the big 4-0

Today was Al's 40th birthday and it ended up being a great day. We started off with breakfast at Kerby's (our usual coney island joint) and I had to laugh as I sat down. We go there at least once a week, and this week I ended up touching. Touching what? My belly touched the table when I sat down in the booth. They are fixed booths and tables, so there was no way I could push the table away from me and towards Al. One of the waitresses came over and said, "I saw that!" It turns out that she and two other waitresses are pregnant too, two months and four months behind me. They're barely showing (I couldn't tell until she told me), but it turns out they've been closely watching my progress every time we come in. By next week, we may need a table--or, the waitress suggested, I could try sitting in the booth sideways! (I don't know if my hips would fit, either, though, since I'm a bit bigger than she is--she said that's what she did when she was pregnant with her first.)

When we arrived home, we both got to work. Well, Al right away, me after a while. He cut the trim for the baseboards in the baby's room and I played on the computer for a while before making the cushions for the momma rocking chair that will go in the baby's room. Since it pretty much looks the same as the baby rocking chair, I'll wait until I have pics of the room before posting those. Al also walked and bathed Mya, two of the many chores he's taken over for me since I became pregnant (including cleaning kitty litter, heavy lifting, etc.). Before we knew it, it was time to superparty! (Sorry, couldn't resist. Common word heard among Al and some of our friends.)

We headed to a favorite local restaurant/bar and arrived about 4:30. I had made reservations for 20-25 people, telling the restaurant that our friends were the type of crowd that would probably not all arrive at once. They gave us two tables for ten way in the back corner, which was perfect since most people (probably closer to 35-40 in the end) ended up standing instead of sitting most of the time. Almost every single one of our in-town friends made it, and between the socialization, the gag gifts, and the food and drinks we all had a blast. There was quite a contrast between our 40th celebration and the one right next to us--seats for at least twenty there, but half of their guests were tweeners and the other half were seniors, and they all sat politely, ate dinner, and watched our group in amazement (perhaps horror?). The noise, the joviality--all just part and parcel for us. And fun. For more pics, click here.

On the way back home, the first song on the radio was "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney. Al, who isn't much for romance or sentiment (that's me), turned up the radio and said, "If I could sing, I would sing this song for you." It was so sweet. He admitted, "I don't know all of the words, just a couple of them--it's not a bad song, is it?" :) I love my husband so much, and he reminded me several times over the next couple of hours that he loves me, too (lucky me!). I'm glad he had a great 40th birthday, and for those of you who helped make it happen, thanks!