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

  1. Courtney says

    That house you are standing behind is a 5 minute walk from my parent’s house. Any my first boyfriend lives on that street. If you live in that neighborhood, you know that house and yes it is beautiful.. Check it out next year when it snows.. it’s awesome! Happy Belated Bday!!!

    Reply

  2. Wom-mom Ethne says

    My, would I love weather like that right about now. Soon, I tell myself, soon. PS – I bought the kid art frames from Target and we hung them over the weekend. So great! We even let the girls pick out what art to display first. Thanks so much. And Happy Birthday.

    http://www.wom-mom.com

    Reply

  6. Allison Jag says

    GOOOOD.NESS! She is just so flipping adorable! :) You can talk about her as much as you’d like, I love it! (and hey – it is your blog after all!) ;) Happy 29th! I just celebrated the same bday earlier this month! I think this last years in my 20s is gonna be a good one – hopefully its the same for you! :)

    Reply

  7. Leslie says

    Yea, Happy Birthday indeed! Crawling is very important to baby development – glad to see the progress. I love your videos!

    Reply

  8. jiye says

    happy birthday! i turned 30 a few months ago. it’s a little strange not being in my 20’s anymore. i still feel young. we were watching american idol last week and everytime they said a contestant’s birth year, i would exclaim “omg…they’re so much younger than me!” until hubbie finally said…”i think the age limit is 29 so yes, they will all be much younger than you.” hahaha.

    pearlsandgreentea.com

    Reply

  9. bridget b. says

    happy belated birthday! my little one turned one on the 18th, so you guys were almost birthday buddies.

    the video of Clara crawling was so cute! it’s so cool to be able to capture those moments for. we missed the crawling, but we were able to catch our daughter’s first steps on camera.

    Reply

  10. Sandy says

    I wish I was 29 again; I’m 36, due with baby no. 2 in April. I forgot all the cute things babies do! I saw your article on the Washington Post and I’m hooked. I wish I had a decorating bone in my body and I’m so jealous!

    Anyway, your family is beautiful! Can’t wait to read more!

    Reply

  11. Ted says

    YHL says: “I think you’re talking about our Link Love list of other blogs that we love?”

    Actually, there was one blog post that had about 6 or so links of blogs that one of you pointed us to…but that’s okay, the Link Love is great…lots more reading! :-)

    Thanks.

    Reply

  13. Lisa O. says

    Happy birthday! I turned 29 today, so we’re almost exactly the same age :). Congratulations to Clara for her crawling milestone. Those shoes have me intrigued.

    Reply

  18. Jennifer says

    Go Clara, Go Clara…! That is just too cute and you guys are so sweet to share her milestones with us. Happy belated birthday, btw. I think since you guys will always be young at heart YHL can stick, :D Have a great day

    Reply

  19. Meredith says

    So, this is weird but as I was eating breakfast this morning, I looked up to see cartoonized Sherry staring back at me. That’s right, you’re a cartoon and you didn’t even know it! On the back of the Fiber One box is “Hungry Girl”. (Not to imply anything) Seriously…looks just like you. Go to http://www.hungry-girl.com to see her for yourself. By the way Happy Birthday. Maybe if you can find a cartoonized John, they could live happily on your wall together!

    Reply

  22. jamie says

    I love lillies in the spring! I have some on my dining table and just adore their soft scent.

    happy belated birthday, looks like you had one great day with your wonderful family!

    Reply

  24. Jennifer says

    Happy Birthday!!
    I think the funniest part about your post was John and the shaving cream foot massage! (might have worked if you were a Hobbit! :D )
    Cool gifts too! The lilies are really pretty, and the bee print has a nice feeling to it :D
    The panda orange is amazing too! I’ll have to send that idea to my sister.

    Reply

  25. rachel says

    Happy Birthday!

    So don’t worry about Clara not crawling – my nephew was worse… he would only technically half crawl. He would move his right arm and right leg to crawl but then drag the rest of his body! We used to think there was some sort of issues going on, but he grew up and is just fine!

