There was a huge difference in my experiences having Jake at 24 and Sara at 36. Plus, two active older boys to take care of while sleep-deprived made it tough.

Oh, wow, the thought of having a child at that age, which is to say, my age now, is exhausting.

I was 45 when Matilda was born.

Hey, my mom was forty when she had me; I got nothing against it, but I just cannot imagine it for myself. ETA: also, being single and never having had a child adds to that.

Matilda's actually been less tiring than Emmett was (who I had at 35).

He was a terrible sleeper. And she's more capable of keeping herself entertained on her own than he ever was.

Sometimes it's less about your age and more about what that kid needs.

Earlier today, I was having a conversation with a friend (of my parents') who was saying that if she had realized earlier how little high school matters, she would have gone easier on her kids.

Relatedly, I survived my 20th high school reunion. It was fine. Someone said I look good, so I call it a success, overall. And I didn't have to take the cab with my fucked-up friend, so that's good.

Someone said I look good

How was your eye makeup? Hoorish or glam?

Oh, you know, both. Except if you ask anyone else, apparently it was normal.

I just woke up (after barely falling asleep) with the idea for the cookie swap: intense lemon sandwich cookies with biscoff spread filling! Now just to find a local source of biscoff spread and a super lemony wafer that isn't too hard...

I had Lillian at 30, and she's exhausting.

Well, and there's physiological stuff too for sure. Not to cross the human line, but horses like Seabiscuit ended up having larger than normal organs that did stuff like increased his lung capacity and blood supply but cost him in terms of lifespan. When it comes to athletics or physical arts like dance, that stuff plays in. Is it talent that gives Alex Wong unnatural flexibility and extension? No, but something let's him take advantage of it.

Seabiscuit never had an autopsy when he died, but chances are high that he'd been drugged to the gills while running, which may've had more to do with him dying at 14 than anything else.

Secretariat, who did have a enormous heart, most likely died at the age of 19 due to his chunky monkey status, given that he foundered. (More to do with the farm not exercising the studs than anything.)

The suspected X-Factor (big hearted) horses don't appear to have a shorter lifespan than than their peers. Man O' War, for example, died at 30.

Argh. I can now stay up until 1 fine, but apparently can't sleep past 8 ever. Annoying! (Apologies to those of you for whom seven hours would be an incredible luxury.)