Turned the Page to 27

I woke up this morning to Jesse yelling "balloo". I was groggy, but could hear James blowing some up, 2 balloons, to commemorate me turning 27, on March 27. 7 years ago I met James, and for my birthday he dumped a bag of balloons on my head, and made me breakfast. This tradition has been kept alive, or would have been, I'm sure, had there been more than 2 balloons in the house, and had he not had to leave promptly by 7:30 a.m, requiring me to get out of bed and help with the breakfast part. Sticking with the breakfast theme, I received a griddle. I know some women may get stuck up on the fact that their is nothing sexy about a cooking appliance, and I admit, I'm usually one of them. But James did good. I have burned too many pancakes and wasted precious breakfast minutes hovering around my frying pan, which, by the way, can only fit one pancake at a time. So, I like the gift. And it makes a nice grilled cheese.

My mom wanted to know if I was going to do anything for my birthday, which made me think I should, which made me think that meant I had to invite everyone over. And as I thought about making this call, it dawned on me that playing hostess is not my strong suit. Don't get me wrong, I love having an open door policy, and anyone who comes in will find a beverage and something to eat and someone to talk to. Ground rules. But a planned party, for myself? Not my gift. SO, I waited until this morning (around 9) to call up people to come (at 10). I don't expect people to  particularly like these last minute shinanigans, but it is what it is.  Michelle and the kids and mom said they would come for tea at 10, and so I popped in my pie to be ready for 11, which is exactly when they came. One point for me! But minus that point on account of the pie burning anyways and my forgetting then remembering then forgetting to get mom her tea :) But things got fun as the house filled up with my wonderful family- nephews, niece, brothers, dad, mom, and I got showered with undeserved gifts (really, I rarely give birthday gifts anymore, so receiving them IS unexpected). I find that the crazier the house gets (and it doesn't take much in a one bedroom basement apartment) the more enjoyable the atmosphere. Kids under the bed, toys in the coffee, and a lot of giggling = a good time. So, the tea extended into unexpected lunch, and I liked that too.

Our evening was chill, until I thought James might be able to make Anneliese fall asleep by taking her in a car ride to Timmies and picking us up some coffees at 10 pm (it IS role up the rim, you know) . Which he did, but she promptly woke up when she got back home, and the caffeine that is now coursing through my veins and keeping me bright eyed has knocked James unconscious. Anyways, that leaves me awake enough to finish this post. Time to shift the focus.

Anneliese is about 3 1/2 months, and my guess is she's about 14 pounds, give or take. She's a butterball who loves her mom. She is ticklish when she gets changed, and her giggle makes Jesse laugh his little butt off. She spends a lot of time bouncing in her jolly jumper these days, gnawing on her fists and drooling or puking at any given moment, and so to date she's no different from any other baby, except that she's ours. And that's the best part. I get asked a lot if she sleeps through the night, to which I answer 'no', because lately she's been getting up around 2:30 am to eat, but I think the question should be rephrased to "are you sleeping through the night" because then I would answer 'yes'. Figure that one out. Anyways, Anneliese and I are getting enough sleep. Jesse, however, keeps me on my toes by getting strep throat, or pink eye, or the common cold in what appears to be some sort of cycle that is never ending. Please, winter, end already.

A few more things to document, and then I'm done. Anneliese- your nails grow too fast, and they require cutting every other day, which James and I are both hesitant to do since we snipped off the skin on your thumb. Aside from a serious bald patch, I think you will have thick, dark, curly hair one day. Fingers crossed. Your eyes look like they may be turning hazel. Your toes collect more lint than I can fathom, and you let Jesse push you around a lot (not by choice, but your jolly jumper does hang in his doorway, so he's right on that score. You're in his way a lot). But the bottom line is that you are our healthy, beautiful 3 month old, and Jesse, James and I love you like crazy. And truth be told, seeing you at 2:30 am isn't all that bad, especially when I know it won't last forever. The months just keep passing...

And just because I have a hard time leaving out my man Jesse, here he is at 3 months :)