From the couch of Danielle Townley

Honestly.
On friday I picked Anna up from daycare early because she was sick (re: vomitting). Once I got her home she tossed her cookies about 5 more times before bedtime. She was fine by Saturday morning (surprisingly). Apparently it's a quick moving little virus. The daycare said some kind of stomach bug was making it's way through the classrooms. Rob and I were just praying that it wouldn't make it's way through our home (as usual).
Well, I made it all the way to Tuesday.
Did you know daytime tv sucks? Cause it suuuuuucks.

30 = Awesome

Okay, so far being thirty is pretty much the bomb. For my birthday, Rob came home from Africa (not JUST because it was my birthday- also because he lives here) and we went out to Roys for dinner. The great irony was when I ordered a 'big girl' drink and the waitress asked to see my ID...which I did not have. (My "special occasion" purse holds nothing more than a breath of fresh air. it's that small). After explaining this to the waitress, she leaned forward in a consipratory way and asked in a loud whisper if either of us were cops before taking our orders and serving what can only be described as grain alochol in a tall glass with an umbrella. (Glad to see their security system is air tight.) I then proceeded to consume my body weight in gourmet fish and a "chocolate lava" dessert. The ride home consisted of Rob shaking his head from side to side while I lamented the decision to wear anything other than sweatpants. (If I was worried about 30 making me dull and mature, clearly my fears are unfounded.) Either way, it was delicous and an awesome end to the day.

But no, the fun did not stop there.

Saturday night Rob scheduled a "Laser Tag Birthday Party" for me (mainly because I demanded it). We had about 20 of our friends show up- one of which-Damian, is a professional magician and he did magic tricks for us while we all ate at Pizza Hut. (I know, I know...I'm a pony ride and a face painting artist away from being 8 years old all over again). But we had a freaking blast. I think there's something to being "allowed" to have fun that all adults should indulge in every once in a while. Anyway, I won't ruin this post with more sarcasm. The point is I had a GREAT Birthday. (Rob, you are hereby forgiven for the cupcake incident of Mother's Day, 2009). Pictures below.

Everyone at Pizza Hut. The one place you can walk into on a Saturday night at 7pm with 20 people and have NO wait time. I'm pretty sure we're the (only) reason they will make their monthly quota for January.

Damian's first trick. Christa...STUMPED.

BLUE TEAM

RED TEAM

The score sheet says that Rob and I (seperate teams) shot eachother something like 20 times total. Marriage counselors everywhere are praying you don't find out how theraputic this is.

Last day as a 29 year old!

As today is my last day in my 20's, I'm allowing myself a "Me" post.
(It's cool, you can skip this one).

Top 10 Highlights from my 20's

1. Celebrating my 21st b-day in the parking lot in front of CSC with a bottle of champagne, two plastic cups and one great friend
2. Graduating from college
3. Moving to five different states in ONE year (NC, CT, DE, VA, MD) and everything I owned fit in a 2 door sports car
4. Getting my first "real" job
5. Moving to Maryland and knowing no one, having no money, and learning the many ways to eat spaghetti (i.e. with or without spaghetti sauce, depending on if I had an extra $2.50.)
6. Getting married to Rob
7. Buying our first house (and all the fun home owner surprises that came with it)
8. Celebrating Valentine's Day in Africa
9. Having Anna (and surviving pregnancy)
10. Family trip to Italy

My 20's have been great, and I'm looking forward to my 30's being even better... I'd be lying if I said it didn't freak me out...it definitely does. Suddenly I feel like all the commercials about wrinkle cream and hair dye are directed at me - and they're starting to piss me off a little. But I guess that's all part of life. I don't lament not being 22 anymore though - I'm happy where I am, and have no desire to go back to duct taping my work pants because I can't afford to get them hemmed.
I hear a lot that people relax a little in their 30's, spend less time worrying about what impresses everyone else and more time focusing on what really makes them happy.
Also, they eat less Ramen Noodles.
Okay 30's, bring it on.

First Hair Cut!!!

Today Anna had her VERY FIRST hair cut (okay, trim)!! We found this great place, Crew Cuts and Pig Tails, that specializes in kids hair cuts. They do a great job making a big deal out of the first hair cut (for moms too...) and even give you a certificate and lock of their hair... I can't decide if that's endearing or creepy. Although I'm sure years from now I'll be glad I have it. This is Anna's "What is going on?" face.

Although they have toys, animal crackers, movies, games, basically whatever you could possible need for a kid to sit still

And they don't sit in hair dresser chairs. No... they sit in AIRPLANES and FIRE TRUCKS. I thought that was awesome. I think my inner-child came out a little.

Here's Anna with her super nice hair stylist, Ashley.

Proud Mommy Moments

Today my daughter called another one year old a "whiner".

Ironic since my daughter is the one who refuses to wear pants.