Friday, July 17, 2009

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.

13 comments:

LifeAtTheCircus.com said...

happy birthday to my birthday bud!! glad your day was good as well!! i can attest for the yumminess of your ice cream cake AND corn pops. :-) great to talk to you on our birthday!

Sharyn said...

How do I make this fantastic sounding cake?

Rach said...

If your wii is hooked up to the internet, you can go to the wii store and download tetris for like $12 or something. It's crack.

Rach said...

Oh I want to know how to make the cake too, please.

Happy said...

First, Happy Birthday! Glad you were able to do what you wanted and not what you didn't.

Second, the cake sounds yummy.

Third, cute story about the cereal.

Fourth, how can you live in Texas and still be that white? Either you simply do not tan or the heat is so bad you can't bear to be in the sun.

Fifthly, I can't believe how many people watch SYTYCD. I am starting to think I'm the only one who doesn't.

And I don't have a wii. My sister does. She has the Wii Fit. I played once. I blogged about it. I haven't played since. It gave me a complex.

I didnt' realize tetris still existed, but if it's anything like what Rachel says it is then it's exactly as I remembered.

If you wouldn't cram so much into one post I wouldn't have to leave these mini novel comments, you know. :)

Peace out.

Kerri Smith said...

I always thought the bday cereal tradition was awesome. Christian loves the idea of having food that is 100% yours and you don't have to share it with anyone. Maybe I should buy him some Corn Pops.
Happy Birthday!!!

boqpod said...

Corn Pops!?

I always took you for a Jack-Daniels-on-Corn-Flakes mama...at 11 am.

Happy Birthday!

ps - I have a challenge! How good a writer are you? Can you post a story that incorporates the Steelers or Penguins & some aspect of pregnancy for us male-mansome readers? Please! I can't take the chick-centric pregnancy details! :)

Unknown said...

Glad that you had a terrific Birthday!! We were thinking of you. Looks like you had the best of your world on your special day too. And, Jim is right - a babysitter would be a great birthday gift for next year. But look at the circus and you will see many more special twists to your birthday in the future :-)

mhunter said...

Happy birthday!!! so glad that you were able to relax on your big day! i think i need the recipe to this yummy ice cream cake too. just read your cankles post and have to laugh about your "speech" about not wanting to touch the baby until they are cleaned off. we are going on our third and i did not touch avery or finley until they were cleaned off first. ha! hang in there, you are almost done.

Anonymous said...

Can I spend my next birthday at your house? Too much fun. I so want to see you rock on the drums with your big belly. Pictures please.

Oh, and be sure to pack some fabulous socks for the hospital. Keeps the feeties warm and cozy.
LY-DR

Anonymous said...

Karen, Happy birthday! We will be traveling through El Paso on August 4th or 5th and would love to see you guys, (of course unless you are having the baby that day.) We will be in touch!

Angela said...

Glad you had an awesome b-day! I too would like your icecream cake recipe, it sounds wonderful! We usually do Lucky Charms around here on b-days, but Corn Pops would make a good switch-up.

Erin @ Closing Time said...

I just found your blog today via Crystal's post. Sounds like you had a great birthday! I ate lots of Shredded Wheat growing up too, never thought of birthday cereal (how fun)!. I just turned 32 last week...it's a good age, I think! :)