Twenty-seven years ago today, we brought home a tiny little baby – the beginnings of the Z Crew.  Jamie was just a little more than 24 hours old when we left the hospital in my little blue Subaru. It was sooo cold that evening, we couldn’t keep the car warm. I remember feeling like I was probably going to jail when I took that tiny little baby out of her car seat and held her close to me. I was hoping I would be able to keep her warmer than the car was providing.  Our little guinea pig was born at 1:01 p.m. on December 23, 1985.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at our house. I did nothing but hold my baby. Jim’s sister and mom brought all the food.  I didn’t want to have to celebrate in the hospital if I didn’t have to.

I was all of 24 when this picture was taken. Jamie was six months.

Today, I thought about all the years I struggled to make sure Jamie celebrated her birthday on HER day. I remember once or twice it was mentioned by someone they thought we should celebrate her birthday in June rather than on her true birthday. I disagreed. Unfortunately, there were some times that birthday gifts got combined (not by us) because it was so close to Christmas.  I thought a lot about the many birthday party’s we had in our home. It was always the same. I would spend most of the morning cleaning the house. After that was done, I usually made three different kinds of soup for supper. Jim would work part of the day and take the afternoon to do his Christmas shopping. He would walk in just prior to supper time – the peak of noise and chaos.

Our house is tiny. We basically live in two rooms – the kitchen and the living room. Most birthday party’s would include any family that could make it and some very special friends, the Schlieferts. I suppose there were close to 20+. It was fun! It was loud and crazy and fun! Towards the end of the evening, the balloons turned into volleyballs and eventually started getting popped. Once in a while, Jenna and Josh would concoct their very own “birthday soup”. You never knew what was in that bowl by the time it was done.

Second birthday party. Jenna was born four months later.

I mentioned to Jenna today just how fast the last 27 years have gone. I said the next 30 will go in the blink of an eye. She said, “30 years is a long time, mom”. Yeah…it is BUT she hasn’t a clue just how fast it goes! A lot of water has gone under the bridge but when I look at these old pictures, it feels like it was just yesterday.

Last Wednesday, I was asked to go to Jamie’s doctor’s appointment with her. I was going to get to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Oh my gosh! I was listening to my grandchild’s heartbeat. Only 27 short years prior, I was listening to his/her mommy’s heartbeat. I was experiencing what Jamie will be experiencing soon – being a mom for the very first time. She’s about to have her very own guinea pig! It’s the hardest job in the world but…by far, the most rewarding. I can say this even after feeling like calling it quits more than one time and running away! I hope when Jamie feels like this, she’ll drop her guinea pig off at my house before she hits the road!

Unfortunately, not a very clear picture. But it’s clear enough you can see that cute little baby bump!

I didn’t get to celebrate Jamie’s birthday with her today. Curt’s family was in town and she spent the day and evening with them. I will admit, I have a difficult time sharing my kids with others. I was feeling sorry for myself most of the morning and she must have sensed it because all at once, she was walking through the kitchen door. I was able to give her a birthday hug, after all. Happy birthday, Jamie! I love you with all my heart. Thanks for putting up with your dad and I when we didn’t have a clue what we were doing. I still don’t think we know what we’re doing. But, I know one thing – each of you have turned into pretty doggone great adults!  And…next year, you’ll be someone’s momma on your birthday!