February 7, 2007

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to

Today is the third anniversary of my 29th birthday. I decided at age 29, I was done with this whole highly over-rated aging thing. When I asked Big I if she knew how old I was going to be, she said 60. And here I thought my wrinkle cream was actually working.

Since turning "29", I’ve discovered a couple things about birthdays. Up until you turn 21, birthdays are pretty cool. Then, it seems that the big deal that used to be your birthday becomes just another day on the calendar filled with bills, chores, and other nonsense. People don’t make a big deal about your birthday anymore until you’re like 80 and have beat the average person’s life span. Then, it’s time for surprise parties and celebrations again.

I thought I would celebrate my birthday by including some pictures for your enjoyment and laughter (You don’t get through the 80’s as a kid without some serious fashion no-no’s). Plus, 9 out of 10 blog readers agree that pictures keep you coming back for more. So, here are some of the highlights from my "29" years of this Earth.

You might recognize these baby eyes in my munchkins? I’ve never been accused of having small eyes.

Here I am at age three, where my dream of being a pro-hockey player (or marrying one) began.

Here I am at age five, on "the good ship lollipop," sporting the ever popular Dorthy Hamill bowl cut.

Second grade, or the year of Mom cutting my bangs before school pictures.

The rest of elementary school is a mixture of more bad hair: boy cuts, first perms. . . and here is the spiked hair perm. What the hell was I thinking when I requested that style?

This is 9th grade when I got to meet my FAVORITE hockey player in the ENTIRE WORLD, Rick Tocchet. Notice the deer in the headlights look. I was shaking like a leaf when I met him. I realized that his head was like twice the size of mine and that I probably didn’t want to be birthing any hockey player kids (Instead I married a valedictorian with a big head anyway).

10th grade brought a longer and bigger hairstyle. It was the age of the spiral perm. My bangs never cooperated and besides an occasional zit, my bangs were my biggest teenage "issue."

Here I am with my best guy friend (who happens to be the designer for the banner on this site). The hair only gets bigger for a while. . .

See what I mean. This is my freshman year in college and I’m still loving the big hair.

Just one of many "ripped the jerk out of the picture" pictures. This is actually the last one, and you’ll see why in a few seconds. . .

Here’s my first car, after I bought a custom leather "bra" for the front of it to make it look "cool." I also had my best guy friend install a booming system that would make LL proud. In the end, I had to come to grips with the fact that it was still a Geo Metro with no AC. (My sister took over this car when I went back to college, put Animals Rights stickers all over it, and added Christmas lights to the back seat. I kid you not.)

Edited to add: Apparently my sister doesn’t recall the stickers. My Dad taught us to NEVER put any stickers on our cars, but I swear she taped them to the inside of the windows or something. I distinctly remember stickers. She also reminded me that there was an animated Santa standing on my booming system speakers in the back. Gotta love little sisters when they take over your car.)

Here’s a picture from the early days with Mr. BBM. Apparently I thought this pose was an appropriate enough one to let my Mom photograph us. Um, no, so NOT happening with MY GIRLS EVER EVER NEVER.

And four years later. . . one of our wedding picture.

My first moments with my first baby. . . Big I. I look like that because it was a very long and painful, but life altering and amazing day.

My first few hours with Lil C, after a shower because I didn’t want to subject you to two pictures of post labor and pain BBM.

Obtaining my brown belt in karate, which was such a cool day.

Meeting Sebastian Junger, because OMG!

Hanging out with Santa and the girls. . .

My most recent picture, hiding behind Lil C because Mr. BBM is determined to take the least flattering pictures of me EVER.

And that about does it. Happy "29th" Birthday to me! Enjoy the pictures. My family certainly enjoyed helping me pick out the school days ones.

Now where’s my cake?

Posted by Black Belt Mama on February 7, 2007 in Mental Strain for Mama | 25 Comments

Comments

25 Comments on It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to

sesame on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 1:03 am

Happy birthday! I don’t understand what you mean by 3rd anniversary? *scratching head* And yes, you have real BIG eyes!
I don’t like to celebrate birthdays anymore. Well, at my age, there’s nothing to celebrate really.

