Once upon a time there was a sweet baby girl.
She liked chocolate. (She still does.)
She grew a bit, and started flashing the cheesy smile that looks eerily like the one that her daughter now flashes.
(What is WITH that outfit??? Hello, seventies.)
She celebrated a second birthday.
Cute. Except for the outfit. She has about eleventy billion photos of herself in that exact same seventies polyester suit.
She celebrated a third birthday.
Cute. And a little precocious.
Skip forward a few years…to the thirteenth year, where “cute” is not what comes to mind.
I. Have. No. Words.
The girl got contacts and, um, PLUCKED HER EYEBROWS.
(She was flanked by one of her closest friends on the planet.)
She (along with most everyone else) went through the “Friends Hair Phase”.
She also owned (And rode!) a Kawasaki Ninja 500.
Yes. Yes, she did.
She met a man that she loved so very, very much. She sold the bike so that she could afford her wedding.
It was so very, very worth it.
They enjoyed married life, had a baby or two and then the girl turned thirty.
She embraced turning thirty, because everyone told her that your thirties are so much better than your twenties. So far? “They” are right.
She had another baby to make their family a party of five.
She is now turning thirty-three (Today!), but is considering referring to herself as “thirty-something”.
Because that is what old ladies demure women do.
She is also in desperate need of some skin colour. Good thing she’s going to Mexico.
Wish the old fart nice girl a Happy Birthday, if you are so inclined.
97 Comments
Happy Birthday Angella! May this be the best year yet!! 
Robyn’s last blog post..This is what our day looks like
Happy Birthday, Ange!! Hope you have a wonderful day and get spoiled by your family!
I’m going to be joining you in the “30’s” soon. Good to know you are finding it pretty enjoyable so far 
Hannah’s last blog post..Gratitude journal
Happy Birthday Angella, I was once told when I was in my teens that women are indeed like fine wine, and that the older we get the better we become. I completely believe it and love every birthday because of being told that. So here’s to getting better!!!
Have a great day!
Happy birthday! I turn 30 this year and I’m actually looking forward to it! Hope you have a great day!
Beth’s last blog post..No babies!
Comment by Beth on January 20th, 2008 @ 3:23 amHappy birthday! Your delurking post sure got me out. This is the third comment I’ve made. But it’s your birthday. You have to delurk to say happy birthday!
Kuky’s last blog post..Daily Comic: Let Go
Happy Birthday Angela! Hope you get a great big chocolate cake for dessert tonight!
I turned 30 about a month ago and was pretty reluctant about it. Reading posts like this are helping me to realize that I’ve entered a pretty awesome milestone.
Happy birthday! Also my birthday, too! We are awesome people!
mona’s last blog post..Friday miscellany, now in bullet form!
Comment by mona on January 20th, 2008 @ 4:42 amOh Angella, great post and….. HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear friend:) I can only HOPE that I look AS wonderful as you DO at your age after three kids! You don’t have to refer to your age as thirty-something.
Your an amazing and beautiful woman! May this b-day be the most blessed and fun one so far:)
HUGS!
Randi’s last blog post..Party Like You?re Two!
Comment by Randi on January 20th, 2008 @ 5:29 amGod bless you on your birthday!
bethany actually’s last blog post..Would you like some leftovers?
Happy birthday!!! I love that wedding pic - y’all look so joyful! =)
ashpags’s last blog post..LOC on Flickr!!!
Comment by ashpags on January 20th, 2008 @ 5:37 amWishing you a wonderful birthday. . . and thanks for sharing the memories with photos.
TheAngelForever’s last blog post..He’s on his feet - ACK!
Comment by TheAngelForever on January 20th, 2008 @ 6:09 amHappy birthday Angella! I say go with the “fine wine” comment above, as it seems with each passing year we figure out a little bit more about ourselves, become more comfortable with who we are and what we want, and care a little less what others think. At least that’s how I feel. You and your family are beautiful! I hope you have a fantastic day!
Erin’s last blog post..Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Comment by Erin on January 20th, 2008 @ 6:24 amHave a wonderful birthday Angella.
Louise’s last blog post..Prayer….
Comment by Louise on January 20th, 2008 @ 7:03 amHappy birthday! I wouldn’t say thirty something until you’re over 35.
