Birthday and baby boy

Last year was a memorable and special birthday for me that I look back on fondly. I loved the way I looked at 34 weeks pregnant, and it was one of our last big dinners out. Zach took me to Cafe Lurcat and I can still remember the taste of the virgin mojito and the way the sun shone in the windows where we sat. I love those memories.

My 28th birthday

This year was special in its own way, and also so memorable. Abe brings so much happiness into every day that the whole 10 day celebration was extra awesome. 

The things I always want to remember about my 29th birthday:

* the open mouth kisses Abe gave me (when he wanted to)

* the taste of the Happy Gnome cheesecake, shared with my favorite people

* the anticipation of fun in Hayward- packing the car, getting our coffees for on the road 

* the smell of Tremblays, one of my very favorite candy stores

* the crack of the first birthday beer-around noon, because I could

* the surprise texts received all day

* the easy conversation (gossip!) between old friends, while our babies played together and our husbands went out to fish

Abe loves Sawyer

* the laughs shared when the boys returned and the 6 of us were excitedly talking about poop (not our own) and binkies and other things we wouldn't have dreamt of talking about a few short years ago

* the buttery grilled lobster and big grilled burger - a perfect meal to end a birthday 

* the cuddles shared in bed with my overtired baby in the early morning- his feet wedged in my side and his head by my knees

* the joy on Abe's face as I told him to lift his feet and hold on tight while I pushed him up and down the yard in his little car

* the crisp and delicious world famous mojito (and the 2nd one!), also starting around noon, because I could

* the "very serious" coughs coming from Abe when he wanted attention directed at him and the way he grinned when it worked 

* the sore bones and muscles after a perfect busy weekend 

* the last hurrah into 29- a whole pile of poutine, an elk burger covered in puff pastry, perfect cinnamony mini donuts, and great company

* the way I felt rocking my beautiful and smart and charming and goofy child to sleep after our big dinner. His big, soft, slightly sticky hand on my chest while his head rested on my shoulder. My fingers stroking through my baby's soft wild hair. Counting the hours I spend each week in that glider- reading, nursing, singing, snuggling, fighting a twisty turny busybody. Remembering the way his tiny newborn body fit against my chest the first time we sat in our glider. Reflecting on the year since that virgin mojito. That night I probably imagined what my next birthday would be like-and reality has far surpassed what I anticipated. Life is so good.

My sweet sweet baby on July 11, 2014

Bonus Abe pic- my  little beach bum!