Today is the 25th birthday of my older daughter, Lizzy Jane. 
She had the bad luck to be born first, so I got to practice all my non-maternal skills on her. Luckily, she proved to be resilient, smart and independent and thrived no matter how many stupid mistakes I made. (Who knew rocking babies to sleep every night — three 
or four times every night — and letting them drink apple juice all day was bad for them???) Today, she is such a loving mom to my 13-month-old grandson, Capt. Adorable, that I constantly am in awe of her parenting skills. No protracted, drawn-out, miserable bedtimes for her! She also is a talented dancer and performer, as well as a teacher and budding choreographer. Plus, she’s the best money-manager I know — she can come out of a grocery store with a week’s worth of tasty and nutritious meals on less money than most people spend on a pair of new shoes. (Not that I myself have any personal knowledge of blowing the budget on gotta-have shoes, you understand. Because that would be wrong.) I have no idea where she learned all this — books? magazines? Dave Ramsey? — but I do know that I am incredibly proud to be her mom. Happy 25th birthday, Lizzy Jane!
Coffee with Cathy
Pour a cup & take a break
Coffee with Cathy 
Happy Birthday Lizzie Jane!
Cathy, she is just beautiful.
Thank you so much, Jan. I so appreciate your kind words.
I believe you were a good Mom when Lizzy Jane was a baby, just a little inexperienced, that’s all.
And I believe you’re a great Mom now, and Grandma w/that adorable adorable Capt. Adorable.
Happy Birthday to your Lizzy Jane!!
Happy Birthday Lizzy Jane, I love the picture of you dancing. Give Capt. Adorable a hug from me. PS Cathy, I have tried to comment without success a few times…. hope this one posts 🙂
Happy Birthday to your daughter. She is beautiful and looks wonderfully happy with life…give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Oh, thank you all for so much for the parenting encouragement. Even parents of grownup children need that!
Got off the phone with Liz a few minutes ago, but let me add my best birthday wishes here.
You are AWESOME Liz!! Happy Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ!!! Amazing how these first children turn out despite our ignorance and inexperience.
Happy Birthday to Lizzy Jane..I just adore that name! I wanted to call our grandaughter with the middle name Elizabeth that..her Mom said “No”
Your early Mom experiences sound a bit like mine..but it seems babies are resilent..and never hold a grudge! Good thing too!
Captain Adorable deserves the best, ad it sounds like he got it! 🙂
Happy Birthday Lizzie!
Mom, you must have done alright since she turned out so well. I, too, wonder why my oldest turned out so well. I’m still not sure why but I thank my lucky stars he did.
Love those pics! And you must have done something right to have such a great daughter!
Way to go Lizzie!!!!
You all have made my day! And the thing about the “Lizzy Jane” is that that’s not really her name. She’s actually “Elizabeth Anne,” which I thought was so unique and original but I’m telling you, every Elizabeth you meet has got an Ann(e) attached, too. So much for originality. The “Lizzy Jane” got started because it aggravated her when she was little and I called her that and now many years later I sort of can’t stop.