You were born at a bit after 4 on a Thursday morning, December 22, 1994. Labor began at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20. It was a very long and painful labor, but the struggles were yet to come.
You cried all the time. ALL the time. Hour after hour I walked the floor with you, carried you in a sling, patted you on the back. Your older brother learned to fall asleep to your shrieks, and I clearly remember dozing off as I sat on the sofa, while you screamed in my ear. I went through my first bout of PPD and the two of us struggled together. Spring arrived, medication helped both of us in the form of antidepressants (for me) and Zantac (for you), and we both together gave up milk products. And, suddenly, miraculously, you were content.
You were born with a growth on your head, and the long, long months it took until testing at the hospital - my first ever experience with sedating an infant - proved it to be benign, but in need of yearly follow up. Your middle name reflects the worry and struggle that I had during my pregnancy, when the obstetrician couldn't tell me much about you - was the skull open? Was the growth brain tissue? Was it spinal fluid? Truly, it made for a very stressful pregnancy. I often wonder if that internal turmoil I experienced had an affect on you.
Now, happiness is a sporadic thing. You are, by turns, spunky and sedate, chipper and sullen. You've shown amazing insight and expressed extreme empathy - and taken the door off the hinges with the screaming and the yelling and the teenage angst.
In short, you are 15.
You love soccer and Muay Thai, shopping and texting, Facebook and My Space. Mexican food and Panera, Starbucks and Taco Bell, skinny leg jeans and oversized hoop earrings. You can stay up later than any one else in the house and sleep more than anyone I've ever seen. Guess it makes up for the lack of sleep you did as an infant. You love public school not so much for the education, but for the opportunity to wear flip flops, make up and jeans.
Happy happy birthday, Allegra. Mommy loves you.
Happy Birthday! When do teens get their drivers licenses down in the states? Here in Newfoundland they get them at 16. My nerves.
Posted by: mm | December 21, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Happy Birthday Sweet Child! Enjoy your teens! Congratulations Carmen - she is amazing!!
Posted by: Addy | December 21, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Happy Birthing Day Carmen! What a beautiful daughter you have :)
Posted by: Amy | December 21, 2009 at 07:31 PM
She's gorgeous!! Maybe my baby girl will show up tomorrow!! HAHHA 9 months prego and due any day!!
Posted by: Jenn E | December 21, 2009 at 08:38 PM
Happy Birthday to your oldest girl. She is stunning.
Posted by: Leftofordinary (aka Cookie) | December 21, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Happy Birthday! She is absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Jodie | December 21, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Happy Bday to both of you. Allegra is a beautiful name for a beautiful girl .
Posted by: amie | December 22, 2009 at 09:13 AM
happy birthday allegra!!!
i hope you have a good one!!
:)
Posted by: Kaleigh Foley | December 22, 2009 at 09:39 AM
What a beautifully honest post.
Posted by: Paige | December 22, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Beautiful post. Happy Birthday, Allegra!
Posted by: Young Wife | December 23, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Kate and Savanna say Happy Birthday to Allegra, their favorite babysitter!
Posted by: Mary | December 23, 2009 at 07:33 PM
Happy belated Birthday, 15!
Posted by: kyooty | December 23, 2009 at 09:04 PM
Happy birthday, Allegra. I know that you're 15 and all, and know sooo much, but don't forget that your mom has been there too. She loves you a lot...you two have more in common than you think, I promise. I can't wait to meet you someday!
Posted by: Headless Mom | December 29, 2009 at 07:38 PM
The joys of teens.............I LIVE it daily! Your blog is awesome, not sure how I stumbled upon it, but am enjoying it!
Posted by: Sara Broers | December 30, 2009 at 02:47 PM