On the eve of my thirty-first birthday, I wished that Aerin would go to bed easily for the night and stay asleep for at least three hours.
But her witching hour had seemed to shift forward by about 3 hours. For at around 9pm, she became a whiny, crying, cranky mess…
And stayed that way until exactly 11:59pm —
When she projectile-vomited all over herself and our bed. 
Happy birthday, mommy.
I didn’t even know her little stomach could hold that much.
My husband and I ended up spending the first moments of my 31st birthday cleaning up our second child, ripping off our sheets and loading up the washer so that nothing stains, unsuccessfully looking for clean sheets (we currently only have dirty ones in the house as we’ve just changed our sheets), giving up, and resorting to sleeping on the bare mattress.
Oh, and trying to put Aerin to sleep once more. She’s still not asleep. I am typing this as she lies awake, eyes wide-open, seemingly content for the time being on the swing.
The mini-cupcakes that J had surprised me with earlier in the night, minus the birthday
candle and minus one cupcake (which was in my tummy when this picture was taken).
Fact: this was the very first time in the history of our 8-year relationship that he was able
to surprise me. I was so proud of him!
My thirtieth year on this earth was the most trying year of my life.
It also held some of the most memorable, and joyous occasions.
Parenthood will do that to you; didn’t you hear? 
If anything — with two kids just 13 months apart — I expect this year this to have even lower lows.
But I am hoping, and praying, for higher highs as well.
Happy birthday to me.
22 Responses to “Thirty-One”
I love your pragmatism. Happy birthday!
There will be highs
). Sometimes they come as a surprise. Happy birthday!
Awww Jenny! You will have amazing highs for sure! Happy birthday and I hope the rest of the day is wonderful. Watch the blue rays
Ay yi yi. I feel your pain, sister. That is all
Happy Birthday Jenny!
Happy birthday!!!
Happy birthday!! I turn 31 on Dec 8. I’m sure this will be a fantastic, happy, prosperous year for both of us
Happy birthday, Jenny! I am sure you will get those highs you are hoping for.
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday, Jenny! I’m sorry that things got off to a rocky start, but I’m sure it will get better. And yay for first time surprises!!
Happy Birthday! I hope your day gets better, hang in there!
happy birthday! I hope the daylight hours are kinder to you! Honestly although many of the moments you describe sound stressful, they also sound kind of awesome to me. I’m halfway through my 30th year and would love to experience the child-related ups and downs sometime soon.. maybe in year 31.
Happy bday Jenny~! I hope your 30s bring other gifts as well (besides parenthood, hehe).
Happy Birthday, Jenny!!!
Happy Birthday, Jenny! Hope the rest of your day is better than the first few minutes.
Happy birthday! Here’s hoping that the rest of your day is vomit-free!
those mini-cupcakes look delicious – way to go J!
Happy Birthday…it can only go up from here
Happy Birthday, sweet friend! Hoping the girls gave you a few quiet moments to enjoy being 31.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!!!
Happy late birthday! Sorry it wasn’t so festive, next one will be better.
Happy belated 31st birthday momma!! To a fulfilling and joyous 31st year!