I have always had a hard time with birthdays as long as I can remember. It’s not so much the getting older part, but more the disappointment that comes when people forget. Does that sound incredibly sad? I’ve never really experienced great disappointment on my birthday, but there is always that fear I guess. But this year was just another year that I realized that fear was completely silly and I was showered with love and birthday goodness as I celebrated turning 27.
I do have to say I look forward to birthdays since I have some super crafty and thoughtful friends and scored some sweet birthday gifts. But the gift that I am THE MOST excited about is one that Tim got me and that is a workstation for my craft space that is being primed, painted and stained as we speak in my parent’s basement. I can not wait to have it nestled in my craft room and will post pictures as soon as it is done. The day was riddled with flowers and other thoughtful gifts as well, but this year was probably the first year that I really enjoyed my birthday. I do think people get better with age and I guess I’m realizing that I do, too. I have so much to be thankful for, and being able to celebrate being another year older should be cause for celebration and it certainly was.
I still have yet to begin decorating the nursery or really preparing for Max’s arrival, but I did carve out some time to make him a crocheted softie. I saw this pattern here and could not resist it, and although it was my first attempt, I do like the way it turned out.
Conner got so excited about it but then his face dropped when I told him it was for Max. The boy is becoming schizophrenic these days about the baby - one minute he talks about him and is excited and the next he’s closing Max’s bedroom door telling me, “No baby, mama, no baby”. I know it’s a fluid concept still - a baby in mama’s belly - but I think setting up his room will help Conner understand a little more. Or it will further confuse him. Moms of toddlers - how did they react when you brought a new baby home? Did you talk about it a lot before hand? I’m just curious. I think Conner will do fine, but anything I can say or do to soften the blow would help.
Holli says:
happy birthday, Candace! Glad you felt loved and special on your birthday…what is that fear that people will not remember and you’ll go through the whole day quietly singing to the birthday song alone to yourself? I mean, I don’t do that
April 28th, 2008 at 6:37 am
stephanie says:
happy bday!!
….in my experience, you are doing all the right things with conner. he won’t fully understand the baby concept until he is home, and talking about it def. helps and gets him prepared. it will be a huge adjustment…no matter what you do to prepare. just remember to give yourself (and conner) grace through the transition.
loves!!
April 28th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Marcy says:
My mother tells the story of my oldest brother Dan who was 5 years older than my brother Jim. Jim was 15 months when I was born, Dan of course was 6. When Mom and Dad brought me home from the hospital, Dan cornered my Mom in the kitchen and said “Don’t you wish we didn’t have these other two?” She was speechless,and recognized that he had been king of the hill for years. I will tell you that we all grew up just fine and loved each other dearly. Love your blog and belated Happy Birthday.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Kacey says:
Happy (belated) birthday! I’m glad you had a wonderful day. Oh, and that softie? Sooo cute. If you decide to start making them and selling them, let me know. I think both my boys need one!
I bet Conner will fall in love with the new baby and will enjoy helping you guys. At least, that’s been my experience. Adrian loves Wyatt and we’ve had no issues with jealousy…aside from the occasional, “Put Wyatt down, Mommy” when Adrian wants my full attention!
April 28th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Filtering Life says:
Although I am “Crafty” I have not delivered you a good gift yet. I will, I promise, just when you feel like your b-day is clear out of my brain, I will surprise you. I know I have the ultimate excuse, but still. I LOVE the owl, oh my word and his chubby little toes. Do owls have toes? I think it came out great.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:45 am
misty says:
I could have written parts of this… I struggle with my birthdays too… For the same reason, because it just happened too many times!
April 28th, 2008 at 9:58 am
oh amanda says:
Candace! Happy Birthday! I’m so glad 27 was great! (Good grief, 27…I’ll be 31 this year!)
Anyway, I have no experience, I’m just the same as you with Conner & Lyida. Lydia loooves to talk to the baby. She always thinks it’s crying and wants to rub my tummy and say, “You don’t have to cry, your big sister Lydia is here.” I can only HOPE this will continue. (I’m not counting on it, tho’!)
April 28th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Elizabeth says:
Happy Belated Birthday, Candace!!
Hunter transitioned pretty well to being a big brother. There were a lot of new things that came out of the discovery of all the attention not being his, but they smoothed over. Now, we’re at a whole new game with sharing and such… despite all the pre-talk and the suggestions, it’s still a rough go.
Good luck and I know Conner will enjoy being a abig bro!
April 28th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Danielle says:
Happy birthday Candace!
I am glad it was so great, I totally understand that fear….
I have no advice for you on Conner though. I am sure he will do great!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
bee says:
Wow! Happy 27! I’m so glad you enjoyed your day!
I’m very nervous, too, about bringing home a new baby. Woggie will kiss the baby every now and then and will even say her name, but if you ask him if we’re having a new baby or if he’s going to be a big brother he shakes his head frantically and says “uh-uh”.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
nana grahl says:
Candace…you can crochet just about anything! You have more talent in one little finger than I have in my whole body! I know how you feel about birthdays…mine is always around Labor Day so usually people don’t even think about it…
Conner will do great…but like someone else said…he won’t really understand what’s going on until you bring Max home and he has to share his time. Conner is already well adjusted…it may take a few weeks to get used to but as long as you include him with Max he’ll do fine.
I miss you all!
Love,
Karen
April 28th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
AmyG says:
Happy Birthday, Candace!! I don’t remember what 27 was like, lol.
I’m sure Conner will do great once he gets use to the baby. Emily was almost 4 when I had Olivia. Actually, she was 23 days short of turning 4, lol. She was a little hesitant at first & still wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but it didn’t take long before she was in love with her sister.
My best advice, would be to let him help you as much as you can. Get a diaper & wipes for the baby, hold the bottle, if you use one, help with bath time. The more he’s involved, the less he’ll feel left out.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Emily says:
That owl is too cute! I bet Conner did want one for himself. I have no advice on the bringing baby home issue, but I’m sure he’ll adjust fine and love Max to death.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Kate says:
A very happy (and late) birthday! I can’t wait to see Tim’s present to you - and those flowers, wow! Gorgeous. Not like you don’t have forty-five thousand things to do already, but I really must insist that you post more pictures of how you’ve decorated your house… and what’ve you been cooking/baking lately? Gosh I’m nosey!
April 30th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
pinkmommy says:
Happy Birthday! And oh my word that owl is the cutest thing!!!
May 1st, 2008 at 7:26 am
Heather Glerum says:
Happy B-day! Loved the post and golly, I wish I could make softies!! That one is adorable. Here’s a small bit of advice about the new baby and Conner, just go with it. Don’t try to prepare him, and don’t wish Max here too soon… just enjoy every minute you have with Conner and Tim and the day you bring Max home everything will fall into place. Kinda like you said about your birthday… no need to stress over it… just enjoy it for what it’s worth. I’ve found that although most people do mean well and give advice from their hearts, it’s probably not what someone else told them to do, it’s probably what they ended up doing on their own. (smile)Bottom line, you’ll find what works for you and fly with it. You’ll see… I’ll be praying for you! If you do however, still feel the need to get Conner “ready” there is a book about what to expect when the new baby comes home. It’s super cute and my kids loved it… but it did spawn more questions than it did prepare them! lol…. Can’t wait to see pictures of the new birthday present!!!
May 1st, 2008 at 11:44 am
Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt says:
Happy birthday! I just turned 28 on the 22nd and ditto on all the birthday comments, including some fun gifts from creative friends!
That softie IS SO DANG CUTE!
May 1st, 2008 at 7:30 pm