Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Stay Calm, We Have a Teenager

My eldest daughter turned 13. THIRTEEN! Wasn't I just 13 myself? Wasn't my first baby born, like, a couple months ago? What is happening to the space-time continuum?

One of these days, I will sit down and write out the story of her first month of life. I am not exaggerating when I say that she lay at death's door. Her early adventures included a medical evacuation from Alaska by Lear jet to Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. She wasn't a premie—far from it—she was born 9 days overdue, which led to her health problems but ironically may have also helped her survive her fight against PPHN and sepsis and treatments by nitric oxide and high frequency oscillatory ventilation and various hardcore medications. Doesn't that sound like a fun read?

Until I get around to that emotional post, let's all eat another slice of birthday cake and praise God for our happy, healthy girl.



Dinner last night: smoked salmon pasta alfredo with broccoli

Exactly one year ago:
Time Flies

Exactly two years ago:
Nature vs. Nurture





17 comments:

heather@actingbalanced.com said...

Happy Birthday from South Carolina.

My daughter turns 13 in two months - she's totally ready, me - not so much... but it comes whether we want it or not...

Heather~sheaaa6 said...

Oh my word 13.......I have 2 more years until that number is a reality. =\
Her birth story sounds mighty emotional and scary. =\ Look at her now though..........amazing!
Hope she has a wonderful birthday celebration. =]

Mother Mayhem said...

♫ Happy Birthday! ♫

Sweetums just turned 15. EEP.
She started out rough too.

Anonymous said...

I hope she has a wonderful day. They grow up so fast.

Gaspegirl said...

Happy Birthday to a beautiful blessing! My oldest daughter turned 15 in January... so I know how you are feeling!

Make it a great day!

Kathy G said...

Love the big pile of clothes in her lap! Hope she had a great birthday.

Karen Mortensen said...

Happy Birthday. She looks like an amazing girl.

April said...

Just wait until she hits the Sweet 16...that was a tough one for me with my oldest daughter. Oh, don't even get me started on how I felt when she turned 18. Why do they have to grow up? Hope your daughter has a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Helene said...

Oh wow, I had no idea her birth was so traumatic. And look at her now....on the verge of her teen years. World, look out!!!

Happy 13th birthday to your BABY girl!!

Stephanie Faris said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

That's an amazing story. She grew up to be a beautiful young woman.

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

Praise God indeed. Happy Birthday to your teen!

Stef said...

Give her a birthday hug (if she'll allow it!) I remember putting my mom through, uhm, well you know...during my teenage years...its something I now apologize to her for repeatedly.

Making It Work Mom said...

Oh Happy Birthday to her!!! I don't know if I will survive the teen years with my daughter and my husband in the same house! I hope you are having better luck.

LisaDay said...

Happy birthday. Glad to see you have a healthy, happy 13 year old.

LisaDay

Karen M. Peterson said...

My condolences, congratulations, and best wishes for welcoming a teenager into the house!

Unknown said...

and to think she didn't stop at scaring you then! I remember the story of her running out of the house across the street when she was tot too!

JD said...

Wow. That does sound like quite a story. Glad she is happy and healthy! My eldest is amount 5, going on 15. My other is 2 going on ... 2.5, I guess. She is SO a two year old.