That’s right, kind reader. Today, June 27th, is my birthday. It’s also my brother’s birthday (we’re twins and NO we are NOT identical). I’m 29 years old – yes, actually 29. I’ve always thought 29 was a “fake age.” You know, people who are turning 30 always claim they are turning 29 again. Well, not me. At least, not this year.
A year ago, on June 26th, a Perinatologist told me that my baby (you may have heard of her? Madeline?) was perfectly developed. This came on the heels of my OB telling me that I was going to miscarry. I took this picture on that day:
This was the first time I was told there was a chance I might actually get a baby out of the pregnancy. That was all I needed to hear. I latched onto the doctor’s words. I was determined to believe I would have a child, and it would be from THAT pregnancy. I realize now what a complete Pollyanna I was. I remember being in the waiting room, clutching the locket that held a picture of my grandmother. I made a deal with The Powers That Be that day: Give me my baby, and I won’t ask for anything else. Of course, I renegotiated that deal this week. Still, I know Mike looked at me in the waiting room, talking to The Powers That Be, and was so scared. This is going to sound so stupid, but I just knew that nothing bad would happen to me on my birthday.
I’m typing this with my little Maddie on my lap. I know I said my ‘fro was the best present ever, but I lied. The hope that my daughter could possibly survive is the gift I will cherish more than anything.
So, while I am blatantly stealing this idea from Casey (who, by the way, is having an awesome contest you should enter), the sentiment is the same. What is the best thing that’s happened to you lately? Jackie! and I want to hear really awesome things. Maybe you got a pedicure. Maybe you won the lottery! Or, maybe you’re my friend Rage and you ate two sausages at Target Birthday. Let us hear it! I accept anonymous comments, you know (but don’t be a stranger – at least sign your name!). At the very least, wish Kyle a happy birthday!!!
My birthday wish, besides Jackie!’s health, is that everyone has something happy they can latch onto, just like I had last year.
Frozen Star says:
Happy birthday, Heather!
Best thing that happened to me recently? Sadly, my life lately has been an endless stream of long and dreary days filled with mind-numbing work, work, and more work.
But I thank higher powers for my best friend, who’s always there to brighten my mood after an endless week at a boring summer job with movies, hilarious jokes and tons of candy. Movie nights are awesome. =D
Mike says:
Happy Birthday, Heather! I love you SOOOO much! Can we go to bed now though? Your hubby is tired!
Missy says:
Happy Birthday! Those pictures are both wonderful.
Best thing was handing in my last essay of the semester.
Bec says:
We were told that we wouldn’t need to see Erin’s specialist every 2 – 3 months until she’s three – she’ll only have to be two and that’s only because of her eating problems! Also that, developmentally she’s not spot on but close enough that EVERYONE (speechie, OT, physio and paed) is happy with her!
Happy birthday to you. I hope you get your birthday wish and that your next Jackie! update says that she’s well, that Turk is benign etc etc etc. Or at least has some good news.
KLS says:
Happy birthday! Thanks for making me laugh almost every day!
Best thing that has happened to our family lately – my mother in law’s breast cancer is gone.
bridget says:
Happy birthday to you and to Kyle! I turn 29 tomorrow. Yay for birthdays!
I love your blog and Mike’s, too. You guys are funny people.
The best thing to happen to me lately is that my in-laws kept our kids for 4 days so I could get some stuff done around the house(it’s for sale). Small victories, my friend. I’ll take anything I can get.
Kristin.... says:
Happy birthday gorgeous (love the new haircolor!).
Oh, let’s see, the best thing was spending the morning with my friend Julie getting a pedicure. Totally worth it. Plus, she brought coffee and a birthday present for me. woohoo!
Memphislis says:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The best thing that happened to me lately is that we “found” a whole big gob of money in our checking account that we didn’t know we had. Woo Hoo! That, and my puppy is finally sleeping through the night…
~Jess says:
Happy Birthday HEATHER! Enjoy your day
moosh in indy. says:
HEPPY BERFDAY HEDDER!
