Dad suggested an impromptu trip the beach. Without towels, without suits, without a change of clothes. With a refreshing ease we hopped out of the van at a new-to-us beach. Crocs and sandals, babe on chest. The air was hot and cold while the sun played peek-a-boo. Pants legs were rolled, splashing ensued, bums got wet (and plenty of other parts). Driftwood was released out to sea and was returned by the tide, a photo-op was spotted, two wasps had their say. Dinner plans became take-out pizza.

A perfect unplanning. And best of all the ocean welcomed us back.

We left Calgary in the wee hours of the morning. The sky was dark when we left the city. Heads were heavy, eyes were drooping. As we drove west, to the mountains, light began to prick the sky. Incredible light blushing moody clouds. Suddenly the early morning held even more reward as a watercolour sky was revealed. Mom and Dad agreed the meagre three hours of sleep were worth it for a sight like this.

We’re enjoying our visit with the Grandparent’s Jay. Looking forward to sharing more postcards from our trip with you through the week.

xo R

It was a good day. There was food, laughter, relaxation, more food and a sweet new lens for my camera.

Things I learned on this thirtieth birthday: bacon is just as tasty as I remembered, Mira does not like the taste of coffee in breastmilk, caramel cake goes down better double-fisted, my family takes very good care of me and this life gets better every day.

Today I’m turning thirty.

Perhaps I should have deep and introspective thoughts on this new decade. Perhaps I’ll save those thoughts for the next decade. These days there isn’t much time for introspective thought. I’m fine with that.

Age isn’t something I think about often. It seems subjective to me. Somedays I feel I’m already firmly planted in my 30’s. Somedays I forget I’ve gotten older. Somedays I feel very young indeed – fresh with insecurities that have popped back in to say hello. Although I tried to convince Dan that 30 is really the end of my 20’s (meaning I won’t be “in my 30’s” until next year), the number doesn’t make me gulp. My 20’s have been full of love and life – familiar, new and unexpected. There has been richness, sorrow, favour, aching, mourning, questioning, laughter and joy. And I expect the same fullness of life in this upcoming decade. I feel the weight of its promise and I’m thankful.

I’m turning thirty but it’s really just another day. Another day full of the people dearest to me – another day missing some of the dearest to me. Another day where love grows deeper in that always miraculous way. Another day where frustrations find thankfulness, thankfulness finds joy. Another day that I look around in wonder at how this life of mine is unfolding in so many wonderful and surprising ways. Another day in this life that is so blessed.

Thank you, friends, for sharing in some of these moments with me. Thank you for taking the time to encourage, laugh, commiserate and listen. Your presence here is one those delightfully unexpected ways my life is made richer.

I’m in stunned disbelief that this blissful first month is over already. One month in the air, one month of baby smell, one month of newness.

We are so blessed by Mira’s beautiful presence. Siblings are doting, Daddy is charmed, I find my heart more and more entwined with that of this precious little one.

This precious little one with sweet snores, baby acne and peach fuzz all in the most perfect package.

(Just in case anyone is concerned by Mira’s sleep position rest assured I was by her side while she slept and her tummy snooze was merely a result of moving her out of my arms.)