Holiday blessings

Gifts from this past week that we'll cherish Christmas Day:

On Sunday, neighbors Eric and Corinna brought us dinner and stayed. Corinna wheeled their 4-month-old son Luca seven blocks to our house in the snow. It was fun comparing notes about diaper covers. The leftover spaghetti and salad lasted only two days. This followed Saturday's dinner, brought by Michael and Sue and their one-year-old son Daniel, who pointed to each and every new and old light fixture in our house.

Wednesday night, I spoke with Renee Borrego Garfias, a childhood friend who had her second son in August. Andres is her second, yet still Renee finds him to be "a little miracle," mind-boggling that he actually came from within her. Sarah and I still share that feeling about Claire. "Where did she come from?" Sarah sometimes says. It's a wonder how the human body and our genes know to produce such a seemingly perfect specimen, 10 fingers and 10 toes, all intact, with little lungs ready to breathe? Adding to the mystery: Claire looks like her own person, not one of us. Thanks to Renee for taking time out of her busy schedule to call and allow us to marvel at our respective children again.

One thing, though. Renee said she has seen this blog. For some reason she thinks that anyone who comes across it will be able to tell that we're first-time parents. I don't understand what she means at all.

We also visited this week with Liam Roth, the precious two-week old son of Laurel and Kory, classmates in our Bradley birthing course. Liam is quite the cute kid; seemingly tiny compared to 6-week-old Claire. They are doing well.

Our best wishes to Noelle and Mark, whose first child is due Christmas Day, I believe. May a star shine bright tonight for you and your child.

Another Bradley classmate, Carolyn and Mike, are expecting their first child around New Year's Day. Here's hoping the RV that they're currently living in provides comfort while remodelers finish their home (We can relate!).

And our Bradley teacher, Kara, is due in about two weeks with her third child.

Best Christmas wishes to all, and to all a complete night's sleep.