The Birthday List

               

Photo: Chelsea 18 months old.

Today is my daughter's (Chelsea) birthday. In France turning eighteen is a big deal. It compares with turning twenty-one in the States. Chelsea is considered an adult today.

When I was pregnant with Chelsea, French husband was jealous. He wanted to be the one pregnant. He wanted to be the one growing a baby inside. To appease his wishful thinking I let him tell me five things he would do if he were pregnant and that I would do those things for him.

1) He wouldn't watch TV, nor watch any violent movies, nor be around any loud noises, he would turn off the radio, and never listen to rock music...(I had to remind him to keep it simple and not go into detail, otherwise I might begin to feel like Pumpkin Peter's wife!)

2) He would give up sugar, caffeine, anything too spicy, and never would he eat junk food, nor eat anything too hot or too cold...( he was on a roll, he went on and on... I alway wonder how it was that I gained 55 pounds living on air?)

3) He would listen to opera music, not just as background music, but sit and listen to it, at least an hour a day. Oh, and not just any opera music... only Puccini and Verdi.

4) He would take long silent walks in the forest breathing deeply the fresh air, being mindful of the earth under his feet and hug trees.

5) He would follow osteopathy classes, and he would have the baby in Pithiviers (the clinic where Leboyer, Odent and Lamaze ideas and knowledge are used.)

I did follow French husband's list of things to do while pregnant. Chelsea was born in Pithiviers, ten pounds, smiling and very calm. (Though by Cesarean section.)

Happy Birthday Chelsea! Do you know Daddy has an ENTIRE-LONG-ENDLESS-LIST for you to follow as an adult?

Comments

[Alexandra]

What a precious picture...it looks like it was taken yesterday. Hope she had a wonderful birthday. My son's was this past week as well.

[Marva Plummer-Bruno]

Oh if only my hubby could have carried the girls (twins)! At least part of the time. I swear they were pushing and shoving in the womb, of course only at night when I was trying to sleep! LOL! :) Marva

[Kit]

Happy Birthday Chelsea!
How enlightened French Husband already was! My husband has also been rather envious of our child-bearing abilities, but I didn't get a long list like that, we just muddled through together and I played an awful lot of Minesweeper on the computer, which I'm sure should have been off-limits!

[Dee/reddirtramblings]

As always, a creative and thoughtful take on a wonderful subject. Love how you went back to Chelsea's time in the womb, and what your darling husband thought. You were nice to follow his instructions. I'm afraid I did exactly as I wanted with all three of my pregnancies. I ate everything and gained a lot. Thank goodness for nursing. What's that term en Francais?

[Cris in oregon]

What a precious photograph. Did you take it? You have a great eye for photograpy. You had a great subject matter too! What a cute and funny story.

[Anastasia]

happy birthday to your gorgeous Chelsea!
my little one turne 3 yesterday - lots of birthdays this month!!

[Lea]

Happy Birth Day Chelsea!!!

[~jolenemarie]

Corey, I am a bit late on this - but please - wish your beautiful daughter a Happy Birthday for me! Hope her celebration ROCKED :)

[Anna]

What a beautiful, beautiful photo! Happy Birthday! Haven't visited in ages Corey - so slack!! Love your new header - it's gorgeous!!
X
Anna

[amylia]

What a fun post. Happy Bithday, Chelsea. This day must be one of the most memorable and amazing of your life as a woman, too, Corey--the day your first child was born. How amazing you followed his list so well. You are a good wife and mother, indeed!

[cheeky]

Bon Anniversaire Chelsea.
You mentioned that you hadn't owned a tv in over 20 years, or something like that if I remember correctly. I was thinking wow! As I've always liked the idea of a tv free house, but still own one. Life is so full without the added distraction (not to mention time waster) of tv. What a list. Kind of you to follow it.
Ten pounds _ WOW!
Congratulations on the magazine feature. It is wonderful that you are being blessed by doing what you simply love to do.

[Lisa M.S. Oceandreamer]

Happy Birthday to the lovely Chelsea who was blessed to enter this world to two extraordinary parents. To learn and see the worlds of two different countries and cultures....to be loved so completely. I wish for her the brightest future and many happy endings!
XOXO
Love,
Lisa

[Hasmin]

Chelsea, "Hau'oli La Hanau!" (Happy Birthday in Hawaiian) Wishing you a beautiful day!!! ((hug))

Corey, lovely photo of Chelsea. I too had big babies!

[Becca]

What a lovely list of recommendations for mothers expecting a baby. I like this list a lot. And the photo is perfect.Happy Birthday to your daughter (I have a daughter with a bday tomorrow - winter solstice - darkest day of the year but she one of the shining bright lights in my life).

Corey ... I went to Barnes and Noble tonight for a rest in the midst of storm ... and sat down with a cup of peppermint herb tea to look through a few magazines. I thumbed through a few British ones, a magazine on travel in Scotland, then Victoria ... and I got part way through only to find a few pictures which were so lovely of a home so warm and inviting that I stopped to read the article! Congratulations! Fabulous article, marvellous photos, just really fun for me to find. You have probably posted on this already but I have been so swamped with work lately that I have not visited as regularly. Anyway ... I bought the magazine. Again ... well done and Merry Christmas!

[Ellen Cassilly]

Chelsea,
Very happy birthday wishes to you on the first day of your 18th year. Savor all of them. Love and hugs,
Ellen your duala

[amandaMay]

Your story is so good. So good. I love that his list went on and on and on... I hope when I have a child I will be as lucky! Happy birthday to your daughter!

[mary ann]

bonne anniversaire chelsea!!

[lila]

A funny cute and clever birthday memory.
She was a large baby!!! I'm glad you had the C-section!

