Today is my 36th birthday and I just have to say that life is good. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful husband who treats me like a princess (every little girl's dream come true!), 4 amazing kids who may drive me nuts most of the day but who are truly the loves of my life whose smiles melt my heart, and a beautiful home in a great town filled with friends. My only birthday wish is for a long and healthy life so I can be here for my kids and watch them grow up and have families of their own and so that I can spend more quiet time with JP someday later on in life when the kids have grown up and moved on.
I feel like I have lived two lives- one was pre-children where JP and lived in Boston within walking distance of everything we needed. We could sleep in, wander down the street for a leisurely coffee and breakfast and then walk up to Boston Common to catch a movie. We were never in a rush- our time was own. Our birthdays were special days- we'd go out for a nice dinner and just enjoy spending time with one another.
After we were married, my thoughts were instantly on starting a family. Little did I know that it would be 3 1/2 very long years before that dream would come true- but it was definitely worth the wait. I remember my 32nd birthday like it was yesterday because it was by far my best birthday ever. Ethan, Kaitlyn & Kylie were 7 days old and still at Brigham & Women's Hospital. JP drove me into the city to visit them but first we went to MGH to see Dr Toth- our infertility dr- to say thank you to him for all his help and to show him pictures of our little miracles. I remember thinking how very lucky I was to finally have the family I had dreamt about for so long. At Brigham & Womens- JP placed a birthday card from each of the kids to me on their isolettes :) We spent half the day with the kids- holding them, feeding them, and changing them. It was on that day that I realized that even though it may be my birthday, from now on each and every day would really be all about them- and that was just fine with me.
On my 33rd birthday, JP offered to take the kids out somewhere so I could have some alone time..... I insisted that we all go out together because there wasn't anyone else I'd rather spend my day with. So we spent the afternoon at the mall play area and had a great time.
By my 34th birthday, I was ready to spend some time by myself ;) I don't remember what I did but I do remember that JP took care of the kids for the most part of the day.
Last year, I had a sweet new baby in my arms once again and couldn't have been happier to experience all the wonderful baby firsts once again.
Today, I'm home with Emma just relaxing. There's no place I'd rather be. I am thankful that JP let me stay in bed this morning while he oversaw the kids getting dressed, made their breakfasts and took them to preschool. I was also thrilled to have a chorus of "Happy Birthday" sung to me over and over and over again by our 3 adorable 4 year olds :)
JP, Emma and I are going to the Olive Garden for lunch today with my Dad which should be nice, too. It's not like the elegant dinner we surely would have had pre-kids while living in Boston- but it's what our life is today and I couldn't be happier.
Yes...... life is good!
Enjoying breakfast with Emma:
