As I was putting the living room in order this week, listening to Gavin read Morgen a bedtime book through the monitor, and humming "Tidy up now, tidy up now, toys away" under my breath, the immense change in my life struck me all at once and I was momentarily overwhelmed. I looked at the impressive pile of books, blocks, rattles, and cuddly things, and I realized that all of it, every last thing, had been gifted to us. 

Not only is my present membership in the mommy club a sort of unexpected gift (as many of you know, we found ourselves suddenly pregnant very shortly after deciding to be 'open' to the idea of pregnancy), but most of the toys, the furniture, and the clothes that our daughter enjoys every day have been generously given to us by friends and family. We are very lucky to have you. What I'm saying is: thanks.  

If you'd been here on Morgen's actual birthday last week, I'm sure she would have expressed her appreciation by trying to get you to eat her cupcake. As it is, she spent a good deal of time jamming cake at her Daddy.