Comment by Robyn on January 20th, 2008 @ 7:25 amHA
LVGurl’s last blog post..Triathlon Tuesday, Week 1: An Introduction
Comment by LVGurl on January 20th, 2008 @ 7:52 amUM, okay… apparently Wordpress doesn’t like me this morning. I will now attempt to complete my thought.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
LVGurl’s last blog post..Triathlon Tuesday, Week 1: An Introduction
Comment by LVGurl on January 20th, 2008 @ 7:54 amHappy Birthday!!! I hope you enjoy it, I know your precious babies will do something special for you…try not to cry too hard!
cndy’s last blog post..New Layout
Comment by cndy on January 20th, 2008 @ 8:14 amWelcome to the thirty somethings! I am still older than you so you can take comfort in that….
Happy Birthday! What a great post about your life
I need some skin colour too. Are you going to tan before you go? I can’t decide.
Kami’s last blog post..Blogging to Real
Comment by Kami on January 20th, 2008 @ 8:18 amHappy Birthday!! Enjoy your holiday - your kids will be fine! We left our for almost a month - although I’m not really sure what that says about me as a mum. Anyways, have a great day!
Happy Birthday! I hope you celebrate with as much chocolate and diet coke as you can handle today!!!
P.S. that picture of you when you were 13 is HILARIOUS! loved it!
joyce’s last blog post..i’ll never learn…
Comment by joyce on January 20th, 2008 @ 8:56 amHappy Birthday from a (feeling very old right now) forty something! LOL
Enjoy your day!
Southernbelle’s last blog post..Out of the mouths of babes
Comment by Southernbelle on January 20th, 2008 @ 9:11 amHappy Birthday! And I personally think the 30s are way better than the 20s!
Comment by Lisa on January 20th, 2008 @ 9:15 amHappy Birthday Cute Girl!
It’s amazing how awful those 70’s clothes were, huh?
And I am not sure anybody could look at pictures of their 13-year-old self and call it ‘cute’. It’s such an awkward phase.
And you look hot on the bike and with your ‘Friends’ hair!
Jill - GlossyVeneer’s last blog post..Marathon: Lessons Learned
Comment by Jill - GlossyVeneer on January 20th, 2008 @ 9:16 amHAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Hope it was a great one.
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..(The day before) Eight
Comment by She Likes Purple on January 20th, 2008 @ 9:28 amGreat post.
Hope your birthday is a very happy one!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Kristin’s last blog post..Birthday Greetings to Marin!
Comment by Kristin on January 20th, 2008 @ 9:43 amHBD!!!
Hope it’s a memorable one!
enjoy
little miss mel’s last blog post..rh negatory
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY!!!
Tracy’s last blog post..Little Dudes and Spew
Comment by Tracy on January 20th, 2008 @ 9:51 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAWTIE!!!!!
Loralee’s last blog post..Sing, sing, sing. Dance, dance, dance. Cough, cough, cough. Die, die, die.
Comment by Loralee on January 20th, 2008 @ 9:55 amHappy Birthday Gorgeous!
Karla’s last blog post..Kitty Root Canal
Comment by Karla on January 20th, 2008 @ 10:08 amHappy Birthday!
I’m sending a virtual diet coke and some cake your way.
Hope your day is wonderful!
Samantha’s last blog post..Romantical
Comment by Samantha on January 20th, 2008 @ 10:19 amHappy Birthday, Angella! All the best for a wonderful, special day, and an incredible year to follow.
Love the pictures!
Sharon’s last blog post..Day 1 of training
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope it is filled with love, laughter and fun. Oh … an of course lots of chocolate!
Comment by nicole on January 20th, 2008 @ 11:14 amHappy Birthday Angella! Hope it was a good one.
Ashley’s last blog post..Hello? Hello? Are you there?
Comment by Ashley on January 20th, 2008 @ 11:22 amHappy birthday! January people ROCK! 
Victoria’s last blog post..Relationships Are Confusing
Happy Birthday! I’ve been 30 for less than a year, but I do have to concur. Thirties are better than 20s.
Kristabella’s last blog post..-2 Degrees IS As Cold As You’d Think
Comment by Kristabella on January 20th, 2008 @ 11:59 amCheck out my blog, because I have given you an “excellent” award!
Hannah’s last blog post..Excellent Award
Comment by Hannah on January 20th, 2008 @ 12:07 pmHappy Birthday! And thanks for sharing the trip down memory lane with us
Comment by Martha on January 20th, 2008 @ 12:44 pmHappy Birthday, Angella!!