My best thing? Starts with thousand.
Ends with dollars.
Doi.
Christy says:
Hey–happy birthday! I’m new here. I came over from your husband’s blog (I found his blog a couple of weeks ago, and it’s only taken me that long to realize that his wife Heather, that he often refers to has her own blog, and here it is–I’m a little slow sometimes.)
Anyway, you have a beautiful family, and based on the way Mike describes you, you are also (and more importantly) a terrific person.
Happy Birthday! I’m so happy for all of you that everything turned out so great with Maddie!
Brianne says:
Happy Birthday Heather! I’m going to say it in as many ways as possible today.
Two very bad things happened this month. So, it’s been hard. But, two good things happened, too. My older sister got engaged (yay! finally!), and I celebrated my third wedding anniversary.
Kitchen Vixen says:
Happy Birthday Heather and Kyle!!
I found your blog awhile ago, and while I haven’t commented yet, I absolutely love it, and you should know that I’ve been keeping Maddie and Jackie! in my thoughts.
Good things: My boyfriend and I just celebrated 2 years together, and I had a girls’ weekend in Dallas this month!
Baby B says:
Happy, happy birthday to you and Kyle!! Sharing a birthday doesn’t mean you get half the birthday joy, it means it’s doubled!
I lost my scholarship. The big badass one. Lots of bad things happened this year, not limited to loss, heartbreak, etc. Luckily, I have had plenty of people at my university tell me I am sure to get my appeal. Also, I was only .03 off on my GPA, which shows how hard I worked to come back.
Anywho, I’m clinging to the hope I can get the big. chunk. of. change. back. and that I deserve to (which is slightly harder, but I’m working on it).
Sending lots of positive thoughts Jackie!’s way.
Ms. Moon says:
From an old woman who recently found yours and your husband’s blogs-
Happy Birthday. Your good years are just beginning. I don’t think I started to figure a damn thing out until I was in my thirties.
Also, let me say that you have about the cutest child in the world.
And that she is obviously an amazingly strong soul.
Bless her.
I hope this 29th year of yours is a year of goodness and wonder. I hope your friend Jackie! comes through these troubles with her brain and sense of humor intact. It sounds as if she will.
I think that as we age, we are presented with very real examples of how precious life is.
It’s all part of it.
It’s glorious, it’s hard, it’s boring, it’s vastly exciting, it’s scary, it’s brilliant, it’s life.
Celebrate.
Danes says:
They say it’s your Birthday, your “first day on Earth day”….or something like that. What a yummy b-day; first day of a 3 day weekend for ya and you get to celebrate the whole time! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KYLE!
Best thing to happen to me lately….Oh! I got a dog! Juuuust kidding, I’m living in fantasyland but that WOULD be the best thing to happen lately. I’m gonna go ahead and say, “Being on summer break with no responsibilities.”
Sharon says:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Heather! The best thing that has happened to me is the birth of my son back in April. He was a preemie, born at 36 weeks and barely 5 pounds but after reading all about Maddie and how well she is doing I realized that being a preemie isn’t as bad or scary as they want you to think it is. We’ve been very fortunate and aside from some weight/eating issues he’s totally healthy.
My hubby, Matt Berg, sent me the link to your blog a few months back after he found you on Facebook and I have to say you make me laugh (or cry) almost every day. Thank you for sharing your stories and your strength.
Have a wonderful birthday weekend!
cindy w says:
Happy birthday to you & your twin brother! (Incidentally, do people actually ask if you & your brother are identical twins? Do they not clue in that the gender difference means “not identical”?)
Best thing that happened lately: our house sold after only 2 weeks on the market. Now if we can just survive the move…
Amy says:
Happy Birthday Heather and Kyle!
Best thing that happened to me: Just found out last night that my baby sister is pregnant with her first child! I am BESIDE myself with excitement, I ran throughout my whole house screaming with joy!!! She will be the best mommy ever!!
london2434 says:
mike’s ode to heather wasn’t such a bad gift either!!!!
very lovely, mike!
