Now that all the birthday bid-ness is over I can tell you guys all about it. It was sweet. Turning 29 didn’t really feel any different than the past few b-days and it involved everything from a foot massage with shaving cream (John mistook it for the lotion bottle) to Clara taking her “first crawls.” Holy cow it was amazing. Everyone, including the doc, thought she’d just go straight to walking since she has been scooting around on her butt for a while – and even recently started pulling up. But lo and behold she decided it might be fun to give crawling a go (you know, just for kicks) and we even caught it on video:
So yeah. Baby, baby, baby. Sorry if that’s all I talk about but Clara is kind of awesome. Haha. It was the best present ever.
The weather on Saturday was around 70 degrees and sunny (which is funny because it used to always snow on my birthday when I lived up north) so we went on a nice long walk in one of our favorite neighborhoods (look at that gorgeous house behind me) with Clara and the dog.
We even saw turtles in the river (Clara loved it, Burger seemed ambivalent).
And the whole time I was sporting my new bun/thigh toning Reebok Easytone b-day sneaks that the hubby got me. Oh yeah, I’m styling.
I begged for them and he humored me. They actually didn’t kill me at all during or after the first three mile walk that I did in them. But the next day I did the same thing and I needed a serious break afterwards. So yes, they do actually burn the buns and legs after a while (although my first trek with them made me think they were all hype, my Reeboks had the last laugh).
What else. We went out to a nice little sushi dinner (we have a thing for it)…
… and I got some pretty fun stuff from J and the fam. Beyond my tush toning Reeboks John also got me an awesome book called Love Life (from a local gift store named Mongrel) with a perfect greeny-yellow cover.
Not that you should judge a book by its cover, but it never hurts if it looks as good on the outside as it actually is on the inside. We mentioned a while back that sometimes we struggle with balance (since the internet is a 24/7 thing, sometimes it’s hard to draw the line and unplug) so the book is chock full of couldn’t-be-more-true reminders, like:
- “The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won’t wait while you finish the work.” – Pat Clifford
- “If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live” – Lin Yutang
- “I think the most significant work we ever do, in the whole world, in our whole life, is done within the four walls of our own home.” – Stephen R. Covey
- “It is a great art to saunter.” – Henry David Thoreau
- “I haven’t a clue how my story will end, but that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that’s when you discover the stars.” -Nancy Willard
But enough philosophical stuff. What is it about birthdays that make you evaluate where you’ve been and where you’re going? Oh yeah, the whole “I’m aging” thing. We were just joking that we’ll have to change our blog name to Middle Aged House Love. Haha. Somehow it doesn’t have the same ring. Anyway, now for the fun stuff. Look at the home-related booty I got from John’s awesome sisters. We always do “wish lists” when it comes to gifting each other (which makes it easier on the buyer and pretty sweet for the receiver) so I moseyed around the world wide web in search of a few prints that I’d love to add to our soon-to-be-expanding frame gallery in the hallway, and found these beauties:
That one’s from here (we love a good road trip) from John’s sister Katie. And John went for extra credit. I begged for those Reeboks and thought they’d be the extent of my gift, but he also surprised me with this adorable bee print (we have a thing for bees too).
So I can’t wait to hang all of my new prints among family pictures and keepsakes in the hallway. Pics when we knock more holes into the other side of the wall and hang that pile of Ikea frames that’s still sitting in the corner of the kitchen. Someday. Oh and my sweet friend Heather sent me these lilies out of the blue:
I love them so much and especially adore that she specifically picked out the lime green vase because she knew I’d flip for it. Affirmative Heather. I went crazy oohing and aaahing and still find myself walking in from the other room just to “visit” my bouquet every hour or so.
So overall, birthday number 29 was awesome and life is good. Who the heck knows where I’ll be when I turn 35, or even 30. I’m just trying to make it count, without going so crazy that I forget to enjoy the little things like baby snorts and puppy sniffs. Man am I still hormonal from birthing Clara 10+ months ago? Sorry if this post is all sorts of personal and corny. I guess that’s just me these days.
