{one of my favorite 'newborn' pictures of Vaughn}
On this day, last year, we were driving up bumpy roads trying to induce labor. I was two weeks overdue with my third child. Two days later he was born. That last post before Vaughn was born was so appropriately titled though, 'Bumpy Roads'. My pregnancy with him was the longest, bumpiest road ever. Shortly after we found out we were expecting (surprise!) Greg lost his job. Not long after that I got really sick and had to be rushed to the ER. They sent me home with some laxatives and a diagnosis of 'constipation'. Guess what it was? My appendix had ruptured! But it would be two more months, living with excruciating pain, before it was diagnosed and removed. Luckily it had abscessed to stop the infection from spreading. But the pain didn't even match my worry and concern for my unborn child. I was SO frightened. I don't think I let out a single breath until he was born. I didn't see how such a fragile being could survive let alone thrive in such conditions of physical and emotional stress. It was a tough year.
I haven't talked about it here but we almost lost it all. The house, the farm. We did lose our car. Some friends and some family. My pregnancies with Jorn and Simonne were filled with introspection and joy. My pregnancy with Vaughn was a blur of sickness and worry.
But then he came. So tiny, so perfect, so loud (he has the loudest cry that is more scream than cry) and with him all the worry and the sadness melted away for all of us. We picked ourselves up and kept on going. Looking back it's amazing to see where we are now. There is so much happiness, joy, vitality and productivity it's hard to believe only a year has passed.
But a year it has been, or will be, on the 30th. We are getting ready to celebrate Vaughn's first birthday with family on Saturday. And we have so much to celebrate! Things are good. Vaughn is amazing! Truly wise (he knows about this world), an amazing sense of humor for a 1 year old, so lighthearted and fun to be around and has a dimple filled smile that crushes the ladies already. So, I'll be a bit quiet here until next week as there is much to be done. His birthday crown is made but I have a handmade gift I want to complete which is a bit out of my comfort and skill zone so we'll see. Cross your fingers for me!
Until then, I just want to say thank you. Greg and I were talking about how much has changed for us over the past year. We don't want to saddle Vaughn with any of the circumstances that led up to and surrounded his birth but it's hard not to think of it as a marker for real change in our family. This blog has been a place for me to retreat and look at things through a positive eye during that time. Your comments and emails mean so very much and over the past year have brought me so much comfort and joy. The connections we make here, while at times surreal, are real and meaningful. Some of you were reading when we celebrated Vaughn's birth last year and some of you are new to this space (welcome!). I have had the chance to meet some of you in person over the past year and furthered some friendships by email and even snail mail! I deeply appreciate everything that writing this blog brings, including you! I wish I could have you all over for a slice of cake to celebrate with us!
So now, let the partying begin! See you next week!
oooxxx,
Spidey
{that smile stops me in my tracks no matter what!}
