It was the best of years; it was the worst of years.

Stop me if you’ve heard this story before.

One year ago today was the last time I got a good night’s sleep.  I was hugely pregnant and desperate to give birth and meet my baby.

Today I am the mother of a little boy who will be one year old on Saturday.

Life is beautiful. Life is hard.

I’m tired and suffering from a year’s worth of sleep deprivation.

I’m broke and in debt.

I’m under tremendous pressure at work to write and publish scholarship for tenure, all while being asked to do more work for less money.

But this little monkey is my sidekick. Who could ask for anything more?

When I cry with frustration, he laughs, plants a wet kiss on my cheek, and hands me a toy.

Thank you, Oscar, for making my year.