Becoming
(Coming into existence; coming to be.  Undergoing change or development.  Attractively suitable or fitting.)

We are all becoming here.  We are becoming a family, C and I are becoming the parents we want to be, B is becoming himself.  We are knitting together patterns and ways of being, putting all of what we want and believe up against all our old habits, finding new ground.  And finally, I know I sound biased, but B is so gosh-darned beautiful! (Photos available from our home page).

Being a mom is one of the most powerful, fun, and incredible journeys I've ever undertaken.  I am so incredibly happy to be exactly where I am right now.

I feel lucky to be able to be home with B full-time.  I get to watch his brain and body develop so slowly as to creep slowly taller, more mobile, and more articulate, yet still be awed by human children in general and my son in particular.  I don't have to miss anything.  I don't have to drag myself out of bed in the morning and haul off to an office 5 days a week to earn money, leaving spouse and son home.  I know that C doesn't always feel that I understand how hard that is, and I underestimate the effort involved in making that sacrifice when he'd rather be home with us, but sometimes I truly do appreciate and comprehend the magnitude of the gift.  I even hope to have the opportunity to return that gift for a few years myself.

And, of course, I sometimes feel the one taken for granted.  Running a home and full-time child caring are full-time jobs too.  When it's been a hard day and I'm tired, I want to "come home" to a meal and kind word and be pampered, rather than making dinner and doing the things I need to so that C can be a daddy instead of just a bread-winner.  But most of the time C's and my needy times aren't the same day, and we work it out, accommodating each other, providing.

B is fantastic.  He is such a joy to watch.  He seems to be thriving in all of our activities, from our AP group, to Music Together classes, to swimming, to hiking with the Sierra Club, to parks and play-dates, library runs, tooth-brushing, throwing the ball for Pepper, and blowing dandelion seeds.  The simple is sublime and the tiny, tremendous.

Aside from that, we've spent all too much time and money at the veterinarian's office.  Quixl broke her leg jumping out of a drawer and had to have surgery.  She looks forward to an end to her confinement (she's been in 12 cubic feet of crate) with great enthusiasm.  She looks kind of funny with her shaved patches in the middle of her long thick gray stripes, but we hope she is healing quickly.  Pepper had a benign cyst burst and get infected only a week after the vet looked at it.  Plus regular shots and licensing, and our friendly balls of fur have put in the pinch.  Ah well, such is the price of undying doggy and kitty love.

Our house continues its transformation.  We look forward to the warming weather for landscaping and gardening, and are still working on our computer room, mudding and painting before we bring back all the furniture and make it a real room.

And finally, joyfully, and with great pleasure, we are happy to announce that we are soon to become a family of four.  My due date is September 1, and to try to avoid any of the circumstances that might have brought B six weeks early, I will be doing no traveling this summer, and eating no Thanksgiving-type meals.  So far the pregnancy is going very well, and I am healthy and very happy.  It feels like we are becoming complete as a family.

Maternally,
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