.Dylan turns 2!

Today, Dylan is two!!  It's been a whirlwind.  Between Mila's arrival, my birthday, Father's Day, Dylan's birthday, and then my mom's birthday all within three weeks... it's been celebratory chaos.

I didn't want to neglect Dylan's second birthday just because of the coming of her sister, but we were limited.  So last minute, we planned a simple play date with a few of her little friends, and although the weather absolutely did not cooperate and we had to seek cover, I don't think Dylan minded a bit.

Two years is gone in a flash and this little person with (ahem... strong) opinions and a lively personality brings fun and humor into everyday life.  It's never dull nor predictable, and I can't wait to watch her flourish with a playmate and as an older sister.

Happy birthday my sweet girl!

P.S. Dylan's first birthday and her birth story.
P.P.S. My mom made adorable flower crowns for the girls, and Dylan hated it and refused to wear it more than 3 seconds.  Typical.

.Married to an older man.

Today is Garrett's 27th birthday!

For his birthday, we got awesome bikes!!  Yes, we ;)  Thanks for being a great sport G.  I look forward to the hours I'll spend by your side riding, enjoying the scenery, and finding adventure with our little family.  

As we get older,  he tries to make his birthday less and less of a big deal.  But a day that celebrates the existence of my very best friend is no small thing.  So we'll make it a multi-day event full of spring-time bike rides, a celebratory meal, and a cookie cake to complete, requested from the birthday boy himself.

A lot of the time, life is hard.  

But I love this simple life with you.

P.S. Garrett's 25th and 26th birthday.

.Dylan's Carnival.

Dylan's birthday was a blast!  

On Sunday, we had our own little carnival at home full of finger painting, a photo booth, sun tea, chalk coloring, ice-cream, bubbles, and our version of a baby water park.  And sure when the time came, I forgot a ton of stuff we had planned (this bunting that I made and didn't even remember to use was a bit painful) , and not everything worked out perfect, and things moved way too fast, but I think Dylan and the kids enjoyed the warm afternoon and that's what mattered to me.  This was a celebration not only for Dylan, but also for some of the people (big and small) who have had an impact on her first year.

At the end of the day, I cut a small piece of the kiddos' artwork as a keepsake to frame and add to Dylan's growing homemade gallery.  I want her to look back one day and see that it was always important for us to try to be in the moment and just have fun together.  Even if it makes a little bit of a mess, because when is life ever really neat?

I am full of thanks for everyone's help to make my Dylan's day so great, especially to our families.  She is one lucky little girl.

Credits:

- Invitations by Dodeline Design.

- Cakes by my dear friend Mary Myrick.

- Teepee made by Lolli's Loveables.

- Baby-safe finger paints made by a mixture of water, flour, and food coloring as seen here.

- Party hat idea from here.
- Vintage linens graciously provided by G's family.

- Some of these photos kindly provided by my mom.

.Today.

Today might be the most special day of the year to me.  Today, I get to honor the two most important people in my life; my husband and my child.  

Happy first birthday my sweet, hilarious, curious, loving little girl.  You've given me a greater sense of strength and unconditional love like I've never known.  

Happy father's day G.  This time last year I relied on you like never before.  In the scariest moment of my life, you were who I looked to for comfort, some sense of normalcy in the chaos.  

You guys make this tough life worth living.  

I love you both always.

P.S. A little film to commemorate.

.In Between the Mayhem.

We're celebrating Dylan's birthday this weekend!  The family is making their way into town, the last minute prep is underway, and I feel surprisingly at ease about the whole thing.  

To get into the celebratory frame of mind, I documented our first year as a little family.  It's unbelievable how you forget how many sweet little moments there are in between the mayhem.

Let the festivities begin!  

Have a great weekend.

Music-

Here Comes the Sun: The Beatles

Don't Panic: Coldplay

Cosmic Love: Florence + the machine

.26.

Today I'm 26.

