Teri, The Early Years.

Today is my birthday. In honor of this momentous occasion I decided to treat you to a pictorial trip through my childhood. It is by no means a complete chronicle, because I didn't want to overwhelm you. And I wouldn't want to be responsible for the bleeding from the eyes that could result from the excessive viewing of the incredible cuteness that was me as a child.

Also, this gives you an opportunity to learn a little more about me. Awesome, huh?

First I would just like to say that I love my birthday. And I don't mean because of the city-wide celebrations or the amazing gifts that come from all the corners of the world. For you to begin to understand, you must know something about me that colors my world in subtle and, at times, not so subtle ways. I am adopted. Or as we like to call ourselves: a Chosen One. Ok, well, I kid about the captial letters, but you see my point. Someone got to say,"We'll take that one." Everytime my birthday comes around, I am reminded of how blessed I am to even be here. If I'd been born 15 years later, or even 10, I doubt that I would have been so fortunate. Coherent sentences fail me at this point. I can't pretend to know the grief, strife and shame that would have been dumped onto a pregnant 15 year old girl at that time. I can only be eternally grateful for being given the chance to grow up in a home filled with love and to go on to have a family and home of my own. I'm sure my husband and daughter are grateful, as well.

Ok. So, the emotional part of this post is over. On with the fun!

As a side note, my daughter came home from the hospital with the exact same kind of blanket that I did. Weird. Of course, she was born at the world famous Mary Birch Hospital for Women and I was born down the street at the Booth Memorial Hospital for Unwed Mothers. Yep. I like pullin' that one out when someone asks me where I was born.

Yeah, that first picture isn't me at my most attractive. I was much better dressed when they brought me home, but looking slightly peeved. I mean really? It's in my contract that you must hold and love and kiss me at all times!

Aaaaah. Much better.

Jump ahead to 1975! I was always a stylish child.

Jump again (work with me people, I'm sparing you a couple of awkward, pudgy years) to the beginning of a new decade. 1980! I like to call this "Happy Mona Lisa."

My, what a difference two years makes. (Just FYI, it was 50's Day at my Jr. High and this was as close as I could get.)

The next year was my attempt to rock some feathered bangs, a tuxedo shirt and a bowtie. I loved that outfit. I had very classy gray pinstripe pants to go with it. Must have been my Annie Hall phase.

I'm bummed because I don't have a copy of my Freshman year picture. I had cute hair. And the photographer complimented my legs. Perv.

Marching on toward Sophmore year. 1985! I want these eyebrows back. And, hello??? Did you see that perfect hair? The bangs had just the right height. You can see how happy I was about it.

Nothin' for Junior year - I'm really gonna hafta dig out my yearbooks. But, let's press on...

Senior year. I'd had my first date with my future husband on December 4, 1987. I'm a girl, that's why I remember things like that. Plus it was a great date. Fancy Italian Restaurant in Pacific Beach (cool, beach area - duh) and a movie - Princess Bride. It was nice to find out that we were similarly twisted in our humor. On a side note, we are going to that same restaurant for my birthday tonight. It's moved and is a little more casual, but yum. YUM. Sorry, I digress. Now, without further ado, the much worn senior picture.

Now, I've saved the best for last. The highly talented Jess Riley was brave enough to blog her fashion, um, er, uh, sense of the '90's to the world and I salute her courage. I now humbly submit my own rockin' style, circa 1988.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

This was inspired by the amazingly beautiful Lena over at Cheeky Lotus. Check it out, cuz she did it way better. (Nooobody does it beeeeter... makes me feel sad for the reeeeest... Nobody does it HALF as gooood as yoooou... baby you're the best! --- That's goin' out to all my blawggin' homegirls.)

And if you want to see the pictures all together (and who wouldn't??) go view as slideshow here.