It was my birthday on Saturday! I turned 25. It was the first birthday I've ever had where I felt kind of old. I think it's because I asked for a pair of real, good shoes that are NOT from the clearance shelf at Target, and some anti-wrinkle cream for my saggy baggy mom eyes.
Ryan and I had a little celebration on Friday night, just the two of us, since we had plans to be with family for the rest of the weekend. We had chocolatey peanut buttery ice cream and caught up on Jimmy Fallon episodes. (It was Justin Timberweek, did you watch?) Then I forced Ryan to take some pictures with me to remember my last night as a youthful 24 year old.
On Saturday we drove up to my mom and dad's house to spend some time with them. Ryan's family came over for lunch and Ralph got lots of attention from both sets of grandparents. We got tickets for the 7:00pm showing of Ryan's brother's final high school play performance, Our Town, and the plan was to leave Ralph with my parents and sister while we went to the play. ("I'm taking you to the theatahhh!" was how Ryan put it.) We did the whole nighttime routine with Ralph, then we nervously kissed him goodbye and drove away with this image burned into our brains:
Doesn't that just break your heart? Oh my Ralphie!
I was so anxious, but I managed to relax enough to sit through the entire play (with my phone on vibrate, tucked under my thigh) and actually enjoy myself. I'd never seen Our Town before, and holy smokes it was good! Ryan's brother was adorable as George Gibbs, and the whole cast did a fantastic job. I was strangely proud of all of them, even though I only knew a handful of kids. But then it got really, really sad? And then the curtains closed and the lights went back on, and everyone looked around going, That's how it ends? Are you crying too? Ok good.
Ryan's mom and dad sweetly offered to take us out for ice cream after the play, but we were like THANKS, NO THANKS, and sped home to our Ralphie, who was sleeping like an angel in my sister's arms. According to my mom he had a slight meltdown when he realized the lady that's been nursing him to sleep every night wasn't around, and cried for about 20 minutes. But once he was asleep he stayed that way until we got home. I was so proud of him when we got back, and proud of us for managing to get away for a while. And I also felt sad that for 20 minutes of his little life he was crying for me and I wasn't there.
But, as soon as I was able to pull off my coat, I scooped him up and held him. He sighed in his sleep and dropped his heavy head on my shoulder, and my world was right again. A few minutes later he woke up and gave us all some sleepy, blinky smiles, like nothing had ever happened.
And then Ryan and I broke all the rules and slept with him in our bed that night. Happy birthday to me.
***
PS: I should also say a little thank you to my mom, dad, and sister for watching Ralphie for us. I honestly don't think I could have left him for the first time with anyone else. AND another little thank you especially to my sweet momma, who threw a small birthday party for me. It's nice to know that, even when you turn 25, if you come home for your birthday, your mom will still make you pretty little cupcakes.
Happy Birthday, and what a sweet post!
ReplyDeleteHappiest birthday Amelia! The first time away is the hardest. There's just something about your baby being in your arms and everything seems right with the world. I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your stories in such a honest and genuine way.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I just turned a year older as well, even if I'm ahead of you by a few years. :)
ReplyDeletehappy belated birthday. i remember leaving ava for the first time, she dodn't cry or anything. probably had more fun with her nana and gramps than she usually had with me :)
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