Deena, give Kara a hug for me. I was pouty too.

Also, the weather in Cincinnati is great, at least today, even though it was cold and there were a few flakes of snow falling when I left Cleveland.

I just keep reminding myself that babies grow up healthy and normal under conditions much worse than ours WRT space, stimulation, etc., and that none of this seems to be retarding her physical and intellectual development--I mean, arguably, if she had more safe space and therefore more opportunity to roam, she might've walked at ten months like most babies in my family. But she's walking now, so it's not like she's even remotely behind schedule.

(For the record, note that I'm not worrying. I'm talking myself out of worrying. It's a different vibe.)

Hee. MSN's entertainment feature today: The Music of Mullets

Schedules mean very little. Some children hit ALL their milestones late and develop fully, even magnificiently.

Safe, loved, and not pressured-- I'm pretty sure that's about 99% of the development of an otherwise healthy child.

Typo on invoice:

Install studs and new broads.

See Beep Me for the word on my dad.

My parents sound optimistic. I hope they're right to be, though I'm thinking of calling VCOB or Aunt Brenda just to see how it looks to someone other than them who's close by.

I was hoping it'd turn out that it was a slower-growing type of cancer that they could easily deal with surgically, but I'm still feeling hopeful that I'll get my five years. DH isn't as optimistic, and for all I know I'm in denial.

If I get those five years, give Annabel a chance to remember him, and also manage to get my first book published in that time, I know I'll want another five years--after all, Annabel's hypothetical future sibling would then be around to be too young to remember, I might not get published that quickly, and if I do what if my first book got a really horrid tacky cover? Then I'd want him to see my second book. Whenever it happens, however it happens, it won't change the grieving.

And I feel a very strong identification with practically every character in "The Body" right now. Because it's always sudden. And I don't know the rules for being a grown-up under these circumstances, 30-something that I am. And the fruit punch speech? Resonates a lot.

Susan, I hope chemo goes well and that they caught it soon enough to give you at least five years with him.

I don't think there are rules, or guidelines, or a handbook, no matter what age you are. It's always going to shake your foundations.

Much love and good results~ma to Susan and family.

Susan, I am glad his diagnosis is giving you some optimism. The rules are there are no rules.

Susan, it sounds like they have a good plan. Your dad and your whole family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

In a family update of my own, I just had dinner with the parents. Mom's interview went very well today. She's one of two finalists for the position, so it's looking very positive. Keep the ~ma coming. Hopefully she'll hear something by next week.

Oh, and also, I have the cutest dog in the world. My parents surprised me and got Toto groomed while I was gone last weekend. I'm just picking him up now, 'cause I was sick and other stuff, yada yada. He looks so adorable. I really had let him get scraggly, poor guy. The place did a really nice job with him, though. I'll have to take some pictures when we get home. He's even got a springish bandana. So cute!