Scenes from a birthday

S's birthday banner


The first birthday plates, and the amazing (I mean a MA zing) cupcakes my friend Cathy made



Beautiful girl



With her stocking hat from Maw




The piano prodigy


In her new chair



Testing out the cupcake


"Oh, I'm supposed to eat it!"



Her personalized book from Grania



Checking out her dinosaur egg

S has had a wonderful weekend. She got to go out to dinner with her Nana and Tapa at her favorite Irish restaurant. She went to the outlets. She had a little party with her family. She had her first sweets, in the form of yummy cupcakes. She was inundated with amazing presents that will last for years. She got to see her Nana, Tapa, Grania, Maw, Aunt Annie, and Uncle Bruce. It was a great weekend that we will remember for a long time to come.

Happy Birthday S!

I've been thinking a lot about the past year, so the next few days are going to be some reflections on what happened just 12 months ago.

A year ago today, S was born. Her birthmom, unaware she was even pregnant (yes, it happens, and more often than you think) gave birth, by herself, at home.

A year ago today, S's birthdad got the most surprising phone call of his life, telling him that he had a daughter. And he chose to ignore the news.

A year ago today, S's birthmom, after being admitted to the hospital and getting some rest, looked at this gorgeous little girl and realized that she couldn't be the mom she wanted to be for her daughter. She couldn't provide her with a mom and a dad. She couldn't stay at home with her, something she had growing up.

A year ago today, this amazing woman decided that the best thing she could do for her daughter was to place her for adoption with a family who could give her all the things she couldn't.


A year ago today, S's birthmom looked at 2-page profiles of families who wanted to adopt and saw a picture of a guy with a silly hat on his head. And thought he liked to have fun. And that he might be a great dad for a certain little girl.


A year ago today, we had no idea any of this was happening.

A year ago today, J and I went to work like any normal Wednesday. I can't even tell you much about what was going on. I was working on a new project that was taking up a lot of my company's time. We were going to opening night of Alice in Wonderland on Friday.

A year ago today, I posted this post on this blog. And ordered some baby clothes online, because we didn't know if we might be matched with a baby soon.

We had no idea what was going to happen in just one day.

This morning, a gorgeous one-year-old woke up at 8:30am ready to start the day. And heard the strains of Happy Birthday to You from her Mommy. This afternoon she's going to see her Nana and Tapa, who flew out all the way from California to celebrate with her. Tonight she's going out to dinner with Mommy, Daddy, Nana, and Tapa.

It's going to be a good day.

I love birthdays

One of my departments at work goes all out for birthdays, meaning there is a LOT of food. The birthday girl in question had a big birthday on Tuesday (you know, one that ends in a 0), and she loves chocolate. I knew I had to make her this cake. Decadent double chocolate: the name says it all.






Because I've gotten crunchy granola in my old age, I used my trusty hemp milk instead of the Lactaid that was in the fridge, and I used organic sugar and agave nectar to sweeten it. Despite my best efforts, it stuck to the pan a little, but I just sprinkled extra powdered sugar on top and it looked fine.


It was divine. Everyone loved it. The chocolate liqueur glaze soaks into the whole cake, making it very moist. J was particularly pleased, since there were a few slices left over to share with him when I got home.

Happy Birthday + 1!

Dear Baby Brother,

Happy Birthday! I can't believe you're 33. I still remember when Dad came into my 2nd grade classroom (in his uniform, no less), and Sister Betty let him tell me I had a baby brother. I'll be honest--I was excited :)

Love lots and lots,
Your big sister