The Most Unassuming Birthday

Well, it was the most laid-back of birthdays, that's for sure. What a difference having a little demanding baby with needs greater than yours changes everything down to the birthday plans. Let's not mention that C almost forgot it was my birthday until I reminded him the day prior. He insists that he wouldn't have forgotten, but he also doesn't fight it much when I accuse him of forgetting, so we all  know the truth, don't we?

It certainly was an easy, laid back day and I couldn't have had it any other way. C did his best to let me "sleep in" and it was nice. He even brought Harry upstairs for a morning cuddle- just like old times and it was delightful. Harry enjoyed it too. 

We made our way out of the house and ventured to Nashoba Brook Bakery in Concord. We've been buying their bread at Whole Foods for years. Not only is it delicious and the most perfect for avocado toast, but I enjoy the idea of  supporting a local bakery (even though it's arguably arm and leg-ish in price). I was excited about the fact that there is a cafe attached to the bakery. 

A perfect place to while away the afternoon. Coffee, sandwiches, & baked goods. We couldn't ask for more

Not only was it a beautiful day, but we got to sit outside right by the brook. 

Our little associate, finally calmed and full after his lunch. Now was can enjoy our meal.

Surely you've seen the Toughest Job in the World video? We just happened to come across it again the night before. The whole video is so great and right on point, but the one part that really stood out with us as parents was the part about lunch. The toughest job in the world position doesn't get to eat lunch. Well, there is no lunch break until the "associate" takes his lunch break first. Well, this is true at our house every day now. As soon as we got our scrumptious sandwiches and settled down in the perfect location outside, Kendrick started wailing. Our little "associate" couldn't care less if it was lunchtime and he certainly doesn't care that it's your birthday. 

Excited about delicious baked goods and bread.

We stopped by another bakery on our way home and got some delicious meatloaf for a dinner in. Meatloaf is one of my favorite meals and I couldn't ask for more on such a relaxing, laid back birthday. 

*First photo: A tired Mama with a tired baby out at lunch

A Real Doctor

There's been so much celebration these past couple of months. It's hard to believe that C's medical school graduation was just last week. It's been a fast four years- at least now, looking back. One of the silliest things (or most annoying, depending on who you ask) I used to do was to act skeptical whenever C would give medical advice and say that I'd wait to judge said advice until I heard it from a real doctor. Though funny for me, I'm sure it drove him nuts. Well, since someone's a real doctor now, I can say that no more! 

Kendrick and I are really so proud. (Though by the above photo you can hardly tell that's how Kendrick feels).

The morning of the graduation was the first time since Kendrick was born that we had to be somewhere  by a certain time. Boy was I nervous about getting a newborn ready and out the door. We did make it on time, though Kendrick and I weren't able to enjoy most of the ceremony since he was just so fussy. We trekked up and down the treacherous stadium stairs countless times, but miraculously I guess Kendrick timed it so that we were able to see Papa walk up to the stage to receive his diploma.

We were all so exhausted from the day's festivities that we needed a family nap after getting home and before heading out to dinner with C's family in Quincy. The nap felt marvelous. 

Family selfie after nap time…and a thumbs up from Kendrick

Here's to the next chapter for a real doctor and family!

First Mother's Day

It would be inaccurate to portray my first Mother's Day as beautiful and perfect. Mother's Day happened to also fall on Kendrick's four-week birthday, and the above picture is a pretty accurate representation of what our day was like. Mother's Day coincided with the peak of this little guy's fussy period, which started after his two week birthday. 

C tried very hard to make it a nice day for me and made a delicious breakfast of pancakes (my culinary request for the day), sausages, and eggs. He even brewed the last of my highly coveted, decaf coffee from Philz. During breakfast, a beautiful flower arrangement from C's family got delivered to our door. The lovely note was very uplifting. 

a bright bouquet on Mother's Day

C took charge of all our meals that day and grilled a delicious dinner of shrimp (my mom's favorite), salmon, and steak. It was the first time we've used the grill this year, which surely beats when we got the grill last year, I believe. Kendrick and I took a little breather outside to hang out with Papa while he grilled. We also took a few family photos while outside, but being as fussy as he had been, Kendrick looks crazed in most of those photos, so I won't share them here.

spending time in the backyard while Papa grills

This picture reminds me: Our yard is looking stupendous! C has been really working hard to make it look great and it's paid off in spades. What a refreshing change from what the past winter did to our yard! The azaleas I planted last year are starting to bloom around this time, our hydrangeas that we pruned last year are teaming with new leaves, and we discovered that we have a lilac bush! We planted some nice perennials along the back fence a few weeks ago, where previously, only tall weeds grew. This was spurred mostly by the fact that we can see directly into our neighbor's backyard and they put up some nice landscaping and plants all by themselves in about a morning. 

Here's to fewer fussy Mother's Days and more time spent in the yard in the next few months.