[Rosemary]

Happy Birthday Chelsea! What a beautiful baby!!
I hope she is having a wonderful day!
Rosemary

[susanna]

Happy Birthday, Chelsea! I hope that you have an amazing year. Do you have "the birthday bumps" in France?

[marita]

jouyeux anniversaire chère fille de corey!
turning 18 a big event indeed!! heading towards a next stage in life!
wishing you a great day and...
enjoy your student time in aix!! ;))

[Marge]

Happy Birthday to your beautiful Chelsea Corey!

[shelley noble]

You know, Chelsea, who she is in essence, is apparent even at 18 months. And may I say, so is your talented eye in photography, Corey! You fooled me into thinking you were a novice--cut that out!

Happy Birthday Chelsea!

[Shelley]

Chelsea...HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY!!!

[Cynthia Garcia]

Happy Birhtday.......
Dear SWEET Chelsea

You have grown to be such a beautiful and intelligent young woman...
"The world is your oyster"
and like your mother
I'm sure you'll be making your impression
on the world......you already have....
"A little secret" Mom..ate a lot of brownies
cheesecake and etc.etc..

[Elizabeth]

Yes, the first pregnancy can be a bit of a trial with husbands...I well remember. I think the most difficulty was after the birth however...my husband wanted to be the one doing things with our son. That was ok to a degree...once my milk came in however, I had to convince him to LET ME feed the baby!! By the time the 2nd one came, he was more than happy for me to take care of whatever I could. Ha...having the first one to take more care of helped keep him busier. But I guess at least they were interested in their children, which today so many are not judging by how they so easily walk away from the women carrying their children. Perhaps they never think they will someday get old and want some children around, eh?

[rochambeau]

Dear Chelsea,
Happy Birthday!!! Congratulations on this very special day. Welcome to womanhood. It is a beautiful community to be part of.
A wish for you, that all your desires will be yours!

Most sincerely,
Constance

[tinker]

Wishing your daughter a very happy birthday. What a gift to have two such loving parents, as you and your French husband - hopefully, she'll remember that when reading the long list :)

[meredith]

Happy Birthday Chelsea! Your Mom's stories about you always have me thinking about my girls that are growing up in France, too.

[Mo'a]

Happy Birthday Chelsea...you chose well when you were choosing parents...clever girl.
Puccini and Verdi...very good tase.
Corey...ten pounds...well done. Not to try and top you or anything...my son was ten eight and a half...OK!!! perhaps I was trying to top you.

I love, love, the photo of Chelsea 18 months old.

[kristin Co]

After Mary (17th) ... Happy Birthday Chelsea !

[jeni]

Happy Birthday Chelsea!
Or should I say Happy Birthing day Corey.
Time flies on golden wings. I hope you both have a day to remember.

[Ariane]

Happy Birthday, Chelsea!

10 lbs - oh my! I'm sure by the 9th month you wished your husband could have been pregnant instead. haha

[Mrs.Staggs]

Best wishes Chelsea! I wish you much happiness!

[tut-tut]

What a beautiful photo of her! Happy birthday!

[Lorene]

Happy Birthday Chelsea!

Corey I don't think I could have followed that list! If that is his list for pregnancy, I can't begin to imagine what his list for Chelsea is now that she is an adult. You will have to share it with us one day.

[Star]

Best of birthday wishes to Chelsea! Let the skydiving begin!

[martina]

Chelsea-the photo just shows that you have always been a beautiful woman and you have terrific parents. Happy birthday!

[beachy]

Oh how beautiful Corey! This post made me want to weep! What a thoughtful list your husband will be able to gift to Chelsea someday! And how loving of you to follow his list while pregnant!

And a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to CHELSEA!!!

[Gillian]

I'm sorry but you are hardly old enough to have an eighteen year old Corey....!
And Chelsea, what a beautiful baby you were! Happy Birthday sweetie, and I hope you get everything your heart desires.
xoxo
Gillian

[Trish]

Oh Ms.Corey....even eighteen years ago you were Victoria magazine material...the photo of Chelsea is beautiful...as are you dearest heart. Congratulations on all of your beautiful creations. May the New Year be one of delicious joy!

[Mary]

Happy Birthday Chelsea.
As she already jumped out of a plane, what will she do to celebrate this auspicious occasion?

Whatever it may be - have a great time - and tell her to always listen to her 'old soul' Daddy, and to see the world from creative Mommy's point of view.

Blessings to her on this special anniversaire - she grew from this beautiful baby into a gorgeous young woman!

[Linda Harre]

Corey......you are so unique:D The picture above is GORGEOUS! You are so filled with talents....the mind boggles....Have a glorious Holiday Season and look forward to more meaningful and beautiful posts in 2008! All my love, Linda

[Heather]

TEN POUNDS!!! Wow!! She was a little doll, too! I wish my husband had been interested at all in my pregnancy. He was too busy being freaked out! Happy birthday to Chelsea!

[Elizabeth]

Happy 18th Birthday Chelsea!! And Corey that IS an inspired list...love the walking in the forest and breathing deeply. These are some great ideas for living in general and not just while pregnant (then one could skip #5!!) Love your stories and thank you so for sharing your life with us.
xoxoxo

[Massilianana]

Joyeux Anniversaire Chelsea !

[cd&m]

Corey your daughter shares her birthday with my maternal Grandmother who would have been 100 today. Happy Birthday to Chelsea and a very merry Christmas to all of you.

[Paula]

Happy Birthday Sweet Angel Face !!!!!!

[Miz Booshay]

This is such a funny post. And I love the end....inspired.

Did you really do all of these things???

You are an inspiration to wives and mothers across the world if you could follow those rules.

Happy Birthday Chelsea! Listen to your daddy.

[Pat]

Happy Birthday dear Chelsea...what a wonderful gift, you are...and what wonderful parents, you have!

Pat