27 is our lucky number.  It follows us around.  I don't believe in numerology, but if I did, the number 27 would have great significance for our family.

 

I was born July 27.

Eric was born May 27

My favorite ball player, A-Rod, was born July 27

Foster was born September 27 (we think)

We took a number 27 table marker from Carl's Jr...it's in our kitchen

We recieved AJ's referral at 11:07 am (get it?)

We got our travel call for AJ on 2-7-2007 at 10:27 am

Both of our cars cost $27,000

There are 2 7s in my SSN

There are 2 pair of 7s in my driver's license number

When we get a fortune cookie (and we get a lot of them, our friend's own a restaurant), there is inevitably a 27 on the back, with the lotto numbers

 

Oh, the list goes on.  Weird, huh?

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When I walk up to my car at night after work, I always notice AJ's carseat in the back.   

 

I can remember when we were a childless couple, I would walk by cars in parking lots and think, "Oh look, they have a baby".  The carseat became a symbol of parenthood to me.  It was a reminder of the thing we felt was lacking in our lives.

 

The little blue seat in the back of my car cradles and supports my son's perfect, tiny body and keeps him safe.  I love that it is always back there, with his little fuzzy blanket thrown over it.

 

Now when I see carseats in the cars parked along the road I think, "Hey look, they have a baby- just like us!".

Britain's Got Talent!

 

and Papa, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa and Angel Grandpa. 

We love you all!

 

 

 

 

Last night the baby woke for a bottle around 4:30 am.  Foster decided he needed out, so I opened the sliding glass door.  It was nice and cool outside and a little stuffy in the house.  I decided to leave the door open to let the early morning breeze in.  We have a big, scary dog to protect us, right?

 

Around 8 am I woke to the sound of Foster's tags jingling incessantly.  I was surprised since the door was already open. I knew he didn't need out.  I called him but he did not come.  "He must just be playing downstairs by himself.", I said to myself.

 

I got the baby out of bed and went into the hallway.  I realized Foster was not downstairs, but in the baby's room.  "That's funny", I thought.  "He never goes in there."  So I went to investigate.

 

When I walked into Aricin's room I saw Foster, head down, running back and forth in front of the crib.  I was having 'Lady and the Tramp' flashbacks.  I pulled the crib away from the wall and Foster ran back and forth, head down, behind the crib.  I didn't see or hear anything. 

 

Foster has been known to see and hear imaginary things, so I decided to ignore him.  But I made a note to myself to warn the housecleaner when she arrived a couple hours later.

 

Our housecleaner arrived and I told her there might be a visitor of some sort in the baby's room and she was free to skip it if she wanted to.  Melody is a big girl, so she said she'd go ahead and clean.  She didn't see or hear anything unusual while she was upstairs.

 

A few minutes later, she and I were talking in the kitchen.  Melody looks over at the slider and exclaims, "Oh my gosh, he wants out!".  I assumed she was speaking of Foster, so I calmly walked to the sliding door to find...

 

A CHIPMUNK!  He was running back and forth in front of the door, waiting to be let out.  I opened the door, and out he went.

 

Do you think he's been in our house before?  He seemed to know the layout of the place quite well.

 

There's nothing like bringing the outdoors in.

surgery was considered a success! Please visit his blog for the good news.

 

the Harlem Gospel Choir.

 

I started work this week.  I can't put into words how I am feeling.

Eric and I both have parents who have fought, or are fighting cancer this year.  Cancer is a devastating disease which affects not only those with the illness, but their friends and family as well.  Cancer robs people of their lives, it robs grandchildren of their grandparents, sons of their mothers, brothers of their sisters and parents of their children.  And even though it is gut wrenching to watch a parent fight such an aggressive disease; I cannot imagine the anguish of watching your baby slowly succumb to cancer.

 

The Schrandt family is helping their baby, James, fight Wilms Disease, a form of cancer.  Unfortunately the cancer seems to be winning.  His body is not responding to any of the treatments given, and he has already lost one kidney.  He is in danger of losing his second kidney as well as his liver.  If you visit the 'surf' page of our site, you will find a link to his story.

 

My point is that we all have a reason to live.  Sick or well, rich or poor, and for however long we are allowed to stay; we have a purpose on this planet.  We should take each moment and live it to the fullest.  I know it sounds cliche, but I believe it never hurts to be reminded of this simple truth.  When was the last time you noticed the smell of fresh cut grass, or the toothless grin of a baby laughing?

 

Faced with the mortality of my loved ones, myself, and beautiful Baby James, I am confronted by how much I take for granted.

 

Please, when you have a moment, say a prayer for those you know who are fighting disease, both physically and mentally.  Keep fighting mom, dad and  sweet baby James...

  

 

 

 

  

He does exist!

 

In other news, AJ reports Halmoni bought herself a new hybrid Camry so she could visit twice as often.  I love that girl!