birthdays

Each September, women nine months pregnant must hope their babies find a way to come before or after the 11th of the month. In fact, doctors report women schedule C-sections to avoid the date. Still, it happens, and these new babies join the people who already share the anniversary of their birth with the anniversary of a national tragedy.

For a piece that ran this past weekend, the New York Times interviewed people born on 9/11. One woman says she attends a memorial service each year before she feels entitled to celebrate. And many say they forego celebrations all together, feeling that it's inappropriate to go all out when people around the country are mourning the loss of family and friends. Others don't take it personally. Another woman explained: "When I look back on 9/11, it’s an event that happened on one day in the monumental number of birthdays I hope to have in my life. That day does not represent me, it represents a horrible event."

I bet most of us know someone born on Sept. 11. It's an unfortunate coincidence, but I think I would feel comfortable celebrating my birthday. What about you?

How do your pets react if you sing at or in front of them?

Actress Kristen Bell gave us all a good excuse to get nostalgic this week when she discussed her recent birthday. Kristen said that since turning 30, she feels like it's been her best year yet. I asked you all to share your favorite age so far, and here are some of the sweeter answers.
• "25! I had a good job, enough money to buy my first designer dress for my 25th birthday, and a really fun party with tons of lovely friends at a downtown cabaret. I just remember feeling really loved and like my life had hit its stride." — jadenirvana
• "Age 8 instantly popped into my head. I loved where I lived, was surrounded by great friends, had tons of freedom & places to explore, few responsibilities and didn’t know much about the world beyond my favorite little town." — Stephley
• "23 (because my adult life really started that year) and 17 (because being a senior in high school is tons of fun)." — onlysourcherry

To see the rest read more!

Kristen Bell turned 30 in July, and so far it's been the best year of her life. Like many women on the other side of their 20s, Kristen feels more comfortable with herself. The actress tells Parade magazine:

"I love 30 more than I've ever loved anything. I feel like I was born on my 30th birthday. It's finally the time where I've fully accepted and loved myself, which I'm realizing more and more each day."

So far in your life, which year would you consider your best? Was it a milestone year like 30? That year you spent studying abroad? The year you reached an important career goal? Or maybe this year?

Today President Obama turns 49! The relatively youthful president has plans for a low key birthday this year because Michelle and Sasha have jetted off to Spain for vacation and Malia is away at camp. But he won't be lonely. Obama will head to Chicago to enjoy a birthday dinner with friends, and he'll stay the night in his house in Hyde Park. Since next year the president celebrates his half-century mark, he might mark the milestone with a bigger celebration, but his plans tonight sound perfectly relaxing to me. On your birthday, what do you like to do?

One of our lovely interns, Victoria, is back in the office for the Summer, and we recently found out this weekend she will be celebrating her 21st birthday. "You didn't tell us this weekend is your 21st birthday!" PartySugar interjected excitedly. "What are you doing? Do you know where you are going?"

As we oohed and ahhed over her plans (she is hitting up one of my favorite pasta spots, Farina), we also reminisced about our own rites of passage. For the big two-one, PartySugar threw a cocktail party at her grandfather's house, complete with a purple carpet for guests.

As for me, my parents took me to Spec's Liquor Warehouse to buy an assorted case of wines, which went alongside a spectacular dinner with friends. (Perhaps the following birthday, which was spent dancing atop Austin, TX, bars, would've made for a more traditional celebration.) How did you spend (or do you plan to spend, for you young-ins) your 21st birthday?