Friday, June 19, 2009

Do I HAVE to let her grow up?

Yesterday was a sad day.....

Well, not really,

It was a great day, but I was still sad.....

Yesterday was Chelsea's 17th Birthday!

17

I cannot believe it has been 17 years since that joyous, horrible, scary, insane, mind-numbing day that my triplets were born.

On one hand, it seems like yesterday we were told that our little girl wouldn't make it through the night, and on the other hand, it seems like it was a lifetime ago,

A dream,

Somebody elses' life.

But it wasn't somebody elses' life...

It WAS and still IS our life!

Our wonderful, unusual life!

Instead of having a big, fancy expensive party, we decided to keep it low key, and have an entire "Mommy and Daughter's" day out.

The rules were.....there were no rules!

I told Chelsea she could go anywhere or do anything she wanted....I was just along to be the driver.

We started the day by opening presents.....Chelsea LOVE'S to open presents! (Of course, what person doesn't?)


Chelsea opening Jameson's gift....a star necklace that he picked out all by himself.



Chelsea thanking her baby brother!



This is the most beautiful necklace that my friend, Tracie from Chapel Lane Designs custom-made for my little girl! Tracie listened to my description of Chelsea, and created this one-of-a-kind necklace that fit her personality PERFECTLY!

(Tracie....SHE LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the necklace! It was the first thing she showed everybody!)

Go take a look at her FANTASTIC designs!
Her button is over there in my right sidebar ------->>>




Chelsea opening two pictures of "her man", Brandon Barash.



CUPCAKE TIME!



Now the presents are opened and the candles are blown out, she is ready for a brother-free day with mommy!



But BEFORE we get to Chelsea's "to-do" list, I had one more surprise for her....

We went to the courthouse and had and "official" Alabama ID made for her. An ID card looks the same as a standard driver's license, but with some changes that allow police officers to notice the difference. Chelsea will never be able to drive, but at least now, she has an official ID, just like all of her friends! She was THRILLED TO DEATH!

Now for Chelsea's picks for the day!

By the time we finally got finished with the ID process, we were starving, so off to one of Chelsea's favorite restaurants....


Los Mexicanos!

Marty and I first started eating at the original Los Mex when we were dating. We have been known to eat there two or three times a week! Through the years, we have continued to eat there, and the love of their food has passed on to our children!

I wanted to take pictures in the restaurant and have them sing "Happy Birthday" to her, but Chelsea said "NO WAY!" "I don't want you embarrassing me!" So, I left the camera in the car.

Much to MY dismay.

So, after a quiet, non-Happy Birthday singing lunch, we headed for her next picks...

Best Buy, where she ALMOST talked me into buying her a video I-pod. She ended up with a DVD and a CD. (The I-pod will have to wait until Christmas)

Dress Barn and Maurice's, where we got some cute clothes.




Then to Target for more clothes, some "high-heeled" shoes and browsing.

Then, in a spur-of-the-minute decision, we decided to get our hair cut!

Again, Chelsea didn't want me to bring the camera into the salon, so no pictures.

Chelsea always wants to keep her hair exactly the same, so mostly her bangs and the ends were trimmed up a bit. We did sneak in a layer or two, though.

I, on the other hand, got ALL of my hair whacked off. It's been exactly one year since I got my last cut, so am loving the shorter doo! I didn't have the stylist to blow and style it because it was getting late, so I will have to post pictures later.

So, after the hair cut, we headed back home and waited for Dad to get home.

Chelsea was so excited to show her daddy all of her birthday loot!



Chelsea showing off her new ID card.



Chelsea showing her stuff to her Nana.

We had an incredible and fantastic day together! Even though we didn't have a huge party or spend a lot of money, Chelsea thanked me over and over again. She kept saying "This has been the best birthday ever!" After she went home with her Nana, she called me at least 5 more times that night thanking me again and telling me how much fun she had.

**sigh**

She's not a baby anymore.

She is a beautiful, sweet, loving, smart, precious young woman.

Chelsea-Bell, you sure have come a long way!



I love you more than words could ever say and I wouldn't change you for anything in this world!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

20 comments:

  1. Can I just say two things?

    1. You are an AMAZING mom.
    2. Chelsea is such a tremendous gift from God!!

    I'm so thrilled you two wild women had a great day! :)

    Now..where are the pics of your hair?!?!?!!?

