Birthday Mom

I wanted to share some recent pictures we had taken of the kiddos. Jack was less than thrilled to have his picture taken, but since they were for Eleanor's third birthday, we didn't make him. We call this one: pout-y face with phantom mom-arm in background. Gotta love the photography studio, they give you every picture they take on a CD for posterity. Of course since Jack was in a bad mood, Nora Kate was in a fabulous mood! We got about 50 great pictures of her. This is one we didn't have printed, but just love it.

I also thought since I had all the time in the world today (a day off from work!), I would tell you about my "first" birthday as a mom. Today I am 36 years old and yesterday my family celebrated the milestone with me. Geoff can provide shopping details that are quite funny, but I received the neatest gifts from my 3 year old. They included a stretchable shark, stuffed raccoon, birthday balloon and flowers, veggie chips, truffles, lottery, lots of Starbucks gifts card money, fly-swatter, spiral notebook with puppy dog cover and a Tinkerbell card. On top of all that, my girl and her wonderful Daddy made me some Monkey Bread.

"You need help Mama?" she asked so sweetly opening every gift. "You like your present Mama?" after every gift, then quickly followed by "Can I see it Mama?" I hope you can see the genuinely big smile on my face. Recalling the evening just makes me laugh in such a good way.

I have had amazing birthdays my whole life. My mama made sure each anniversary of our birth was more than celebrated, which set me up for great expectations every August 16. Then, I married a lovely man who jumped right on board my "My birthday is special" bandwagon and has given me some unforgettable presents. So, I never expected it to get better than that, but it was truly heartwarming to see Nora's little face when I raved about each gift.

Of course, the real credit belongs to her daddy who didn't hesitate to spend the money, wrangle her at numerous stores, and spend time baking the coffee-cake-like Monkey Bread even when she got butter all over her puppy gloves. "Mama, I need my gloves for baking." OK love.

I loved my "first" birthday as a mom. It isn't my actual first birthday as a mom of course, but when your kid can pick out her own card to give you (Tinkerbell!); bake you a cake (well, Monkey Bread, yum!) and help wrap the many presents (in Winnie-the-pooh wrap) she picked out all by herself, it counts as the first. Thanks for the love my lovely family, you sure know how to make me feel very loved and very special.