It's Duders Birthday

I've been writing this blog for over a year. I've only missed one Monday, which I consider pretty good. I hope I've entertained and educated. I hope I've opened up eyes to mental illness, private lives, monogamy, and other such subjects. I promised myself I was going to be so open in this blog, and it amazes me at how much I've actually kept to myself.

Because of that, I wonder about how keeping so much to myself has affected my mental health. There's a great writing prompt I think I'm going to base this week's blog on. The writing prompt is this: How can you nourish and care for your mind this month?

I think the first thing I need to do, not just this month but from now on, is quit sweating the small stuff. We held Matthew's birthday parties over the weekend. We split the birthday parties into two - one for my side of the family and one for Nick's side. We were trying to be respectful of the Covid situation and the health of everybody. Some of our family members are more frail than others. Since I have a big family, I figured this would work out perfectly.

I didn't need to worry. Only four people from my side of the family showed up. Two people from Nick's side showed up. We also had one friend of Matthew's show up on Nick's side day. At first I was really disappointed. But I decided to flip that attitude around and be grateful that Matthew (and myself and Nick) got one-on-one time with our families (and his friend). Tea got to talk with her aunts. Bryan got plenty of food. And, of course, we consider Sean part of our little family, so he doesn't get counted as a guest.

Matthew didn't seem to care there weren't many people there. He was thrilled with the presents he received. He was thrilled that his grandmas and grandpas were there. I don't think he realizes how lucky he is they're still around and in as good of health as they are. My mom is actually his Godmother, and she gets a special joy from him. I love the connection between them.

Today is actually Matthew's birthday. Nine years ago this special boy came into my life. That will nourish my mind. He completed our little family. I love thinking about when he was first born. I couldn't believe he was mine at first - that actually lasted for days. I made Nick follow him around the delivery room to make sure the doctors didn't exchange him for another baby. Here's Nick and I when Matthew was first delivered:


Matthew and I spent a lot of time skin-to-skin. He would get upset if I got upset, and the skin-to-skin time really calmed both of us down.


Here's some random baby pictures that I love:





And, of course, let's not forget about as he grows:











Unfortunately, Matthew was tuckered out after this weekend:


I'm hoping today is special for him, as special as it was the day he made me a mom again.

Until next week's dirt...

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