The 1

• The boy had his first birthday yesterday.  It's hard to believe that a year ago Bennett (currently happy and healthy as can be) was in neonatal intensive care with an oxygen cannula jammed in his nostrils.  As the Grateful Dead once put it, "What a long strange trip it's been!"  A few highlights from his birthday festivities follow:
• He likes cake (No surprise . . .  Cake is food and he loves food!): 

• We took him to the park for a birthday swing: 

• The next Tommy Lee??? Mommy prays for other mentors (Dave Grohl, perhaps?):

• He already thinks he's Superman.  I thought I'd get him the gear to match the attitude: 

• An update on Brux:  Two weeks ago, I wasn't sure that he'd be with us right now.  Much to our surprise (and pleasure) he's made quite a turnaround.  He's gone from a lethargic "old man" to his spunky old self. He's back to snagging frisbees from midair and heckling the other dogs in the neighborhood.  No doubt, he still has the kidney dysfunction and aggressive cancer to contend with.  Yet, it's pretty amazing what love, attention, and an excellent diet can do for a dog's (or a human's) health.  Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.  Livestrong Bruxy!
• Speaking of sick . . . What's the opposite of empathy?  I was pretending to be sick (Oscar worthy acting) and Bennett thought it was just Hee-Hawlarious:



• While I was watching Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday . . . the news broke.  The current "face" of evil had been taken out (God bless those SEALs).  I can only hope that my son doesn't have to see the destruction of another hitler, stalin, saddam, bin laden, etc. during his lifetime.  Let's hope the information age can help expose such monsters before they gather substantial following and power. I just saw an interview with several kids who lost parents in the Towers in 9/11.  Their optimism was inspiring.  The American Dream lives on!
• "I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure" -Mark Twain

What a night!!!

• Well, in my last post I was talking about going to a "routine" doctor visit.   Karah had some blood work done and an ultrasound.  We left the hospital and Karah was feeling great.  We had dinner at Mi Zuppa in Vail.  On the drive home, we got a call from the doctor asking us to turn around and come to labor and delivery STAT. 
• Turns out that Karah had HELLP syndrome:  HELLP syndrome is a life-threatening obstetric complication usually considered to be a variant of pre-eclampsia. Both conditions occur during the later stages of pregnancy, or sometimes after childbirth.
  HELLP is an abbreviation of the main findings:
  Hemolytic anemia
  Elevated Liver enzymes and
  Low Platelet count
• Karah got a magnesium IV (to prevent seizures) and a nice helicopter ride (Donald Trump style) over the Rockies to Presbyterian St. Lukes in Denver.  I drove home, grabbed some things, and hit the road to Denver (long, lonely drive).  At the time her flight left, it sounded for certain that she would have a c-section as soon as she arrived in Denver.  I wasn't sure I'd be there for the delivery.  
• Karah arrived  in Denver and the doctor decided that because her symptoms were minimal that they could try induction.  If that didn't work then Karah would go the c-section route.  I arrived a couple hours later.  Things stayed calm and the doctor was optimistic that we may be able to deliver naturally at 3 or 4 AM
• Karah started getting strong contractions about 11 pm.  At 12:30 the nurse checked her dilation status.  The look on her face was one of shock.  She checked again.  She went in the hall and asked another nurse to check.  Yep, she was ready.  An army of nurses and the doctor marched in.  Karah made it look so easy.  No drugs.  No problem. 
• At 12:54 Bennett Davidson Maloley was born.  6 lbs. 15 oz., 20 lbs.  The cutest little thing you ever did see.  Quite large for his premature status.  It was a day of a lowest low and a highest high.  When Karah left for Denver I never could have dreamed it would end so sweet and easy.  I know there were lots of people praying for us . . . thank you, it worked!    
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  Mama is doing great and baby is too.  All 4 grandparents got to see him today.