Young House Love

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The Big Two Nine

Now that all the birthday bid-ness is over I can tell you guys all about it. It was sweet. Turning 29 didn’t really feel any different than the past few b-days and it involved everything from a foot massage with shaving cream (John mistook it for the lotion bottle) to Clara taking her “first crawls.” Holy cow it was amazing. Everyone, including the doc, thought she’d just go straight to walking since she has been scooting around on her butt for a while – and even recently started pulling up. But lo and behold she decided it might be fun to give crawling a go (you know, just for kicks) and we even caught it on video:

So yeah. Baby, baby, baby. Sorry if that’s all I talk about but Clara is kind of awesome. Haha. It was the best present ever.

The weather on Saturday was around 70 degrees and sunny (which is funny because it used to always snow on my birthday when I lived up north) so we went on a nice long walk in one of our favorite neighborhoods (look at that gorgeous house behind me) with Clara and the dog.

Bday Walking

We even saw turtles in the river (Clara loved it, Burger seemed ambivalent).

Bday Turtles

And the whole time I was sporting my new bun/thigh toning Reebok Easytone b-day sneaks that the hubby got me. Oh yeah, I’m styling.

I begged for them and he humored me. They actually didn’t kill me at all during or after the first three mile walk that I did in them. But the next day I did the same thing and I needed a serious break afterwards. So yes, they do actually burn the buns and legs after a while (although my first trek with them made me think they were all hype, my Reeboks had the last laugh).

What else. We went out to a nice little sushi dinner (we have a thing for it)…

Bday Sushi1

Bday Sushi2

… and I got some pretty fun stuff from J and the fam. Beyond my tush toning Reeboks John also got me an awesome book called Love Life (from a local gift store named Mongrel) with a perfect greeny-yellow cover.

Not that you should judge a book by its cover, but it never hurts if it looks as good on the outside as it actually is on the inside. We mentioned a while back that sometimes we struggle with balance (since the internet is a 24/7 thing, sometimes it’s hard to draw the line and unplug) so the book is chock full of couldn’t-be-more-true reminders, like:

  • “The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won’t wait while you finish the work.” – Pat Clifford
  • “If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live” – Lin Yutang
  • “I think the most significant work we ever do, in the whole world, in our whole life, is done within the four walls of our own home.” – Stephen R. Covey
  • “It is a great art to saunter.” – Henry David Thoreau
  • “I haven’t a clue how my story will end, but that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that’s when you discover the stars.” -Nancy Willard

But enough philosophical stuff. What is it about birthdays that make you evaluate where you’ve been and where you’re going? Oh yeah, the whole “I’m aging” thing. We were just joking that we’ll have to change our blog name to Middle Aged House Love. Haha. Somehow it doesn’t have the same ring. Anyway, now for the fun stuff. Look at the home-related booty I got from John’s awesome sisters. We always do “wish lists” when it comes to gifting each other (which makes it easier on the buyer and pretty sweet for the receiver) so I moseyed around the world wide web in search of a few prints that I’d love to add to our soon-to-be-expanding frame gallery in the hallway, and found these beauties:

Birthday Lets Go

That one’s from here (we love a good road trip) from John’s sister Katie. And John went for extra credit. I begged for those Reeboks and thought they’d be the extent of my gift, but he also surprised me with this adorable bee print (we have a thing for bees too).

Bday Bees

So I can’t wait to hang all of my new prints among family pictures and keepsakes in the hallway. Pics when we knock more holes into the other side of the wall and hang that pile of Ikea frames that’s still sitting in the corner of the kitchen. Someday. Oh and my sweet friend Heather sent me these lilies out of the blue:

Bday Flowers1

Bday Flowers2

I love them so much and especially adore that she specifically picked out the lime green vase because she knew I’d flip for it. Affirmative Heather. I went crazy oohing and aaahing and still find myself walking in from the other room just to “visit” my bouquet every hour or so.

So overall, birthday number 29 was awesome and life is good. Who the heck knows where I’ll be when I turn 35, or even 30. I’m just trying to make it count, without going so crazy that I forget to enjoy the little things like baby snorts and puppy sniffs. Man am I still hormonal from birthing Clara 10+ months ago? Sorry if this post is all sorts of personal and corny. I guess that’s just me these days.

Pssssst- For anyone who has asked how we organize Clara’s toys or inquired about the big brown basket next to our sectional, click here to check out our BabyCenter post for the mind-numbingly simple “dump & cover” toy storage system that’s rocking our world.

Comments

  3. Christy says

    Im glad you has a good birthday <3 I got a new pair of easy tones when I was in VA last month, and I like them too!

