Friday, September 30, 2011

Chesapeake Bay Daughter



My beautiful daughter Maria turns 13 today.





Thirteen years ago when I went into the hospital, there was much debate over what the baby would be named.  Maria was always at the top of my list, but others were not so enthused.




According to my notes from that time, the whiteboard in my room said that the nurse on duty was Maria.

I took that as a sign.

A confirmation of what I already knew.

The baby had to be named Maria.

Maria Shea, to be specific.  (She hates that middle name Shea, just like Baby Sister hates her middle name.  Baby Sis and Maria are alike in many other ways, too many to go into here. But for starters they look alike.)



Maria came into this world after I had been working all day in a very high-paced job in metropolitan DC.  I remember the day was very stressful, and I actually drove home crying a trend that continues to this very day.

Later that evening I knew we had to go to the hospital.  Thankfully, my mother was in town and could stay with then three-year-old Chesapeake Bay Son.  My mother was at the bedside when CB Son was born, and I was sorry she wouldn't be there for Maria's arrival.

Although she came into this world without much ado, Maria experienced problems shortly thereafter.  Evidently my blood wasn't compatible with her blood, or vice versa, which caused serious levels of blah blah blah--and can you tell that CBW is not a nurse or medical professional and doesn't even try to play one on the internet?

There was talk of possible brain damage if left unchecked.  She needed light therapy and possibly a blood transfusion.

My notes clearly state that it took two nurses to hold newborn Maria down while they gave her an IV (there was no blood transfusion to the best of my knowledge).  Their one-word description of her was "feisty."

Well, she's still feisty (especially on the basketball court or soccer field),  but she's also beautiful, smart, kind, considerate, talented, helpful, funny, fun-loving and the best daughter a mother could ever hope for.

Happy birthday, Maria.

You make me proud every single day, and I love you.

p.s. Friday night I will be hosting six (6)  of CB Daughter's classmates and two (2) of CB Son's friends for a total of TEN (10!) teenagers to feed before they spend the remainder of the evening skating in the basement with their music blasting.  Next up is scary movies.  All night long. I'm sure they'll be quiet as church mice and I'll get hours and hours of restful sleep.


 Calgon, please, I beg you.  Take. Me. Away. Now.


p.s. Click here for my mother's tribute to CB Daughter, and a glimpse of at least one photo which absolutely must be destroyed...

12 comments:

deborah said...

What a delightful and beautiful daughter! I just know they will have so much fun at the party and never forget the times they have-
Many kudos to you for rearing two wonderful children!

Anonymous said...

You are wonderful to host the party--she will always remember it..no sleep for you, but long time memories for a beautiful daughter.
Happy Birthday, CB daughter !!

LLC

Meg McCormick said...

Happy birthday to CB Daughter! She's feisty, just like her mama and her grandma.

As for the sleepover party, may I suggest that you bunk in Maria's room, with earplugs?

Maria_NJ said...

It always intrigues me to meet a blond haired Maria...I love that!

What can I say, I am very conceded when it comes to my name, I absolutely adore it! I hope CB daughter feels the same way...

that's funny my 14 yo daughter hates her middle name too, Maressa Petra...(she'll tell you its Patricia)I named her middle name after my dad, who died when we were all kids, I was 10 when my dad passed...his name was Peter...

CBW I say have glass of wine and enjoy them, it goes by fast and if you need some time away, I know this nice little place at the Jerzee shore that you can come visit...anytime...

i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i_i
@@@@@@@@@@@@
|______HAPPY________|
|_____BIRTHDAY_____ |
|______MARIA_______ |
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@



♫ ♪ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♪ ♫ ♪

Happy Birthday Maria!

Jamie said...

Happy Birthday CBDaughter! And 10 is nothing, I had 24 girls- all teens- some with their own cars- at my house for an overnight. I won't be making that mistake again. But I would make sure that the dirt bike is somehow non-operational and securely tie up any watercraft- with a padlock and chain.

WV- refool- What you call someone who makes a fool of themselves more than once

Mental P Mama said...

Happiest of days to you both!!! We should have some AT&T wine one one tonight;)

Daryl said...

Was it an Rh- vs Rh+ issue? Clearly she was not damaged in any way, she is one lovely smart young woman .. she makes all her family (and her Blister Aunts) so proud! Happy Birthday, Maria and many many many many more!

Dghawk4 said...

To Chesapeake Bay Daughter:

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Hope you and all your friends have a wonderful time tonight.

To CBW:

As my old neighbor used to say, "No use worrying about it 'cause ain't nothing gonna be all right." Just give in, let it flow, and by all means wear your crab hat! It will be just fine.

Anonymous said...

Oh, the pictures Grandma posted on her Wild on Waverly Lane blog are such precious photos of CB daughter--what a beautiful baby girl ! And such sweet thoughts shared....
Jerseygoil Maria--I love the b'day cake you "drew" for CB daughter.

LLC, otra vez

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Maria.. one of the many cousins I haven't gotten to know. (We need another reunion!)

CBW: I enjoy reading your website and seeing all the pictures of Mathews. Give my best to your Mom.

Love,
Linda (Nellie's daughter)

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. She enjoyed a wonderful evening with her friends and I enjoyed approximately two hours of sleep, but it was all worth it.

Maria - beautiful cake!

Linda - It's great hearing from you. I've passed your comment along to CB Mother. I recently posted a photo of my mother on Facebook and her response to seeing herself was, "Oh my gosh. I look just like Nellie!" They do resemble one another quite a bit. (Nellie is my grandmother's baby sister.) I agree we do need a reunion.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, and thanks for commenting/reading.- cbw

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

LLC-Those pictures on my mother's blog were astonishingly cute (all except one that involves a stressed out mother, a too-short haircut and vintage 1985 glasses even though the photo was taken around 1998). She did a great job scanning, in fact I might have to take a few lessons. I tried scanning a preschool photo and failed miserably.