Ryan's Old Lady

On October 4th I turned 21.  (Haaaaaa.)  I know, I know- exciting milestone!  My sweet hubs and friends ensured that I didn't let this occasion go without notice by planning a joint fiesta for myself and my fellow October compadres.  Between kids, travel (not us clearly), and busy social calendars (also not us) - it's tough to get everyone together so this was perfection.

Melanie, Brendan and Ryan planned - ok, let's be honest- Melanie planned with minimal text interference from Brendan and Ryan- for us all to have dinner at El Tiempo.  Never ones to disappoint the wait staff, we ate more than our fair share of fajitas and downed more than half our side of the restaurant's share of skinny marg pitchers.

Afterwards we all headed over to Melanie and Jonathan's to have cake, more wine and supervise the men so that no one tried to jump over any pools or off any ledges.  I'm happy to report it was a success.  No injuries were sustained in this year's celebration.  Does this mean we're adults?  Or that Obamacare is making us think twice about how much these decisions cost us in dignity AND currency?  Hard to say.

Either way- thank you to all participants.  I love you so very much and am grateful for the temporary distraction from crying to myself while watching LTN thinking of how old I'm getting.  Smooches to you all!

Not good at selfies.

Very good at consuming desserts.

Jen's new boyfran.

The most delicious, and heaviest, cake I think HEB has ever made.

October 4th, 5th & 16th.

 This series of pictures is epic.  #nocaptionneeded

And in case you were worried that the adults were having all the fun, here's a few pictures of what Emmy Poo was busy doing with Grandma & PawPaw Martin.  

Just sitting like a big girl at the fire pit.

Apparently she was really into burning them.  Jen, maybe she's your's?

Mama (and Yanny Mac) are OLD(er)...

... but trust me when I say that no one is wiser.  See below.

In the chaos of trying to furiously finish up Bucket's room, finish 57 hours of CPE and all the other last minute oh-m-gee-a-baby-is-coming-soon to-do's, my birthday nearly came and went without my even noticing.  Melanie, ever the considerate wife and friend, combined powers with Ryan and they planned a small little joint shindig for my birthday (October 4th) and Jonathan's (October 5th).

We got babysitters, actually did our hair and met at El Tiempo for dinner and then headed over to Chateau McClain for an after party.  You would think with a total of 4.5 kids combined between the 10 of us and the fact that most of us kissed our college years good-bye more than 5 years ago that this would equate to a fairly quiet little evening.  You would be completely mistaken and I wouldn't have it any other way.  There's no need to get into details because as mentioned before, we are role models now, but suffice it to say that a fellow restaurant patron and his 15 year old son were so amused by the girls' end of the table's conversation that they sent over a pitcher of margs on them.

Afterwards we took our margs, our ridiculous conversation and brilliant ideas back to Mel & Jonathan's where we were treated to some DELISH homemade cake from Melanie, a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday" from the crew and a troubling plan for a future compound with a chicken nugget shooter from the men of the bunch.  Many laughs were had, a few terrible-tasting drinks were made (*cough* Shawna *cough*) and lots and lots of memories were made.  Muchas gracias to the muchacho and muchacha who planned this get together.  It was absolutely just what the doctor ordered.  I think it's a sign that this is going to be a great year!

Big men.  Little seats.

I think we've now shared 19 birthdays together?  Is that right?  Someone should audit that math.

These 3 look like they'd make great sister wives, right?

Derrick & Ryan were pretty amped about chips.  Austin, not-so-much.

If margaritas to go aren't on the menu sometimes you have to take matters into you own hands.

Oh, and I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to my ah-mazing coworkers who decorated for my birthday AND treated me to Starbucks.  Molly & Becca are THE BEST.

Good thing I'm not in charge of HSE because I'm pretty sure a chair had to be used for those top stars.

Turning 29. Again.

Welllllll, despite my best efforts to halt time- another year has come and gone.  Shockingly Father Time has zero interest in catering to me.  RUDE.  So on October 4th I turned yet another year wiser.  Le sigh.

