Birthday Season

And just like that, birthday season is over. All of our birthdays are squeezed between May and July and it's always such a special, celebratory, family-filled time. On a side note, I'm happy to report that by Joe's birthday Decky FINALLY figured out the whole blowing out candles thing and he is now a pro. Since mine and Joe's birthdays are only two days apart, and it's also right around the anniversary of our first meeting, we traditionally like to do a mini-getaway to celebrate. Sometimes we sneak off without the kids, but since Ez and I will be solo-traveling while Joe and Decky stay home, we opted for extra family time this year with a lake getaway to Tahoe. We also fit in a trip to the State Fair (on the hottest day of the month) for my actual birthday, which is now officially an annual tradition - aka, we've done it twice 😏

Maybe it's because we haven't been to Disneyland in five months (yes, we're Disney spoiled), but Ez and Deck were super excited by the monorail, carousel, and fake-Dumbo rides. Ez ate his weight in watermelon and ice cream, we spent way to much money "winning" one tiny little prize, I tried wine slushies for the first time and am now wondering what the heck I've been doing with my life, and we all narrowly avoided heat stroke - all in all a fantastic day spent with my three favorite people in the whole world.

On Thursday we packed up and headed to Tahoe which is hands down one of my favorite places in the whole world. Joe and I went there for our honeymoon, and then again for our birthdays last year, so I was excited to finally bring the kids along for the ride. I'm happy to report they loved it just as much as I do and despite freezing water temperatures and little chattering teeth we had to drag them out of the water each day. I already want to plan another trip back.

To cap off a week of fun we had one more celebration with my parents and then left the kids overnight so Joe and I could have a relaxing staycation watching Jurassic World and doing yoga in the park. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect, family-filled, relaxing birthday. If this is any indication for 35, I'm definitely ready for you ❤

Happy THREE Decky!

Dear Decky,

I just don't know what to make of you turning three. On the one hand you seem like such a big boy already, part of me thinks you've been three for months now. On the other hand you're my little baby, and you always will be. Still, we've noticed a few definite changes as you head into threenager territory. Up until now you've been a very go with the flow baby. Happy to go where we go, do what we do, and entertain yourself if we're busy. Now, suddenly, you're your own little person, you've got your own agenda and needs, and you're not afraid to yank my arm off dragging me from one place to another if your needs aren't being met. NOW.

It was bound to happen, it's part of growing up, and I promise we'll take your opinion into consideration from now on, my sweet little Decks.

We've also noticed what I can only describe as growing pains. Possibly physical as you're definitely looking taller and leaner lately, but definitely emotional. A couple weeks ago I actually took you to Urgent Care because you were silently weeping throughout the day like you were in pain, and then you passed out face down on the floor and completely freaked me out. It was so unlike you. Of course, as soon as we got to Urgent Care you were running around like you owned the place, practically climbing over all the legitimately sick people in the waiting room and fighting off three nurses at a time as they tried to take your vitals, like the baby Hulk you are. Physically you were fine, but those weepy moments have come on several times a week and I wish so badly you could tell me exactly what's wrong. Since you can't tell me, my best guess is that it's a mixture of needing more attention than you've gotten lately, having more to say than you're able to express with your limited vocabulary, and being completely worn out from all the summer fun we've been having.

It's ok baby, we've all got days like that. I promise you can always come cry on my lap, no matter how old you are.

On the topic of vocabulary, we've recently had you assessed by a speech therapist and you're currently at a twelve to eighteen month level. You were happy to show off your beautifully intricate jibberish, that I will forever believe is an actual language that exists somewhere, but when it comes to learning our plain English words you just haven't shown much interest. Until she put you in the 12-18 month range. Then you were like, GAME ON, and you've suddenly been learning several new words and phrases a day. I can't tell you what a relief that's been, and I am so, SO excited to learn all the crazy, hilarious, insightful thoughts running through that beautiful mind of yours.

I promise you that although English may not be as fun to speak as your own language, you will find it far more useful.

I hope you've had as much fun turning three as we've had fun celebrating you. We were wracking our brains trying to come up with the perfect day for you, and we were having the hardest time because you love the simplest things. In the end simple is what we went for and it turned out being amazing. We made sure to splash in some water (at the river), we got you your very own mini ball pit, which you and your brother are obsessed with, we took you to the toy store where you picked out a Cars Dinoco semi truck, to go with the Cars Mack truck you got on your second birthday, and you immediately came home to play with the two of them together. You know what you like and you're loyal to those things, and I can appreciate that. We also had a barbecue with family (where you ate a pb&j) and we've got plans for some water balloons and a trip to Wacky Tacky to cap off your three day three year old celebration.

Though I hope I tell you this every day, I want to make especially sure you know today, on the day that you quite literally came crashing into our lives three years ago, that you complete our little family. You give the best kisses, the best snuggles, the best infectious giggles, the best spontaneous dance moves, and the best "are you insane?" looks. Your happy spots are burrowed under a blanket flipping through a board book, hiding in a self-made fort beneath the recliner, ransacking your brother's room, splashing in water, or sitting on my lap. You've brought infinitely more balloons, bubbles, and bouncy balls into our lives, and I'm not sure how we got along without those necessities all this time. We love you to infinity and beyond baby boy and we're so excited to see how three unfolds for you.

