BIRTHDAY BABY BLISS
🌷It’s wild to me to this that I’m almost 40 (and Evie’s pushing 1!). It’s also wild to me how it feels like yesterday that Phil and I were chatting every holiday and birthday about how magical this year was going to be WITH OUR BABY! It’s happening…and it happened.
Phil and I headed to Chicago to celebrate my birthday (39!) More momentous and life-changing than a Cub’s game at Wrigley, Gold Coast shopping, and Chicago food, was Evie first sleepover at her Grandparents’ home. She, along with her toys, bottle warmer, diapers, teething toys, and sister Darla were all loaded up and headed to my parents’ hobby farm. Evie was on display all weekend. Rich and Patty took every opportunity they could to show off their granddaughter. All the neighbors, parishioners, friends, and family were introduced to our sweet Peach.
I’m not sure who had more fun, Evelyn or her Grandparents. (Let’s be honest, it was definitely Uncle Alex.)
Phil and I were able to enjoy our first trip away (even if we did come home to a broken air conditioner during the hottest weekend of the year), knowing Evie was in the hands of people who absolutely adore her. Sure, she was overfed and overheld. Her schedule got a bit off. But at the end of the day, she came home happy, and we gained a bit of flexibility – now knowing that Evie can thrive in her grandparents’ home.
As Evie hit her 7-month mark, and I stepped into my last year of my 30s, I could not help but reflect on how much different our lives are than they were a year ago. For us, it’s felt like ages (really, over five years of being together) where we’ve been talking about the future. Talking about the “what-ifs” and “can you imagine when….” And “what will it be like when…”
When you want to grow a family with someone (as Phil and I discussed very early in our relationship,) it’s inevitable to talk about what it will be like when a baby arrives. What the future will hold. Now that baby has arrived, we spend so much more time living in the present. Enjoying the little, magical, daily things. Evie’s giggles. Trying to get her to say “mama” (NOT dada!) first. Watching her marvel at all her rolls. Seeing her splash in the tub. Analyzing whether she is happy at her new daycare. Watching her reaction to new foods. Laughing as she tries to engage with Darla, the ever-present “big sister” (simultaneous protectiveness and annoyance) on full display.
We still talk about the future, but we live in the moments more often than we ever had. We are two people who had (and continue to have) career and life/home/travel aspirations. These things are still true, but now we spend less time dwelling/ reveling on what is to come, and so much more timing living in the present.
Evie’s closer to a year old than a day old, and I’m closer to 40 than 30. Both thoughts bring all the feels – good, anxious, excitement and a little sad. We have come so far, we have so much to look forward to, but most importantly, we get to experience the joy of parenthood every freaking day, and nothing is more beautiful than that.🌷