Coming off the heels of such a spectacular birthday/gender reveal combination last year, I really didn't expect to even bat an eyelash at this year.  This theory was only further bolstered by the fact Ryan worked nights the day of my birthday and nearly everyone I knew already had commitments.  Husband dearest and a handful of our sweet friends had other plans.

On very short notice Ryan invited a few folks over and they all acquiesced despite, I'm sure, having more exciting things to do than watch me wallow in my old-age pity.  Jonathan/Melanie, Austin/Shawna, Julie/David & Jimmer/Beth all came by on Saturday September 28th to help me ring in a new year of me.  I couldn't be more grateful that they did, because I had a great time.

As with most events in this group of folks, things went the way of an 8th grade dance within 5 minutes of everyone's arrival.  The female contingent milled around in the kitchen playing would you rather and trading crazy celeb gossip while the men took up station on the couch while grunting and scratching themselves.  Basically it was sheer heaven for both groups.

I just want to thank everyone who dropped what they had going on to come watch (or watch men watch) football and hang out with me.  I don't know what I did so right to deserve you as friends, but I'll take it.  Thank you also to Baby Daddy who planned, cleaned and cooked some mean fajitas for the event.  I enjoyed it so thoroughly I'll consider turning another year older next year at this time.  I'm just considering, so let's not get ahead of ourselves!

Mama Mel holding Baby McClain's (ETA: January 2014) BFF.

Mel, Jules & Shawna hashing out the details of LiLo's most recent arrest.  Hard hitting stuff, guys.

Beer.  Football.  Bareback bronc riding.  This picture just wreaks of dude.

No Mom, I PROMISE I"ll never turn into a smelly, belchy, scratchy guy like those ones out there.  I promise.  Now, let's talk cookies, huh?

The boogs and I.  Is she watching football?!

Were you concerned they may have moved?  Don't worry.  Got ya covered.  It's like a flip book Nanny Cam.

Aunt Shawna, Aunt Shawna... check out my runway walk.

How does Miss Jay do this in heels?!

Ever questioned my claims that she's a total Daddy's girl?  I submit to you article of evidence A.

Trying squash for the first time.  Which happens to be the first veggie she has seemed to tolerate.  Probably the ambience that made it such a success.

Okay Mom... I was real patient but it's like the 4th quarter now.  Can we put a little pep in our step here?

Sweet Baby Harper!  Em & Baby McClain's other BFF.  It was a regular baby slumber party!

Harper giving me some birthday love.

Delish birthday cookies.

Cookie toasts are the new champagne toasts?

Mom, Mom- look, I got her!  What was my roping time?

Adorable puppy kisses.

Melanie this is a glimpse into your life for the next 15 years.

Definitely expecting a parenting book deal annnnny day now.  Potential cover photo?

Because, like I mentioned above, I somehow accidentally fell into relationships that I am less than deserving of, the birthday spoiling didn't end with the fiesta above.  On my actual birthday, a Friday this year, I was greeted with some delicious cupcakes, cube decor, scones and my beloved Starbucks coffee as soon as I walked in the door.  I really am so incredibly appreciative to work with co-workers who are not only brilliant, but also warm and considerate as well.  So many, many thanks to everyone who decorated my space, kept my belly full and just generally kept a smile on my face all day long.  You are the best!

Accountants are not as good at geometry as Engineers.

Green bags, warm scones and cold coffee... these are a few of my favorite things.

This birthday banner and these eternal mylar balloons might be the best investments that the Finance/GL departments have ever made.

After all this heart-filling goodness, I headed up to the lake with the girls to hang out with my parents.  Knowing me as well as they do, they were on board with ordering Chinese to the house for my birthday dinner.  Thank heavens they did because little did we know that it would be the last meal for any of us for about 48 hours!  I won't go into all the details because it's just not required, but suffice it to say that Miss Emery shared the bubonic plague a vicious stomach virus with Ryan (man down Friday night around 9), yours truly (woman down Saturday morning around 6), Nonnie (woman down around Sunday morning around 4) and Grandpa (man down around noon on Sunday).  Luckily we all survived and were lucky enough to share Em duties, and more than our fair share of laughs, over the course of the weekend.  Thank you, thank you, thank you Mom & Dad for helping me get through the weekend- I could NOT have done it without you.

