Our starter child didn't do much to ingratiate herself at the beginning. First, she had to be pried out sideways. Then there was the colic, and the eternal puking and general contrariness that tested the limits of my single, rather smallish maternal gene. I wasn't sure I'd ever forgive her for needing less sleep than I did. Added to that muddled mess was a heaping case of postpartum depression... back when they thought support groups were the answer to 'snapping out of it'. Unfortunately, I wasn't a snapper. So the beginning was... hard, but Alpha just went right on with the business of growing in spite of me.
Back in the early days, when we'd be out on the town, restocking the diaper or wine supplies, people would ask her age, as curious people do when confronted with mini-people. Besides being confused by whether to use weeks or months for baby-life measurement, I also had to brace for the inevitable eyebrows shooting up and the stifled 'Wtf do you feed her?!'
Baby steriods, duh!
She was always the biggest (and best) in her daycare and preschool classes. She was durable and virtually indestructible. She was popsicle sticks to the other toothpick kids - off the growth charts. This was a real blessing for her inept parents.
There have been the minor ups, downs and head butts over the years and I'm sure more will come but I have to say that I couldn't be happier or more proud to have Alpha as my daughter. She is smart and principled and responsible and many other good things. Bestly she is not her mother, or what her mother was at 19. For that, I thank God every day.
Did I mention that she is awesome... and pretty, too?
By the way, she's still darn durable but she quit growing about 7 or 8 years ago... too bad about my WNBA dreams. Happy Birthday, Alpha!
** Photo by Shanna
16 comments:
It is great to be 19! Hopefully she will have a great year.
She is very cute. Happy Birthday!!!!!!
She's gorgeous, Jane!! And obviously was smart enough to pick great parents.. I know she'll continue to make you proud.. You must have done something right!
Happy Birthday Alpha!!!
Ahhh... she is one beautiful young lady, I can see why you are so proud. Happy Birthday Alpha!
Happy Birthday, alpha!!!!!!
Happy birthday Alpha!
She's a beautiful young lady.
HBD Alpha! You'll make it despite your mom. BTW Jane, loved the parenting discription! I'll pass it on to my DIL. Bless her heart she's raising two boys plus putting the finishing touch on my son.
j
She is so gorgeous. Happy birthday to you both!
Happy 19 Alpha! Sounds (and looks) to me like you did an outstanding job ;)
Thanks for the link!
My oldest will be 19 in March. I'm feeling your pain and wonder of how it got to this point so quickly.
Happy Birthday Alpha.
Have a great Sunday.
I think the poppy thing is just a Canadian (and British thing) but I did hear that there is poppy month in the US in May.
She is beautiful... and she sounds pretty terrific. I have one of those indestructible ones, too... I expect to do a post like this one in 10 years (if I make it that long, as I'm NOT indestructible and the kid makes me want to jump off a cliff sometimes!).
Happy Birthday, Alpha!
Happy 19th Birthday!!!
Award for you... come get it...
What a beautiful young woman. I'm sure your mothering skillz are fantastic, afterall, you have TWO and the last of your offspring seems to be thriving as well. Hugs to you today, Jane! I'll get back to see you and catch up soon.
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