Blogger Baby Turns One

A year ago this morning, I was sleeping in bed when I heard Maria's voice.

"Hey, Mike!"

"Uhmmmmghmmm... huh?"

"I think my water may have just broke!"

Strangely enough, panic didn't set in. Evan wasn't due for another week -- and Maria wasn't experiencing any contractions. So we calmly both showered, then picked up her maternity bag and headed for Providence St. Joseph's in Burbank.

There, the nurses echoed our calmness, noting that Maria wasn't close to giving birth -- and that they may send us home in an hour or so.

But then the contractions started happening. And quickly gained steam. Yet we couldn't convince the nurse that this was happening -- now.

Finally, another nurse checked in. I don't remember exactly what was said -- but in my memory, it was something to the effect of, "Holy shit, you're having this baby!"

As well as, "Maria, you're going to give birth in about half an hour -- do you still want the epidural?"

Which, again, my memory may be spotty, but Maria's response was something akin to, "F--- yeah, what do you think? Of course I want the f--ing epidural! Like, YESTERDAY, bitch!"

OK, she definitely didn't say that. But I'm sure she was thinking that.

Evan popped out at 4:51 p.m. Our Christmas Eve miracle. And quite honestly, the best Christmas present ever. Not even a video iPod (uh, hint, hint) could beat it.

One year later, it's impossible to put into words how much our lives have changed -- and how much being a parent has gone beyond every imaginable expectation. The best thing ever? That's an understatement. And it's just begun. We love you, Evan. Happy first birthday.