since, of course, there's never a line getting to which guarantees continued sunshine and ponies of various sizes and colors.

And then there's also the part where I am not anywhere near being done processing the pregnancy. Which, I have to say, is annoyiiiiiiing-- would've made for a much nicer rhetorical device had I cleaned, sorted and aired out all that stuff by now. For one, I would've been able to perhaps speak intelligently on this momentous occasion. For another, headspace is at a premium around these parts, and I really do need it back-- I have a job to find, and my current one to finish up in a spectacularly competent manner assuring me glowing letters of recommendation for years to come.

The celebration on the actual day was very low key-- a couple of babies for the ultra-social Cub to share germs with, plus their parents to share chips and hamburgers with us. My parents arrive Thursday, and there will be a family celebration Sunday. To mark the year since his homecoming from NICU, as I said to my mom who would've preferred to have come this past weekend, but had to change plans to also accommodate my FIL's big round birthday party.

So we are now in the anniversary of the week the Cub spent in NICU last year. As transient as that experience was, it's also apparently indelible, at least so far. I don't know whether it will get better in future years. But for now, out to dinner with friends Sunday, drinking a toast to the Cub, JD and I both knew exactly where we were that time a year before-- in the kid's NICU room, me asking the neonatalogist what else they had in their arsenal, should things keep going in the wrong direction, as they had been all day, and JD pacing the room or crouching in the chair, hearing not a word of what was being said around him.



It's something that we in DBL learn early, and notice often-- a good day for one is sure to be a disaster for someone else. When he was born, the Cub wasn't due for another three plus weeks, and short of his scheduled induction date by more than two weeks. It wasn't supposed to be his birthday. But it was supposed to be another baby girl's, half a world away. Had things gone to plan for them, that beautiful girl's mother would've spent this past weekend fussing over the details of the most perfect birthday ever. But they didn't. And so instead over the past year Sally and Simon have been learning to live without their first-born daughter, Hope. Please stop by and remember with them.

21 comments:

luna said...

happy birthday little cub! so glad you joined us.

and how wonderful of you, julia, to remember another at this time.

Amelie said...

Happy Birthday, Cub! Hope you have a wonderful day. Tell your mom that I love her pictures, and that I'm jealous of her macro lens.

caitsmom said...

Happy Birthday to Cub! And hugs to mom and dad for enduring and remembering those difficult times. Peace.

loribeth said...

Happy birthday (again)!

ezra'smommy said...

Happy Birthday to Cub...such a blessing he's here.

c. said...

Sending birthday wishes to little Cub. One year. Wow.

erica said...

Happy Birthday, Cub! We're so glad you're here.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Lollipop Goldstein said...

A gorgeous photo. Happy birthday, Cub. We always celebrate coming home day--the day they left the NICU. We have fake champagne in the refrigerator right now (sparkly apple juice is also known as champagne, right?)

k@lakly said...

Happy Birthday Cub and a long, laughter filled lifetime of them to come.
xxoo

Betty M said...

Happy Birthday to the Cub!

Aurelia said...

Happy Birthday Cub, I am so very glad that you are here!

And very glad that your mom is still writing. ;)

Wabi said...

Happy Birthday, Cub! Wishing your family lots of luck and love in the coming year.

Hope's Mama said...

Just catching up, as I've been away. Thank you, so, so much. From the bottom of my broken heart.
And happy first birthday to the Cub. Just so glad he's here and he's ok.
xo

kate said...

Happy Birthday Cub! I still owe him a baby sweater, i haven't forgotten. Maybe by the time i make it, it will be size 5 ;)

Calliope said...

Happy birthday to Cub!
These photos are stunning.

niobe said...

Happy birthday, Cub. And those are amazing photos.

Anonymous said...

wow, happy birthday wonderful gift of a boy, really a year?!?! it did fly. Chase's is def sneaking up on us :(

Jenni said...

hope you and cub had a beautiful day! and, i just picked you for an "honest scrap" award. details are on my blog... love to you...

Alisha said...

I've nominated you for the "Honest Scrap" award. Visit my blog for details!

http://lifewithoutclarence.blogspot.com/2009/09/honest-scrap.html

C. said...

So true that what's a good day for one is a sad day for another in this community. But it also works the other way round, too, in good ways. It was so nice to come here, in hard days for me but ready to try to remember what hope might feel like, and find you celebrating a one-year birthday. Let me throw in my belated wishes for now and for all the many good years ahead.