Happy Birthday to me!

Greg made my birthday very special. He made me cards from the boys, complete with coloring from Luke and a handprint from Ben. He planned a surprise party where friends and family met us at Kanpai for dinner. I love Kanpai, but it's a sacrifice for Greg to take me there because while he enjoys the taste of the food, he doesn't so much like the way it makes him feel. Janet made a cake and the family came back to our house for cake and ice cream. Luke called to say Happy Birthday and then the family commenced with our Herron birthday tradition of telling the birthday boy/girl what they appreciate about them. It was all very nice and I feel special and loved! Click here to see Alli's pictures.

The grief dive-bomber hits

Tonight, I am missing my mom. My birthday looms and a couple wonderful moms at work have been so involved lately with their daughters having babies. One mom will be out tomorrow because her daughter will be giving birth, and the other one was out today to go to a doctor's appointment with her daughter for her grandson. I sure do wish my mom was around to do some of those things, and especially to be so emotionally involved in relationship with me and my children.

I have to thank the Lord for a wonderful sister, supportive friends, and stand-in moms who take her place in such amazing ways, but I still miss her lots.

The title is an allusion to C.S. Lewis' writings in A Grief Observed where he describes grief as a dive bomber that stays away for a while and then hits with great force all at once.

Luke's new bed

Luke is SOOOOO excited about his "new" bed. Greg took the crib rail off this weekend and put up the toddler bed rail. Luke can now climb in and out of his bed by himself. He's done fine at night staying in it, but this afternoon, I went in their room during naptime because Ben was crying and found Luke in Ben's crib with about four toys trying to make Ben play with them. That was a little frightening, because Luke has no sense that he shouldn't crawl right on top of Ben, kneel on him, whatever is necessary to accomplish his goal. I put the side of Ben's crib all the way, so hopefully that won't happen again!

Me and my boys

Luke is doing such a great job of feeling confident in the pool with his water wings on. What's scary is when he takes them off! Ben sat up by himself today for a few minutes -- that was a first. Can't wait until we can walk away and leave him there!

Ben is eating "solids" and sitting up

Well, Ben ate "solid" food today for the first time. It was hardly solid, just breast milk added to the rice cereal. Actually, more like having some rice cereal with his milk. He seemed to enjoy it well enough. He's also able to sit up by himself for a little while. We can't leave him and walk away yet, but he's getting better!