36 years ago this morning
June 22nd, 2006
Thirty-six years ago this morning, my mom was heard exclaiming, “It’s a girl? What am I going to do with her hair?”
I figured out my own hair over the years. I say it’s a good thing I wasn’t a boy (as they were expecting—I had a blue room), because the name my parents had in mind for their firstborn was Matthew: Matt Mattern. It would have been a terrible step backwards for humanity, a Matt Mattern.
I am going to have pancakes with my daughters now, but tell me, how many birthdays do you remember? David says he thinks he can remember a half dozen, if that. I’m going to muse upon this.
One child is already having a full-blown tantrum upstairs—the circle of life. I am ready to rub her down with raw steaks and feed her to Simba.
Birthday pancakes! Onward!
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized, Playdates. (Relationships)
60 Comments
1. Still Rob | June 22nd, 2006 at 8:25 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! And, I get to leave the first post?! Wow, you may not even be eating those pancakes yet. I hope that breakfast is the first many fun moments with your family today! I think I remember two or three birthdays out of 37. I’m sure there were other good ones that I’ve forgotten but they blur together.
2. Daniel | June 22nd, 2006 at 8:40 am
Happy birthday, NotMatt!
3. karina | June 22nd, 2006 at 8:55 am
Happy happy birthday, Jenn!!! Now I’m trying to think of how many birthdays of YOURS I remember throughout the years! Let’s see…your 15th at Great Adventure was a lot of fun…I apologize that the bars on Long Beach Island probably were not where you wanted to be on your 27th…I think your 28th was much better since we celebrated with a group of friends at a nice Belgian restaurant in the West Village…your big 30th birthday party in New York was a lot of fun, although I can’t remember the exact restaurant…and who could forget the “Jenntacular” in the Berkshires last year! Even though B-day #36 might be more low-key for you, I hope you enjoy those pancakes and have a great day celebrating being born.
4. karina | June 22nd, 2006 at 8:57 am
Ooh, wait–one more Jenny B-day memory. Your 18th B-day when we all went to Pizza Hut, then drove down to Penn’s Landing to stay on your father’s boat, discovering what we thought was a dead body as soon as we parked the car. (He was really only half dead.)
5. Nancy | June 22nd, 2006 at 9:03 am
Have a wonderful day! 36 is a great year for me so far — I hope it’s excellent for you as well.
6. marian | June 22nd, 2006 at 9:20 am
Mater, did you really say that? Happy Birthday, Jenn!
7. Sheryl | June 22nd, 2006 at 9:21 am
Yay! Happy Birthday!
8. Sheri | June 22nd, 2006 at 10:03 am
Happy Birthday!
9. Simon | June 22nd, 2006 at 10:11 am
Marian, I think we’ve all learned by now that there’s very little that the Mater WON’T say.
Or do.
Happy Jesus year + 3, Jenny Mattern.
10. kt flynnie | June 22nd, 2006 at 10:33 am
Happy B-day Jenn!!! Can you make this year Jenn-a-palooza? Maybe David will rent a bouncy cabana for you or something…:-p and the name matt mattern *shutter*
11. Vikki | June 22nd, 2006 at 10:41 am
I don’t remember many of my childhood birthdays…I have some memories but they may be based on pictures rather than the actual experience. I remember most of my major adult b-days.
As for Matt Mattern, well, my brother’s name is Robert Jobert. Yeah, I’m lucky..even if my parents did spell Vikki incorrectly.
12. Mir | June 22nd, 2006 at 10:44 am
Happy birthday, darling!! *MWAH*
13. Bethany | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:03 am
Have a lovely birthday!
14. Ceece | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:10 am
happy birthday, and I can share in your joy of not being born a boy, simply because of the name.
The one my parents had picked out was Marshall Matthew Hill.
Uggghh.
15. Andrea S. | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:29 am
Happy Birthday!
But I have to tell you. Simba’s full. I fed my son to him this morning. It seemed such a match made in heaven, what with my son’s new obsession with Simba (with a long car ride full of Simba over and over and over) and his tantrum this morning about not wanting to get out of bed to go to Nana’s house so I could go to work. I thought Simba might need a snack. Maybe Nala is hungry.
16. Tiff | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:34 am
Happy Birthday Matt!
Hee hee just kidding. You make a very fine Jenn indeed!
17. mom on a wire | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:36 am
Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!! Have a wonderful happy day!
(There aren’t any scary clowns, right…?)
18. geogirl | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:41 am
I don’t know, Matt Mattern has kind of a ring to it. Sounds a little like a stunt man or maybe the weather guy on the news.
“…and coming up later in the newscast, Matt Mattern has all the details of this weekends forcast plus he’ll tell you about that big storm brewing in the south….”
