Sunday we held sebastian's third birthday party in our playground. it was a large, riotous occasion, made magnificent by the three dimensional NEMO cake that magnificent charles made.
sebastian just kept saying "oh wow" and my friends kept rolling their eyes in amazement of yet another facet of magnificence that charles had displayed. i shared that m.c had been up until the wee sma' hours creating this masterpiece, and jokes as off colour as the sea NEMO was flapping in were exchanged as people debated what charles will be doing tonight as payment for the wonderful birthday cake.
lots of friends, you never get to stop and chat properly, but it was still very good. sebastian had a wonderful time. he really did.
birthdays are an obvious time to get sentimental, so here i go. we were singing happy birthday to him, and i saw friends of mine, of his, relatives of ours, who REALLY care for him. this precious person who i partially created. (lab embryologists, doctors, nurses and ultrasound techs can also take credit.) 
if i died, he would still be surrounded in love. that familiar happy birthday tune, being sung for my son. can't help it, i got weepy. three years is his lifetime. but it has been a lifetime for me too. his birth was the most profound experience of my life. if you dare....read on.
Well, I dare, but don't see where I can "read on" :)
Cannot imagine what that must have been like to see all the love for your oldest. Of course you were weepy, darling. Those are the moments that you take mental snapshots of to reflect back on when you are 80, and realize that you've lived an amazing life full of trials and tribulations, but also full of wonder and joy.
Sometimes you have to get off the ride to realize how incredible it really is, eh?
So your m. charles can bake a nemo cake, and have all the ladies singing high praise for him? Certainly that does add to his cachet, doesn't it? But with the moniker "m. charles," it was to be expected that there are qualities like this! you must post a pic of the b-day boy and cake too, k?
You've got an incredible family Tess. You've been blessed, but so has your family with you.
Thank you so much for sharing with all of us.
Posted by: Boulder | November 29, 2004 at 12:31 PM
Tess,
As ususal you made me ruin my morning mascara( from either laughing or crying). Glad to hear that the party went so well.
Cant wait to see the pics.
P
Posted by: Auntie Pammie | November 29, 2004 at 12:33 PM
Happy Birthday to Sebastian! He is quite the handsome little man, isn't he! And I am QUITE impressed with the Nemo cake.... My hubby could never do that, though he is very good at EATING cake! LOL!
Hugs
Julie
Posted by: Julie | November 29, 2004 at 03:04 PM
LOVE LOVE LOVE the pics you've added!
Such a handsome lad your birthday boy Seb is!
Posted by: Boulder | November 29, 2004 at 03:15 PM
oh, Tess! love the b-day cake and feel the same way about my little men. As I get ready to give birth to little man #4 next week, I loved reading Seb.'s birth story. I started the day off weepy and emotional - guess the day is going to stay that way. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Off to decorate for Christmas and nest some more!
-Molly
Posted by: mollyv | November 29, 2004 at 10:09 PM
That cake is amazing. And such a handsome boy! Happy Birthday, Sebastian :)
Posted by: blueolive | November 29, 2004 at 10:28 PM
Can you have magnificent charles cloned? I want a cake like Sebastien had!
Posted by: Scully | November 30, 2004 at 12:00 AM
Loves it!
isn't he just a mini magnificent charles? happy b-day Seb!
Posted by: AyEnDeeAreEeAyAitch | November 30, 2004 at 02:44 AM
Happy Birthday, darling Seb! Grandad Blake and I are so happy that you loved the Nemo cake your Daddy made for you. Spectacular! You are a very special boy and we are so very proud of you, Sebbie.
Tess, your story of Seb's birthday is wonderful. Loved every word and of course cried my way AGAIN through Seb's birth story!
Much love to all, Mo xox
Posted by: Mum aka Mo aka Maureen | November 30, 2004 at 09:19 AM
What a beautiful little boy! and an amazing magnificent cake. :)
Your story about Seb's birth was great. It's amazing how each story can be so different.
Posted by: sara | December 01, 2004 at 05:50 AM
That is one amazing cake!!!
Posted by: amy | December 02, 2004 at 11:54 AM
Happy Birthday Seb, little Blue Moon baby!
Tess, i remember reading the abridged version of his birth three years ago, and it's still just as moving today. i also remember seeing pictures of mini-me in the funny hat and hanging from the sign on the Peak. he is such the little man now. thank you.
Posted by: knobody | December 02, 2004 at 08:47 PM