A Happy Birthday Post to My Youngest Daughter !
Taken at Surprise Baby Shower at Burrage's...( I was growing rounder and rounder as we waited thinking you would be here 'just after Christmas.' You did come 'just after Christmas'...about 3 weeks 'just after Christmas.'
Dad and LAW waiting patiently. We didn't know if you were a boy or girl...
A baby girl with a very large voice...
Was she a Princess? Ask LAW about the pencil eraser...
Early morning feeding...
Napping...
Long John's with a drop seat...
You could be found in any number of places...
A collage of memories...
Above: Your favorite place: with Grandmother while she sewed and your favorite look
Below: More precious memories...
Left: Dressed for Tea
Right: Dressed to Play in the Snow (It was 2 degrees below zero outside.)
You liked to do everything yourself, "Me do, it...Me do it." From planting your own garden in the front yard, later known as "The Famous Watermelon Incident" and Blow Drying your bangs so they stood straight up...later you whacked them off...
Your favorite cousin Melissa...Wayside Elementary...no teeth...
The memory you mentioned about Junior..."Aspen's Main Street...very cold..."
The Fishing Expedition...Cimarron...Taking the Shortcut...Fishy Mouths...
High School Graduation...Edison Tulsa...
Having fun with Best Friends...at OU...Where?
Three Best Friends...
Another Best Friend...Oklahoma State University...Go Pokes...
You are beautiful inside and out...
And now you are a "Mommy, Too". . .
The following is in no particular order...just typing away...
Once Upon a Time... "Dear Santa, I want a baby sister."
compassionate and caring - speaking your mind with diplomacy - strong yet vulnerable - a little impish - a lot sweetish - smiles and tears, giggles and guffaws - not too shy - growing up so fast - paving your own way - a quirky little look that melts hearts - sometimes having to follow in a big sister's footsteps - always making your own footsteps along the way - understanding and questioning - sensitive almost to a fault - considerate and kind - the epitome of everything a mom wants in a daughter - now you have a daughter of your own - all grown up but never out growing my heart - smiles through your tears - funny and serious - joyful moments of the present, hope and promises of the future, happy memories of the past: look at the head of hair on that baby - not much of a sleeper - couldn't keep you in your baby bed - dr. herb called you a grubber - let's see, there was the weather stripping off the door - the black bug that was still alive - dirt and rocks -the lawrence welk bubble incident with selsun blue- blowing bubbles out your mouth and nose - 'trimming' your bangs - murals on the walls - a bit of a biter - always my baby - always my best friend - always the little sister - defending like a mama bear - we've been to hell and back - the three of us - we learned survival - we learned to enjoy the moment - we hold fast those memories - kissing that bald head for good luck - we learned from mistakes - we anticipate the future - we were a team - we still are - it's difficult to stop writing because there is so much to say - I have to stop - just know that even though your dad and I had disagreements - there is one thing we do agree on and I know I can speak for him - WE LOVE YOU !
Sweet Birthday homage! Happy Birthday Brooke!
Posted by: mark | January 21, 2007 at 11:18 PM
Happy Birthday Brooke--my favorite name in the world--it's my daughter's name too!
Posted by: MSUgal86 | January 21, 2007 at 11:38 PM
Please add my Birthday wishes to the chorus!
Posted by: Willowtree | January 22, 2007 at 12:04 AM
That was beautiful, Swampy! Happy Birthday Brooke, and Happy Birth Day Momma. :O)
Posted by: Mary (mert) | January 22, 2007 at 12:36 AM
wow.... thats alot of pictures loading for Brooks Birthday wish.
She really was upset when she was born.. just look at her howl. Oh I love newbies.
Posted by: Pamela | January 22, 2007 at 12:52 AM
How beautiful these pictures are!! What a nice blog! Have added you to my favourites - Hope you don't mind! Erik
Posted by: Erik | January 22, 2007 at 04:09 AM
Beautiful.
Happy Birthday Brooke.
Love the pictures.
Posted by: Janet a.k.a Wonder Mom | January 22, 2007 at 05:32 AM
Wow, Swampy, WHAT A TRIBUTE! Lovely gift for Brook (Happy Birthday from Tennessee!!)
Between scanning these pictures and linking all those songs in your last post, I don't see how you've had time to use the bathroom or eat or drink coffee! You go, bloggergirrrrl!
Posted by: Robin | January 22, 2007 at 06:49 AM
Beautiful walk down memory lane for your daughter. She's a beauty like her mother.
Posted by: janet | January 22, 2007 at 07:10 AM
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! You have to stop making me cry at work Mom!!!! Thank you for the birthday wishes! It made me feel VERY special!! I love you!! I can't wait to see you and LAW next month!!
Posted by: SWAMPSPAWN | January 22, 2007 at 07:18 AM
You have 2 beautiful daughters. . .
Happy Birthday Brooke!
Posted by: Shauna | January 22, 2007 at 08:11 AM
Beautiful daughter. Happy Birthday. I love your birthday tributes.
Posted by: Nessa | January 22, 2007 at 08:42 AM
What a beautiful and touching tribute! Happy birthday to you, Brooke. And happy birthing day to you, my friend.
Posted by: Jenny | January 22, 2007 at 09:58 AM
Beautiful daughter!
The picture of her crying as a new born made my eyes water.
Posted by: Vicki | January 22, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Oh my, I don't even know you IRL, but you made me tear up! Wonderful tribute. Love the photos! What a beautiful daughter.
~*~*Happy Birthday!~*~*
Posted by: momto3cubs | January 22, 2007 at 12:03 PM
What a beautiful daughter! and beautifully told. Thank you so much for sharing the memories and photos, just lovely. D :)
Posted by: FF | January 22, 2007 at 12:45 PM
happy birthday, wow what a beautiful family you have
Posted by: her indoors | January 22, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Thanks to ALL of you for taking the time to wish Brooke-ums a Happy Birthday. Like she said...they made her feel special. My "front door" post will be up tomorrow.
Posted by: swampy | January 22, 2007 at 05:22 PM
What wonderful pictures...you have posted a beautiful family photo album. Your picture of Brooke in the stove reminds me of our son crawling in the stove drawer at about the same age...ah the memories.
Posted by: mjd | January 22, 2007 at 06:27 PM
I don't know if it's 'cause that was just so darned sweet or if it's 'cause I've got a daughter, too, but I'm just sittin' here all weepy now.
You have a beautiful family, Swampy!!
Posted by: Stephanie | January 22, 2007 at 10:25 PM
Happy Birthday Brooke.
Posted by: Brian | January 23, 2007 at 07:06 AM
Thank you all for the birthday wishes!! I had a great Birthday!!
Posted by: SWAMPSPAWN | January 23, 2007 at 08:17 AM
What a wonderful memories in pictures you shared with all of us, Thank you!!! She is so beautiful and talented!!! Great looking family!
Posted by: Pretty lady | January 23, 2007 at 08:34 AM
Misty eyes, blink blink blink.
I bet she is a wonderful Mommy... and I bet it has a lot to do with her wonderful mommy!
I'm late, but Happy Birthday to Brooke!
Posted by: marnie | January 24, 2007 at 07:33 PM