Despite the very virus-y end, I had an absolutely wonderful birthday celebrated with the people who make my world go round.  So thank you from the very bottom of my heart to each and every one of you for helping make 29 (again) seem not so bad after all.  I love you!

Sugar & Spice or Frogs & Snails?

Saturday October 6th, after 54 excruciating hours, the gender of our little jelly bean was revealed.  Ryan spent all day Friday grocery shopping, cleaning and preparing for everyone to come over.  Saturday morning he prepared a delicious spread of brisket, homemade baked beans and his critically-acclaimed pico & queso.

While Ryan was being super-husband, I busied myself with highly important tasks like... painting my nails festively.  Is he lucky or what?!  Apparently the anxiety of waiting on the gender reveal was far too great for me to actually apply myself to productive activity.  Besides running out to the store to get some paper plates and classy red solo cups.  (Oh, were you thinking that having a child would mean a red solo cup-free household?  Ha- cute.).

Team Pink or Team Blue is the new Team Edward or Team Jacob.

I forgot to take a before picture.  Pregnant ladies put food in front of photography.  So sue me.  :c)

Everyone patiently feasted on the toils of Ryan's hard work and then immediately demanded that we get down to business and cut the cake already.  Who are we to disappoint the masses?  Little Amy or Little Ryan?  Tu-tus and tiaras or suspenders & bow ties?  Carpooling to dance or to baseball?  We'll let the pictures tell the story.  Digital drumroll please...

Nervous anticipation...

 SHUT. UP.  Is that really... Noooo...

Mmmmhmm, it most definitely is...

 PINK!

 Apparently when I threatened Ryan's life and limb if he did this at our wedding, he did not think that ban extended throughout the remainder of our life time.  I've since cleared this up.

So excited to spoil a(nother) little princess... this time of the non-furry variety!

 Mamacita opening the envelope to make sure the bakery followed directions appropriately.

I guess I haven't covered anywhere on this blog what Ryan & I's official gender guesses were, have I?  Ryan thought from day 1 that this little bean was a girl.  He was so convinced that he nearly bought a pink cashmere sweater from J. Crew in week 8.   As many of you can likely identify, this is very out of character for him.  I, on the other hand, told most people that I logically thought it was a boy but for some reason I couldn't fully commit to that.  Why did I logically think that?  Because on my Mom's side of the family EVERYONE has a girl first.  My grandmother had my mom... in the next generation my Aunt Jan had Kara, my Mom had me, my Aunt Jean had Ashleigh... in our generation, Kara had Ava, Travis & his wife Miranda had Shiloh and about a month before our gender reveal we found out that my cousin Ashleigh, who's due in January, is also having a little princess.  How long can that pattern continue?!  Guess we'll find out when Julie has her first, won't we?

After the grand reveal, everyone was so elated that we celebrated in true Ryan Martin style.  What is that, you ask?  Why, with jaeger, of course.  Ryan busted out a bottle that has been in our freezer since before our wedding, apparently waiting for this very occasion.  The remainder of the evening was spent watching football, looking through my old baby book and enjoying celebrating with some of our favorite people.  Thank you so very much to everyone that participated and for all the love and support.  It was an absolutely perfect day and I look forward to sharing many more with you all when baby girl gets here.

No pregnant wombs were harmed in the making of this photo.

Cheers to many tea parties in our future.  :c)

Quickly after the celebration the boys assumed their usual Saturday/Sunday positions.

 Julie & Jen discussing their future babysitting plans.  After overhearing them I feel fairly certain Ryan & I may not go on a date again until this child is 18.

 Tiff & Kylie.  I'm so excited that Baby Martin will have such an awesome older cousin.

You might think Lola is pouting here (*cough* she is), but i prefer to think of it as getting her beauty rest to chase a little one around the house.  (P.S. I realized that I did a pitiful job of getting photos from the party... How did I completely miss getting the grandparents?!  I promise they were all there!)