Saturday, May 21, 2011

18

My daughter Steph turns eighteen today and with it comes a sense of disbelief at how fast time has passed.  It does only seem like yesterday that this "little ray of sunshine" came into the word, and truly she was. Right from day one she was a happy - always smiling - baby, and a happy-go-lucky toddler (tantrums were a rarity although a subsequent child well and truly made up for that).  Steph has grown into a confident young woman who is not afraid to speak her mind, and be her own person. 


I have so many fond memories of Stephanie's childhood, and these are just a small sampling:
  • Steph could run before she could walk and subsequently had many a major fall which made my heart skip a beat, although she'd always get straight back up and carry on. 
  • Right up to the age of 3 she invariably had an object of some sort in her mouth, from crayons, tan bark at the park, sand, stones, sticks, marbles and Barbie shoes ~ a constant concern.
  • Steph loved dressing up and spent many months wearing a combination of her Fairy Dress and a Snow White Dress until they fell apart. Other than that, she had little interest in clothes although pink became a recurrent theme.
  • She rarely played with dolls, and preferred time in the sand pit, drawing, scissors, rolls and rolls of sticky tape, and water play.  She LOVED water and was so drawn to it that we removed an inground pool from our backyard for her safety. 
  • She was curious and unpredictable ~ you just never knew what she was going to do next, including freezing her tongue to the refrigerator element, and burning her chin on a light globe whilst playing "shadow puppets"!
  • Steph endured 1 term of Tap, Jazz and Ballet classes after which she took up Karate and eventually became a Black Belt in Karate and the #1 ranked 13&Under ~ Australian Champion in 2002.
  • Steph is a great traveler and adapts quickly and effortlessly to living out of a suitcase.  She loves history and probably enjoyed and appreciated that aspect of our travels more so than the rest of us.
  • Steph has been a trouble free teenager who loves all things computer and internet.  She sure comes in handy when coding HTML and connecting the printer which has once again un-installed itself.

    I hope you have a wonderful day today with your friends and family Steph, and I look forward to what the next 18 years may bring.  May this last year at school be a memorable one; enjoy your friends, work hard, and I know your dreams will come true.  You're destined for a bright future!

    Happy Birthday!
    Much love,
    Mumxox

    33 comments:

    1. Very sweet. Thanks for the peak at your little, (or not so little now) darling. Happy Birthday.

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    2. Lovely post. Thanks for sharing. Happy Birthday to Seph!

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    3. Happy birthday Steph.
      I hope Mum made you a lovely quilt!!
      xx

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    4. my daughter stephanie turned 19 last friday......had to chuckle when i read your post. good luck to your daughter and may the world treat her right in everything she does.

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    5. oh my goodness - what is that beautiful birthday "cake"??

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    6. Aww this is lovely! Best birthday wishes to your Steph :)

      P/S: She sounds like my kinda girl :)

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    7. Congrats on your accomplishment of such a great daughter! That is a very cool cake by the way!

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    8. Another May birthday! Happy Birthday Steph!!

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    9. What a beautiful girl! I know you're very proud of the person it sounds like she's becoming.

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    10. It does go fast, my son turned 18 in March, love the cake! Happy Birthday Steph!

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    11. Wow! Happy 18 years of motherhood!
      Monika in Canada

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    12. Your comments make me remember a little girl who did nothing but chew gum when she was three years old..because Gramma told her she could! I couldn't get it out of her mouth..not even for pictures...

      Thank you for sharing...and Happy Birthday Steph!
      Toni
      www.lifeinapinkbunnysuit.com

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    13. So fun! Happy Birthday to your not-so-little girl. As the mother of an 18 month old, your list made me laugh and nod my head 'yes'!

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    14. What a wonderful post. Happy birthday to your "little girl".

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    15. Great post. Happy Birthday Steph. If your ever in Canada let me know.I love the cake. What is it.

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    16. Happy Birthday Steph, what a seminal moment this could turn out to be for you.

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    17. My daughter turns 18 today also. Happy 18 to Steph and a big happy 18th to my daughter Hayley. Well done Rita on raising a wonderful daughter.

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    18. Happy Birthday Steph! Have an awesome day. xo

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    19. Now I've come over all wobbly lower lip! Happy birthday Steph and Rita...

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    20. Well done Rita and Happy Birthday Steph!

      Enjoy the party and the fun times ahead, enjoy it all - it all goes by far too quickly.

      xx

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    21. Happy Birthday Steph - where have those years gone - it really doesn't seem that long ago that we were pushing you in the pram! I hope you have a wonderful night - enjoy!
      Cheers,
      Karen

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    22. Happy birthday to your daughter Steph. She sounds like a real sweetheart. I hope she has fun celebrating 18. Jacinta

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    23. I hope your dear daughter has had a wonderful birthday! What a sweet post!

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    24. Happy Birthday, Steph!! Wonderful memories and sentiments! It sounds like you are describing my daughter to a "T". She will be 18 this year as well and could be the American version of Steph.

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    25. Sounds like she's got a great future ahead of her! Happy birthday!

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    26. I love that she's smiling in every photo except the one where she must have been at THAT age!!! Happy Birthday Steph, I hope that your adult life brings you joy, happiness and lots and lots of love ♥

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    27. Happy birthday Steph!!! May you have a long peaceful and happy life with your loved ones... :)

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    28. Happy Birthday Steph.
      Rememerber the day as yesterday,that you my first grandchid were born.
      So many times have I pushed you in the pram to the park for playtime.
      We loved you very much xox.
      Opa & Oma..

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    29. happy birthday Steph.

      Love the pictures...they are gorgeous


      http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rosabellebyvasu

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    30. Happy Birthday for your daughter, Rita! I am sure she is an amazing girl! With a fabulous hair color, I might add :D

      I had an urge last week to send you something :D, now I know why :)) And I'll make it double :D. Hopefully she will enjoy something for her 18y and one - two month birthday :)

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    31. How quickly time flies! I remember when my baby (daughter) was 18 and graduated high school and now she's 34 and married. Where does the time go?

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    32. What a great post! I can't believe our son is turning 18 too this year. Love all the pics and hope Steph had a wonderful birthday

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    33. How very sweet, I hope she enjoys your reminiscences of her childhood...

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