Lucky 13

I'm taking out breastmilk to thaw for Noah. The date on the back, I glimpse, reads 3-13-12. March 13. The numbers are etched into my mind like frosted glass because 3-13-09 was the day we found out our "last hope", our (first) IVF, had failed. Three "perfect" embryos went to heaven. Four were cryogenically frozen; like our hearts, told to wait. And here we are three-plus years later and I just watched 2 of those "embryos" climb the side of #3's crib, lean over his 6 month old giggling face and use the sign for 'I love you" as they cheerfully said night-night. Tight in my chest, I know I am truly living a dream. Don't wake me, please.

Photos by Denise Marie Photography, 1-31-12.