HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! [9.23.06]

[#27]

Birthday's are anything but ordinary in the Neiner household...

Birthday Morning [9.23.06]

FALL IS IN THE AIR

a sure sign that my birthday is on it's way

BIRTHDAY MORNING: I woke up to the sounds of two busy bees working away in the kitchen (it was mainly Drew talking). The aroma of french toast wafted in and caused me to arise unusually swift. As soon as I was heard I was bombarded by my son who came to say "Come find the bills!" Hmmmm? I usually understand his language, but this time I was in the dark! Drew led me out into the Living Room which started an array of crisp, brand new one dollar bills randomly taped to the walls throughout the house! Of course, he immediately wanted to help me out with gathering my gift! (I don't know how John held him off that long!) This was Drew's gift to Mommy for the new shoes I had been eyeing for awhile! I think he enjoyed the stickers that held up the bills...what do you think?

Drew collected the stickers while mommy collected the Dollar bills.

My New Sewing Machine
from my husband

There is a story of sorts as to why I received a sewing machine for my birthday. For those of you who know me at all you might be kind of shocked that I would have received such a gift. Don't worry, it's not one of those gifts where "husband" had no clue (you know, the "toaster" gift----of which I have never received anything but great gifts from John!). So this is kind of what started me on the thought of wanting a sewing machine. Let me start by saying I am certainly way in over my head this time!!! We decided to make the nursery out of the third bedroom instead of moving Drew around. Well, his room is dark blue, light blue and red...so his baby bumper was all boy---all blue. Well, with this baby, we wanted to go a little more neutral for the nursery in case the Lord decides to throw a girl into our family down the road. Anyway, so instead of buying a whole new bumper, I thought..."Hey, I could just make a slip-cover of sorts for Drew's bumper! No sense in wasting something that hardly looks used!" So that is where it all started...and of course, I had to pick new colors and a new theme...the whole works! And after all that, the colors are still quite masculine...brown, green & cream...ooops!! But I just saw some bedding in Pottery Barn kids magazine that was pink, brown and green...and it looks very feminine. Whew! If we get a girl next, I'll just throw in some pink and we should be all set!! (and I cannot believe my screen that I'm talking about #3 right now...I'm at the point of saying, "I don't ever want to be pregnant again! I just want to feel normal!!!" ) JK-it's not that bad! But I don't really want to think about it for awhile!!! I will later post some pictures of the final products!!! (hopefully they will be postable!)

Birthday Afternoon [9.23.06]

Since John had to work, Drew and I did a little celebrating on our own. We went to the shoe store and bought the shoes I'd been looking at (last pair in my size...thank you, Lord!) Drew was happy because they had a little play room to enjoy after the purchase. And of course I splurged on myself with a few of my favorite things...sparkling grapefruit juice, 70% dark chocolate and baklava (see picture below). And part of that splurge was giving myself the day off---no laundry, no housework. And I got to talk to my mom and my good friend, Steph, for a long time!

"A Few of My Favorite Things"

My first pair of Sketchers!

Birthday Evening [9.23.06]

"THE BIRTHDAY GIRL"

We went over to the Neiner's (mom & dad's) for our little family celebration. Mom 9er had the table beautifully set and the meal & cake were festive & delicious...a true labor of love. Poor Drew was not feeling very well. He kept saying, "Mommy, my tummy feels sick" in this pathetic little voice. We knew he wasn't just pretending when he refused a piece of cake! So we laid him on the couch all wrapped up with a bowl of cheerios.

[special thanks to doug for all the photos!]

THE TABLE

THE FOOD

THE CAKE

ME & MY BEST FRIEND

MY SWEET LITTLE GUY

"my tummy feels sick"

MY NEW VERA

[the "mommy of 2" size]

THE FAMILY:

DAD & MOM 9er

DOUG & CRYSTAL

NEVER A DULL MOMENT!!!

Doug & Crystal's Wedding

The Bride & Groom

John's brother, Doug, married Crystal on 8.4.06. in PA.

They are now living in the Berkshires (near us)

where Doug is continuing to build his business

(check out "Pixel" on my links) and serving as the

music leader in our church. Crystal plays the flute

beautifully and adds much sweetness to the family!

DREW: the ring bearer

"THE FAM"
august 4, 2006
our 5th anniversary
[at Doug & Crystal's wedding]

Ready or Not...

...it sounds kind of like the baby that feels as if "he" is bound to pop out any day now (even though I have about one month left). But rather this is just one more thing on my "To-Do" list before #2 comes into our lives...START A BLOG. Yet another check mark on my life to-do list...Yeah!!!