Elizabeth’s last blog post..My Little Quoter
Comment by Elizabeth on January 20th, 2008 @ 12:48 pmHappy, happy birthday!!
Jennie’s last blog post..Big Scary Place
Comment by Jennie on January 20th, 2008 @ 1:18 pmHAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You look wonderful. And the last picture of you - with those eyes - beautiful!!! I loved the old pictures though….I can relate with the funky clothes. You were still pretty as a teen but I do think going to contacts was a good idea
Hope your birthday was wonderful!!
Dana’s last blog post..Future Blogger?
Comment by Dana on January 20th, 2008 @ 1:20 pmHave a great birthday! You don’t look a day over 30!
Holli’s last blog post..Domestic Goddess
Comment by Holli on January 20th, 2008 @ 1:21 pmHappy, Happy Birthday!!!!!!!
(if it makes you feel any better…i have an equally embarrassing 13th year picture involving both glasses AND bangs!)
kisses, miss!
Comment by ali on January 20th, 2008 @ 1:53 pmHappy Birthday Angella!. As someone who is comfortably old enough to be your mother, I can attest that each decade is better than the last - even though there is more life behind me than ahead!
Comment by Heidi F on January 20th, 2008 @ 2:46 pmHAPPY Birthday:) my first time commenting on your blog, but I often read! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you:) enjoy!!!
Comment by lisa on January 20th, 2008 @ 2:58 pmHappy birthday!!
I have to say that I am usually jealous of your curls but… wow at your 13 year old hair… just wow! I had no idea it could be so big!
Enjoy your vacation
They say it’s your birthday? It’s my (33rd) birthday too! Really it is. I’ll have a celebratory drink for both of us. Cheers!
~T’s last blog post..Early resolutions to be broken at a later date…
Comment by ~T on January 20th, 2008 @ 3:39 pmHappy Birthday, Ange!! Hope its a good one! I can only hope to be as happy as you when I get to my 30’s. God bless.
Alexandria’s last blog post..Adventures in Chilliwack
Happy birthday. You are one hawt sexy thang!
Big kisses. Mwah!
Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants’s last blog post..Fussy’s Linkapalooza -now trans fat free!
Comment by Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants on January 20th, 2008 @ 4:23 pmHAPPY BIRTHDAY!
sizzle’s last blog post..An Electronic Life
Delurking to say, Buon Compleanno! (That made me sound cool, right? Like I actually know how to pronounce “Happy Bday” in Italian. Pfft.)
barbetti’s last blog post..Really, Dollar Store Pregnancy Tests? Hm.
Comment by barbetti on January 20th, 2008 @ 5:28 pmHappy Birthday!!!
Teresa’s last blog post..Counting in Spanish
Comment by Teresa on January 20th, 2008 @ 6:59 pmHappy Birthday! Hoep you have a fabulous year
Meg’s last blog post..Melodramatic
Happy, happy Birthday (I’m so glad I checked today!!)
You may very well be in Mexico for my birthday…so I’m thinking it’s a little unfair that I’m wishing you happy birthday from down the street (and not my cabana:))
Vicki’s last blog post..No Fun
Comment by Vicki on January 20th, 2008 @ 7:34 pmHAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING!!! I can see from that last picture where your beautiful baby girl gets her enchanting eyes from.
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Pity Party
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on January 20th, 2008 @ 7:40 pmHappy birthday Angella- hope it’s great! you deserve it!
Angela’s last blog post..Expiry: 28/12/07
Comment by Angela on January 20th, 2008 @ 7:42 pmHappy Birthday Angella!
You look fabulous for 26 ;)!!!!
Lucy’s last blog post..A love affair with Jaun Valdez….
Comment by Lucy on January 20th, 2008 @ 7:50 pmHappy Birthday Chickie…
all the best..
Love ya
Jazz’s last blog post..Fitness Classes
Comment by Jazz on January 20th, 2008 @ 7:57 pmdidn’t we all have a friend’s haircut?
hope you birthday is/was wonderful!!!
Comment by gorillabuns on January 20th, 2008 @ 9:15 pmHappy Birthday! You can definately see the resemblance between your kids and you - so cute! And, I’ve got to say, you’re an absolute beautiful thirty-something year old! Hope you had a great day!
Comment by Michele on January 20th, 2008 @ 11:52 pmHeppy Birthday, Angella! I will soon be 34 & have SO many pics that resemble yours! Too cute!
