We are happy

Good numbers again for Gil, including the creatin (though he doesn't remember the numbers the doctor told him). Chris has been with him for a week and a half and is staying til next Sunday.

Steaks and friends and steaks and a neighborhood birthday gathering and steak. What more could a guy ask for? Throw in a golf outing on that perfect weather day a week or so ago and he got it.

And I'm happy too. How could I not be around the smiliest baby in the world? I am totally addicted to her face changing from "baby blob face" to joy when she sees me (particularly when I devolve into goofy noises and expressions) Her occasional laughs have me totally hooked and looking for new crazy things to do which might elicit them. I wondered how this falling in love with a babe that I hadn't birthed and yet was deeply connected to would go. All it took was exposure to the sunshine of her smile. I feel myself smiling a lot more now, even when I'm not with her.

Other NYC highlights included seeing Vanessa Redgrave in The Year of Magical Thinking (Adam and Kate's treat!) and walking through Central Park on a perfect day with a smiley babe in a stroller.

Gil will be driving to NYC before Thanksgiving with one of our turkeys in tow.

I picture what you might be imagining.

No, Julie is taking care of the Thanksgiving butchering. She and Elliot have been a godsend in this time, helping take care of the farm chores and wood for the winter. We are very lucky to have their support.

Anyway, When Gil gets to NYC, I've sprung for tickets to a revival of a favorite musical of his from many years ago(1948), Finnian's Rainbow. He'll get a chance to wallow in baby smiles and then we'll drive back together. I hope to be back on the farm by Nov. 29th or 30th.

Who would have thought a year ago, that we would be feeling our blessings as deeply as this?

Well, yes, I AM taking care of Piper

Having finished one marathon 14 hour shift yesterday (it won't usually be that long), I am so impressed with how high maintenance young babes are! Of course, I was highly reinforced on my first day, by her finding my imitation of her gurgling gooo hysterically funny, giving me a full out infant belly laugh. I'm so totally hooked!

But caring for another being's bodily and entertainment functions is exhausting. Kate has amazing stamina to be doing this day in and day out and take care of the apt. and a job, all on an interrupted sleep schedule. She has my profound admiration!

What's different here than my previous blog was referring to, is that I'm not primarily responsible for her well being. I'm simply trying to imitate Adam and Kate's techniques of baby management. (there is a learning curve) That's the freedom I'm relishing.

Gil seems to be thriving also. He had a crew over to eat pizza and watch the Packers and now he's spending the next few days staying at the home of one of his pool playing buddies.

Life is good.

He sees the doc on thursday to check his kidney function; I'll update then.

rebooting our life views

I'm in NYC with the delectable morsel Piper and her entourage! I'm really looking forward to soaking in how different the world looks from" here". I realized that I haven't had an extended time without a husband or children to care for since I was 21 years old. Will I even be able to reconnect with who I am and what I want/need without the context of other's needs?

Gil is clear that one of the first things he wants to do is get a good, high end steak. And then on to computer games and TV and movies without having to deal with anyone else's desires.

It's going to be good for both of us to take responsibility for only our selves for a while. It should give us new eyes for appreciating our life together in (hopefully) remission!