Sixteen Candles

Where does the time go?

Yes, it's true...I will soon have a 16 year-old daughter...it seems like these kids just keep growing and getting older - which means I'm getting older! I'm not ready, but ready or not, it is happening.

Bella didn't want to do anything special for her Sweet Sixteen, which to me was odd...I would have loved to have chosen how to celebrate my 16th birthday! So I wanted to do something that would make this a special birthday for her...and not just a gift on the BIG day (because anyone can do that).

I sure hope this portrays how special she is to us...not just on her birthday, but every day of every year.

I came up with a plan to do Sixteen Days of Bella's Sweet 16 - she would receive a small gift every day and a big gift on her actual birthday. When I mentioned this to a friend of mine, she suggested making a scrapbook for Bella - I didn't have time for that, but what I did do was make a card, each day, with a picture from each year of her life leading up to 16...with a note about that year of her life. What I have included here, is not, in it's entirety, what was written on her note.

Here is the journey...

Day 1:

It feels like just yesterday, I brought this baby girl home from the hospital! Yet, in reality, it was 16 years ago - December 31, 1997.

Today's gift was the DVD of "Sixteen Candles" which we watched together - I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it more than she did!

Day 2:

Bella's first steps, three weeks before her first birthday...now she is learning to drive...where does the time go?!

Today's gift: $15 gas card so she can get up and GO!

Day 3:

This girl always wanted elaborate Barbie up-dos and this hairstyle was the best I could do! I hope she always remembers that being beautiful on the inside takes as much work as being beautiful on the outside and that a beautiful heart, makes a beautiful woman!
 

Today's gift: a mug, fit for a princess!
 

 

Day 4:

 

This picture was taken during a time of turmoil and transition in our family, yet Bella always had a smile and a peace about her. She has taught me to smile and enjoy the little things, even when life disappoints us. 

Today's gift: whitening toothpaste to keep that smile pretty!

Day 5:

B is for boyfriend - you've had one or two
B is for baker - a hidden talent, who knew?
B is for Big Sister - or "Sissy" as you're known
B is for brown eyes - and hair that's long grown
And B is for baby girl - you stole my heart
Most importantly, B is for BELLA - beautiful and smart!
 

Today's gift: besides that awesome ditty (lol) is a silver monogram ring

 

 Day 6:

Learning to maneuver her first set of wheels! Her stepdad taught her how to ride a bike and so, I let him write her the note. I don't know what it said, but I'm sure it was sweet! He is pretty patient when it comes to the kids learning new things - even driving.

Today's gift: a cool camera strap for her DLSR camera

Day 7:

Bella has always loved babies and has a way with them. Baby Sister Blondie was a little jealous of her cousin, Marley, for getting her Sissy's attention. A reminder of how important all family relationships are...and, just like babies, relationships need love, cuddling and nurturing - you only get one family!

Todays gift: a gold makeup bag and some pretty false lashes - Bella's new thing

Day 8:

Bella (shown in first grade) has always been a great student...and she is working so hard her Sophomore year of high school and has excellent grades. We are so proud of her!

Today's gift: some makeup from Sephora

  

Day 9

 

Determination! Bella has always been so determined to keep up with her two older brothers and not let 'being a girl' stand in her way, even from a very young age. We used to joke that she would get all dressed up, do her hair...and then go out and climb a tree and roll down a hill! I hope that her determination will be something that she relies on throughout her life...and that she will never give up, even when the going gets tough.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to ...smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he'd stuck it out.
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are -
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Today's gift: a leopard print notepad for her car

 

 

Day 10

 

Bella's first trip to the beach and the ocean...her "dream" come true, accompanied by a fun trip to Disneyland, the place where dreams come true. My girls both have "bucket lists" and dreams and it is so fun, as a parent, to help them realize these things in their lives that they want to see and do, and experience these "firsts" with them.

I love this picture of Bellla as she contemplates the vastness of that ocean before diving in. She literally ran up to the water's edge and sat down to take it all in; it was a sweet moment.
I hope I can always help her achieve her dreams, and that as she gets older she will learn the value of working hard, but also taking time to do something that makes you happy.

Today's gift: Mickey and Minnie cupcake ornaments - appropriate on so many levels

Day 11

 

Today, which is Christmas Day, is a sweet 16 cookie bouquet (made by my friend)...sweets for my sweet almost 16 year-old!

 

Day 12

 

Bella is an amazing gymnast... something most people don't know. She took gymnastics for about 4 years - I loved to go watch her at the gym, her body always in fluid motion and so graceful!

She has amazing talents that I hope she will always work to improve so she doesn't lose them. Her cake decorating skills and cake designs are amazing for someone her age, she is a great friend and a good listener...she is wise beyond her years and has an empathy most adults lack.

Today's gift: a new frosting spatula and a vinyl for her KitchenAid mixer...keep calm and bake on

 

Day 13

 

This picture is from Bella's 13th birthday in 2010. My close friends and family know that December of 2010 was a very difficu...lt time for our family, one filled with sadness, grief and fear.

Yet, here is my Pretty Girl making the best of it, as we celebrated her birthday in Las Cruces - complete with silly string and fireworks right off the freeway.

Bella has taught me that even in your lowest moments, it is okay to laugh and to find joy in the small things...it's what gets you through. And many days, she can make me laugh like a 12 year-old girl, right when she can sense I need it most. She is an AMAZING young woman!

 Today's gift...some nail art and pedi socks

 

Day 14

 

It's been amazing to watch Bella grow into a beautiful young woman and I am so blessed to be her mom. I hope she will always remember that beauty is only skin deep...having a beautiful, caring heart lasts forever.

Today's gift: a leopard and black top...meow!

Day 15

One of my favorite pix of Bella from when we were in Puerto Rico earlier this year...

Bella is wonderful and talented in so many ways...and that smile just melts my heart! She has her own sense of style and carries herself with confidence.

Today's gift: a custom print for her room, which is in dire need of a new paint job

Day 16

It's finally here! I stayed up until 2am decorating the kitchen for this girl who said, "don't make a big deal out of my birthday."

Well, sorry, Pretty Girl - in this house we do birthdays!

Bella has been such a blessing in my life and, after several months of a touch-and-go pregnancy and bedrest, she arrived 2 weeks early.

We don't always see eye-to-eye......but she is the sparkle in my eye and the joy in my heart and I am so proud to be the woman she calls Momma.

I love you, Pretty Girl, and hope the love that surrounds you today will help you realize how special you are to everyone that knows you!! Happy Sweet Sixteen!

Please excuse the camera growing out of the side of my face in the next picture - I'm not a professional photographer, but I loved this picture and it fit perfectly for my message to Bella.

 

I am your parent,

You are my child.

I am your quiet place,

You are my wild.
I am your calm face,
You are my giggle.
I am your wait,
You are my wiggle.
I am your dinner,
You are my chocolate cake.
I am your bedtime,
You are my wide awake.
I am your lullaby,
You are my peek-a-boo.
I am your goodnight kiss,
You are my 'i love you.'

 Today's gift : a Tiffany necklace

 

 

I hope that you've enjoyed this journey with me...it was a lot of work to keep this going every day, but I know it meant a lot to Bella. It was so fun to go back through pictures and think about the special qualities that my daughter posessess and how much she has changed and grown into the beautiful young lady that she is today; it's gratifying to know i had a hand in that.

~alicia