My lovely daughter Rachel is 18 today. I know it's a cliché but it seems like only yesterday that we were driving home very carefully from the hospital with a life-changing bundle of joy. I'm a bit sad that she isn't here to celebrate but we'll be catching up with that later in the week. I might just run to a G & T tonight though....
It happens in a blink, Judith. Your Rachel has grown into a beautiful young woman from an absolutely precious little one. Happy, happy 18th to your first born! Enjoy that G&T, mum! :)
Very lovely sequence of shots. Interesting to see your style over time too! Amazing job you've done considering how young you were when you had her :-)
This makes me have sweet tears. What a wonderful gift to her- this collage. Very touching. What a lovely woman she has become. I might have to do one of these for each of my kids (though the youngest of mine is 39!)
From new born to adulthood pictures & memories of a beautiful young woman Judith. She is so like you too, I particularly like the bottom left picture & then the bright little girl in the middle, she looks as sharp as a button! You did a fabulous job here & deserve two G&T's but they will be lonely ones tonight as you will be missing Nigel & Rachel. Is that Nigel with Rachel, the first time we have seen him!!! Looks rather dishy......
@jgpittenger I've done a whole book for her Jane - that's why I was very quiet on commenting for a while - it took ages! Mostly I rephotographed old prints but then there was a barren period when we first got a digital camera and the photos were awful! I managed to keep it a secret despite her being in the house all the time - I was planning on her working but the weather meant no punting. She says she shed a tear over a photo of her grandma (Nigel's mum) - very young for a granny when Rachel was first born but very ill with advanced dementia these days. She must be getting old as she's getting sentimental! I started with scan photos and worked up. Now I keep finding extra pics that I wish I'd included!!
@peggysirk Thanks Peggy - I hope your keeping a log of little Harper's pics ready for when she's 18 - it was hard work tracking all ours down for a photo book (Photobox - it came out great in the end).
That is so lovely - my fav pic is bottom left. When you make a photobook I think that it's so hard to choose and you always wish you had included more. Happy Birthday and congratulations, Rachel. Can see she is your daughter.
@quietpurplehaze Thanks - I love that photo - taken on an icy cold beach in Sussex when she wasn't paying attention. I took several lovely pics of her there - I miss that zoom lens!
Happy birthday to Rachel, It,s a shame she is away for her birthday, hope she does well. I rang Helen last night & she said she would get in touch re Birthday cake, hope it turns out good. btw I just love your collage of all the different stages of her growing up.
@snowy Thanks Diana - she sent it and I should have known it was on her blog all along! I will be trying it out tomorrow and fingers crossed it won't collapse!
@judithg I am sure it.s foolproof it was in a book of children's cookery I had, &wills made it whilst he was here one time .I have a photo of him with chocolate all around his face, its really yummy. Good luck
What a great selection of photos! I made a photo album for my eldest daughter's 18th but missed the boat for my youngest so I should get started now to make sure I make one in time for for her 21st instead!
All the best to her for whatever lies ahead!
It was only yesterday. Lovely collage - she is beautiful.