Still, Jenn Mattern sounds better and will definitley look nicer on that big fat book cover.
Happy Birthday Jenn!!!
19. Katieface | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:43 am
Happy Birthday, Jenn!!
I never knew you were supposed to be a Matthew…your parents sometimes have a cruel sense of humor!
But wait a sec–does that mean it’s still up for grabs?? Too bad we’re having a girl…
20. Stephanie | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:52 am
Happy Birthday Jen!!
21. Charlie | June 22nd, 2006 at 12:04 pm
Happy Birthday Jenn!
As you know already, 36 is the new 30, which means that you have to go through things (good and bad) all over again. This is not my rule. It is what it is.
Hakuna Matata!
22. Sarah | June 22nd, 2006 at 12:53 pm
Have a very happy birthday!
23. Rachel | June 22nd, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Happiest of birthdays to you, my dear! I shall sing you the Viking Birthday song.
Happy BIRTH-day! (stomp)
Happy BIRTH-day! (stomp)
May the candles on your cake
Burn like cities in your wake
Happy BIRTH-day! (stomp)
(and so on…)
24. ellamama | June 22nd, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Happy thirty sixth! I was soooo fearing the fourtieth last month, and strangely enough, I’m contemplating all sorts of new youthful endeavors.
Have a wonderful day.
25. Tater and Tot | June 22nd, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Okay, imagine that me and Tater and Tot are all coming out of the kitchen clapping and smiling. We are carrying a small piece of cake with melty ice cream and a candle that keeps threatening to go out because of the bus boys that keep whizzing by. Ready? Okay, here goes…
Happy Happy Birthday.
We’re so glad you came.
Happy Happy Birthday,
From the (insert favorite overcrowded, understaffed, messy, but you try not to notice, take a clean plate on each return visit to the bar, buffet restaurant here)’s gang.
Happy Happy Birthday.
We’re so happy, too.
Happy Happy Birthday.
And many more to you!
Hey!
It could have been worse. I could have yelled for everyone to “Stop what you’re doin’ and swaller what you’re chewin’” and had the whole restaurant give you a big “YeeHaw”
Really, could you have asked for a better birthday dessert?
Happy Birthday!!
26. carole | June 22nd, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Happy Birthday!!! I’m about to hit 36, I may need some late-30s guidance…
27. Dawn | June 22nd, 2006 at 2:03 pm
You have joined the tragically hip Moms of 36 club. To you I say , Welcome.
28. jackie | June 22nd, 2006 at 2:07 pm
Happy 36th birthday!! I miss you terribly and wish we could be closer to celebrate. Love you!
29. nolamom | June 22nd, 2006 at 2:35 pm
Happy Birthday Jenn!
From all of us in the deep south of Louisiana
We are having “fry your eggs on the sidewalk” weather, hope you are having a beautiful day, and that you make a few good memories today, that you can add to you birthday memories list.
30. Angie | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:43 pm
Happy birthday and welcome to 36! Come on in, the water’s fine (and I swear there are no clowns!)
31. k | June 22nd, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Happy Birthday Jenn!
32. mrsmogul | June 22nd, 2006 at 4:40 pm
Oh man..pancakes! I haven;t had those in a year..THEY DONT sell them here!
33. Kelli | June 22nd, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Happy, Happy 36th!
34. Barb | June 22nd, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Oh to be 36 again…. and YOU don’t look a day over 25!
35. Jen | June 22nd, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Happy Birthday!
1. The weird things: I just stumbled onto your blog and I LOVE it! (ok, that’s not weird).
2. My name is Jen, too
3. Today is also my birthday.
If you live in the state of MD, I might keel over.
Anyway, haapy birthday!!!!
36. Spot the Wonder Dog | June 22nd, 2006 at 5:39 pm
They could have named you Hattie. Hattie Maddern. Woulda been no end of the Alice in Wonderland jokes.
I’d wish you a happy birthday, but “happy” seems like a rather inadequate summary of all the feelings I’m sure your mother had on the day she gave birth to you. I think a more… comprehensive… recollection of the experiences of that day would be a much more fitting tribute to the most recently ended year of your life.
37. alice | June 22nd, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Happy birthday! You are older than you were, and yet you are still younger than I am! Huzzah!
38. mamatulip | June 22nd, 2006 at 7:23 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
39. moxiemomma | June 22nd, 2006 at 8:14 pm
happy happy happy birthday!!
40. Deb | June 22nd, 2006 at 9:35 pm
Today its your birthday NUH NUH NUH NUH
It’s my birthday too, yea! NUH NUH NUH NUH
We’re gonna have a good time………
Here’s wishing you bubble baths and crimson storm doors!
