Happy Birthday, My dearest Softpack. I love you more than I can even express. Heterosexual Life Partners FOREVER!

<3

And though I had kind of a shitty day- my day ended on a high note. Because I have GREAT people in my life. WONDERFUL. AMAZING. Friends.

Friends who are like family- and some who actually ARE family.

A sister-in-law who made me a gorgeous purse with her bare hands.
Another sister-in-law who bought me a bottle of Dom.
Good friends who brought themselves out on a yucky Friday night with cake and champagne to gorge on Celia’s (best mexican place EVER) and then sit with me in my favorite dive bar and dance to the jukebox till they kicked us out.
A mom who watched all three kids all night so we could get out.
A dad & stepmom who somehow warned the bar we were coming & our group of 9 drank for free all night long. (of course we tipped extra)

It was a good day. There are LOTS of REALLY embarrassing photos too. But, honestly they are embarrassing enough that if you weren’t there you’ll probably never see them.

But it was epic. Because my jukebox skills made an entire bar of people literally get the fuck out of their seats and dance- while all singing along at the top of their lungs- on more than one occasion. It was a sight. And in fact- once I get my hands on the video, you’ll get to see me dancing with the random 50+ year old bartender. No joke- it was the first time I ever really danced in my life. I mean, like actual spinning around partner dancing it UP.

Clearly, this photo is gross of me but I just don’t even care. Because I had FUN.

It started a day or two ago when Truman walked about three steps from the wall to a piece of furniture. Followed the next day by Sawyer taking 3 steps while I was busy trying to coax Truman into walking. They aren’t fully walking around yet, but when they are rested & fed- they can WALK. Truman walked at least 10 steps a few different times today (sunday) and I couldn’t be more excited/fearful of what this important “step” means for my everyday life. It’s also funny because Hudson started walking about a week before his birthday talking a couple steps at a time- and the day of his 1st birthday party (3 days before his birthday) he started WALKING and never crawled again. Tomorrow is 3 days before the twins turn 1. It’s a cute little coincidence & I hope tomorrow brings us great luck in the form of Tru & Sawyer making the transition to walking full time. We will see. Hopefully, I will have videos soon!

Saturday night Scott’s aunt had us, my sister-in-laws, my father-in-law & my dad & stepmom over for a little birthday dinner for Scott. He opened gifts & we had cake. It was lovely. Then after we had a couple friends over & hung out till 2am+ & even had a drunky sleep on our couch because it was that kind of party!

Today was spent relaxing & playing with the kids. Today was also my husband Scott’s 31st birthday. So I was sure to make 3 homemade meals & make sure he had a great day. And it was great. Pure & simple. In the late afternoon Scott’s sisters came over (FYI we hang out with them 5+ times a week.) & we ate an AWESOME dinner & watched the Oscars.

Here are some pics from the weekend:

And I’d be lying if that didn’t make me crazy inside because I MISS pretty much everything about new babies. And sometimes when I see how fleeting my own children’s childhood is- I can’t help but wish for a giant lottery win so I can (selfishly) live these moments over & over & over. Aka keep having babies until they sew it closed or I get too old.

Anyways, Happy Birthday Ryan!!

Here are some pictures from his Star Wars themed party today:

Ryan & our friend Favio.

A beautiful photo of 4 of the 6 of us girls. My SIL Sarah, Stephanie, cousin Laura & SIL Krust. Adorable. Wish Lisa & I were in this one!

Sawyer Jolene posing it UP.

Tutu. He is such a gorgeous child.

Fall leaves. LOVE IT!!!!

Candy time, EXCELLENT!!

Bubble Partyyyyyyy!

Kid loves the bubbles.

Krust & Hudson

Sleepy Sawyer.

Rocking the helmet to match his festive themed sweater.

Watching Hudson eat a mummum.

Sawyer & my gorgeous mommy.

Truman & Beez Nonnie. (my nonnie, his great grandmother.)

Sawyer & Uncle Darryl.

Smiling Tru. Great picture. Thanks, Steph.

Hudson enjoyed his first time in a jumper.

Hudson & my mom again. How cute is she, seriously? She looks 12. Greatest skin EVER!

