Happy Birthday, Parker!

A year ago right now, I believe I was lying in bed with my eyes closed, whimpering softly. I think Jeremy was also trying to feed me scrambled eggs. For the 7 days that passed following my due date, all I wanted to do was go into labor. When labor finally started, all I wanted was for it to be over.

Then all of a sudden it was. Our beautiful little boy had arrived; and then the hard work really started. And I'm not referring to the diapers, sleepless nights, or feedings. I'm talking about the constant pull I feel to do everything I possibly can for my family. This past year, that has sometimes meant feeling pulled to my laptop to study so that I get good grades and hopefully, my dream job when I graduate in June. Sometimes that has meant a pull to my desk at my job, staying late to finish a project. (Who knows, maybe I already AM at my dream job?) Sometimes that pull has led me to skipping school in order to attend Parker's first Halloween Parade at Camp Amgen. (Today!) Or to drag my family to the farmer's market to purchase copious amounts of vegetables to throw into the Vitamix, even though El Cholo is calling our name, because I am determined that we will all be healthy. Honestly, sometimes I feel pulled to cast a spell on Parker and make him sleep for hours; and most of the time, once he does fall asleep, I feel a pull to go in and wake him up. Because even after just 5 minutes of sleep, I often miss him. A lot.

I've read countless articles, blog posts, and books about how having a baby changes your life. And I've read many more about how moms can avoid the craziness of motherhood find balance in their life by sneaking into the bathroom for 5 minutes to meditate. To these articles I say, "No, shit" and, "Shit no!" For I realized this morning, when I bolted out of bed at 5:30 AM and ran into my little boy's room to see in what hilarious new position he was sleeping this time, that I absolutely LOVE the crazy. I love the pull I feel in so many directions - to my family, my work (school), my job, and my health. I love making lists and getting shit done and not sitting still.

My life has always been crazy, and with Parker here, it has certainly been even more intense. And that's what has also made it all even better. Parker, you have changed my world, and for that I thank you. So let's take a look at how you've changed this year, too!

Halloween Baby - A Few Hours Old

One Month

Two Months

Three Months 

Four Months

Five Months

Six Months

Seven Months

Eight Months

Nine Months

Ten Months

Eleven Months

One Year

Parker's Birthday Party!

Parker's First Birthday Party. I had way too much fun planning this event. Since Parker just loves cars, I thought we should make them the theme of the party. So we had a racecar birthday! No, not NASCAR racecars, just red racecars. The family came out to celebrate, and we had a glorious time.

Happy Birthday Parker!

Traffic Light Brownies

Spare Tire Donuts

Parker's Vanilla + Chocolate Cupcake

Good Times

Gardening

A New Car!

A Little Nervous about the Singing 

But Loving the Cake

Rubier + Bolton + Forlano Family Photo

Jeremy-Fest 2013

Today, Jeremy turns 36. Accordingly, I have planned the first annual (36th annual?) Jeremy Fest! This year, our destination is Los Angeles. Really. DOWNTOWN Los Angeles. Because it's pretty sad that I can count on my fingers how many times I've ventured into Downtown. And it's even sadder that Jeremy can't even count on a single finger how many times he's been there.

And since no day spent with me is complete without a list, here is how I planned our day:

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8:00 AM - The Break-even Investment
We begin with a long run plus laps of the Santa Monica Stairs. Why? Because Parker needs his morning snooze and we need justification for the rest of the day. Oh, yes, we plan to eat.

9:00 AM - Breakfast at the Third Place
Jeremy loves his Starbucks, so I'm treating him to his favorite breakfast these days. A grande dark roast and a spinach feta wrap. Gone are the days in San Francisco when we would wait in line at the Pork Store for Eggs in a Tasty Nest.

10:00 AM - "Downtime" with Bill Maher
Since we can never stay up on Friday night to watch Bill Maher live, we will watch it Saturday morning. I promise to yell at the Republican guests extra loud. Jeremy loves when I do that.

12:00 PM - Roll Over, Rick Roll!
Jeremy's favorite podcast these days is by Rich Roll, who I always call Rick Roll. It is about eating a plant based diet and running ultra marathons and doing Ironmans. At least once every week, Jeremy comes home from work and says he's going vegan. Well, sir, not today. Today you are going to purvey some exotic grilled sausages at Wurstkuche. It's the least I can do since we couldn't go to the Pork Store. Oh yes, this place also has lots of Belgian beer. You're welcome!

1:00 PM - Brews & Views
Next, we'll pretend we're hipsters and venture to the LA Brewery Artwalk. Yes, art and beer. There is an old brewery that is now rented out to artists to use as their studios in Downtown. There is a beer garden in the center, and we can walk around and take in lots of cool art. Maybe we can even buy something?

4:00 PM - Earn the Churn
Because no Jeremy birthday celebration is complete without bicycles, we're going to grab a snack at Peddler's Creamery, LA's one and only organic ice cream shop that uses bicycles to churn the ice cream! I've made sure that Jeremy can get in some time on the bike himself, too. Go for the double scoop, Mister!

7:00 PM - A Birthday Dinner to Taco About
So we've done coffee, beer, brats, bikes, and ice cream. Clearly, the only thing left is Mexican food. We're going a little upscale because I don't like any of the taquerias around here. No, not even Tacos Por Favor. Sadly, we can't bring Parker to Mercado, so we're trying something new: La Lotteria. Sip a jalapeno margarita and eat as many tacos as you can. Do it.

9:00 PM - Live from Santa Monica, It's Saturday Night! 
Hopefully by now, our beloved son has gone to sleep without a fuss. Time for you and I to try some "typical" Boltano beverages. Yes, I'll crack a bottle of wine for us to share. Or you can keep drinking beer, it's your call. And we can see how long we last before passing out while watching a movie. And because it's your birthday, it's your pick. And though I cringe while typing this, science fiction is allowed, if you want. If that isn't true love, I don't know what is.

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Well, I must say, the day was a total success. Except the Artwalk. That wasn't as cool as I thought. For the record, a beer garden should have some grass! But here are a few great pics from the day, anyway.

"I don't feel 36... Just a strong 35."


Key Tree (Art)

Bikes & Ice Cream

It was a great day, and we even checked off a few items on the 369 Days of Summer List! Jeremy, you're the best. I hope your 36th year in this world is perfect. Parker and I love you to the stars!