Thank you all for the birthday wishes last week! Those of you who have been reading me for a long time might have noticed that I didn’t write about my birthday once during the month leading up to it. I’m pretty sure that’s never happened in the ten-plus years I’ve been keeping this blog, and it likely will never happen again. Why? Because I am never going to have another baby so I will never again experience this soul crushing fatigue. You know, the epic tiredness that makes you say to your husband, “I am so tired that I think I might stop breathing. Can you set your alarm to make sure I’m still breathing in an hour?” Obviously, I am still working out the kinks in this two-child system.
Mike and the kids spoiled me on my birthday. I told Mike I wanted a mellow day. More specifically, I wanted a nap and a pedicure. He cleared his schedule and told me he’d make sure I got those things. Annabel came running into our bedroom at some ungodly hour and hollered, “Happy birthday, Mama!” And Mike ushered her out of the room, letting me sleep in. SLEEP! Who needs a nap when you can sleep until eight?
After I was up, Annie joined me in bed and gave me cards and pictures she drew. This one of our family was my favorite:
Annie says: That’s Rigby [on the left], then you and me hugging, then the little baby is James, the big guy is Daddy, and that’s Maddie on top!
I told Mike not to buy me any gifts because my medical bills are ridiculous, but he still bought me a beautiful necklace:
It has a small birthstone for each of my kids, citrine for Madeline, garnet for Annabel, and emerald for James. I love it.
While I fed James, Mike and Annie made breakfast. I walked into the kitchen to this:
Homemade eggs benedict, yes please.
After breakfast I went to the nail salon and got a pedicure, but really the best part was sitting quietly in the electric massage chair. I even looked at a magazine! Then I walked the length of the mall. I told myself it was because I needed the exercise, and not because I was window shopping.
Of course, no birthday in our house is complete without cake, and Annabel was as excited about eating it as she was on her own birthday. She was upset that James couldn’t have any until I reminded her that his inability to eat cake meant more for her.
Even though it was a very laid-back birthday (by my standards), it was a great day. Thirty-three was not my favorite year, and other than James’ birth, I’m not sad to see it go. I get teased a lot about unabashedly loving my birthday, but I make no apologies. Another year of life, another year with my family and friends and babies…with everything life has thrown my way in the last six years, the good moments deserve to be celebrated. Birthdays are some of the best moments.
Sue says:
That looks, and sounds, like one perfect birthday, Heather. The breakfast looks delicious, and that necklace,,,,,,oh my gosh,,,,,,,,,that necklace…..it’s gorgeous, and just perfect!!!!
Molly says:
I think your new necklace is so lovely and subtle and perfect. Happy birthday, Heather!
MissyK says:
Your necklace is just beautiful! Mike is an awesome hubby. I don’t like eggs & that breakfast even made me want to eat it! LOL. Annies family portrait is just too cute. Glad you had such a wonderful, relaxing birthday.
amourningmom says:
Happy happy birthday Heather! I hope you do keep celebrating the good moments – and as you wrote, another year of life with your family and friends is the best!
So glad that you got some sleep and a pedicure. Love the breakfast and the necklace (Mike is so thoughtful!). The picture from Annie is my favorite.
When our twins started to draw family pictures I was so happy/sad that they included Jake and Sawyer, their dead brothers. It means so much to me that they are remembered.
Hope that this year brings you more sleep, love and laughs. Thinking of you and all of your children. xo
Annalisa says:
Technically, James had birthday cake. Whatever mom eats, baby eats too when breast feeding. You can pass that along to Annie next time she worries about James being left out.
Glad you got extra sleep!
M&M says:
Go Mike! And Happy Birthday Heather!
Glenda says:
Another year of life, another year with my family and friends and babies…with everything life has thrown my way in the last six years, the good moments deserve to be celebrated. Birthdays are some of the best moments. <<<Amen to that Heather!!!
Sounds like a perfect type of day! Love the necklace! Pedi day… yes please! Here's to the next year! Hope it's everything you imagine it to be and then some!
Love, Love Annie's drawing. I love how she put Maddie up on top! Watching over all of you! so bittersweet! xo
Paula says:
You celebrated your birthday in a big way this year too. And while you didn’t post anything leading up to it…this post makes all those other posts not needed.
Donna P says:
Cheers! Raising a glass to you, lovely lady.
Amanda says:
Love this. Happy days through this year of 34!
Priya says:
Sounds like the perfect day! I love Annie’s drawing…that one is a keeper! (I mean the drawing…of course Annie is too!) ;P
Jeanie says:
So glad you had a good birthday. You deserve it! The eggs Benedict look fantastic.
ella says:
Happy birthday! I love the necklace..I can’t wait for you to add James’s profile to your other necklace!
Funny you wrote about medical bills today. The NY Times posted this article about the insane cost of childbirth! I knew it wasn’t cheap, but oh my goodness!
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/01/health/american-way-of-birth-costliest-in-the-world.html?hp&_r=1&
Janey says:
To me that looks like the IDEAL birthday Never have been one for celebrating but sleeping in.. breakfast made by those you love and a pedicure? Divine. Followed up by hearty singing by and a fancy cake? Just perfect
Janey says:
Oh! And the necklace just perfect, good on you Mike
ryan says:
Awwwww, Happy Birthday!
Auntie_M says:
What a lovely, lovely, love-filled day!!! Welcome to 34. Adios 33. James, whose arrival at the tail-end of 33, was indeed the best thing ever!
As soon as I saw Annie’s picture, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that that was Maddie watching over her family! I love how Annie has you two hugging each other! And Daddy towering over lil James. And of course Rigby was in the picture! Helloooo, family picture!!!
Your breakfast was pure decadence! Wow, Mike!!!! Homemade Eggs Benedict AND that incredible necklace??? And you got to sleep in…and go have a pedi? Heather, you are one loved lady!!!
And not just by your family!
Auntie_M says:
Off topic, can I just say that it cracks me up that you have ads for Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm running on your blog? Mainly because my mom LOVES Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm. Last year our lawn was saved by getting a couple large shipments of worms from him. And this year, she happily ordered his 360 worm composter (or something like that!)…it’s a very compact compost system run by worms. It’s also great fun for my niece who checks the worms daily with Gramma.
But the ads crack me up when I see them here. Don’t know why! LOL