And finally Scott & I when we got home. And really not even of Scott. I just really liked my makeup since I never wear it & thought it should be documented.
Radical.

This particular Christmas party started at my very first apartment , Christmas 2001. It was my sister-in-law, Krust, my BFF Lisa & my friend Patty. We exchanged gifts & had food & it was awesome.

Over the last 9 years it has evolved. The venue & guests have changed. Eventually it became co-ed & gifts were removed. Now, we do a white elephant ornament exchange. It’s really fun to get together with the gang & this weekend we get to TWICE!

Here are a few pictures my friend Steph sent me of the party. It was at her house this year & these pictures are hers as well.

Tootie McToottoot

My big boy.

Lashes McGee

Daddy with Hudson & Sawyer.

Blooey Blue Eyes McOnebrow

Like, REALLY blue.

Stephie, Sari & I

And guess what?! 2010 is no different. Except it is. Because I have grown as a person & a mother & a wife & and… andd…

There is just MORE. The capacity in my heart is MORE.

Yes, I am grateful for my husband, my children, my family & my friends. For our continued health & happiness.

But the love I have for these people? It’s just off the charts.

I really feel like I understand what true happiness is. We have so many challenges in life. So many bad days & hardships. So many days when we just want to get through & survive. But at the end of the day I can snuggle up with my husband after our children are tucked safely in their beds & know that it was all worth it. I can look at my life, and be proud. And I don’t mean proud for what I have- I mean proud for what I am. What I stand for. How I treat people. The mark that I am hopefully leaving on the world through my interactions with others. I am so thankful for the laughter that fills my life & for the people who support me through everything life throws at me.

Thank you to my parents & friends who have recently let me confide in them all that has been going on in my head. For listening & not judging. For making me feel like no matter what, we are loved.

And I am grateful. I am grateful for each day I am given to live & laugh & love fiercely.

Every. Single. Day.

Forever.

Love you girls 47 million times over.
And I’m gonna go ahead & dedicate this jam to you guys! (And as a Beatles fan I am totally comfortable admitting that Joe Cockers version kicked The Beatles versions ASS.)

Today, we were up & out of the house by 9. There was Starbucks & Noah’s. It was yummy. We met up with Scott’s aunt & strolled a farmer’s market downtown. The twins napped in the stroller, which was perfect, since Hudson was taking center stage.

Hudson & his ‘cousin’ Bentley.

Then we took Hudson to Central Park. It was something I have wanted to do for quite some time. He had been once to the Japanese Tea Garden when he was about a month old, but obviously that doesn’t count.

Central Park is kind of a staple from my own childhood. As well as Scott’s. And even his aunt’s- who played there as a child in the late 50′s & 60′s. The coolest part is that not much has changed. They updated a few of the play structures because obviously safety standards have changed. But some of the structures- the monkey bars, rings etc are original. And the train!! It was installed in the 40′s & is still all original. Scott’s Mom & Aunt rode it as a child. I rode it as a child. Scott rode it as a child & now- Hudson has it in his bank of sweet childhood memories.

After riding the train, we visited the Tea Garden to check out the Koi fish. Hudson was highly impressed.

It was a great morning. We were home by 12:15 so Hudson wasn’t too late for his nap. Then Krust, Lisa Steph & I went to lunch & on a thrift store spree! I spent $6.00 total. Which is awesome since I got a few little treasures. Can’t wait to do it again. It was fun to roll through as a gang.

The conference was cool. I got to see some blog friends & meet new ones. The socialization was the highlight.

Oh, and this view:

I guess that alone was worth it. Although, 38 floors above Union Square meant I had to take an elevator THIRTY EIGHT FLOORS. Did I mention elevators seriously scare the bejesus out of me? no? Well, they do. I played it cool but I was freaking out on that ride!

I got to go to dinner after the conference with the lovely Eileen, Nichole, Loni & Lori at Burger Bar and it was delicious. It was such a pleasure to meet so many chicks into the same shit as me (well, at least in regards to sharing our lives with anyone with an internet connection). I met some great women.

But, since I got like 2.5-3 hours of sleep prior to the conference, I was dragging my ass by the time I got home and by 8:30pm I looked like this:

I’m already stoked for Blogher 11.