Abigail reached a landmark today. After only eleven months, a fourth tooth finally gasped in its first breath of air. My how she grows. Already, her favorite word is "Hi" and her favorite pasttime is bouncing up and down to the Enchanted soundtrack. A few days ago she spent not less than ten minutes bouncing herself up and down in my arms, filled with the thrill of life.

An evening or so ago, we sat in the tall grass together in our back yard, watching tiny grasshoppers skip to and fro. Abigail giggled when I would catch one in my hand and held it in my palm for her to see. In only a moment, the hopper launched toward freedom, and a delighted Abigail watched and grinned. She thought they were just great. We spent some time yesterday playing basketball and chasing roly poly bugs.

Delores is the best mom. I love watching Abigail, her large eyes full of wonder at her mother. Where Delores goes, Abigail trots along behind, babbling away and content because mom is close. Delores is tireless and affectionate to the last moment of every day. I count myself a fortunate man.

As the extended Dorton clan contentedly watched Jacob and Delores open birthday presents on Sunday, Isabel enters the room from the kitchen saying:

"Everyone, I have an announcement....

"Samuel is eating Delores' cake."

The room was a sudden picture of motion.

She did it! She really did it!

And I wanna brag about her. 

Monday was an exciting day for us. Delores defended her thesis at last, and stood triumphant after a grueling hour-and-a-half. Some of the professors on the panel were quite flattering in their praise of Delores' effots.

Abigail came along, and spent most of the time being chased away from all the tasty textbooks in Dr. Gast's office by Delores' good friend Anne.  Afterwards, we enjoyed some long-awaited Aggie Ice Cream.

It was kind of funny, after several waves of denial washed over us, to say, "It's done....Only three rounds of revisions left before it is finished." Three rounds of revisions, but at least no more defence.

At any rate, we're understandably happy. Next time you see Delores, give her a hug from all of us. 

There is little doubt but that my sweet little girl is my lovely wife's daughter. They look so sweet together. I saw the photograph of Delores and thought, for a moment, that I was looking at Abigail.

Sometimes it takes several grueling hours with a pickaxe and a jack hammer to make a fella feel like a man. Other times, there are more sensitive things. I enjoy going with Delores each week to our Bradley Method® birthing class. We sit in a room for a few hours with other couples who are as excited about there baby as we are about ours, and we learn how to prepare for and embrace labor.

Strange enough, this helps me feel like a man. We alternate between different activities in the class, from traditional school-like learning to practicing relaxation techniques and massage. I get to spend the entire time practicing and dreaming about providing for Delores' every need during labor and birth. Each moment is about taking care of her as only a husband with all his love can. I get to be her labor coach; the fella who is there every moment and is sorely missed even for the briefest of trips to the restroom. Yup. I'm going to do all that and somehow not faint. And I can't wait (although I need to wait until we at least have a place for our baby to sleep).

There's no table saw, forklift, or anything else manly about it except my love for Delores and my deep hope that I can be a decent father to my baby. And yet, to me, I feel that I am facing a rite of passage; one that, if I succeed, I will be a man. Two calendar flips. That's all the time left. And with the next calendar flip only two-some-odd weeks ahead, I can hardly contain myself.

I lie awake in bed, tranquil and still, and listen to your gentle breathing. Abigail is due in two calendar-flips, and seems like she might arrive both running and dancing. You are supernally beautiful.

My love, I love you more deeply and more sweetly than the day we married. You have been strength to me, and tenderness, and joy. Thank you, love.

One of the neat things about being married to Delores is that I have a lot to brag about in her. She won some prestigious awards from the university, and was recognized among other wonderful people for her service as a teacher and researcher.

Mother and Pa and Mom and Dad all came to see her, and It was fun to be together as a family. It was fun to have them over to visit, eat, laugh, and smile together. I am glad families are eternal.

Delores with her folks.

Delores and me and my folks.

My wife, while studying diligently for her Sociology class on Population Health, helped me find food today like so:

Keith: Oh look? some left over chinese food in the fridge! I'll have some of that.

Delores: If you want, there's some socioeconomic sauce on the top shelf.