41. Mom101 | June 22nd, 2006 at 10:19 pm
aw happy birthday jenn. You have some fine looking hair.
42. the Mater | June 22nd, 2006 at 10:25 pm
That’s caused she learned how to take care of her own hairstyle by the time she was six months old. It was never my thing!
And, jeez guys … what’s wrong with Matt Mattern? Geo is right - a weatherman on TV or a hunky football player :>)
Happy B-Day, Jenn - you didn’t answer your phone so I think you and David are out on the town celebrating!
43. Jenn | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:23 pm
Birthday Blog Safety Tips to Commenters Who Still Like the Name ‘Matt Mattern’:
If at all possible, refrain from telling the Internet that you are certain your daughter and son-in-law are NOT AT HOME AT EXACTLY 10:25pm.
To the Internet:
WE WERE AT HOME. WE ARE ALWAYS HOME AND OUR DOGS BITE AND WE HAVE BODYGUARDS NAMED SUGGAH B AND JETHRO THE SKULL.
44. Another Jen | June 23rd, 2006 at 12:55 am
I once knew a girl named Roberta Roberts — and her father was named Robert Roberts. Go figure.
45. Another Jen | June 23rd, 2006 at 12:55 am
Oh, and happy birthday!!
46. ozma | June 23rd, 2006 at 1:50 am
Happy Birthday! The only birthdays I seem to remember were the really horrible ones. So maybe if you can’t remember it’s best to assume you were happy.
YOU ROCK. 36! That’s a great age. Ya still look hot but you don’t care very much about looking hot. So this means that whatever hotness you have seems huge.
47. the Mater | June 23rd, 2006 at 6:59 am
Post-Birthday Comment to Blogger who lives at home, doesn’t travel, has large dogs and has an aversion to the name Matt Mattern: CHILL!
To the Internet: DON’T BELIEVE A WORD I WROTE. DO I KNOW? DO I HAVE A PENCIL? DAVID HAS A BLACK BELT IN KARATE.
Clueless in the City
48. MzVette | June 23rd, 2006 at 8:35 am
haha, you and The Mater crack me up Jenn!
Anyhow, another happy birthday message for you.
The birthday I remember the most, one of my kid parties that my mom turned into a costume party. I was a princess in pink (note: redheads should not wear pink). My grandmother showed up in full Chinese lady garb (ie white face, etc) and my younger brother (3 or 4 at the time) wouldn’t go anywhere near her.
49. geogirl | June 23rd, 2006 at 9:11 am
To the two commenters who worry about the internet:
You have nothing to fear from the internet. The internet is terrified of your house which apparently is full of ghosts and poop…..and ghost who like to watch you poop.
50. kris | June 23rd, 2006 at 9:24 am
OOOOO! Happy Belated Birthday to you, and enjoy those lovely pancakes, Jenn!
51. velocibadgergirl | June 23rd, 2006 at 11:58 am
Happy Birthday, one day late!
52. JenfromBoston | June 23rd, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Happy Birthday, Jenn! and many more!
My Dad wanted to name me after one of his old girlfriends (don’t remeber the name, but my mom called him on it and that one was quickly 86-ed) and then he wanted to name my sister Emily “lily” and my mom, the voice of reason once again, was all, “Lily Lilienthal?”
I guess I should be grateful Ilanded with Jennifer, even tho 1 in 4 girls born in 1973 also had it. Damn you Love Story! DAMN YOU!!
53. corymack | June 23rd, 2006 at 12:21 pm
happy birthday Jenn!
what a way to celebrate solstice!
from the one
who was
almost
melodygaymack
54. erika | June 23rd, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Happy Belated Birthday! I hope it was fantastic.
55. Diana | June 23rd, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Happy Belated Birthday!
Did Mrs. Kitchen help you with the pancakes?
56. Charlie | June 23rd, 2006 at 4:08 pm
Seriously, well not really…….
How come your b-day gets more comments than David’s Father’s Day? I will have to make up for it!
I just figured out by posting this I am adding to your b-day count…..hmmm.
57. Lanne | June 25th, 2006 at 8:57 am
I remember 24 of 30 birthdays…what can i say.. they were special.. i only had them once a year! and in December.. we waited a whole year to get anything at my house. And I got married in Dec… I had to have a child so I could get a gift midway through the year! Happy Birthday
58. Her Bad Mother | June 25th, 2006 at 10:04 am
Delurking (late) to say Happy Birthday (late). Better late than never, though, no?
Best wishes…
59. Coley | June 27th, 2006 at 4:31 pm
Happy belated birthday Jenn!!! xxx
60. Pamela Caproni | June 29th, 2006 at 8:32 am
Happy Belated Birthday Jen….. I’m out of town- so no phone call.
Hope all is well.
=)
Trackback this post