Another year older

Well, yesterday marked the 31st year of my birth. Remember when you were younger and you used to count down the days to your birthday? I remember one birthday in particular. It was at the Roller Rink in my home town. I invited all my friends and we had a great time skating. Then afterwards, we headed across the street to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cake and to open presents. Who wouldn't love having a birthday with a party like that?

First of all nice hair Michelle. She is my older sister in the middle of the group shot at the Roller Rnk. You know the girl with the awesome hairstyle? LOL Of course I can't say much with my yellow goose sweatshirt with a Garbage Pail Kid sticker that I had stuck on my chest. Really Mom, were we that poor? LOL And a purple Frisbee? Is that something a girl that age wishes to receive as a birthday present? I think I saw that Frisbee last time I was home. It was sitting at the bottom of the toy box covered with dog bite marks.

Ever since I turned 30 last year, I despise birthdays. Something about turning another year old just sends chill down my spine. Charlie always tells me that age is just a number. This is also the man who still gets carded for alcohol and can't grow facial hair. So why should I listen to him when he talks about aging.

I think back over the year. So much has happened. Last year, I received the best birthday present ever.

Two days before my 30th birthday, I found out I was "with child". It wasn't a planned pregnancy but it wasn't a whoops either. If it happened, it happened. But with a trip to Colorado to go skiing that following weekend, I was hoping that it didn't happen this month. Definitely didn't get to do that birthday shot of Tequila like I was hoping.

The next nine months were filled with emotions, food cravings, weight gain, swollen ankles, doctors appointments and preparing for the arrival of our little angel. I was so anxious to start our life as a family. I found out in July that we were having a girl and I couldn't be more ecstatic. I would finally have another girl in the house. Someone that I could take shopping and paint her fingernails and style her hair. I also was scared to death to become a parent. All of the responsibilities, the sleepless nights, the constant crying. Could I really do this? Well I was going to have to learn somehow. And with my family being 8 hrs away, I really didn't have help besides Charlie. But I managed and now with Abbie 4 months old, I feel like I have this parenting thing mastered!! Abbie is on a schedule & when her schedule is thrown off, it throws me off. Last night my mom came into town and Abbie knew that with Grandma comes snuggling so she did not want to be put in her bouncer, her swing, her bumbo, her activity mat...nothing!! She just wanted to be held!! "I'm sorry little lady but when Grandma goes back home, you are not going to be in momma's arms 24/7. I love snuggling with you but I also have things to do.

So as I guess my 30th year really wasn't as bad as I thought. I may gotten older but with the birth of my daughter, I believe I also got a lot wiser.

And even though I despised turning 31 yesterday, it was actually a pretty good day. I got to have my favorite cuisine for dinner...Mexican. I also spent the evening with the man who loves me with all my heart, the woman who gave birth to me and a little girl that lights up my world. That present is by far better than any purple Frisbee I got as a child.