Atypically, I went to the office on a Wednesday. We were having a goodbye lunch for Patti McParlane and I wanted to be there. I was ravenous and ate two servings of mostaccioli. We talked about the baby and I repeated what had become my go-to phrase: "It could happen tomorrow or it could be a month."
I left work at 5 and hurried home. Kerri was coming from Pewamo for dinner. We met at 505 and drove down to Milford House - not because I didn't want to walk, but because it was sprinkling. Will was golfing so he met us there. We ate outside, under the veranda. I repeated my go-to phrase...
We got home around 9:30 and I went to bed. There was a thunderstorm. At 11:42 my water broke.
One year later, my July 27 will be quite different. I'll do laundry (a near-daily activity) and fold teeny tiny shorts and footed pajamas. I'll go upstairs, walk into my former office, raise the blackout blinds and greet a smiling, babbling towhead who will be standing in her crib. I'll change her diaper. We'll read a book. She'll take off crawling down the hall. I'll sweep her into my arms and carry her downstairs for breakfast. While I fry her an egg we'll chat about the days activities and she'll munch on some cherrios. Then we'll go outside and take a walk around the yard. We'll go back inside and while she sits in her Adirondack chair in the kitchen, I'll do the dishes. Then we'll build a block tower and roll her globe back and forth across the floor. I'll go back in the kitchen for coffee and she'll cry and crawl after me, sitting with her arms outstretched. I'll prop her on my hip and try to pour a cup. Two hours after she wakes, we'll go back upstairs. She'll cry when she realizes it's nap time, then settle in to nurse. Ten minutes later, she'll be in her crib and I'll begin a frantic "Pack for Escanaba" exercise.
I'll pack my clothes. Will's clothes. And Maizey's little clothes. The dog's food and leash. Golf clubs. A stroller. A light-up, singing walking toy. Beach towels. Plastic beach toys. Sippy cups. A breast pump. My cameras. Board books. Graham crackers. A diaper bag. And eventually, I'll strategically put it all in the Jeep. Most likely during nap #2.
And tomorrow, we'll celebrate year one.
