Today is Celia's ninth birthday.
Nine years ago I was wondering if she was going to be a boy or a girl.
Upon learning she was a girl, I loudly exclaimed, "YEA! a girl who I can put in pig tails and tutus."
The tutu stage lasted a nano-second and all I have left is the pigtails. and my beautiful sunshine.
I'm truly lucky and blessed to have her as my child even if the road is sometimes soul-crushingly hard. Not because of her personally but due to all of the growing up stuff that comes with being a nine-year-old.
Her anxiety, her dyscalculia and her sensitive nature. In the end I know she will be a stronger person because internally, she is such a strong person.
I love you beautiful girl. You make my heart full of love, promise and strength.
love,
mommy
Happy birthday, beautiful girl!
Posted by: M | 05 May 2012 at 02:35 PM
She's beautiful! Happy birthday!
Posted by: Heather | 05 May 2012 at 04:15 PM
She looks very happy to be nine. Happy Birthday, Celia!
Posted by: Julie | 05 May 2012 at 04:17 PM
She is so obviously beautiful in all the ways that matter. (Wish I were close enough to help with the dyscalculia -- I do lots of math with lots of students, both gen ed and spec ed, because math was such a bear for me, and nowadays I'm pretty good at constructing bear traps...)
Posted by: grace in chattanooga | 05 May 2012 at 05:21 PM
Beautiful girl! Happy birthday, Celia!
Posted by: Amanda K | 05 May 2012 at 05:26 PM
Happy happy bday sweet girl.
Posted by: Danielle (elleinadspir) | 05 May 2012 at 06:51 PM
Happy Birthday, Celia!
(She has such beautiful hair for pony tails!)
Posted by: a | 05 May 2012 at 07:08 PM
Happy Birthday to Celia :) !!
Posted by: Sherri | 05 May 2012 at 08:06 PM
Happy birthday! It's always fun to get as many birthday wishes as possible!
Posted by: Betsey | 05 May 2012 at 09:19 PM
Happy Birthday 9 year old!
You are right....she is gorgeous! And I am jealous of all the beautiful hair :)
Posted by: M | 05 May 2012 at 10:23 PM
Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Missy | 06 May 2012 at 11:38 AM
Happy Birthday, Celia! I was a super shy, super sensitive 9 year old and I promise that it does get better. She's going to do great things.
Posted by: Sarah | 06 May 2012 at 02:57 PM
Happy birthday to Celia! I have dyscalculia as well, it's a real humiliating bitch. My second grader is about to surpass me in math ability, which is pathetic, I know.
Posted by: Melissa | 06 May 2012 at 04:41 PM
Happy birthday to your sweet girl!!
Posted by: annie | 06 May 2012 at 06:55 PM
Happy birthday pretty girl!
And happy birth day to you, mom!
Posted by: Kristabella | 07 May 2012 at 09:44 AM
NINE?!? I don't believe it.
Happy Birthday to the both of you. :)
Posted by: Angella | 07 May 2012 at 02:12 PM
She's just amazing, love that last picture. So powerful! Happy Belated Birthday to her!
Posted by: Pam | 07 May 2012 at 03:34 PM
That was such a beautiful tribute to your gorgeous girl! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Noelle | 08 May 2012 at 12:46 AM
Good gosh that is an ADORABLE birthday girl!
Posted by: DawnA | 08 May 2012 at 12:32 PM
Happy belated birthdy, Celia !!
Shana-such a beautiful post that mad me cry. I can only hope to be as great of a mom to my 2 daughters as I know you have been to yours !!
Posted by: Lacey | 08 May 2012 at 06:36 PM
Mi niño de segundo grado está a punto de superar en habilidad matemática, que es patético, lo sé. Eso fue como un hermoso tributo a su niña hermosa
Posted by: abercrombie españa | 16 May 2012 at 04:42 AM
When asked by the Social Security number as proof that you say they are, give only the last four digits.
Posted by: escrowit | 03 September 2012 at 10:01 PM