    Turtles are my favorite, Im jealous you got to see them on a walk. = )

    Reply

  4. Paige says

    Happy Birthday! You got some great gifts! I’ve been wondering about those Reebok shoes, too, mainly thinking they wouldn’t work, but now I might give them a shot…

    Reply

  6. Jodi says

    Happy Birthday Sherry! I never realized, even though I have stalked your blog for years, that we are birthday buddies. Unfortunately, I turned 29 for the 3rd time (aka 32) on Saturday!

    Reply

  7. Susanna says

    Happy happy! My now six-year-old didn’t crawl until a week before his first birthday. I have ONE video of him crawling down the hall and then he took his first steps. Keep that camera handy and catch it while you can! Also I second the Greyhound photo every year! That would be awesome.

    Reply

  8. Elizabeth says

    Hey, Sherry. Just wanted to pass along a litle tip to make those beautiful birthday lilies last longer. Just wrap a tissue around the pollen stems (can’t remember the correct terminology) inside your lilies and gently pull. Off comes the pollen into the tissue and your lilies will last much, much longer. Enjoy! Oh, and happy belated!

    Reply

  9. Janelle says

    Happy Birthday! What a fun looking book. I also love the map print. Thank you for making me want to spend a ton of money… haha. I think I need to make a “wish list” too!

    Reply

  10. bhh says

    Happy (belated) birthday! Regarding Clara’s first, I’ll just toss an idea your way. Are you by any chance planning on planting any trees this spring as part of your landscape agenda? If so, a picture of Clara on her first birthday with a newly planted sapling, followed each year by another picture, is a wonderful, living growth chart. We’ve done it with our children with great results! Just an idea . . .

    Reply

  11. Kelly says

    Clara is so adorable! Thanks so much for sharing! I turned 29 recently too and now I’m freaking out for the next one! Happy Birthday!

    Reply

  13. April in CT says

    Happy, happy Birthday Sherry! Mine (36..eeek! How did THAT happen!?) is coming up, here’s to the March babies!

    Thanks for posting the quotes, the one by Nancy Willard really got me with an upcoming move across the country looming. I’m such a creature of habit and being married to the military doesn’t really bode well with that personality. So, reminding myself that I’m right where I’m supposed to be even if I don’t know where that is, really helps!

    Reply

  14. Melissa says

    Looks like you had a fantastic birthday. Those lilies are just beautiful. That video of Clara is too adorable! :) My daughter Ruby didn’t start crawling until she was 11 months old I thought for sure she would go straight to walking too, but alas we were wrong. She just recently started taking steps the other day at 13 months old and it’s the sweetest thing ever.

    Reply

  18. Jessie says

    Happy Birthday, Sherry! Clara is so adorable and she’s looking more and more like daddy. I am also loving the cute orange teddy bear. Did John made that for you? I am glad you have a wonderful birthday!

    Jessie

    Reply

  19. Erika says

    Happy Belated birthday! Sounds like you had a fabulous day; that’s the kind of day I enjoy as well.
    I have the New Balance toning shoes, which I thought were hype as well, but I think there is some truth to it!
    p.s. That little bear orange is the cutest thing ever!

    Reply

  20. Gina says

    Happy Birthday! Looks like you all had so much fun. Does Clara hate socks? My two year old has been ditching his socks every since he could. Too funny! I guess kids like to be free.

    Reply

  21. Laryn Bellar says

    Good job Clara!!! she is a doll and just made my day :) My last baby (last of 3) is 2 and i needed a adorable baby fix!!! happy birthday!

    Reply

  22. Barbara says

    Happy Birthday Sherry! What a difference in your life between 28 and 29, huh?

    I’ll be 50 in May, and it’s really a weird feeling, since I still feel 29! I hope you’re still blogging (or whatever it will be called then) when you’re 50 (Clara will be 21!) so I can see where your life takes you!

    Reply

  24. Carol N. says

    I totally love that look of concentration on Clara’s face as she looks at the orange bear! Kind of like ‘get cracking and give me some of that to eat!’. And the video is so sweet of her crawling. She will be on the move walking and running very soon and it will REALLY take two to watch her at home. You will get good use out of those tennies then.

    Reply

  27. Amber V. says

    Aww! The Sushi Box Bear! I took a picture of it for facebook the first time they sent one to my table. They do not always have them so it is always a nice surprise.

    Did you like Sushi Box? Do you have a favorite sushi place in town?

    Reply

  28. ginnie says

    Glad you had a great Birthday! I actually got toning shoes myself over the weekend. I went with the New Balances but I haven’t really used it yet. It does look cute though..they’re going to be my designated dog walking shoes. :)

    Reply

  29. Nicole says

    Happy Belated Birthday Sherry!!! I know how you mean about snow on your birthday. I am an April 2nd baby from Jersey so I have seen snow on my birthdays before, too. But congrats to little miss Clara on her major accomplishment! The fun part comes when you think you’ve baby proofed enough, until all of a sudden they can open the fridge and feed the dog 1/4lb of cheese! Haha.