Happy F I V E Ez!

I remember the entire week before Ez turned four I was up late looking at his baby pictures and crying. Four felt so big compared to three. He was no longer a toddler, and definitely not a baby. All of a sudden we were entering brand new "little kid" territory and I didn't feel at all ready for that. I had no idea what four held in store for us, but I felt like the changes would be big. 

And they were.

They were big and necessary and difficult (even the good ones) because that's just the way change works. It's scary and uncertain and hard.

But Ez, he showed us time and time again that he could handle big changes. He can do hard things. He can be uncomfortable and frustrated and come out stronger and better. He's my little bull, through and through. 

I thought I'd feel really sentimental going into five too. We already know even more big changes are on the horizon, and big decisions have to be made. But this time around they don't feel nearly as scary. And that's because I know Ez has got this. I have nothing but confidence in his ability to grow into the amazing person he's already becoming. 

Dear Ez,

As I was looking back through old videos I realize how much responsibility I've placed on your shoulders over the years. I thought you were such a big boy when your brother was born, and now I realize you were only two, even younger than Declan is now. You were doing your best to figure out the whole big brother thing, just like I was doing my best figuring out how to be a mom of two. As the first born you definitely got stuck with a set of rookie parents; thank you for showing us so much grace over the years. You've taught us about patience, loving big, laughing easily, forgiving quickly, never giving up, and always eating an apple a day 🍎😉

We celebrated your birthday with a school party on Friday, an Ez Day birthday eve - aka a day filled with your favorites: Wacky Tacky, Panera Bread, Toys R Us, the splash park, and cake + presents, and then a family birthday party on Sunday (aka Mother's Day). 

I couldn't have asked for a better Mother's Day gift than getting to celebrate the boy who made me a mom five years ago. You've exceeded all my expectations about being a parent a million times over and your daddy and I couldn't be more proud of you. Love you more, love you most, love you to the moon and back 🌙

I remember each of these days like they were yesterday:

Birthday Getaway: Reno & Tahoe

Joe and I have a tradition of doing a joint birthday getaway ever since 2012 (our first birthday together). The only exception was 2015 when I was less than one month postpartum. Here's a little walk down memory lane:

2012: Vegas (pre kids - bottom right)

2013: Santa Barbara (bottom middle)

2014: San Francisco (top right)

2016: Pinecrest (top middle)

2017: Reno/Tahoe (left)

As you can see, aside from 2012 when we didn't have kids, this was our first kid free birthday trip in a lonnnng time. Much overdue, you could say. Reno has been on our bucket list since we moved to Sacramento so that was the first stop on our getaway, followed by North Tahoe the next morning. 

We got to Reno around 10:30 in the morning and explored the "biggest little city" while killing time until we could check into our hotel. We lost some money gambled for a bit, hit up a buffet complete with mimosas, walked along the river, and gambled a bit more. Our hotel was called Whitney Peak and it's one of the few non-smoking, non-gambling hotels in the city, which I highly recommend if cigarette smoke is not your thing. We settled in and caught up on Game of Thrones (we're already behind again - #parentlife). Then it was off for dinner and a show. We ate more sushi than two people should possible be able to eat. I'm talking SIX rolls...and not small ones either. It may be awhile before we eat sushi again, but it was so, so worth it. Afterward we saw Cirque Le Noir, which is an acrobatic show with former Cirque du Soleil members. I think Joe said "Wow!" about a million times and I bit off all my nails, so definitely a must-see if you're in Reno. Afterward we wandered around sipping margaritas and trying our luck at the slot machines one more time (spoiler alert: we're not lucky). Even though she took most of our money, Reno was the perfect start to our birthday weekend. Scroll down for part two, Lake Tahoe.

Sunday morning we checked out bright and early and headed down to North Lake Tahoe (about 40 minutes away) for a kayaking adventure. I haven't spent much time in North Lake Tahoe, but after our visit I can already promise we'll be back. It is easily one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and I'm counting Hawaii in that assessment. The water was the most beautiful clear turquoise right along the shore, and a deep dark blue that let you see all the way to the bottom of the lake further out. Being surrounded by pine trees, and snow capped mountains in the distance...it was too pretty to put into words and these pictures don't do it justice. Expert tip: get there early because the parking lot fills up fast in the summer and then you have to take a shuttle (thankfully we got a spot). We explored the rocky areas near the beach for a bit and then we got our kayak and paddled up the shore until we came to the wise conclusion that it was much easier to just let the lake take us where it wanted while we relaxed with our feet in the water, taking in all the sights. After a few hours and a very awkward capri sunburn on the bottom third of my legs we headed back to shore and reality. The only consolation to leaving was that we've already decided we'll be back with the kids. I could easily have spent a week right there at that beach and I know the kids will love it just as much. 

Thanks for following along on our birthday adventures! I have a feeling next year's will top them all since we'll be going to Germany for my sister's wedding.