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  2. Robin: This was such a sweet post and the two of you are so lucky to have the kind of relationship you have!! Blessed :)

    Cameron will be 17 on August 6 and I can't believe it either! And of course you know Seth is jetting around the country WITHOUT ME!!

    I will be sending you some binding tape! Your gonna need it!

    Have a great weekend and tell Chelsea HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

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  3. Happy belated birthday Chelsea! What an awesome mom/daughter day! I love those kind of days! Then ending with a slumber party at nana's house, a perfect end to a great day I a sure! Sue

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  4. Chelsea is so beautiful! Happy birthday.

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  5. Happy Birthday Chelsea! She's making me feel old!!

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  6. Steph, YOU are making ME feel old! LOL!!

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  7. Happy B-day Chelsea. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Birthdays are sooo fun.

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  8. Happy Birthday Chelsea! Robin, she is such a precious girl. That smile must light up a room! And those eyes, such a wonderful gentle spirit shows from them. It sounds like you had a fabulous day. I so enjoyed this post. Hugs, Kathy

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  9. Robin, That is so darn sweet of you to ask about me, actually I hate to complain, but if I could cut off my foot and get a new one I would. I am just so darn sick of it hurting, but hey things could be way worse so we go on! AS I got to the end of you post I got to look at Chelsea's pics again, she just looks so very very happy, she has such a sweet all american look about her, what a doll! Thanks again for caring, it means alot! HAve a great weekend! Sue

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  10. Chelsea is truly beautiful! I LOVE the picture of her as a newborn- I had NO idea! Now I'm going to scan your blog and see if you have her story so I can read ALL about it! So happy to see you had such a great day- they just grow up too fast!!

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  11. What a great way to celebrate a Birthday! Loved all the photos; made me feel like I was along for the ride and all the celebrating. She is definitely your Miracle Girl. She is beautiful and PINK is definitely her color. "Happy Birthday Chelsea". Your girl is growing up, Robin!

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  12. Oh Robin- I just finished reading Chelsea's story (can't believe I didn't see that before), and, first of all, I want to say to you that I am sorry. I am sorry you lost your babies and I am sorry I didn't know until now! But I'm also happy- so happy that I've gotten the opportunity to know your WHOLE story- it's incredible! Your babies were ALL amazing and sweet, and I am so impressed that your marriage has survived so much! My oldest baby was born just a few months after your triplets, so I love looking at all the pictures- so similar to mine due to the time frame!! But then I'm sad to think about what you were going through when I was enjoying my first very healthy baby. Ahhh- the things we take for granted. Thank you for sharing your amazing story- now I realize how difficult it must be for you to follow blogs like Kayleigh's. You're an AWESOME family- God HAS blessed you!!!!

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  13. first of all... HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet Chelsea!! what a perfect way to spend a girl's birthday! thanks for sharing all the pics.. really did show how much fun she was having.. that smile.. my goodness! i am more than thrilled that she loved her necklace!!!! it looks AMAZING on her!!! [thanks for all the sweet things you said about me! you're the best!!] btw.. tell Chels that the new outfits were da bomb!! and i wish i could've been a fly on the wall when she got her ID... what a great moment for her! way to go MOM!! well, i'm off to pull myself together to see the family at the picnic..although i don't know why i'm bothering.. this heat, it can't last too long and the hair will be stuck to our heads in minutes anyway...LOL we'll head back to ohio in the a.m. actually think we're ready to be home. have a great weekend!!! :D xoxo -Tracie

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  14. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHELSEA!!!!A BIG KISS AND A BIG HUG ALL THE WAY FROM CANADA....XOOX..

    SILVIA..

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  15. What a wonderful day you both had!

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  16. Somehow came across your blog as Ive been blog hopping :) Thought Id say Hi :)
    :)
    candy

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  17. What a wonderful day you two had! Thanks for sharing it with all of us.

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  18. I have posted a link to your blog on mine. Hope that is okay.

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  19. Ack! I missed it...

    To a true miracle -

    Happy 18th Birthday, Chelsea. You are an inspiration to my family.


    xoxoxo from Iowa,
    Darcy
    & the boybarians

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  20. Happy birthday to Chelsea and a shoulder to sob on for mom! I totally understand. (((HUGS)))

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