What's in a year: from contraception to cooing

Bubble,

Two years ago today, on September 14th of 2009, I started a health project (NOT a diet) because Daddy just dropped me off in Virginia to do a 3-month internship with Rosetta Stone's Endangered Language Program -- leaving me with the time and impetus to change my life.  The project was a great success and I was very healthy by the time it ended a year later on September 14th of 2010.  I was feeling so vibrant and alive that I asked Daddy to go to lunch with me so I could ask him a very important question that I'd been thinking about for a long time, even praying for hours while I climbed the 14-er Pikes Peak the week before.  I asked him to consider a hiatus from contraception; I asked him to consider inviting you into our lives.  We had fish-and-chips and bangers-n-mash at Connor O'Neals off Pearl Street in Boulder; I had a celebratory Strongbow cider (this being the last day of a year of ultra-health) and he had a Guinness even though he was wearing his RTD uniform.  Here's what I wrote in my diary on the sticky dark-wood bar table after he left:

**9/14/10 Connor O's**
Just told Brian I want to start trying!  His reaction was not negative, only very practical, hesitant and thoughtful (of course).  I asked our baby's spirit to go with him, help bring images to mind, help him consider -- and see what his or her father would be like.  We are all deciding, together.  I thanked Brian for considering it and told him I understand it is not a foregone conclusion.  I do...
  Child of mine, come play this afternoon.  Go tickle Brian's mind when you're satisfied with mine.  I look forward to your point of view.
  Mom -- oh, Mom -- let this happen!  As is best for us all, let this happen.
  I love you all --
-Muff-
**
 You accepted our invitation so quickly that, given how pregnancy technically begins two weeks before fertilization, I officially got pregnant a week before we even had this conversation, right around my hours-long prayer on the mountainside.  Since the beginning of the pregnancy co-occured with the end of my herculean weight-loss success, I gained an enormous ton of weight with you, despite exercising incessantly and eating primarily quinoa and spinach (or so it felt).  A good childhood friend, Tiffany Bressan, even printed me a t-shirt that said "Ask me if it's twins and I'll hurt you" so I would have the courage to leave my house that last trimester.

Maybe next year today I'll be somewhere near as healthy as I was a year ago, but even if I'm not, my life will be immeasurably richer.  As I've been typing this you've been cooing to me in your soft little voice, flashing your stunningly beautiful eyes around the dim room, reminding me that everything that bought me the prize of you, absolutely every moment that preceded your entry into my storyline -- all of it is made worthwhile by your coming.

Thank you so much for hearing me, and for joining our lives.  You are my reward.  I love you.