Shantel's 27th Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. It was small and casual and exactly what I wanted. I actually had a nightmare a couple of weeks ago that David had thrown me a giant surprise party and invited pretty much everyone that I've ever met and it was a disaster. I told him that under no circumstances should he try to do something like that - instead I just wanted a quiet night with him and Lydia. 

We celebrated with my family on Saturday, which was really nice. I have such thoughtful siblings and parents. Plus, I got a ChromeCast - which I am super excited about! We've already used it a bunch of times and we love it. The actual morning of my birthday started with heart-shaped eggs-in-toast and yummy bacon. (It actually started with Lydia waking up at 5:30, after which I couldn't fall back asleep - so I came down to work on some Red Ladder Design stuff around 6:30. Then Lydia woke up for good around 7, which meant it was an early morning for all of us. But the eggs-in-toast and bacon definitely made up for the early start.) 

 

I really wish that David had been able to stay home and play with us all day, but because we are planning on him taking a few days off when baby boy comes - there was no way that would be possible. Lydia and I made the most of it and played around the house in the morning, then headed out for a picnic lunch at the farm in the afternoon. Unfortunately she took a pretty bad tumble and scraped up her face and arm and leg, but the sweet girl still gifted me with a nap in the afternoon (where I was able to sleep for about an hour as well).  After her nap we went outside and played with our neighbor friends and waited for daddy to get home. After David got home, we went to the Curiosity Museum and Lydia loved playing in the jungle gym with her Daddy. It was nice for me to be able to watch them have fun and just rest - because it's hard for me to go to the Museum with Lyd lately. She just has so much energy and I just can't climb around like she wants me to. 

I had been thinking for a while about where I wanted to go to dinner, because I like to try new places - but I'm always afraid that I'll be disappointed if I misuse my once-a-year opportunity to get David to take me wherever I want. I finally decided that I wanted to try the Blue Lemon, and I'm glad that I did. It was different than what I expected - but they gave me a cookie for my birthday and we all enjoyed our food.  Mostly, I just loved being with my little family and not having to make dinner. 

(Crazy that pretty soon there will be four of us instead of just three!) 

We ended the night by opening presents, making delicious ice-cream sundaes, and watching "Joe vs. The Volcano". I had specifically requested that movie after a bit of trivia informed us that it was the first movie where Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan starred together (I love them!). I'll be honest and say that I was a little wary during the beginning, and really through the first half, but the second half was cheesy, cute, and ended with Happily Ever After - so it was perfect for what I wanted.

We'd had a super busy weekend and I wasn't feeling great on Sunday, and I was a little worried that baby boy was going to try to make his big debut on my birthday - which I, selfishly, really didn't want. But he stayed put and we all ended up having a great day (aside from Lydia's scrapes and bruises). I had lots of people text me, and even more wish me a happy birthday on Facebook. Friends stopped by to drop off treats and birthday wishes, and I felt very loved and appreciated.

26 was a great year - but I can just tell that 27 is going to be even better!