25 today… I think for once I actually feel different. Maybe it’s having a son, maybe it’s hitting the quarter-century mark. Either way, I’m happy and life is good! This morning Steve sent me for a 60 minute massage and a spa pedicure… ahhhhh, so amazing. I couldn’t get up after my massage, haha. And I got pink toes for spring! 
When I got home he gave me more gifts!
From him – a box of fancy chocolates from a local store downtown, Chocolat By Daniel. Yea, I’ve already eaten two and it’s taking every ounce of willpower I have to not eat more right now They use REAL cocoa, not processed “crap” you find at the store.
The next gift he said was from Ryan. It’s my favorite picture of us and then on the left side of the frame is a poem that Steve wrote, signed by Ryan Tyler So adorable, it made me cry! Steve said – you know, you’re really a mom now when presents make you cry. Haha.
The poem reads:
In mother’s arms I sleep tonight.
Peacefully waiting,
Until morning’s first light.
In mother’s arms I feel no fear.
Comfortably rocking,
Shedding no single tear.
In mother’s arms I stay a while.
Anxiously hoping,
To induce Mother’s smile.
Love,
Ryan Tyler
How absolutely perfect is that? Steve said he was a little nervous about using the word “induce” (because of my labor/birth), but he needed a 2 syllable word – that made me laugh! He’s so sweet. Best birthday ever.
This is what my desk looked like at work on Friday:
And so far I’ve gotten one of the gifts from my mom, the book Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC)
. A depressing read for me, I’m sure, haha, but I’m so excited to have it. It’s out of print (written in the 80’s) but from what I’ve heard it’s an absolute must-read. Have any of you read it or heard of it? Someone told me it was required reading for their nursing degree – but I can tell you the nurse I had during my labor sure as hell didn’t seem like she ever read a book like this.
Tonight we’re going out for dinner with a bunch of friends (and brining Ryan along!) then just hanging out with everyone at our house. Best birthday ever! Cheers!
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND HOMELAND SECURITY COUNCIL: SHOULD THEY BY MERGED?
US Fed News Service, Including US State News February 13, 2009 WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 — The office of Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-D-Conn., issued the following news release: go to website national security council
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., and Ranking Member Susan Collins, R-Me., heard arguments Thursday for and against the idea of merging the Homeland Security Council (HSC) with the National Security Council (NSC).
Lieberman and Collins said they were open to a potential merger, but both expressed concerns that the interests of homeland security could be overshadowed by the interests of national security and warned that any merger would have to ensure that homeland security received appropriate attention from the President. They also noted that Congress would need to update the statutes that established the HSC and NSC if the two Councils were merged, and encouraged the Administration to work with Congress on this matter.
“Every President since Harry Truman has adapted the structure of the National Security Council to best serve his needs and those of the country, in light of the challenges then facing the nation,” Lieberman said. “President Obama, of course, will want to do the same — and with the Homeland Security Council as well. But I have one clear bottom line — that whatever structure emerges, it is essential that homeland security policy issues are given sufficient staff, resources, and attention within the White House and that a process exists to effectively coördinate them. I look forward to engaging with the Administration on this matter in the coming months.” Collins said, “The decision on whether or not the Homeland Security Council and the National Security Council should be merged should not be taken lightly. Some have advocated a merger of the HSC and NSC, but eliminating an independent HSC may not be the best available option. An independent HSC, with more resources, a larger, more experienced staff, and the backing of the President, would enhance the council’s stature and its ability to coördinate federal departments and agencies, state, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector. A strong, independent HSC could resolve many of the concerns raised by merger advocates without the potential unintended consequences that a merger might cause.” The HSC was established after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on the model of the NSC, to advise the President on homeland security matters. Like the NSC, the HSC’s statutory direction is general. Its membership, however, includes only the President, Vice President, Department of Homeland Security, Attorney General, and Secretary of Defense. Just as the NSC is designed to corral the efforts of departments across the government, including Defense, State, and the Intelligence Community, in their operations abroad, the HSC was formed to ensure that the government acts together at the federal, state and local levels to secure the homeland. this web site national security council
That is the absolute best book on cesareans and VBAC. I haven’t read it all the way through because I cry most times, but it is absolutely incredible. The way they write speaks right to me because they don’t put down the emotions after a cesarean and how to prepare for a VBAC.
Happy birthday, and that is a super cute poem and such great gifts!
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Happy Birthday! You have a great hubby :O)
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Very nice, Emily. The poem is wonderful! How sweet! Happy Birthday to Emily — my wonderful daughter!
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how wonderful!!! I hope your day is perfect today!
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Isn’t it sad that the book was written so long ago, yet nothing has changed. That was the most difficult thing for me while reading it. I kept thinking,“Hey, that’s what happened to me!”. The same stuff happening to us now happened to women 30 years ago. Awful.
Glad you got the book!
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cheers to 25 yrs of you!
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Happy Birthday!! I might have to try and get a hold of that book for my Aunt she’s not preggo but I want to make sure that when she gets preggo again she goes for a VBAC!
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Happy Birthday Mama!!! Your DH is the sweetest ever!!
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Happy Birthday!!!
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That is the most gorgeous gift ever! Happy Birthday, it sounds like you had a fantastic day
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