My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 35. It's hard to believe that I'm 35. That seems so grown up. I had a good day. Lance and Brett surprised me by cooking me pancakes for breakfast (apparently this was Brett's idea). Then Lance took the day off work and I ran errands by myself after I dropped Brett off at school. This may not seem like much, but when you're used to having two kids in tow- this was a nice break.

Claire decided to start walking. She's taken a few steps here and there up to this point, but yesterday she was actually walking for several steps and she did it quite a bit. So I'm counting this as her official day (Lance says it's when she took her first actual steps - which was on my dad's birthday - Jan 8th - but I'm not!). She was so adorable when she was doing it. I'd say, "Good walking Claire" and she'd scrunch up her nose and smile real big.

Then Aunt Annie came over and watched the kids so we could go to the Melting Pot for dinner. YUM.

Today my mom and sister's took Claire and I out to lunch to celebrate our birthdays. We went to Cheddar's - a new restaurant next to Oak Park Mall. It was pretty good. Brett actually ate some chicken fingers and said they were good. My parents and sisters got me a Canon Elph for my purse. So very generous of them. I love it!!!! My sister Susie also got me two cookbooks and some lottery tickets (very excited about these - the cookbooks mainly!). My parents got me some lottery tickets and a gift card (excited again). And my other sister Ann got me some more lottery tickets. Out of all the tickets I got, I won $33.00. Not bad I guess.

Tomorrow is Clara Bell's birthday. It's hard to believe it's been a year since she was born. I miss the tiny little baby that I held in my arms a year ago, but I also love the little person she is becoming. She looks more and more like Brett everyday - something that has surprised and delighted me. She is becoming so affectionate - giving hugs to people. She's a great eater although she only has two teeth (one top and one bottom). She's very inquisitive and is not happy when she's not allowed to investigate. She is such a blessing, as is Brett.