Pssssst- For anyone who has asked how we organize Clara’s toys or inquired about the big brown basket next to our sectional, click here to check out our BabyCenter post for the mind-numbingly simple “dump & cover” toy storage system that’s rocking our world.
Ginny says
Happy Birthday! I’ve been reading for a long time, but have never commented. Love your blog – brings back such great memories of when my husband & first moved to Richmond 6 years ago and fixed up our first house. We’ve since moved…twice…our last move was a few weeks ago, returning to our families in Atlanta. We miss Richmond tremendously and I was SO excited to see the picture of you in front of the pond house — that is just down the street from the house we are closing on (selling) on Friday!! Honestly that part of the neighborhood was the main selling point for us when we moved there. Love it – especially in the spring! Sorry for the LONG reply!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that’s a gorgeous neighborhood!
xo,
s
Marlo says
Happy Belated Birthday Sherry.
Clara is just so adorable. I love her smile; what a happy baby. I wonder if she has the decorating bug. It’ll be interesting to see how she wants to decorate her room in a few years.
Debbie says
Happy Birthday Sherry! I have to say that Clara is one of the happiest looking babies I’ve seen. Too cute!
Theresa says
Happy belated birthday, Sherry! My b-day was Sunday (although I’ve got more than a few years on you!), and all I wanted was to spend the day with the hubs and kids at our local waterfall with a picnic lunch. It was awesome, but of course, the family couldn’t help but go above and beyond. They also took me out for Japanese food that evening and presented me with a homemade birthday cake afterward.
Getting older isn’t so traumatic when your surrounded by love. Looks like we’re both very fortunate in that respect!
Monika says
Glad to hear you had such a lovely birthday! Can’t wait to see the prints on the art wall, they’re going to look beautiful. :)
Lydia says
How funny! Our baby (Jack) started crawling on my husband’s birthday back in January! He does more of an army-crawl (on belly, pulling with arms, pushing with feet). Now he’s into everything and definitely keeping us on our toes! Congrats to Clara, and Happy (belated) Birthday, Sherry!
Lisa says
Happy birthday! My son just turned nine months and started crawling about two weeks ago, it’s so much fun to watch! I have the Reebok EasyTone shoes as well, love ’em… so cushy. But I agree, that first week will kill you…
Tamryn says
happy belated birthday Sherry! here’s a whoop whoop from me :)
Tash says
OMG!! I didn’t even read the post. I got caught up in watching Clara crawling. So precious. My little guy rolled over for the first time on my birthday. Who would have ever thought we’d see those little milestones as the greatest gift of all. Yay Clara.
Ok, back to reading the post.
Lindsay A says
I’m nearly embarrassed to be asking, but how do you do your wish lists? Are they just spoken? Emailed? Do you use a wish-list website? I’d LOVE to be able to request specifics without being offensive!
Happy birthday!
YoungHouseLove says
John just tells me the fam is waiting for one so I email him a few links with the subject heading of “b-day wish list” and send it to him. Then he forwards it to his sisters. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Shauna says
Meilleurs Voeux, Sherry!!
dana828 says
Happy Birthday! My birthday was Saturday as well, but I turned 39…which, quite honestly, ROCKS! Glad to see you enjoyed such a wonderful day!
Laura says
Happy 29! Thanks for sharing your fun day, it brightened my own day as I am also 29 and feeling the “middle-ages” coming on.
The crawling…so so adorable. Congrats Clara!
Charisa says
Happy Birthday!
Kim Sly says
Happy Birthday!! I am so glad you got the print & of course a big thanks for sharing it on your amazing blog! xo, Kim
Rhiannon says
Happy Birthday to you! I just turned 29 and it’s been awesome so far!
So, this is another reason I love you guys so much…I just bought that “Let’s Go Anywhere” print last week, and I love it so much! My husband and I are total geography nerds, and use any excuse to buy map related decor. Also from etsy, I got this adorable necklace: http://www.etsy.com/listing/64359009/i-heart-california (after a tad bit of hinting, and emailing my husband my favorites list:). It hasn’t left my neck since. I think a tiny silver Virginia might look nice hanging around Sherry’s neck (Hint, hint, John). You can even have the artist put the heart in the spot where you are from. So personal, and oh so geographical!