And today, I'm grateful for a husband that will take me out for a birthday breakfast since I have a long, hard work day ahead of me (it was a full moon last night you guys; that is serious business in my field).  I'm grateful for a husband who is also thoughtful enough to have beautiful flowers delivered to my office during said hectic day.  And I'm grateful for a sweet daughter that is teaching me more and more to be carefree and in the moment. 

Because if you let it, life can really tear you down.

Thanks little family for always bringing me up.

P.S. 25 years old

.Happy Birthday G.

I would do my taxes.

Fill out insurance forms.

Count grains of rice in a bag.

Whatever made time pass the slowest with you.

.I Wrote This For You.

To my dashing husband,

No one affects me the way you do.

I'm blown away by you daily.

You complete me.

You complete us.

I'm so glad for you.

Happy 26th birthday.

25.

.Birthday Buelo.

Happy birthday to my dear dad.

The man I measured my crushes against.   The man that would warm my car in the early morning and leave behind a hot breakfast and a mug of hot chocolate.  The man who constantly challenges me.  The man who expected nothing less than straight A's and enforced a strict midnight curfew even as I went into college.  The man who never let me get away with anything.  The man who always told me I was beautiful.

Dylan is lucky to have you as her "buelo" because deep down, you're a softie at heart.  Promise I won't blow your cover though.

.Blog Birthday.

I've been so caught up in life that I didn't even realize that my blog birthday had passed me by. It's now been one year that I've been able to document and share our life with you readers, and what a year it's been.  I've enjoyed every minute of blogging and the process has been therapeutic for me, as well as a way to hold me accountable to slow down, learn, and enjoy the little things about life, when all I want to do is stress and try to control the big things.  I've met sweet and fascinating people through the blogging community and I think others in my life have gotten to know me better through my writing.

Thank you for being interested in my little corner of the internet and I look forward to seeing where we'll be next year!

* Picture source

.Birthday Mama.

Today is a very important day.

Today marks the first day of summer.

Today also marks my mama's birthday.

I'm so glad I get to spend it with her,

although with Dylan being only days old,

the festivities are limited.

I don't know what I would do

without you here to show me

what all the books don't explain.

Happy happy happy birthday indeed,

and so many more celebrations in your honor

because I am blessed by your love.

.Twenty Five Spent in Water.

For my birthday to be in the summer, this was my first birthday pool party.  We made it festive with bright balloons and mason jars full of sweet tea, and the weather was perfect for water fun.  Spending the day with best friends lounging poolside, grilling, playing with water babies, and reminiscing over past years was just how I needed to bring in the twenty-five mark; not to mention that a cool body of water is about the only place I'm comfortable nowadays. 

The only downside to the entire afternoon was that I was unable to enjoy my newly gifted TOMS due to the lovely swelling that accompanies these late stages of pregnancy, but I will say that a certain thoughtful husband did pay attention to my wishlist when it came to gifting which did help alleviate some discomforts.  My birthday weekend also consisted of an amazing breakfast at an unexpected local spot, a steak lunch with my in-laws, and an afternoon matinee date with G.  So in essence, it was everything I could have asked for- minus the schoolwork.

* 38 1/2 weeks and yes I'm wearing a non-maternity tankini.  Remember my attitude towards maternity + fashion?  That's what we call, "making do" this late in the game.

Really?!?

Am I really 25 today?

There's no possible way.

When did that happen?

I feel like I should have all these profound things to say,

about starting this new year in my life,

goals I should have,

things I want to accomplish.

Maybe later.

For now, I just want to go show that I can still kick butt like I'm 24.

Happy birthday to me!

We Turn Not Older with Years, But Newer Every Day.

This week flew by thanks to the holiday. I am especially appreciative because this is my birthday weekend! My birthday has always been a very big deal to me and this year is no exception. It's been challenging to plan something though, as we have no idea when baby girl is going to make her grand appearance. So we still have a small celebration planned, and we're just going to take it as it comes.

Last year for my 24th, we hosted a Stepford Wives dinner party and had the best time.  Daily life can become so mundane with work and responsibilities, why not revel in the special days?

* Quote by Emily Dickinson