My Birthday

I have never been the type to draw attention to my birthday or openly announce that it is, in fact, my birthday (except amongst family of course!) when January 16th rolls around, but they were always special in the simplest way.  For as long as I can remember, birthdays in our family were more focused on celebrating the person through a dinner out at the birthday person's choice spot, rather then being doted on with gifts and such.  It was special and I loved it.  We always got one "big" gift and a great dinner with the family, followed by an angel food cake with chocolate frosting and stuffed with dimes (bleached and boiled obviously).  It's great!

Grandpa D started a birthday tradition for me many years ago (not sure when it all started), and it is something that is very dear to me.  Each year, no matter where I was in life, he has sent me a bouquet of flowers always with a sweet note just for me on my special day!  This year it read, "You make us so proud as a mother, wife, and of course our daughter.  We love you!"  I cried.  One day dearest Zaylee girl, you will know the importance and weight of those words.  "You make us proud!"  Your dad says he too wants to start a special birthday tradition for you, and I can't wait to see what it is come March 15th! :)

This year my birthday was preceded by two of the hardest, trying days of parenting to date.  You were beside yourself fighting the tooth making its way out (now here!), and were so extremely frustrated with life that day that all you could do was fuss and complain.  It was sad for me to see you struggling, but also a bit frustrating not being able to help you in any way other than let you "scream" it out (read: throw miniature ten month old style temper tantrums at the smallest, trivial things).  Thankfully it didn't seem to disrupt your good napping skills, although they were a bit shorter than usual, so I still managed to have a break, but the rest didn't soften the mood much.  It was tiring and exhausting, but we made it through and honestly it wasn't SO bad just not the usual so it threw us for a loop! :)
All that to say, on Wednesday, my birthday, you woke up and were happy and snugly and my sweet little lady again!  You knew I needed a happy day :)

Dad had a day planned for me, and even worked it out for Aunt Jenny to come in from Chicago to help watch you throughout the day so I could have some mommy time and go get my hair done!  It was so wonderful to sit and be pampered a little while indulging in some salon style girl talk.  I needed it more than I even realized!  Dad came home from work and we set out on our surprise date and left you little sweetie with Aunt Jenny.  You didn't take a bottle, but you ever so sweetly fell asleep in her arms while she rocked you in your room!  She was so elated :)  Dad took me out for a steak dinner, which happens to be my favorite, followed by a night of ice skating and laughs as we hobbled back to the car with our sore, aging bodies!  It was a wonderful day.  I loved every bit of my time out with your daddy and the plans he made for just the two of us.  

This past weekend, we went up to Lake Geneva and finished the celebration, while also celebrating Grandpa D with the whole family!  Uncle Tim, Aunt Bethany, Aunt Jenny and pretty, little Liesel even came!  It was a great time of fellowship, laughter, and even singing while Grandpa D played his guitar.  So thankful for family and the time we get to spend with each one of them!