On turning 26

8.01.12

So this is my recap of my birthday. A week later, of course. Although I am actually writing this in between swimming at my parents pool and getting ready for a fabulous night out with the husband. And of course by the end of me writing this {which will be probably the day after}, I will have had recapped the whole entire day. But for now? I have all these thoughts running through my head and I just needed to write them down. All while baby E is running around downstairs with the grandma, and husband lays on the bed behind me trying to distract me with his celebrity gossip.

Anyways, why don't we start from the beginning, shall we?

My birthday. What makes this one so special anyway? Nothing in particular if you really think about it. This isn't a birthday that I get to do something new or is the slightest bit significant in the book of all birthdays.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that 26 is an age that one could skip and no one would even remember. Nor care. However, it is definitely one, for whatever reason, that really made me think about things. One that impacted me in a way no other birthday{thus far} has.

Maybe it's because I have a family now and I tend to look at life in a different perspective then most people my age. I'm not sure what it is. But to me? I just feel different.

You see, at midnight the husband came in the computer room to tell me happy birthday and give me my gifts. I sat on the ground with nothing but a white t-shirt, hair up in a bun, and not an ounce of makeup, while I opened up my gifts and then read my two birthday cards.

One from the dear husband. Beautifully written, front and back. Not his handwriting, might I add.... but the most tender loving words that this man I love so much wrote to me.

And one from my daughter. Obviously it too was very scribbly scrabby {as it was written from the husband} but it was long, and written as if it were from her. The surreal thing about it is that I could actually hear her voice as I was reading it. As if she did write those things and was speaking to me from the heart. I had to do everything in me to hold back tears.

When I woke up in the morning {the same day}, I didn't feel any different. In fact, I wanted nothing more than to do my usual routine in my every day life. And Elliana and I did just that. I received many phone calls and texts, and you know what? I didn't pick up or respond for a couple hours. Not because I didn't care or didn't appreciate them, but because this day was no longer about me.

It's a weird concept to grasp, I'm sure. In fact, I don't know if I'll be able to translate these thoughts accurately into words to portray exactly what I am trying to say. But without going into great detail, I really just reminisced about being a mother. To me, I wanted to be able to relax. Spend time with my family. And show them how much I love them. And to me? It's a day to be celebrated with my mother more than anything else. In fact, its a day that should be more about her.

So okay, you're bored with the concept of my birthday. Lets just recap the rest of the day before I continue on with this novel of what may sound like absurd mumbo jumbo to you.

The rest of day? Well. Well. Was fabulous. Husband was able to get off work at noon. I had the baby girl {and myself} all ready to go. Bags packed. Dresses on. Evening clothes, makeup, and gear in check. And empty stomachs ready for some food.

We headed to panera for lunch. Which, call us crazy, we sat outside in the 100 degree weather under an umbrella with just the perfect amount of a breeze and ate the most delicious food that panera has to offer. Panera never fails me.

Afterwards we went across the street to my favorite store of all time, TJ Maxx, and did a little shopping where I picked out a couple things for our new bedroom remodel, and a white and blue striped maxi dress {which I love}.

We reached my parents house around 3 where we did a little swimming and hung out with my mom for a bit. Elliana, per her usual self, was quite the entertainment and center of attention.

Next? We lounged. Elli hung out with my parents while I was able to... just be me. I even left my phone in the other room just so I didn't have to be consumed by birthday madness {as I like to call it}, social media, emails, phone calls, and so forth. I just wanted to be with Andrew. And? I got my wish.

The getting ready part was the toughest. I turned to pinterest {what else is new} for some hairstyle ideas and of course I immediately wanted to try a new technique on beach wavy hair. Ya. About that. Didn't quite work out. In fact, I wasted an hour doing my hair which turned out to look like my normal straight hair with some sort of small wimpy wave. I did not want wimpy hair, pinterest.

I did some volume control, flipped my hair upside down, and the end result was good enough for me.

We ended the evening kisses little girl to sleep, and heading out downtown to our favorite restaurant that holds a dear place in our heart. And our bellies. We sat in a lovely booth. Ate way too much fun. Kissed like a high school couple. And just plain enjoyed ourselves.

I was the DD that night, of course, and I have to say... it was a surprisingly pleasant night ride home as I recapped the events from the day.

I honestly couldn't and wouldn't have wanted it to go any other way. Cheers to the big 26... which means now I am just one step closer to 27. You all know what that means.....

Bring on those amazing 30's everyone keeps chattin' about.