Those moments of commiserating. A friendly smile from a fellow mom. The moment you meet your mama BFF. Those moments of unspoken sympathy and understanding from the other mom in Target while your toddler has a melt down. The explosive feeling of having your heart live outside your body… that moment that all moms experience. That single moment when you realize you no longer live for yourself. Those are the moments that unite us in motherhood.
Four years ago today I became a mother. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DECLAN. And we will celebrate him tonight and this weekend but today I am also going to celebrate those moments over the past four years where I have felt united by the bonds of motherhood.
Well if the photos were not enough to give it away- It is my birthday!
I am shocked that I am 35 (image how my mother feels). It is crazy to look back at photos and think about all the birthday’s past and all the celebrations I have had. I used to really really love my birthday and celebrating it was my very favorite thing but as the years keep adding up I have started to shy away from the huge celebrations. Not really sure why but it seems the progression has been natural and I am okay about that.
To celebrate I wanted to share a few random facts you may not know about me….
I am obsessed with Justin Beiber. There are very few people who know this but it feels good to finally share it! My son has started to request his songs on Spotify and it truly is a shining moment for me.
I have an odd and unjustified fear of shingles stacked on roofs. Again unjustified.
Chips and salsa, blueberry donuts, meatballs and my mothers french toast are my absolute favorite foods.
My father took me to school on the first day of class from kindergarten to freshman in college. Despite his travel when I was growing up he never missed a single first day of school.
I close all the doors in the house before I go to bed; bathrooms, bedrooms, closets.
I drink coffee from a straw.
My sense of direction is spot on- and I am rarely every wrong.
Getting into a freshly made bed with clean sheets is something I live for (right after I close all the doors)!
Despite being completely in love with Brendan I had to be bribed to go out on our first date. However I knew by the end of dinner I knew I would marry him.
i have a gnarly 3 inch scar on my left elbow from falling off a horse when i was 16 years old.
The back deck at my parents house in the mountains, my childhood home, is my favorite place on earth.
My family- Brendan, Declan and Rubble, are the most important people (and dog) in the world to me. Without them my days would be heavier, my heart would be clouded and my birthday would not be nearly as special.
vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting are my weakness
This dress was the perfect look to ring in my birthday and I want to thank Farbik Denver for helping me style it and letting me wear it! I feel in love with it at their store and was confident it would be the best outfit for this post. The colors, the backless nature and long flowy are simply amazing. If you are headed to a beach, a formal affair or want to make a statement with a show stopping dress you need to scoop this up from Fabrik. I have linked several similar dresses below and I tried to find varying price ranges.
another year around the sun
As I reflect on the last 365 I am in amazement at what life has offered me, what challenges I have overcome, what adventures lie ahead and how much has changed since last year on this day. I have moved countries, I have started this blogging adventure, I have learned even more about motherhood, I have traveled to amazing countries and continents, I have met and nurtured some amazing friendships, I have fallen down and landed back on my feet- I hate to be cliche but I believe the best is yet to come… 35 years and I am just getting started.
Happy birthday Declan. Three years old- you are no longer a baby but you will always and forever be MY baby. For the last three years I have watched and traveled an incredible journey with you. From a teeny teeny newborn on oxygen in an incubator to a walking, talking (too much at times), intelligent toddler. From our home in Denver across to world to London and back again. You are smart, you are funny and you are the absolute sweetest boy I know. Your passion for life and Peppa Pig bring smiles to my face everyday. Your love for London, trains and Papa’s trucks make you unique and special. Each day I am given the gift of motherhood and I thank you for being my little guy.
I have learned a great deal in the three years since you were born. Obviously, I have learned what it feels like to love unconditionally, I have learned how to be selfless and I have learned the power of distraction to diffuse a tantrum. But there are less obvious things I have learned since your birth; there are less obvious emotions and undestandings that have come from you being a part of my life.
To start, my marriage and your father. To say I am lucky is an understatement, To say I am blessed still doesn’t seem to do it justice. While you were in the hospital all those months it was your dad who truly was the saving grace for our family. His strength, love and determination proved to be the strongest link in the bonds that tie us together. Your father’s love for you and for me continue to be the grounding force of which all our happiness resides on. Without you I am not sure where our life would have gone, I am not sure I would have seen this side of your dad and therefore I am grateful each day that you came along and helped me see your father for who he truly is.
Next up, passion. So I have always been a passionate person but now I have a direction and an outlet for my passions. While you don’t sit and write blog posts with me what you do is provide an inspiration to continue down this journey. Knowing that there is something bigger than myself now, someone I care more about and a desire to model happiness drives me to continue down this journey. My passion is a happy life and each day with you I am given the opportunity to use my passions to demonstrate commitment, overcoming self doubt and following your own path.
Thank you Declan, For all the late nights, for all the laughs, for all the tantrums, for all the Peppa Pig, for all the learning, for all the happiness you bring into my life. Today is your day- let’s eat smoked salmon, go on a lunch date to the cafe, drink apple juice, watch trains, ride in trucks, make silly jokes and read books. Each day I hope I show you a little bit more of just how special you are- starting with today- your 3rd birthday.
With Love,
Mummy
P.S. This is a new category for the blog ‘family’. And while I will continue with styled outfit inspiration and shopping links for most of my pots I am hoping to sprinkle in a bit more about my family life. You can find it all here!! Hope you enjoyed a bit more personal post today.
