The Face of Thirteen

Today my first born baby is thirteen years old. Siobhan made us wait, she was two weeks late. I will never forget that day, one of my happiest. Siobhan Louise Sheppard Roche, a perfect baby girl. Siobhan has always been a happy person. This is one of my favorite pictures of her. We used to visit the nursing home that my step mom worked at. There was one particular resident, Betty, that crocheted hats and clothes for about a million babies. This was for Siobhan and I loved it. She looked like a doll and I now realize I should have enjoyed seeing her in dresses then. Siobhan was walking by 10 months old and by her first birthday was completing full sentences. She has not stopped talking since then. Wow, was her first and favorite word. Her chupa was a constant companion. She would only remove it to take a bite of food or talk, keeping it in her hand and close by. Great Grandma loved to buy her a variety and she would choose based on the picture on it.

She is a lucky girl that she had so much time with her great grandparents. They loved her and she has lots of special memories of them. She was completely spoiled, and yes she did like Barney. This is another favorite of Siobhan. It captures her completely for me. She is a tough, take charge girl. In this photo she has a large bruise on her lip. She fell off a chair and hit her chin on the table, putting her two bottom teeth through her upper lip. I was beside myself and the only sensible thing I did was grab a popsicle for her. I threw her in the car and headed for my Moms, bawling the whole way. There was so much blood. Siobhan sat in the back and said, "Don't worry mama, it will be okay."

There is no doubt in my mind that Siobhan is going to have a fun, adventurous life. I am so happy to have a front row seat for the show. I know that as a mom and daughter there are going to be some tough times ahead as she gets more and more independent, but I could not imagine a better girl to be mine. I love you Siobhan, with all of my heart, I will be thinking of you all day and cannot wait until you come home tomorrow. I hope you have a fun day with your dadoo. Lots of kisses Bonnie!

Today, in conjunction with Bonbons birthday, the list will be a mix. Here are some options, choose what you like or make it a mix. 5 things you would tell your 13 year old self now, advise on being 13 for Siobhan, or share a Siobhan story!

#1. Lose the bows.

#2. When your mom tells you that your eye make up looks trashy, heed her advice. Also, it's okay to still call your mom, Mama.

#3. Have to post a Disneyland comment. When Siobhan was about 4, we went to Disneyland with Scott and Brittney and Siobhan fell asleep while we were in line for Peter Pan. She woke up while we were on the ride and the look on her face was pure magic. I will never forget that look. She drifted back to sleep as we were nearing the end and thought she had been there in a dream. I'll let Luisa post the other good Siobhan/Disneyland story.

#4. Siobhan was in a commercial for the Surfrider Foundation and the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

#5. Siobhan wore a bathing suit for what seems like 3 years. Her favorite was a Little Mermaid number Grandpa Pat bought her that had a tulle sparkly skirt. She wore it to meet Little Mermaid at Disneyland.