Happy Birthday Robert Brant!

Rob here with his proud sister Diandra on his 8th birthday

When I was pregnant with my children, I was very careful of what I put into and on my body. I just suffered when I had a headache or a cold... I didn't take anything. I was pretty extreme. Every thing I did, was always putting them first. I can honestly still say that.
My pregnancy with my son Robert, was needless to say a lonely one. It was just me and him. My childhood sweetheart left me, and with time, so did my friends. My girlfriends could only do so much with a pregnant chicka. Looking back, it was only right, we were at different places in our lives. Although at the time, that ol' saying "you find out who your real friends are, when it gets tough" hit hard, I believe it also made me stronger.

I will never forget feeling my baby move inside me for the first time. I can still remember when I had the sonogram and could see what he was. I was thrilled! He was sucking his thumb and waving at me at the same time (Strange, both Rob and Diandra did that, but never sucked on their thumbs when they were babies. They had a cousin that did all of the time, Diandra would just watch her, try it and gag. She didn't get it?!).

When I had Rob, I wanted to have him completely natural. It was a long labor. I felt him do a flip, and apparently he had the umbilical cord around his neck. I almost lost him. They ran me to the elevator, and were prepping me for surgery. I wasn't even under anesthesia when they cut me to get to him. I was in the hospital for a week. His biological father never even came to see him.

I would sing this song to him as I rocked him.

Que Sera Sera

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

When I was young, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.

Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

You may remember it, Doris Day sang it.


Taken after his nap

The night before he went into the military, we went to a Chinese restaurant and this song came on. I had put on a brave face until that moment. I couldn't believe it! In a Chinese restaurant. This is my/his second birthday without him. Yes, I said my. I feel that my children's birthday is also a "birth of becoming a momma for me"... a day of celebration! I carried them inside me for nine months. They were/are a part of me.


Rob wanting to squirt me

Robert, you have taught me so much and helped me grow as a person. You taught me to be a mom. You are so giving, thoughtful, and caring. You have a sense of humor that won't quit. You make us laugh. I am so proud to be your momma. I feel like the world is a better place because you are in it.


This was taken after Diandra got Homecoming Queen her Sophomore year. He had braces on in this picture...

I know this to be true, I was put on this earth to have you and your sister.


Rob on a mission's trip in Mexico



This is Robert. He is serving in the military over in Kuwait.

Earth's shadow will creep across the moon's surface early today, slowly eclipsing it and turning it shades of orange and red.
The total lunar eclipse, the second this year, will be visible in North and South America, especially in the West. People in the Pacific islands, eastern Asia, Australia and new Zealand also will be able to view it if the sky is clear.

Rob and I share a love for the sun setting and sun rising. What the sky will show us every night. It comforts me to know that even if we are half a world apart in different countries... we will both see this on his birthday.

Happy Birthday Baby...

He is 23 today!