Everyone says that having a child changes your life.
Everyone is right.
Having this kind, insightful, brilliant, beautiful, tender, loving soul enter our lives changed everything.
Monkey has taught us so many lessons and brought us so much joy.
Thank you, Dear One, for choosing us as your parents and for showing us how glorious parenthood could be.
A trip through the 18 years of Monkey birthdays:
2002:
Wow! That was a day. 😍
2003:
The neighbors and the Grands for a birthday party.
2004:
The state fair tradition begins. (She’s enthralled by the horse show here.)
Little brother appears.
2005:
Back to the state fair.
Little brother can walk.
2006:
Beloved skirt from Aunt Liz and Uncle Tony.
She was a dress girl back then.
Terror at the state fair.
2007:
Great-Grandpa Frank gives a push.
Little Sister has joined the crew.
2008:
One of the crazy birthday cakes appears.
Back to the State Fair.
2009:
Birthday joy.
Birthday party in Reston.
2010:
2011:
Splashing away on a hot August day.
The sibs.
2012:
Mother/Daughter Book Club at Massadoah!
Horrible Books for the winning present.
2013:
We had just moved to TN and were still waiting on our stuff.
Managed to muster a beautiful cake.
2014:
Cake decorating progresses.
We made it back to the fair.
First time we met Jeremy!
2015:
The cake decorating provides much joy.
2016:
Yogurt birthdays also good!
Teresa’s getting married; of course the state fair is involved.
2017:
We made her be in the car on her birthday, so we stopped for a delicious birthday meal in St. Louis.
Made it home for cake.
This was later in August, but Monkey’s face here cracks me up.
2018:
Vienna birthday!!
It was a great day.
2019:
We phoned in this cake. 😂
Happy Birthday!
2020:
I caught her at the grocery store where she and Grandma went to pick up her chosen birthday cake and ice cream. She promised me she was smiling under the mask.
Cakes, travel, state fairs and so much more have filled the years. Monkey’s built her calm, centered, storytelling, and wisdom, staying true to herself, while being surrounded by love.
Happiest of birthdays, First Kiddo. Have a fantastic day!
