~Happy Birthday, Michelle~

Happy Birthday, Michelle Marie!

 Born on July 20, even though your due date was on the 13th,
my birthday!
But you are still my best birthday present ever!

When I was pregnant with you, I worked at
Crisp Realty/Property Management,
surrounded by people who were as excited for your arrival as I was.
They pampered me, even to the point of sending me off
for a lunchtime nap,
and not waking me up, but letting me sleep the afternoon away!

And I got paid for this!

Also during this time, we moved to a great neighborhood in St. Pete
and into Soncoast Community,
where the quaintest garage apartment on Burlington Avenue
waited for us.
 However, it needed sooo much work. 
A friend from Jersey, Abbot

(who was an avid surfer),

stopped by on his way to Puerto Rico where he was going to spend a month surfing.

 He looked at the apartment, and said
“So, that’s where you’re gonna live!?" LOL ,
as he glanced at my belly.

And off he went dreaming of blue water and big waves.
Well, just a couple of days later he showed back up on our doorstep.
(Did I mention he was a master carpenter!)
 He spent his month vacation making our home a home.
This was before HGTV, but his expertise turned this neglected apartment into a showpiece.
 But he didn’t do it alone…

 many, many hands went into beautifying our diamond in the rough.

 I distinctly remember Yuriko scraping away on a paint-splattered French door.

Your room was painted the yellow of daisies,

with checkered curtains on the windows made by Anita,

and a bright flower vine snaking up the wall lovingly painted by Charlotte.

You loved your Winnie the Pooh light fixture hanging from the ceiling.

 And your favorite crib toy was a Dalmatian puppy dog brought back from Europe by Mark.

But I’m getting ahead of myself here…

I remember the night of the 19th. My water broke around 12:00,

and your dad rushed back and forth in our little apartment frantically gathering my packed belongings while I sat patiently waiting to get in the car.

And then off we went to Bayfront Medcal Center,
which is in sight of beautiful Tampa Bay.

 Once there, my labor started around 4 o’clock and you made your appearance right after 8 a.m.

(No wonder you’ve always been a morning person!)

I had an easy birth, and you were an easy child! Spoiled me in fact!

These were the days when there were stringent visitor’s hours at the hospital,

 but somehow Annie snuck up and spent a good portion of the day with us.

When we did have someone question her presence, we would just say,

“But we’re sisters!”
(see the resemblance:)

You were the only baby amongst many adults for quite a few months.

So you can imagine all of the lovin’ you received.

At one point I had to have a
“no, you cannot pick up Michelle” rule

so that you would be able to learn how to crawl!

And I can’t forget to mention your “2nd Mom”, Misty.

Your first friends: Misty, Lynn, Dorie

I think she was around 11 at the time you were born.

 And she sure did love you!

And helped take care of you!

And watched you!

 And played with you!

At such a young age, she truly had a mother’s heart,

 and even diapers or spit-up did not deter her.

So the 20th of July is forever a special day in the history of the world!

The day of your arrival!

 You were a gift and blessing then, and continue to be so every day!

The happiest of birthday wishes to you, my dear daughter,

I love you,

Mom