    Reply

  31. Audrey says

    Happy belated birthday Sherry! Glad it was a good one :)
    Wow, 10+ months ago for Clara, huh? She’s been out longer than she was in! Congrats on her crawling, that’s so exciting.
    My favourite story about a 29th birthday (hopefully it’ll make you laugh instead of depress you): a Chinese teacher of mine turned 29, and we wanted to celebrate in class. She ended up letting us, but was really reluctant. She was terrified of 29, because it was so close to 30. And it turns out there’s a Chinese saying about age 30. ‘A man at age 30 is like a blossoming flower. A woman at age 30 is like [word that means the mushy stuff that’s left over after you make tofu].’ So I guess it’s a good thing you got your EasyTones! ;)

    Reply

  32. Zoua says

    Clara scooted on her butt? I think it is the cutest thing ever! My baby sister scooted on her butt, too. Didn’t ever really crawl right up until she started walking. She, too, gave it a try but it didn’t last very long. She turned 1 in December and started walking about a month ago.

    But seriously, babies scooting is super cute!

    Reply

  35. Michele says

    Happy Birthday! What gorgeous weather you had, too. Sounds like the perfect way to spend your birthday. Thanks for sharing your gifts–I went straight to The Etsy site where your first print is from and Im going to order something. She does beautiful work, doesn’t she?

    Best wishes!

    Reply

  36. Melissa says

    Happy Belated Birthday! Just so you know, you convinced me to get the shoes. I’ve been thinking about them for so long– and after hearing from a real person that they work- well, I’m sold!

    Reply

  37. Elise says

    I stumbled on the best site for NY art a few weeks ago:

    http://allthebuildingsinnewyork.blogspot.com/

    I found a print where I could literally see my old bedroom window!

    Also, on an unrelated note, I never crawled as a baby (scooted around on a plastic horse with wheels) and everyone told my mom that meant I would be a bad reader. Didn’t pan out – I’ve loved to read since kindergarten!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      SO CHARMING! Love it. I had a street artist sketch my old apartment from the front and it was amazing. I should dig that out and hang it in the hallway frame gallery! Thanks for the reminder!

      xo,
      s

  38. Ali says

    I’m happy you had a terrific birthday! Seriously, it sounded perfect! Love each of your birthday treats! :)

    Love that post on toy storage too!

    ~ Ali

    Reply

  40. Amber says

    Happy Birthday! Glad it was great, and the video was cute. Soon she will be running around with a paintbrush :)

    Reply

  41. Rachel says

    Happy Birthday Sherry!

    Here’s another etsy store that has some very cute NY prints (among other things)…
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/matteart?ref=pr_shop_more
    I have a bird print from this store above my fireplace.

    I also wanted to tell you that I too wanted toning shoes, but didn’t like the look of weird curvy bottoms or bright white sneakers. New Balance makes a great black (with purple) toning shoe that really works as well.

    Reply

  42. Kristen says

    Happy Birthday!

    My favorite thing about birthdays is evaluating my life and I love to make “New Year Resolutions” on my birthday instead of Jan 1st … Just makes more sense to me. Resolutions are personal and so are birthdays, they should go together!

    Reply

  44. Lacey says

    Wooohoo!! They do work! If you can’t tell, I’m ecstatic at your mention of the Easy Tone sneakers! I’ve been debating over getting them for awhile, but wasn’t sure if I was just falling for some darn good marketing. Must go buy them tonight! :)

    Reply

  46. magali says

    Our baby boy Noah was born 3 weeks ago and my dad sent us flowers. They are exactly the same as yours and came with the same lime green vase. Yay! My vase is famous! My lilies are still blooming :)

    Happy belated birthday Sherry!

    Reply

  47. Liz says

    Happy birthday Sherry! I think I need to get that book! This website helps remind me of what’s really important in life (and never fails to make me ugly cry!) givesmehope.com

    Reply

  48. Cassie says

    Happy first annual 29th birthday! Today I’m celebrating my 4th annual 29th. ;)
    Those are some great gifts… and Clara is too precious for words. I love how nonchalant she is about the whole crawling business.

    Reply

  49. Laurie says

    Thanks for sharing some of your personal moments of joy to brighten the day for the rest of us! Clara is a cutie. She’s lucky that she’ll have such an imense collection of her own personal history. Sometimes we think we have memories from childhood because of the pictures that we have looked at forever. Then someone else in the family will pop up with a picture we’ve never seen before and we’ll say, “I forgot all about that.” Pictures give us the memories we forgot we had.

    I love the picture a week idea too. That could be a surprise gift for a grown up Clara one day.

    Reply

  50. Sarah B says

    Clara is too cute! I love that John was almost playing fetch with her.

    Happy birthday! My birthday was Saturday and I went to the National zoo to see all 7 lion cubs and then to Petsmart to play with the adoptable (and adorable) puppies. Contrary to how it may sound, I turned 24, not 6.

    Reply

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