...Seventeen years ago today...

This photo needs to be shared. 

Isn't she beautiful..! 

Isn't she beautiful..!  

 

This is my daughter and today is her seventeenth birthday  she was born on the stroke of 11:15am on the 11th Jan 1995.  She will probably tell me off for putting this photo on here but this is my little celebration.  The marking of her birthday and the time has passed which seems no time at all since she was born.

OK, seventeen-year old, that is it.  You're officially not a baby anymore at all.  Except for when you still are.  Reminding me for the words that you mixed up on a consistent basis when you were one-year, which never cease to crack me up.  "Nammy" for "Mummy".... "Mak-u-Ta" for "Merdeka".  "Coffee" for copy  (as in "Nammy, don't coffee my paper"!)

....mummy.... I could use a little help here...please...

...yes.. I know I am chubby...

...my first step....

 ...practicing ....Iklan tootpaste - Kodomo Lion..!

 

 You are a funny, funny child. At least a couple of times each day, you say something that cracks me and your father up, often much to our dismay.

...she's daddy's little girl, and the light of my life...

 I still remember the times when we're trying to discipline you and you say something outrageous, which leads to both of us holding back laughter and smiles and flashing each other looks across the room.  We try really hard to be stern when the situation calls for it, but sometimes we just want to collapse in laughter as a result of some of the things you come up with.

..as usual... always clowning around with her grandpa...(like this re-enactment of Hari Raya Petronas advertisement!..)

You are beautiful, intelligent, sweet, funny, loving, and warm-hearted.  I know I'm biased, but I honestly couldn't have asked for a better daughter than you.

...a spin ride by classmate on your 16th birthday... (I like this photo - very nostalgic..!)

You idolize your Daddy, and tell him so all the time.  And I know that it breaks his heart a little bit each day that he's at the other side of the continent, and most of the time and not here, watching you grow up..

...(at times) ...the centre of media attraction.... (and still a walking advertisment for your school, which makes me and your Daddy exceedingly proud)

You are sweet, and maddening, and hysterically, and dramatic....

You gave me hugs and kisses when I am 'down' and then spent next five minutes screaming like a banshee because there's  a butterly or cockroach in the bathroom.  You exhaust me and delight me.

...enjoying holiday after PMR..

You are beautiful.  So much so that strangers often stop us on the street to tell us so.  (And then look weirdly at me, with my tudung and dark eyes, and wonder if you're adopted..!).  

I hope that you will always be secure in yourself and know how wonderful you are, eventhough I know that the day will come when you will doubt everything and everyone.

I hope that you will always love yourself but that you will also be filled with humility, and compassion, and LOVE.  I look forward to the day that you're an independent person and at the same time dread the day that you will no longer want to crawl into bed with me first thing in the morning for a hug.

In short, I love you.  I will never be a perfect mother, but I will always love you completely.

I love you Girl, all the way to the tips of my toes...

Happy Birthday..

Love, Mummy