A Decade And a Half Ago

There's something about the firstborn's birthday that brings the nostalgia front and center. I think it's because all vestiges of parental innocence were stripped away when Becky was born. The visions of a newborn quietly sleeping after a perfectly burped meal were replaced with projectile vomit, explosive diapers, rashes that defy human understanding, and colic in the wee small hours of the night.

The OH MY WORD, WHAT ON EARTH DO I DO WITH THIS NEWBORN stage was quickly replaced by the teenage years. We blinked. It's getting to the point that I'm afraid to close my eyes at all.

Fifteen years ago today, I was threatening the life of the poor Army intern in the maternity ward. I have often thought of that boy over the years. Did he become a eunuch? Did he go AWOL? Did he beg his recruiter to change career fields?

Fifteen years ago today the temps in Alaska registered somewhere around negative thirty. Fifteen years ago today, the Northern Lights danced; not just in the usual green, but in a rainbow of colors in celebration of the birth of our baby girl.

Fifteen years ago today our lives changed forever in ways that we never imagined. All for the better. Parenthood rocks.

Happy birthday, Becky.

14 comments:

the planet of janet said...

happy birthday to your baby girl/young lady!

don't blink ...

pghrugbyangel said...

Happy Birthday, Becky!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Becky! I love the pictures in the photo collage - she is such a beautiful young lady.

Roger Miller said...

Happy Birthday Becky!! Enjoy learning how to drive this next year. :)

Viv said...

Happy Birthday Becky!

Just this week someone asked my son how old he was, and he said, "I'm turning 13 this year." To which I replied, "What? No, you're not!" And, of course, he in fact IS. The days go on for what seems like eons sometimes, but, those years really pass me by.

Trisha said...

Happy Birthday, Becky!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Becky!!!!

Cecily R said...

Happiest birthday Becky!!!!!

Kim Dettmer said...

Awww...what a wonderful reminder to enjoy the NOW! I hope your daughter (and you) have a wonderful birthday celebration!

HalfAsstic.com said...

Oh my gosh! 15 already! You know what they say... Time flies when you're having fun!
Happy Birthday, Becky!

Karen Deborah said...

girl all your kids are so cute!
Happy Birthday BEcky!!!

The Sports Mama said...

*sigh*

We really are going to have the prettiest grandbabies.... in at least a dozen years or so.

I messaged her a happy birthday...hope she got it! :)

Michelle said...

happy 15th birthday to Becky!

JennyH said...

Awe- what a cutie! Hope she had a great 15th birthday!!