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My Dream Day
This morning I got handed coffee and babies in bed (two seperate deliveries, of course). Presents were opened, kisses doled out, and after the babies were fed we all hung out on the bed in our pajamas.
This. This was the stuff my dreams of family were made of. Not the parties or the photos or the meetings with relatives who exclaim in high voices. This dream, this hope of a family giggling and laughing as we lay on the bed in our PJs. This was what I wanted.
My birthday wishes came true then.
Angus gave me a beautiful 1940's style sheath dress that fits like a glove and makes me feel skinny, even with a shadow behind me.
Look ma! No makeup!
He also gave me a stunning necklace from my favorite jewelry shop.
(Ignore the not-so-great quality of the photo. I needed more coffee.)
I got fabulous gifts from Melissa and Jeff - a new alarm clock that was desperately needed as I'm getting more and more blind with age and can't read my watch now in the middle of the night, and a book for war brides that was meant as a guidebook (and is very, very interesting).
And today is an ordinary day in many ways - the babies are at nursery now. I have to go to London later, my first London visit (apart from the passport visit) since last August. Tonight Angus makes me a nice dinner, and as he's a great cook no doubt I'll love it. The day goes on in an ordinary, normal way.
34 years old doesn't feel so different from 33.
But my dreams came true, anyway.
It's one of my best birthdays so far.
-H.
PS - many thanks to Sophie - she sent me four fabulous books that I adore (I'd link them but Amazon keeps crashing). Sophie is one of the great stepmoms-in-arms and has the patience of a saint. I love the books, Sophie, thank you so much.
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Happy belated birthday!
Posted by: Lauren at April 3, 2008 04:37 PMI step away from the computer one day, come back, and what I do I find? That Helen has gotten one year better.
Congrats, Helen. I see by the pictures that you had a great one.
Posted by: physics geek at April 2, 2008 06:06 PMwhat a lovely lovely birthday :) you deserve it!!
and girl... you are skinny! I hope to all gods I look that good with in 6 months of giving birth (twins or whatnot)
Posted by: stinkerbell at April 2, 2008 10:14 AMI have never posted before, but I just had to tell you how adorable that picture of you and the babies is - they are beautiful. I agree with your description of the perfect day - I love hanging out with my two little ones in jammies all day! Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: erin at April 2, 2008 02:27 AMHappy birthday!!
Posted by: Michelle at April 2, 2008 01:47 AMHappy birthday! Glad you had such an awesome one!
Posted by: Julie at April 2, 2008 01:22 AMHooray!! Happy Birthday!!! Sounds like a terrific way to spend a day...
Posted by: KimW at April 2, 2008 12:41 AMBeautiful. Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Waiting Amy at April 2, 2008 12:23 AMHappt Happy Birthday
Posted by: Charles at April 2, 2008 12:13 AMHappy Birthday to you! Sounds like a fabulous one. Those two peanuts are getting cuter by the minute!
Posted by: Erica at April 2, 2008 12:05 AMMany Happy Returns Helen
I hope your day is perfect
And if i may say, you look stunning in that dress.
Hope you had a wonderful birthday. Thanks for sharing your joy with us today!
Posted by: Laura at April 1, 2008 10:50 PMHappy birthday!
Posted by: Sarah at April 1, 2008 09:36 PMHappy Birthday!
Posted by: caltechgirl at April 1, 2008 08:40 PMHappy Birthday! You look beautiful!
Posted by: Kristen at April 1, 2008 08:22 PMHappy Birthday Babe! Sounds like a great day. How could it be bad with such a great start?
Posted by: donna at April 1, 2008 08:21 PMHappy Birthday! Looking fabulous as always.
Posted by: Claudia at April 1, 2008 07:17 PMcoming out of the shadows to wish you a very happy birthday - looks like you already got off to quite a start, my dear! your babies are just too lovely for words :0)
Posted by: deborah at April 1, 2008 06:55 PMHappy 34 Helen! I hope this year brings even more joy than the last@
Posted by: stacie at April 1, 2008 06:27 PMA very Happy Birthday to you, Helen!! And lordy, look how skinny you've gotten! You look fabulous!
Posted by: Lisa at April 1, 2008 06:22 PMMan, you ARE skinny and look great! 34? It was one of my better years - Here's to a great year.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: gorillabuns at April 1, 2008 06:09 PMHappy Birthday!
Posted by: Donna at April 1, 2008 05:43 PMHappy birthday Helen! You described the perfect birthday morning if you ask me. Love the dress. Angus has awesome taste.
Posted by: Cori at April 1, 2008 05:34 PMHappy Birthday, Helen!
The bluebonnets appeared along I-35 in Austin last week and made me think of you. Maybe you have some in your garden?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You look stunning in that dress, which fits like a dream! and you ARE skinny!
I love the necklace too - Angus has great taste - and the babies look sooooooo cute!!
Happy Bday! You don't look a day over 24. :) Also dude - where did Angus get his gift ability?! Mine gave me a huge pack of DVD-RWs one time. Sweet... the gift that keeps on giving. lol
Posted by: Lee at April 1, 2008 04:39 PMhappy, happy birthday!
Posted by: megan at April 1, 2008 04:30 PMHappiest of Birthdays love!!!!!!
Posted by: Teresa at April 1, 2008 03:54 PMHappy birthday!!!!