Comment by Lisa C on January 21st, 2008 @ 5:31 amHappy Birthday!
I’ll be joining you at 33 in just under 10 weeks …
merrymishaps’s last blog post..the boys
Comment by merrymishaps on January 21st, 2008 @ 6:46 amHappy Birthday you young cookie, you!
Lane’s last blog post..Random Photo Wednesday : I Forget The Edition
Comment by Lane on January 21st, 2008 @ 7:44 amHave a great birthday! I turned 33 this past year and have just as many, I like to call them, ‘awkward’ moments, growing up!
Yes, I had the ‘Friend’s’ Haircut…what was I thinking?
Have a great day!
Amy in Washington State~
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y ! ! !
Love ya!
The friends cut is oh so much better than the pixie type cut I sported for a while. Don’t ever let me do that again!
Karen’s last blog post..let’s play the ?we love each other? game.
Quite a life thus far, no? Hope it keeps on getting better. Happy Birthday, friend.
Amanda’s last blog post..Cheddar Denied
Comment by Amanda on January 21st, 2008 @ 8:39 amHappy birthday!
Hills’s last blog post..I Am Slowly Going Crazy, 1-2-3-4-5-6-Switch
Comment by Hills on January 21st, 2008 @ 9:12 amHappy Birthday!! Just a little tidbit of info….my boyfriend is 33 and I am 22…..think about how old HE feels! hehe Have a great day!!
Shelly’s last blog post..The Story
Comment by Shelly on January 21st, 2008 @ 9:22 amHappy Birthday Angella! Hope it was awesome!
Heidi’s last blog post..Is it even possible?
a very very happy birthday angella! may God bless you and your family with many more to come!!
Chelsey’s last blog post..one project down, a million to go…
Comment by Chelsey on January 21st, 2008 @ 11:07 amHBD to you!
The good thing about being thirty-something is that you can now choose to wear polyester rather than being stuffed into it so someone can take eleventy-billion pictures of you in it!
I hope your birthdays and all the days of this year are special ones for you.
Comment by ie on January 21st, 2008 @ 11:32 amHappy Birthday — we’re almost the same age (my 33rd is next month) and I recognized the hair, eyebrows and glasses(!). Hope you have great happiness this year!
Sara’s last blog post..A little sick
Comment by Sara on January 21st, 2008 @ 11:36 amHappy birthday, dear! You’re looking gorgeous.
Comment by nabbalicious on January 21st, 2008 @ 11:46 amHappy Birthday Angella… time to revel in your happiness, you have achieved so much!
reddirtroad’s last blog post..Nice Guy’s Perspective
Comment by reddirtroad on January 21st, 2008 @ 1:17 pmHappy Birthday!
Danica Grunert’s last blog post..Good Monday
Comment by Danica Grunert on January 21st, 2008 @ 1:22 pmHappy birthday once again!
metalia’s last blog post..The Driver on the Bus Says…
Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great day.
Jolanda Poetsch’s last blog post..My Oma
Comment by Jolanda Poetsch on January 21st, 2008 @ 3:29 pmHappiest of birthday’s to you!!
Kristie’s last blog post..No seriously, thanks for the information.
Comment by Kristie on January 21st, 2008 @ 4:09 pm[...] of all, I would like to thank everyone for the birthday wishes. I have had a number of people ask how my birthday was, so I will touch on that (briefly!) before [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » On Choosing Greatness on January 21st, 2008 @ 7:35 pmDurn. Sorry I missed your birthday post. I think I was deep in tweaking my site. I lose track of time. Please accept my belated wishes that the year to come is as fabulous as you are!
witchypoo’s last blog post..Great Social Networking Plugin
Comment by witchypoo on January 22nd, 2008 @ 12:29 pmHappy belated birthday, dear one. You are amazing at any age.
(You are two days older than Simon!)
Comment by Leah on January 22nd, 2008 @ 1:07 pmHappy Happy Birthday!
Since you’re hitting 33 before me (My 33 is in March) - do you feel like a grownup yet? ‘Cause I still feel like I’m playing at it.
Michele’s last blog post..funkyness
Comment by Michele on January 22nd, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
You know how on perez hilton and other popular blogs people post FIRST. FIRST!!! Happy birthday!!! I hope you have a great day. But I wouldn’t refer to myself as thirty something until after 35. Again, happy birthday and have a great day!
Comment by Robyn on January 20th, 2008 @ 12:46 am