Twenty years ago today I was surrounded by my family and a midwife after leaving my algebra class when I went into labor with Mallory. It was a noisy, frenzied day that scared the hell out of me. The look on my father’s face just about killed me because I knew he hated to see me in any kind of pain. It was repeated on my mother’s face and my sister’s faces, too.
When everyone finally left the room I leaned down to whisper to this new creature, “I really don’t want to screw this up.” She didn’t cry, wiggle, or move very much at all. Then, when it finally sank in that this was happening, I started to sing to her. It wasn’t a song that was popular at the time or something that had even been in my head and yet it was perfect.
Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she wonderful? Isn’t she precious? Less than one minute old…
Happy Birthday, Mallory.
Happy Birthday Mallory! And happy “Twentieth Anniversary of Being a Mom” Kelly!
She’s still lovely, wonderful and precious after twenty years, isn’t she?
Happy birthday mallory! she really is beautiful.
Yup, she’s lovely!
Oh Kelly! You make me weep. You did such a wonderful job with that precious little life. And yes, she is lovely. Happy Birthday to both of you.
That song is oh so appropriate. Stevie wrote that song in 1976 to mark the birth of his own daughter Aisha. Nothing like a little girl…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isn't_She_Lovely
Hugs,
Happy Birthday, Mallory!
Happy Birthday Mallory! Tell your gorgeous mom to take you out for a Margarita!
Kelly, isn’t it amazing how fast time flies? Can you believe your baby is 20?
**HAPPY BIRTHDAY**
Congrats on twenty years of being a proud wonderful Mama Kelly!
She is a beautiful, wonderful young woman! You did a good job mom!
Jennifer
)
Ahhh! Twenty! I remember that age (vaguely). Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful birthday.
Tanilan
Happy Birthday Mallory!
Now to you Kelly….you know….you could come and vist and comment on my site but NO! I will be too busy grading extended responses the next few days to visit your site….
she is such a miracle baby! Congrats Kelly and HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY MALLORY!!
Happy Birthday Mallory! Hope it was Great!
Kelly, congratulations on a job well done!
First and foremost: Happy belated birthday to Mallory! Yes, I am keeping up with posts just not keeping up with commenting(bad me, bad me).
Okay, 2ndly, I’ve been aiming for days to comment on the new lens that you got. I am so jealous. Yes, I have a 75-300mm zoom lens and yes, I have a 100mm micro lens, but I don’t have that comination in one lens. No, seriously, I’m excited that you got the new lens. And did you know this little fact. The Canon digital SLR cameras have some type of crop factor. If I remember right, it’s 1.6. Meaning take 1.6 and multiply that by the focal point you are using (ex. 300×1.6)and that is the actual focal point that your camera produces. Have fun with zoom pictures.
And lastly even though I don’t comment alot, I am still keeping up with you. I love what you have written. Some of your entries have almost brought me to tears. I’ve added you to my blogroll in order to keep up with ya easier.
Now that she’s past her teens and a full bigenarian (a quarter of the way to being an octagenarian) have you noticed a heightened maturity?
May your 3rd decade be the best one yet, Mallory. And same to you in your 4th, Kelly.
Happy Birthday, Mallory. Congratulations on being as beautiful as your Mom!!
Y’all are too kind. I shall pass along the well wishes for her birthday. When I saw her graduate from high school and my sister (whose son graduated this weekend) held my hand we cried and talked about the fact that I really *didn’t* screw her up.
It’s always good to see both Susan and Steve comment in the same post! It’s like I won the lottery. WOO HOO.
Oh, and Liz? I’m going to re-read that comment about the camera when I’m more awake and can do multiplication. There’s no telling WHAT time that will be.
Awwwww,that’s really sweet–and a little scary.
KM
*goosebumps racing up my arms*
)
love your birth story..
love your response to a precious new life.
all i could manage in my shock was, “It’s a B-A-A-A-B-Y!!!”
love love
Mallory, Belated Happy Birthday from the twisted Australians who keep leaving weird messages on your Mum’s answering machine. May they keep coming, may all your hopes, wishes and dreams come to fruition. And girl if you have half the moxy youre mother has, the world BETTER LOOK OUT! You are beautiful inside and out. Hugs and kisses from all four of us down under xoxoxoxo
Kelly, OMG did you do a good job or what? Stand tall and grin honey, you and Ken did a bloody good job. If I acheive even HALF of what you have with your kids, I will be eternally happy. If my kids still LOVE me when they are 20 I will be eternally blessed. Cause right now, I am so sure I am f’ing it all up. Do not tell Soggy… but the first chance I got alone with both boys, I sang Bette Midler Wing Beneath My Wings. That’s what they are to me
Love to you all
Yvonne, Justin, Bowen and Ayden(Mr turns 2 on Friday eeeeeeeek)
That is such an amazing ongoing story, Kelly. We all read these “mommy” sites, but you became a mother at such an early age–your descriptions of the experience are beautiufl and so bold and honest. I too remember the song that went through my head when I found out I was having my daughter–”You’re the best thing that ever happened to me…”
Awhhh great Kelly… thanks for making me tearied eyed….
Happy Birthday Mallory…
KC
she is. i’m sure she got it from her mommy
happy birthday Mallory!
even though I have been 20 now for a few days, I haven’t been able to make it to me mom’s site in those few days….thank you all for the immense well wishes and birthday congrats…no one is more proud of my mother than I, and knowing that she has love and support on this level is amazing! Thank you all soooo much!!
Yvonne: Baby, do I have moxy!?!!! Oh yeah, I do!!
Loves all around!! -Mallory
You are more than welcome, Mallory, and may you have many more great birthdays to come. The best gift that you could ever have is having Mochamomma as a mom.
I thought I would leave a comment here at http://www.mochamomma.com How did you get that address?
I was looking for “dot dot’s” comment. Maybe you erased it.
Anyway, when I read your title that song did come to my mind immediately. To finish your song that you started, “…I never thought true love would be, making one as lovely as she. But, isn’t she lovely, made from love!”
Happy Belated Birthday Mallory!!
R.S.
—’–;@
Belated happy twentieth birthday to Kelly’s sweet girl! Mallory won’t grow up as lovely as she is if not for you and Ken.
Great job Mommy Kelly! I’ve been checking on your blog for sometime now. I just can’t resist good-reads! Have a nice day!
I came across your page today (which I’m loving by the way!) and was going to wait until I was at a recent entry to say “Hi” and come out of the shadows, but then I read the title of this entry. That song always makes me think of my mom; she went into labor with me at a Stevie Wonder concert just as he was starting this song. It sounds like you and your daughter have a similar relationship to the one I have with my mom: one where you CHOOSE to be friends, best friends. Anyway, accept this as my introduction and, again, I’m really enjoying reading you’re thoughts.
Take care,
Miranda