This is the first year that I forgot about my birthday until I was upon it. And such a surprise too as it’s a decently important one – the big 35! It lands the same day as Father’s Day, as it does every so often. I had my dad and husband’s gifts wrapped and ready, and made reservations for our Father’s Day dinner and co-celebration. But other than that, I hadn’t put much thought to my turning geriatric, as defined by my OBGYN. Such is the life of parenthood! Neither good nor bad. Just a shift in priorities is all.
(I did, however, have time to plan out how to get my Birthday Freebies!)
Luckily, Mike gave me a few moments for my traditional semi-annual self -reflection, which I do every birthday. He took Casey on a bike ride so that I could shower and write this. I typically take note of the things I’ve been proud of the last year as well as the things I wish to come. For the sake of time, I’ll do what I do best, which is to publish a list.
The Best of My 34th Year
- Starting my motherhood journey and enjoying mat leave for a few months
- Restructuring my work to suit my needs as a working mom
- Establishing work-life balance, with 3.5 days in the office and 3.5 days at home
- Advancing my career by getting certified in Invisalign and growing the scope of my practice
- Being intentional about what procedures I choose to do at work and which ones I choose to let go
- Moving into a single family residence in a neighborhood we love
- Designing a backyard from scratch (how fun!) which we now enjoy with Casey and our friends/family
- Traveling to Tokyo and Kyoto Japan with our best friends and baby
- Hiring a nanny that is one with the family
- Going on our first family trip with the Tillapaughs to Idaho
- Seeing my sister in my 34th year when she visited us from Spain (we don’t get to see her every year)
- Gaining a new sister-in-law (and my BFF to boot!)
- Celebrating Casey’s one year birthday
- Taking Casey to Disneyland 4x
- Taking Casey to SeaWorld
- Spent a LOT of time with family! I never thought we would be this close to our parents. It is a gift that Casey gave us all.
- Expecting our second addition to the family – a baby Girl coming November 2024!
Hopes, Goals and Wishes for My 35th Year Around the Sun
- Looking forward to mat leave during the holidays this year.
- Celebrating my brother’s wedding with the two families in the summer
- Seeing my sister for two weeks this year
- Taking Casey to Legoland and SD Zoo.
- Planning a trip to Europe next summer with two little ones
- More yoga, weights, and swimming.
- More hikes, walks, and sun.
- Regaining my writing habit.
- More coffee, more bread, less sugar.
- Simplicity and color
Are there any ideas on how to celebrate one’s 35th year around the sun? Ways to balance self and other, parenthood and career? Please do share. Taking all advice, as I don’t have much time to ponder.
