Happy birthday to me! I can't believe this is my 5th birthday in Mexico.

To be honest, birthdays are not really my favorite occasion — something about getting older mixed up with being far from loved ones and not really having a lot of close friends nearby makes me sort of mopey — ever since my first birthday in Mexico — number 29. Aside from my stupid mopeyness, all my recent birthdays have also involved valiant efforts by Francisco to make me happy. Here's a brief summary:

29th birthday: Got all inexplicably sad at work and cried. Fran came and took me out to lunch and gave me my presents. The day got gradually better and we went out for a romantic dinner later.

30th birthday: Oh my, this was a major pity party. It fell on a Sunday, so we went to church. Then, birthday lunch. The conversation went like this:

Fran (brightly): Where would you like to go to lunch?
Me: I don't know.
Fran: Come on, pick a place.
Me: California Pizza Kitchen.
Fran: Wouldn't you like to go somewhere nicer?
Me: NO I WOULD NOT.
Fran: OK then. Should we invite Amy (my sweet then-roommate)?
Me: OK.
Fran: Anyone else?
Me: NO.

Poor man. I was feeling very difficult that day. And it just got worse — lunch was actually nice and was definitely the high point — after that we went to the mall where Fran tried to cheer me up by scanning stuff for our wedding registry. I got a horrible headache and backache (definitely psychosomatic, brought on by my feeling of old age) and started crying at the mall. Went home and got in bed at like 7 pm.

31st birthday: That one was actually pretty nice! Fran gave me a surprise party and I was VERY surprised — not just by the party but by the number of people who showed up. I felt the love and it was impossible to feel sorry for myself.

32nd birthday: Small party on a boat in Xochimilco. Fran had it decorated with my Mexican name, "Flor." A lot of people couldn't come, for various reasons — bummer. But, my man and my mom and my dear friend Lib were there, and PUFFY — among the best guests I could ever hope for. Also, I was pregnant and still wearing my skinny jeans. So that was nice.

33rd birthday: Today! I made myself pancakes for breakfast, got a cake at work and we're going out to dinner sans baby which should be good. (Hmmm, lots of food involved!) I did feel momentarily emotional today, but I got past it. As a friend reminded me, the years have been good to me. That was a message I needed to hear today. I am fortunate to be married to a wonderful man, to be mother to a gorgeous (albeit teethy) baby boy and to have many wonderful, loving friends and relatives all over the place.

I am one blessed thirty-something!