Posted by: Andria at April 1, 2008 03:48 PMHappy birthday! Both the necklace and the dress are stunning. Of course, the babies are cute too :-)
Posted by: Mel at April 1, 2008 03:34 PMHappy Birthday to one hot, sexy, fabulous mommy!
Posted by: sue at April 1, 2008 03:31 PMOk, LOVE the way your room is done, and that necklace is absolutely gorgeous. (As are the babies. And the guy. Hah!)
Anyway - you've just tilted my world a little. For some reason, I had thought I was older than you. This could perhaps be because I have a 14 year old daughter. I, however, will be turning 34 next month, so...hey, if nothing else '74 was a really good year!
Posted by: Tracy at April 1, 2008 03:23 PMOh my gosh, the dress looks amazing on you! And you are so tiny! Happy B-day.
Posted by: Kimberly at April 1, 2008 03:16 PMWhat a wonderful way to start your birthday! I love love love the necklace Angus picked out and you look fabulous in the dress! Not to mention the cuteness that is Nick and Nora.
Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Michele at April 1, 2008 03:12 PMI want to get you guys some books, but I have no idea which ones you have now! You should get an account at goodreads. ;)
I'm glad you have your dream family now, and I am so happy for you.
Happy Birthday. :)
Posted by: Jen (aaron-n-jen.com) at April 1, 2008 02:36 PMHappy Birthday to you....!!!
Posted by: Elizabeth at April 1, 2008 02:15 PMHappy Birthday, Helen!
Posted by: Catherine at April 1, 2008 02:15 PMHappy Birthday, Helen, from Deutschland :-) Had to smile when I saw the twins between the other gifts on the bed- they seem so...well, unwrapped. You look absolutely fan-tas-tic in this dress- and the color of your sheets and the wall in your room makes.me.so.envious.
Enjoy your day,
Lily
Happy Birthday, Darling! You look fabulous, but to me you always have, even when you were displaying the geological river maps of the world on your abs.
Posted by: DD at April 1, 2008 01:42 PMWonderful! Happy Birthday. Those babies are precious, you are a lucky woman!
Posted by: oddybobo at April 1, 2008 01:37 PMHappy Birthday Helen!! What a great way to start your day. :) The dress is amazing on you - you are gorgeous!
Posted by: Lisa at April 1, 2008 01:30 PMThat dress looks great on you! Glad you are having a perfect day - you deserve it :)
Posted by: geeky at April 1, 2008 01:27 PMHappy Birthday! Seriously, what more could anyone ask for?
Posted by: Kerisa at April 1, 2008 01:21 PMHappy birthday, H! What a gorgeous family you've got there. I hope the rest of your day is wonderful.
Posted by: Dotty at April 1, 2008 01:06 PMHappy Birthday, dear Helen! I'm so glad it's such a fabulous one...
Posted by: Kath at April 1, 2008 12:57 PMMany happy returns... no, wait, that might mean something else right now, what with twins and all. :)
Posted by: B. Durbin at April 1, 2008 12:53 PMHappy Birthday, Helen. You look stunning and Angus and the babies are cute as always.
Posted by: selzach at April 1, 2008 12:42 PMhappy birthday babe!
Posted by: wRitErsbLock at April 1, 2008 12:35 PMThat is indeed the perfect birthday. That dress is excellent...good taste, Angus!
Posted by: amishpromqueen at April 1, 2008 12:29 PMHappy 1st Birthday as a mommy!!
Posted by: Vicki at April 1, 2008 12:29 PMHappy 34th Birthday! Pretty nice necklace Angus got ya and that dress looks stunning on you.
Party at your house tonite?!
Posted by: Ernie E at April 1, 2008 12:26 PMHappy Birthday! That dress is gorgeous!
Happy Birthday!! The dress, the necklace and the portrait shot are all beautiful!
Have a wonderful dinner at home with the family.
Happy Birthday! That dress is awesome and you look great in it! :)
Posted by: Erin at April 1, 2008 11:20 AMHappy birthday, Helen!
What a great dress! (Angus has good taste!)
Happy birthday!!
Posted by: ~Easy at April 1, 2008 10:49 AMHave a fabulous remainder of the day! You most richly deserve it! (Glad you found me at the new place.)
Posted by: sophie at April 1, 2008 10:44 AMHappy Birthday! I'm so glad its been a special morning for you. Someone once said to me that as soon as I had babies, birthdays would stop being about me and start being about them and its kind of true. (Also doesn't help that there's only a week between mine and Amy's!)
Posted by: Super Sarah at April 1, 2008 10:29 AMP.S. You totally rock that dress... And yes, the gifts are lovely. And of COURSE the babies are gorgeous... just like their momma and poppa.
Posted by: redsaid at April 1, 2008 10:00 AMHappy birthday from South Africa, babe! I'm sooo happy for you! May life continue to only get better for you. Goodness knows, but you deserve it!! x
Posted by: redsaid at April 1, 2008 09:58 AMHappy Birthday Helen!
Have a great day and enjoy it...you deserve it!
Posted by: Suzie at April 1, 2008 09:15 AMThat necklace is absolutely gorgeous. Happy birthday!!!
Posted by: maolcolm at April 1, 2008 09:15 AMDefinitely the stuff that dreams are made of - happy birthday babe x
Posted by: Becks at April 1, 2008 09:13 AMHelen, the babies look more and more gorgeous every photo! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Posted by: jac at April 1, 2008 09:13 AM