thirty-two

Yesterday I had the privilege of sharing the very special day of July 16th with my SIL Crystal as our birthdays! She spent it with her family at the zoo. I spend mine as I always do...

Doing only things I want to, and doing nothing I don't want to.

It's my birthday mantra really. I even mentioned to Jim that this is probably the last year I can live that out since next year we'll have a kid and all. His response? "That's what baby-sitters are for." I knew I loved that man.

So what did I do with my day off from life?

Well.
It started off with my favorite cereal. My mom started this brilliant tradition when my brother and I were little. We were only allowed to have healthy cereal growing up - you know, Shredded Wheat and other twigs like that. But, on our birthday we got to pick any box of cereal we wanted from the vast aisle in the grocery store - sugary and all - and we could nurse that box as long as we wanted. I don't even recall having to share it with Scott if I didn't have to. But I'm sure I did, since, you know, I have that kind of big heart. Still to this day Pops is my favorite. So for my 32nd birthday yesterday, I had 2 bowls for breakfast.

Then, for 2nd breakfast (I've been enjoying those ever since I've been pregnant) I had some of my favorite ice cream cake. Now I can ice a pretty cool looking traditional cake if I wanted to. I have a collection of Wilton cake decorating tips and everything. But for my birthday I like to keep it simple. I always make my favorite in the world. Graham crackers, chocolate and ice cream. It might not look like much, but it's a tradition that I hope you all get to enjoy with me someday. It might change your life. (I'm also a little embarrassed to admit how little of it was left at the end of yesterday. I did have help, but not as much as it looks like I should have.)

In between my food fests I managed to post a blog (finally) catch up on a few emails, and spend many of my cell phone minutes chatting with well-wishers. It was wonderful.

I met Jim for lunch at Subway with some work friends and then I was off to shop. On the list? Nursing bras, some hospital-worthy pajamas, and a few more onesies for the Grublet. Sadly, all I found were the onesies. Do you know how hard it is to buy a bra when you don't know your size?

So I made myself feel better by getting a pedicure. Since I can't easily reach my toes anymore, I thought it would be a nice gesture. I do love a good pedicure. I prefer it when the technicians aren't real chatty and I can just fall into the gossip and fashions of their People magazines. She did great and I decided I didn't really mind that I sorta have a flip-flop tan. (Ha! Can you call it a tan when it's just white on whiter?)

After some needed rest on the couch, Jim can home early and I opened some cards and presents. My birthday gift from Jim? Well, in all honesty, it came early and we've been enjoying it for the last few weeks...So we played some more last night. (Though I'm not allowed to box or play any of the other more strenuous sports, what with my delicate state and all.) We've also since purchased Rock Band, and I'm just warning you... I'm pretty darn good on the drums. We even have Dr. Mario which was my favorite game back in the day. I'm a little rusty, but with a little practice, I'll be back on top in no time. Don't worry.

To end the night we headed over to a neighbors' house to watch So You Think You Can Dance and enjoy some more of the coveted Ice Cream Cake.

Then a much needed collapse into bed. Ahh, it's good to be 32.