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Wow. Thanks for the link!
xo,
s
kristen says
first & foremost, happy happy belated birthday, sherry!
secondly, you might already know this, but the book is from a company called compendium [www.liveinspired.com], & publishing amazingly beautiful & meaningful stuff is their specialty. i stock up on their stuff for gifts [for me & others] every time they hold a sale.
third, my husband & i have a “bee thing,” too! though ours is centered around a bee-euphemism-centric song he wrote for his band, the austin lounge lizards. not to inundate you with tmi, but the chorus begins
let’s go to the apiary, baby
i’ve got to get some honey from the hive …
ok, you get the gist, & i’m blushing while typing, so …
did i mention happy birthday?? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, love it.
xo,
s
Jennifer says
So glad you had a great birthday! I love the artwork and added those Etsy shops to my favorites. I especially love the NY one! Oh, and if you ever feel the need for your jewelry to match your house …
http://www.etsy.com/listing/70195566/lime-green-crystal-cluster-earrings
I’m just sayin’. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oooh sparkly. Love it.
xo,
s
Elizabeth Keen says
I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and tell you how addicted I’ve become to your website. We just moved into a new house and you are completely inspiring me!
BTW, thanks for posting so much and feeding my addiction!
Rebekah says
Happy Birthday Sherry! We always enjoy reading your blog posts and house tips! The first and second time I turned 29 were great! And I am rounding 35 this year. If I could bottle one thing it would be time. Cheers, Rebekah
Emily says
Happy birthday! Love the video! Send some 70 degree weather our way please!!
The Nester, Meagan says
Awwwww happy birthday Sherry! I just turned 30 the other day (wishing it was my 29th though) but it wasn’t so bad. Looks like you got lots of awesome gifts :)
All the best
Meagan
The Row House Nest
http://www.rowhousenest.com
Rosalyn says
I must say I love your videos of Clara and this one takes the cake. On her first attempt crawl (and she just laid there), I thought she was going to do a form of the worm. Just the thought of it makes me chuckle… Secondly, when John went to high-5 Clara and was left hanging… so funny!!I assume she doesn’t know that gesture yet, but still funny, the length of time you waited for her to respond.
Kylie says
Holy cow… That neighborhood looks like my neighborhood! Stratford Hills??!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes- right near there! We went down by the river and over by the houses. So pretty!
xo,
s
r8chel says
I guess we’re not big gift-givers for birthdays, because I’ve never thought of making a birthday wish list! Since that’s not our tradition, I’d feel like I’m ASKing for gifts. But I struggle enough with coming up with a Christmas list that I’m actually glad I don’t need to make a birthday list too…
tosha says
2 of the 4 prints you got are seriously favorites of mine on Etsy! So jealous! So glad you had a fab bday!!
amyks says
Happy Happy Birthday…I have been “29” for a few years now. The video of Clara is super sweet.
Jess says
FLOR me! I love Fall! I live in Maine and it is be most beautiful season! I love the smell of the crunchy leaves!
Aaron says
Sounds like you had a very happy birthday. I just noticed in this post that we have the same stroller. Love the Joovy Kooper!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Joovy Kooper owners unite!
xo,
s
K (Barking Baby Mama) says
My son slept through the night for the first time ever on my birthday in 2009, and it was the best gift anyone’s ever given me! :) All that to say, totally understand the excitement of Clara crawling on your birthday!
Daria says
Happy birthday, Sherry. Long-time reader here, but not necessarily commenter.
I had my baby girl more than three years ago and I am still “hormonal” (I cry at every commercial involving a sweet little child, even when I hate the product).
While teaching full time, writing my PhD dissertation, trying to spend more time with my family and, yes, reading blogs and daydreaming about how our house should look like, there never seems to be time for anything “special”. But, I had an epiphany yesterday. Those “special things” I would like to do with my daughter, for which I never seem to have time and energy, will be rare. What I should do instead is make our simple activities special, from breakfast to bath-time to reading books together. These are the things we do every day, so why not put more thought and soul into them, instead of waiting for the special events to happen?