Backpacking Dad says:
I kept trying to leave a comment on your fickr photo but I failed.
So: you look young enough for me to feel creepy.
Gemini Girl says:
Happy bday love! hope yo uhave a kick ass day.
bdays dont mean anytihgn whenyou dont have any family or friends to love. Enjoy this day with those close to you- and your little miracle maddie.
Stacy says:
Happy birthday to you and your brother!
Two very good things happened to me recently. The first is that I bought my very first brand new car. I’m so happy about it that I frequently go sit in it in the garage, just to smell that new-car scent. That’s not weird, is it?
The second good thing is that my husband and I just booked a trip to Disney World for our anniversary. I haven’t been to Disney since I was 8 (so…14 years) and I’m super excited.
A very nice reminder to be appreciative – good post!
Anna Marie says:
Happy Birthday Heather. I hope this was a fantastic day.
The best thing that has happened to me recently is we have found someone to rent the house we can’t sell!! Woohoo!
Black Hockey Jesus says:
Will you tell Rage that you know a dude named Black Hockey Jesus and that he says “Hi”.
The best thing that happened to me lately was that GGC stopped by the old blogaroo to tell me that I’m awesome. Going up?
Actually she didn’t.
Black Hockey Jesus says:
I hate when I think I got 2 more comments but it’s only 1 rabble rauser with 2 things to say but I forgot HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Shit starts falling apart right about 29 but it’s really funny.
dana says:
We’re now the same age! But only for a few months… *sigh* Happy Bday!
This is pretty shallow, but we bought a minivan. Alleluia.
Jennifer says:
Hi Heather and Happy Birthday! 29 is a great age to be!
I’m new to blogs/blogging and this is my first visit here.
Congratulations on your beautiful baby–I’m so glad your story had a happy ending!
Let’s see–I feel like like lots of great happen to me every day. Most recently: laughing so hard in the kitchen this morning I did the “coffee spit” (luckily I was near the sink).
Have a great birthday!!!
Maria says:
Happy Birthday!
My recent best thing was the 18-week ultrasound looking a-okay and boy #2’s little pepe confirming my suspicions that S is indeed having a Little Brother.
AMomTwoBoys says:
Happy Birthday, Heather! And Happy Birthday to Kyle too!
anymommy says:
Happy birthday! I saw your little angel on BHJ the other day. I’m glad to see that you are all very real and celebrating birthdays even.
Rightmyer Rants says:
Happy Birthday! This is my first time on your site and I like what I see. I found you thru AllMediocre.
holli says:
Happy Birthday Heather. This was a great post – I like the reflection back with introspection. Hugs.
I don’t want to say what the best thing is that’s happened lately – I just know I will jinx it.
xo,
Holli
To Think Is To Create says:
Happy birthday! Just fyi, it’s really rude how clear and gorgeous your skin is. Where are those stress blemishes and wrinkles, missy?
My husband was gone all day today on business and my boys have all been eerily calm and happy. That’s the best thing in a LONG time. Way too much of The Crazy the past few weeks. Of course, the day’s not over yet…
`Arianne
Trooper Thorn says:
Happy Birthday (call your mother). Speaking of good things, I posted a list of things I like on Saturday (‘I Like Things That are Great’) and have been amazed by the cool, simple things people really like such as new socks. It is pretty affirming to read.
P.S. Your 30’s will be better than your 20’s too.
stefanie says:
Happy birthday Heather! Sorry I missed it. I selfishly was in my own little world on your happy day. I luuuurve Tarjay myself in a huge way. I need to hear more about the trapeze! So many things to catch up on besides baby weight (mine and theirs).
MomMega says:
Hi Heather, happy belated birthday. I just came over from AllMediocre. I am glad to hear that you have such a positive outlook on your 29th year, how refreshing!
Oh, and the best thing that happened to me lately? My little boy looked at me and kissed me right on the lips!! He is so sweet.
MomMegas last blog post..The Nerve
promosyon says:
I always read your blog in high spirits. Thanks