My Baby turns 28 today. Where did the time
go? I remember so vividly being pregnant with her, as if it just happened. I craved chocolate, guacamole, ice cream and Mexican food all the time. Those are foods she still loves. Coincidence? I think not. Anyone who has raised children knows it’s not always easy. But those challenges make us stronger, and it makes our bond stronger, as well. I had the luxury of being a stay at home mom, and having that time with My Baby when she was little was a great gift – for both of us. When she was little, we were inseparable. When her first day of pre-school came, I anticipated tears and anxiety. I just didn’t anticipate they would be mine. As she stepped into her little classroom for the first time, she ran directly to the other kids and never looked back. Thankfully, 
my mother-in-law was there to pick me up off the carpet, tell me to stop throwing a tantrum, and dry my tears. When she was in elementary school, I was a parent volunteer. That volunteer work eventually turned into a full-time job, and we “went to school together” each day. The extra time she had after school while I was still working, gave her extra time with her teachers as she volunteered to stay and help or spent time in my office doing homework. I think that experience helped form her decision to go into education as a college student. She is now a second grade teacher, and she still has that love of the classroom. She thrives on being there for her students and 
nurturing them into children who love learning, just as she did. It’s another one of those “life coming full circle” moments I’ve written about before. We don’t always know if our children are watching or learning from our example, then one day we see them in the roles we previously played, and it all comes back around. I see patience in her as an adult that I never saw in her as an only child. I see the way she expresses joy and excitement and affection with my grandbabies, and it makes me very proud. She is a reflection of me in many ways, but her own woman in many others. She is a beautiful person, inside and out. She is an
independent thinker, a compassionate teacher, a devoted wife and mother, and one of my very closest friends. I couldn’t be more proud of the person she has become, and I can’t imagine having a better daughter. Simply put, she is amazing. She is my greatest accomplishment and my proudest achievement. And isn’t that what every mother dreams of for her children? So today, The Complete Package and I share our warmest wishes for our daughter. Happy birthday, honey. We love you.
Happy Birthday to My Sweet Baby Girl
Filed under Family Stuff
Inside NanaBread's Head 
Happy Birthday to both of you!
I always say “Happy Birthday” to the mom and the child! It was her entry into the world and your birth as a mom! Your daughter is blessed to have a mom like you! What a beautiful post!
Thanks, KJ! What a wonderful way to share the celebration of her birthday. And I think we’re blessed to have each other. Very blessed.
Oh, what a tribute! That was beautiful! Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Thank you for the sweet comments, Jennifer. I guess this is the week for childrens’ birthdays! I hope your sweet boy Ray had a wonderful 10th birthday. I’m making his cupcakes for My Baby this weekend. She’s going to swoon over them. And then run for an hour.
Wow, what a wonderful, heartfelt post. Happy Birthday!
Kandi, thank you so much for thinking of My Baby on her special day. I’ll be returning the favor by thinking of your Charley today, on his special day (wink, wink). Good luck!
at home with a sick Marley Bear on my lap we read your post together. She wiped away my loose tears { sniff sniff }. happy birthday. :)
Awww…I’m sorry to hear that Marley Bear is sick! How special that you were able to read this with her in your lap, and that she was there to wipe away the tears. It seems very appropriate. Please give her a kiss and tell her that I hope she’s feeling better very soon.
She’s beautiful. Happy birthday to her and congratulations!
Thanks, Mads!
What a beautiful tribute to your daughter. Happy Birthday to her! I swear Jeanne, either you make me cry because I’m laughing so hard, or crying from emotion. Moral of the story: no mascara when reading NanaBread. ;)
Sorry about the mascara. I’ll be happy to send you a tube of my favorite waterproof, if you’ll promise to keep reading!
Well, I guess it’s a good thing I read this after the kids have left for the day. I can’t say enough how grateful I am and how proud I am of the friendship we have. I am proud to tell everyone that my mom is my best friend! You taught me a million valuable lessons, and I only hope that I can have the same bond with Lilly as she grows. It’s no secret, I was difficult as a baby and as a teenager, but you stuck with me and we made it through. Thank you so much for believing in me, supporting me (even when you didn’t agree with me at first) and being my best friend. I love you, Mom.
I agree with KJ – Happy Birthday to you too!!
I love you, too, honey.