Happy Birthday to Me!

Ever since I lost my first pregnancy in 2002, I swore I would never get upset about getting older. I'm very happy to say I'm not pretending when I say that I really, genuinely don't mind birthdays or the fact that I'm not getting any younger. I'm still grateful that I had an extremely talented surgeon who gave me what I hope will be many more years with Rob and my family.

After a very long and exhausting few weeks at work, I took my birthday off on Friday with my mom. Other than spending 5 hours in the car for a trip that should have taken about two, we had a great time. We went to a new outlet mall in Pottstown and made out like bandits. I forgot how nice it can be to shop without a 35-year-old man and a 4-year-old boy whining that they're bored and ready to go.

I got the chance to see friends that I hadn't seen in a while that evening and hung out with family on Saturday night. It's been such a nice weekend. Too bad it's almost over!

I always experience my birthday as bittersweet since Andrew quickly declined on my birthday and died on May 18. It's hard to believe that it's been 12 years today since we lost him. I've unfortunately lost most contact with his mother, whom I absolutely adored. I hope she's doing well in Georgia and that she knows that lots of people still love her AND Andrew. Speaking of those people, I finally got to see John for the first time in a long time today, too! I really need to figure out a way for us to hang out or talk more. We have so little in common in our day-to-day routines that it can be difficult, but every time we are together, it's like no time has passed at all. If ever there were a definition of a great friend, I think that's it. We even hugged today. Anyone that knows the two of us knows that's not our usual greeting! I've been missing him so much that it only seemed right.

Sam received his very first trophy this weekend. He completed (sort of) his first soccer season on Saturday. He hasn't really been participating much, so I doubt we'll try again for a while, but it's been really cute to see him tote the trophy around the house. He's been repeating Coach Jeff, who announced that Sam was "last but not least." Sam thinks that phrase is hilarious.

I'll spend this week getting ready for Sam's big birthday party at the firehouse. If any of my crafty friends have ideas for clever favors, I'm all ears!