    Reply

  28. Dusty says

    I’m sure you already know this – but I was on msn.com this morning and there was an article about you guys. It was pretty cool! :)

    Reply

  30. Andrea DePew says

    Aw Sherry you are just the cutness! It’s the personal stuff that keeps me coming back to this blog every day (yes I check it daily.. don’t mock!). Y’all are the best! Love.

    Reply

  31. Kiran says

    Happy Birthday Sherry! So envious you are 29, and I would be 32 soon. Not looking forward :D
    Love love love Clara’s photos, and her gorgeous teeth!

    Reply

  34. Jessica U says

    How do you like your Joovy Stroller? I am debating between the Kooper and the Scooter. All the others that are carseat compatible are so bulky and heavier.

    Reply

  35. Meriel says

    Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but many types of lilies are extremely poisonous to dogs! Be sure to keep the stamens (the things that hold the pollen) away from Burger. If dogs ingest them they could go into renal failure. I usually pull the stamens out and flush them down the toilet. I also gently wipe out any remaining residue and keep my vases up high, away from my dog so that she doesn’t go sniffing up any pollen.

    But anyhow… Belated Happy Birthday! Looks like you and the family had a wonderful time celebrating! You even got beautiful weather! Hope you guys have a wonderful week!

    Reply

  37. Bridgit says

    I love that NYC print! I want to get it for my friend for her birthday next week but not sure about the size. Did you get the 11×14 or the 8×10?

    Reply

  38. Maggie Rose says

    Happy birthday, Sherry! Mine is coming up (ha, it’s May 15th, so I have some time) and I just started my wish-list for birthday-weekend activities including a stroll through downtown Seattle (with flowers from the market), the art museum, and one totally frivolous purchase from Sephora. I’ll be 26, and am starting to wonder where my twenties went! Feels like no time has passed since I turned 22. Trying to make the most of the rest of the decade!

    Reply

  39. anne marie says

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHERRY!

    Didn’t know you were a Pisces (I just had my b-day on Sunday) but I should have guessed since you are full of love for beautiful & sentimental things! ;) BTW – don’t apologize for philosophical ‘gushings’! You and John touch so many lives every day, you never know when your words about ‘perspective’ are going to reach someone right when they need that message most. :)

    i hope this next year brings you much love, laughter & adventure!

    Reply

  41. polka says

    Happy Birthday :)
    Clara looks so adorable :)

    Have to tell you that I currently live in NYC and your move to VA is very inspiring. I dreammm about moving out of the city, to be able to afford a small house with a backyard etc. something that is not really possible in nyc so easily.

    Also just want to add that I LOVE LOVE LOVE your wedding :) I also dream about something like that… very simple, filled with love and fun :) thumbs up for you for being able to do something so wonderful :)

    Best wishes :)
    Polka

    Reply

  42. Jamie B. says

    What a happy post! I love the looks Clara’s giving you in that video. Like she sort of thinks you’re a little crazy but she’ll humour you out of love.

    Reply

  45. jbhat says

    Congratulations on the big 29! It’s going to just keep getting better, I promise.

    Congratulations also on the crawling milestone. Mobility changes everything…but in a good way. She’s going to love being your little helper.

    jbhat

    Reply

  46. Ana Silva says

    I’m glad you had a great birthday. Well deserved. And OMG, Clara is only the cutest baby in the universe right now! She is too precious.

    Reply

  48. Clarissa says

    Happy Belated Birthday!

    Just wanted to say, love your blog and I’ll keep reading it well after you guys turn it into Middle Aged House Love, Grown up House Love, Over the Hill House Love, “Are we really still doing this?” Retired House Love….. :)

    Reply

  49. Mary says

    You guys, I love you, I love your site, and these gifts are lovely. But as former writers, how could you guys have jumped on the “gifting” bandwagon?! Isn’t “gift” a noun? Didn’t they just plain old give you the presents? I feel like this “gifting” epidemic that’s been sweeping the internet was created by the wedding industry to make present-giving sound fancier. Resist! Stand up to the internet! Use the verb!

    (I hope this comment isn’t too harsh – it’s just that you guys are such wonderful writers that something like this sticks out).

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Sometimes when it comes to accidentally driving people crazy with certain word usage, we know not what we do. Haha. We use a heckova lot of words so it happens. Haha. Forgive us!

      xo,
      s

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