35 was an AMAZING year.

Amazing.

If you’d told me last year all the incredible things that would happen to me,(especially on/because of this little place), I’m really not convinced at all that I’d believe you.

Thanks for being a very lovely part of it and supporting me along the way, y’all–you’ve made the journey so much more interesting.

I cannot wait to see what 36 brings.

xo

*Don’t forget that my “favorite things” birthday giveaway ends tonight at 11:59pm!

I cannot quite wrap my head around this.

It seems like just yesterday when I took this and announced I was FINALLY expecting.

Then the NEVER-ENDING-PREGNANCY full of illness, scariness, disappointment in gender, clotting disorders, needles, endless ultrasounds and stress tests and insurance hell.

But he was so cute, even in my tummy.

And even though I was so sick I could barely walk at the end, I was happy.

And then?

May 19th, 2009 came and the decision to induce was welcomed because I was NOT doing well. So, I was ready…and pretty dang hawt looking if you ask me.

Or, I was hawt UNTIL MORE HORRIFYING PAIN THEN A HUMAN SHOULD FEEL HAPPENED, THAT IS. (This photo is made even more charming by the “CENTRAL LAUNDRY” print on the gown, no? I look like I’ve broken out of the home, y’all. Also? The next time I try to go through NINE HOURS of INDUCED labor UN-MEDICATED to try and save two grand on an epidural? KICK ME IN THE HEAD.)

Then?

He was here in all his wee modesty.

And I felt more joy than I ever, EVER thought I would feel again.

Every single day has been a joy because of Aaron.

EVERY single one.

I could, and do, watch him for hours and hours and hours on end.

Staring at him is a favorite pastime of mine.

I meet this day with a bittersweet feeling.

How did he go from this?

To this?

SO FREAKING FAST???!!!!

His first year, my very favorite time in the lives of my children, is over.

And that makes me want to sob.

But?

He is still here.

Healthy.

Breathing.

ALIVE.

And no one, NO ONE will smile a brighter smile today than his mama because of that.

I love you, little one.

You are my heart–thank you for bringing so much joy and healing to it.

Technically, this means I could meet the age requirement to be The President of the United Sates. Since that is about the ONLY requirement I meet for the position besides the fact that I was born here, nobody has to frighten themselves with that thought.

Hee.

I wanted to have my White House recap up today, but I’m currently riding around Gettysburg battlefield and only have about 2/3 of it done and I want to finish my sight seeing and my party tonight, so we’ll shoot for Monday or Tuesday.

I WILL tell you that it was one of the best days of my life. Here’s a sneak peak to tell you one of the many reasons WHY:

(For those wondering what standing on that podium was like, yes… I about passed out and died.)

It’s been a good birthday thus far today (except for the fact that I am apparently woefully under prepared as I have no “zombie survival plan”.) My friend, Erin, came down from Baltimore to hang out with us all day. She’s been reading me for four years, since the days of Blogger Minima Black! I’ve LOVED hanging out with her and she is coming to my birthday bloggity meet up at Clyde’s tonight. (7:30pm in Columbia, Maryland. Be there or be square, yo.)

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes.

I really appreciate all the love that pours out from this internet of ours.

It’s amazing.

xoxo!