So, enjoy your little Clara, your family and your house every single moment. Your birthday, I would say, was pretty awesome.
Larissa says
i love the video so cute! and from i while back on your news paper article, i never commented but, i read you blog as much for your style and updates ( i dont even have a house or apt!) as much as i do to read about your cute little family and fun stuff you guys do! thanks for sharing.
mcgrathinnola says
Happy belated 29th. It is a wonderful age…I have been 29 for the last 30 years!!! laissez les bon temps roulez!!!
Fiona says
I love this quote: “There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.” So simple, but uplifting!
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! So true. Even my wonky dancing skillz make me smile, so there’s something to it!
xo,
s
Allykristine says
“Happy 29th, Sherry!” (I can’t believe it ~ you look about 19 :)
I love how Clara always looks back and forth between you and John. She’s definitely a mummy AND daddy’s girl :)
xox
Rosemary says
Happy Birthday! I hit 29 in about 4 months. I’m actually pretty excited about it :) Glad you had a wonderful birthday!
Mindy says
Happy Birthday!! My best friend had a lime green wedding cake… and it was amazingly awesome.
And oh girl–I had my baby almost 13 months ago, and I cry at the drop of a hat these days. Anything heartwarming at all brings on the tears. It’s just being a mommy, I’m finding! So I appreciated your thoughtful post. PS. I love how happy Clara always is–you can just tell she loves having you guys as her parents :)
Charlotte says
Sherry, I love when you post personal stuff because I think you’re absolutely hilarious and awesome. I kinda wish we could be BFF’s in real life. Happy birthday and here’s to another year of you and John bringing hilarity to my Reader!
Colene says
Happiest of birthdays S! It looks like you had a great birthday with family..isn’t that the best gift of all? I don’t think you have to worry about being “middle aged”, I still can’t get over all the things you two have accomplished and you’re only 29!!! I turn 30 this year and I am miles behind you guys…gotta play catch up :)
Polina says
Middle Age House Love :-) hahaha…How About Young (at Heart) House Love?
As one of your earliest followers and fans i am very excited to read about the upcoming book on msn. I read the blog daily (often a few times per day), so i am not sure how i missed such a big annoucement. Congratulations!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, Young (At Heart) House Love is awesome.
xo,
s
Kristen says
Looks like you had a great birthday! Thanks for sharing your pics.
jen k says
Yeah for crawling! Do you always match her jammies to her room? : )
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, only sometimes.
xo,
s
Lauren says
Happy Birthday Kiddo.
Naomi says
Happy Birthday to you! Just so you know I like it when you’re personal. I love the house blog stuff but I enjoy reading about you guys, Clara and Burger just as much.
Samantha says
Happy (late) Birthday Sherry!
Nicole says
I love that print from Albie Designs – I actually bought one from them of Eugene, Oregon for one of my best friends a couple months ago! So funny that you found the same Etsy shop! :)
Tarnya Cook says
Glad you had a great birthday Sherry and your gifts are awesome, I also got toning runners for Christmas from my husband but mine are chunkier than yours and I definitely feel it in my legs after I wear them. xx Happy Birthday.
Nota Supermom says
Happy birthday! Mine was the day before yours. I’m *cough* not 29, so knock it off with the aging talk.
We went to the Picasso exhibit and then out to Capital Alehouse. Top night.
Jen Jeffries says
Happy Belated Birthday Sherry! It looks like you had a fabulous day and I’m sure Clara crawling was the best gift of all! :)
Susan says
Happy Birthday, Sherry! I love all your gifts – especially Clara crawling! One question I have is how you and John find so many great items on Etsy? I found my wedding jewelry on there 2 years ago, but since then I’ve found it hard to just browse for artwork. Do you have any tips?
YoungHouseLove says
I usually just search for specific terms like “NY art” or “map print.” Hope it helps!
xo,
s