Deryck on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 5:31 am

Happy Birthday BBM!! That hair has managed to calm down over the years!!
Are you sure you’re not just 29? 😀

frotoe on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 6:36 am

Happy Birthday! and MAN! did you have big hair!!! 🙂

Wayward Goddess on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 6:56 am

So far, I’m loving my 30’s, and I hear that 40 is the new 20!
I’ll be 32 in April and I’m celebrating by having all of my friends over. the ones who cycle will head out with me for a 32 mile ride.

[mat] on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 8:47 am

Wooot!
You had a rick Tocchet poster! I’m jealous.
The hair! The hair!!! OMG it’s everywhere ;D Your present do is much more lovelier.
You haven’t aged much. Even if your hair looks better.
And indeed, there’s a big rush to 21. Then time speeds up and all of a sudden, university is done, you’ve been working for a while and you have a house.
WOah.
Women look (in my opinion) the best when they reach around 35. The sexiness is just blazing out of them. My gf still has 8 years to go. She’s already beautiful, she’ll be awesome!
(music) you would cry too if it happened to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
ta ta t a ta ta.LOL

Karen on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 1:04 pm

Happy Birthday!
I just wanted to say that I really enjoy reading your blog. I’m a 1st kyu aikido stdent and also a mom in her 30s, I mean, a 29 year old mom…..so I can pretty much relate to much of what you write! Have a great day!

CombatGal on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 4:03 pm

Happy B-day, BBM! I enjoyed looking at your lovely pictures. Posting them must have been a ton of work.

J on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 5:07 pm

Happy Birthday BBM! 29 is a very good year! I’ve learned to accept my birthdays and age, since the alternative is…well…dying. I’m 41 now, and really, it’s OK. 🙂

Becky on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 5:59 pm

Happy Birthday!!
It’s funny, you spend the first 20 years of your life trying to reach 21, and the last 80 trying to stay 21.
Me, I’ve been 29 for 13 years now…

Jill on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 6:32 pm

Happy 3, hum 29 !!!
Great wedding dress!!
And there was a good thing about big hair, you could spot a friend from far!!

Mr. M on Wed, 7th Feb 2007 11:55 pm

haha, this is a brave and admirable trip down memory lane. I’ve got some doozie pictures too. You should see me as a white belt. yeesh.

Ml on Thu, 8th Feb 2007 10:35 am

A very happy birthday to you!!! I really liked your pictures, and who didn’t have big hair in the 80’s 🙂
I’m turning 40 this year, and…well…no big deal 🙂

Calista on Thu, 8th Feb 2007 2:22 pm

Happy Birthday!

Miss Chris on Thu, 8th Feb 2007 3:17 pm

I had a spiral perm in high school too!!! What were we thinking? Love the pictures!

local girl on Fri, 9th Feb 2007 12:58 am

Happy Happy Birthday BBM! I hope you had a wonderful celebration!

psumommy on Fri, 9th Feb 2007 12:22 pm

Happy 2 days after your 29thish birthday! I LOVE the photos!

Myrika on Fri, 9th Feb 2007 4:21 pm

Bonne Fête BBM!!!
Happy belated birthday!
WOW 29! such a nice young age!! ;o)
Hope you had fun!
Amitié
Myrika

Myrika on Fri, 9th Feb 2007 4:21 pm

Bonne Fête BBM!!!
Happy belated birthday!
WOW 29! such a nice young age!! ;o)
Hope you had fun!
Amitié
Myrika

junebee on Fri, 9th Feb 2007 6:55 pm

You were a beautiful bride. Thanks for sharing your life with us. Happy Birthday and many many more.

Kristi on Fri, 9th Feb 2007 7:31 pm

Oh yes, the spiral perm! I’m also a victim of that.
Great pictures and Happy Belated Birthday!

Dani on Fri, 9th Feb 2007 9:36 pm

Happy Birthday! Only the 3rd anniversary? Nah, you are still pretty young. Now me, I’ll be celebrating a decade’s worth of 29th birthdays in 6 months, and hopefully getting my black belt a week later! I’m rather dreading this birthday as it is. :-S Hope yours was a good one. (And yes, katas/forms do get harder with age!)

Jeff on Fri, 9th Feb 2007 10:53 pm