Thirty-Two.

Is it bad when you have to calculate how old you're turning on your birthday? Because I had to do that this year...and I figured out that I was going to be 32 today. Hmmm.

What's funny about having a birthday when you have a little baby [at least for me] is that you totally forget about your birthday and you don't even attempt to make any plans for the day...even if you wanted to, the logistics of trying to make said plans would be more work than they're worth, so then your birthday gift to yourself ends up being not making any plans and just sleeping in about 30 minutes later than you usually do (and thus, getting 30 minutes less work done than you might otherwise, haha!). 

BUT, even though I'm not doing anything special to celebrate today (especially because we just got back in town from our trip to Atlanta last night and are all totally pooped!), this birthday does feel special simply because it's my first with Charlie Mae--my first as a mom. And even though she has no idea what's going on, I know that every time I look at her today, I'll be reminded that this last year of my life brought the best gift I could *ever* receive; it will forever be the year that I was pregnant with and gave birth to our sweet baby girl.  

This past weekend in GA, we introduced Charlie Mae to both of my Grandmothers and my Great Aunt. Watching her smile at them, gaze into their eyes, sit in their laps, and hold [and gum] their fingers was another incredible gift that she gave me in 2016, and words can't describe how meaningful it was to observe all of them together. 

Now we're home, and it's time to hunker down and get into the holiday spirit as we gear up for the last few weeks of the year:

Later this week, we'll celebrate Sayde's 3 year adoptaversary (!!!!), Charlie Mae's 4-month birthday (what, not a thing?), Christmas, and then New Years, and throughout all of these celebrations, my goal is to just bask in my gratitude for this year, my loved ones, all of the gifts in my life, and the magic of family.

I hope that as 2016 draws to a close, you're feeling a similar sense of magic amidst all of the craziness [of which there is A LOT!].

That being said, here are a few quick pics of my best birthay gift EVER:

{Above: 4 Generations of women on my dad's side of the family, from almost 4 months to almost 90 years!}

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes, already! You guys are the best.