Friday, December 2, 2011

Happy Birthday Monster Child

Seven years ago today at 7:02 am, weighing in at 7 pounds 7 ounces, and 17 and a quarter inches, (don't know what it is with the 7's, hope they're lucky) my Monster was born (after 28 hours of labor I might add.)




She looked like a chipmunk, slept like an owl, and ate like a baby gorilla. I guess now I know where she gets her love of animals from. She was a lot of fun back then, I'd dress her up in her little outfits and we'd go to all sorts of places. We could never go anywhere without being accosted by at least 5 little old ladies who wanted to ooh and ahh over the most beautiful baby in the world. Kind of like a hot guy with a puppy on the beach, but not.

Evertime we went to my parents house, my father would make me take off her shoes and socks so he could kiss her toes. Yeah, I know, eewww, but hey, he's my father. My mother bought her all kinds of "princess" attire because, well, what else do you buy for a baby as beautiful as this?





During the last 7 years, I never thought my life would become what it has. There's been a lot of ups and downs, moves, changes in lifestyle, that I never thought I would ever do, but you know how it goes -- a baby changes everything. Truthfully, if she wasn't around, I think I would still be stuck in a restaurant somewhere spending my paychecks on shoes I would only wear once, dating the wrong kinds of men, and trying to keep up with Giada and The Barefoot Contessa. I can say without any doubt, I never would have written, or finished, any of my books, let alone published them.

The Monster has kept me grounded through all the joys and triumphs, bad times and uncertainty. For such a litle person, she's kept my head on straight, because it's not about ME anymore, it'a all about HER. And I don't even think I have to tell you how spoiled she is.

I can't tell you how much I am in love with her because that would take volumes. I thank God everyday for allowing me to have her in my life. She's smart, kind, a whizz at baseball, loves math (of all things), reads voraciously, (wonder where she got that from), forgets when I yell at her, writes me love notes all the time, and has an appetite the size of a grown gorilla. (The kid could eat macaroni and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner.)

Happy Birthday Monster Baby! You've made all my dreams come true.

32 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That is really sweet, Anne. Happy birthday to your pretty little Monster Child!

Anne Gallagher said...

Thanks Alex. I promised her I would try and get her as many birthday wishes from my friends as possible. She doesn't believe I can do it. You know how kids are.

Karen Baldwin said...

...and here are my birthday wishes to your precious, sweet and beautiful (monster) child. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Laura Pauling said...

What a wonderful post and a beautiful daughter. Children are a blessing!

Christine Danek said...

So sweet and she's beautiful. Happy Birthday to the little monster. :)

Anne Gallagher said...

Thank you Em, Laura, and Christine. She's going to be so excited when she sees this tonight.

Stina said...

Happy Birthday to a sweet little girl. Hope all your dreams for today and the future come true.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

What a beautiful little girl. (Wonder where she got that?) All children deserve a lot of love and a little bit of spoiling. Sounds like she's got that in spades.

Happy birthday, Monster Child.

Anne Gallagher said...

Thank you Stina and Susan. Very sweet of you to say.

Linda G. said...

Lucky number 7! Happy Birthday to Monster Child. She's gorgeous. :)

Anonymous said...

They do grow up so fast. Happy Birthday to your little one, who will soon be driving.

DL Hammons said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Monster Child! Enjoy your day!! Give your mom a HUG for us!! :)

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Hearing you call her Monster Child the last couple of years...now seeing her photo...I REALLY know how good you are creating a false setting.

Happy birthday to the birthday girl and her proud mamma.

--Mac

VR Barkowski said...

A beautiful post for a beautiful girl.

Happy birthday MC!!!

J.B. Chicoine said...

Now, why did I picture her with horns and scales? She's absolutely beautiful--like her mom! :)

Unknown said...

Oh my, your little monster child has grown into a princess! What a stunningly beautiful little girl!

Happy Birthday sweetpea, and love to your mum!

dolorah said...

She certainly is beautiful. Happy birthday Monster Child. I hope you had a Princess kind of day :)

Hi Anne; sorry I've been away so long. Hope you two have great weekend :)

.....dhole

Sarah Tokeley said...

I may be a little later, but happy birthday to a very beautiful little girl :-)

Sarah Ahiers said...

Happy Birthday Monster Child!! May you get all the wonderful things in life you want!

Francine Howarth said...

Happy Birthday beautiful child, and tell your mom she's the best! All moms need to be told that on occasion: it's good for morale! ;)

best
F

Anne Gallagher said...

Thank you everyone, for your kind words and birthday wishes for my girl. She was totally blown away that I did this for her. She said, "All those people are your friends? And they're wishing ME Happy Birthday." Monster or not, she is kind of cute when she's not having a meltdown.

Hope you're all well, I'm hoping to be back soon.

Creepy Query Girl said...

Awe, she's beautiful! They really do grow up so fast. My oldest will be 8 in February:)

Bish Denham said...

I'm late the to party, but NEVER late to wish your beautiful daughter, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. May the two of you always be best friends.

Patti said...

She is so cute! Happy birthday to your daughter. Aren't kids awesome.

Unknown said...

She's so pretty!! This is a beautiful post, so full of love. Happy belated Birthday to not-so-little-anymore Monster Baby!

Theresa Milstein said...

Very sweet post. Happy birthday to your daughter.

Al said...

Happy birthday to your young un!

Talli Roland said...

Aw, what a beautiful post - and what a gorgeous child! Happy Birthday, Monster Child! :)

Carol Kilgore said...

I can't believe I missed this post. Ack! Your daughter is beautiful. And probably gives you a kiss for calling her Monster :)

Happy Weekend!

Len Lambert said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter, Ann. She's a beauty! :)

Old Kitty said...

Awww HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your adorable daughter!! What a STAR!!! Take care
x

Tamara Narayan said...

What is with that half-smile thing? It's just so awesomely cute! Happy Birthday Monster! I have a seven-year-old too. She can assume the maturity of a twenty-five-year-old at the most unexpected moments.