Baby, it's cold outside

This is my Aquarian child, born in the midst of winter.

She was a novelty to her two not-yet-2-year-old brothers who delighted in her, and she was a miracle to me.

She's still a miracle. She seems to have escaped inheriting my worst traits and has always kept her own counsel.

With the boys, she learned to give as good as she got, so she grew up tough yet somehow feminine, though I was never a good role model in that department.

She climbed out of her crib and started walking at 9 months, determined to keep up with her brothers. And she settled for the scarce attention she got, always having to divide up everything (and sometimes that wasn't much) by three.

And, oh, how she loved animals, especially dogs. Right from the
beginning, even though she had to settle for stuffed ones.


Maybe all mothers claim this, but make no mistake: She's really, really smart. And not just smart, but clever, too. And wise. And adorable and funny.

Now she is sometimes known as "Dr. Beth," shown here with her very special Puffycat (left) and her very "pees-wherever-he-pleases" cat Winky.

My birthday wish for her is that she doesn't have to work so hard and that she has more time to herself. But that's hard when you're a full-time vet.

I have lots of other wishes for her, too. She's a perfect daughter, and she's still my miracle child.

Happy birthday, sweet child o' mine.