HRR

To say I'm excited would be an understatement. My sister had a baby yesterday and seeing this person I have grown up with give birth really hit home. She's the one I used to share my bedroom with as a kid. We slept in bunk beds and she never got up when I rolled out of the top bunk on to the wood floor; or she created earthquake-like experiences raising the rafters from down below to upset me. She also showed me how to do so many things. She's hung posters of Don Johnson on the wall of our room and patiently accepted my wind up Alvin (and the Chipmunks) figurine for Christmas one year, eventhough it was a blatant gift for myself (she in turn got me the coolest round yellow sled). She recommended I play volleyball and do yearbook in high school if for no other reason than to meet friends. She's also supported my pursuit of a yoga practice and my "year of being funny". She shared a place with me in Denver when we were both still single and was the first friend I told about the guy who would later become my husband. To this day, she supports my dreams and makes me laugh every time we talk.

In any case, seeing her round with the promise of a baby boy was more emotional than I anticipated. I left her Friday afternoon, after a long walk at Wash Park, telling her I loved her and that I knew she would be really good at this mom business. I found myself crying though I'm not one to cry. The next time I saw her was at 7:15 am Monday morning, sitting like a Buddha in a birthing room at Rose, breathing through a contraction. I just wanted to stop and check in before work. I was her (self-proclaimed) Paula AbDOULA. But when it came down to it, I just faked tennis strokes to the sound of the heart beat monitor and asked if twists would help HRR move in to the right position.

I've had the distinct honor of watching two births in my lifetime. Though I didn't see HRR officially come in to this world, I was happy to share the moments of anticipation and the following joy that came with the sheer presence of him. It really is awesome and lovely. Congrats to N & E. You both do nice work!

WELCOME HRR. I'm so glad you made it! You are now part of the clan and have five great cousins to share this life with - Enjoy!