29

On May 14, 2013 I turned 29.  I've started my thirtieth year of life, and am in my last year of my twenties.  And guess what?  I like it.  I didn't really think that much about turning 29 until I was visiting with a friend in Boulder on our recent trip to Colorado.  My friend is also 29, and getting married a few months before she turns 30.  She asked me if I have a "30 before 30 list" or anything major I feel like I need to do before I turn 30.  I was a little surprised, because when you put it like that, it makes it seem like you need to accomplish something BIG before you turn 30, or that once you turn 30 you are no longer capable of doing certain things?  I'm not sure, but I hadn't really thought much about it.  Truth be told, the one thing on my "bucket list" is completing a half marathon.  I'd like to do it before I turn 30 or before we hopefully have another kid, so whichever of those things comes first.  OR I could always do it after I turn 30, and have another kid. =) Being on the cusp of a new decade doesn't seem like that much of a big deal (maybe I'll feel differently next year), but I've always felt that 30 is such a great age.  

Your twenties are filled with so much growing and changing and so many exciting life events.  I feel like once people are in their thirties they start to slow down a little bit, tend to stay in one place for a little longer, and just enjoy where there are in life.  (At least that is my perception.)  I already feel like I've taken steps towards that new decade, and started part of that journey.  Having Henry, moving back to the Mid-west, and buying a house were all major changes, but changes that have made LJ and I more rooted in our community and our life together.  We are no longer traveling all over the West together, and I am ok with that.  I think this time in our lives is about enjoying our little family together.  I hope that once our family is a little older, then we can run all over the West again together.  =) 

So yeah, I'm excited to be 29.  I'm excited to savor this last year in my twenties, but I'm also excited for the new decade ahead and all the love in my life.  

Happy birthday to me! 5.14.13

Henry is an awesome present.  =) 

Mother's Day in Chicago

This year for Mother's Day we were in Evanaston, IL for the wedding of my Uncle Pete and his now wife, Brenda.  It was a busy day as we had to work around Henry's naps and getting ready for the wedding, but I felt very special even amid the chaos of traveling and being away from home. Henry woke up early, but LJ let me stay in bed while he hung out with him.  We all took a lovely morning nap and then opened some presents post -nap.  We got out and enjoyed walking around Evanston and then celebrated the evening at Pete and Brenada's wedding.  On my to- do list for Mother's Day was to get a fancy coffee drink at Starbucks and go to Whole Foods, and both were accomplished.  Sometimes it's the little things that make your day lovely.  =) 

I found it hard to believe that this was my second mother's day and that my little baby is over a year old!  But each day with Henry is such a joy.  We certainly have our challenging moments and days, but even through the ups and downs I am forever grateful that I am his mama.  

Henry's sweet hands.  These are on my shirt and the dish towels for each Grandma.
Nice work LJ! 

At Lupita's in Evanston for the rehearsal dinner.
5.11.12

Henry helping Grandma Horth open her mother's day present.
5.12.13

Henry helping Grandma Horth open her mother's day present.

Henry helping me open my mother's day presents. 

How did he know I LOVE Lululemon? 

Henry with Grandma, and mama.
5.12.13
No he is not a baby vampire, he just has banana on his mouth.  =) 

I'm glad I'm not the only one...

I just sat down to update the blog for the first time in many weeks.  There is so much life that has happened in between now and the last time I really wrote a post (other than posting pictures), I don't even know where to begin.  To look for inspiration I checked my dear friend's and sister-in-law's blogs who I regularly follow: Two Tomatoes and The Sustar Pumpkin Patch and I was glad to see that I am not the only one who has been neglecting their blog.

It's not so much that I've dropped the ball though, it's just that I've been busy with SO many other things, as I'm sure most of you are.  With LIFE.  With my new(ish) part-time job as the program coordinator for children's yoga and as a children's yoga teacher at Root Down Yoga Studio (more on that later).  With Henry, who is now 15 months, almost 16 months, walking all over the place and exploring whatever he possibly can.  With swim lessons, with story-time, with play-dates, with music classes for Henry.  With trips to Colorado.  With trying to spend a few precious moments with my husband.  When I finally do get a free second though, I want to spend it outside in the glorious sunshine that we waited so long for this past winter, or relaxing watching TV or a movie with LJ.  And I only have ONE child, so I really don't know how those of you with multiple children EVER update your blogs!  =)
I've been putting off updating the blog because I don't even know where to begin to update you on all the amazing milestones and developments that Henry's made, and all the activities and adventures that have kept us busy these past few months.  Although I've posted a few pictures and videos here and there, the last time I wrote a post on Henry's development was when he was 10 months old!  That was almost 6 months ago!  I DO still want to write a post on what's been happening with Henry recently, because I love looking back and being able to remember it all, but I know that post might take me a while. 

So here is my goal:  I'm going to try to post some updates to the blog on what we've been up too, and I'd like to write a post about Henry's development from 11 months - to now.  I'm going to try to be compassionate with myself if it doesn't happen in a timely manner, and not beat myself up if I don't remember everything I wanted to write down!  So keep your eyes open for a few new posts in the next couple of weeks!

Happy summer!

Cheers,

Emily