she's a quarter of a century old

in honor of the old lady's 25th birthday today, i dug up some fun old photos to share.  and she's even already preapproved these, so extra bonus!

this was my most favorite messy food face photo of her, like ever.  i still remember how gleeful she was with that popsicle in her hand.

i still laugh whenever i look at this one.  that shirt i'm wearing with the cow?  made during my puffy paint phase.  and of course, the fact that we made it a point to take a picture of my baby basically flipping off the camera.

this is my most favorite photo of her from this age.  i don't even know what it is about it, but i've always loved it and am so glad i managed to save it from that chaotic time when i had to make super quick decisions about what stuff i could pack up to take. and it must have been from one of her parties, since the datestamp is her second birthday.  my baby.  so adorable.

ah, the year of the britney spears doll.  she had the britney spears tour van to go with it, plus all of the *nsync dolls.  she had the full set of spice girls dolls too, and i'm pretty sure there was a christina aguilera one in the mix.  i can't believe we had all the makings for an epic doll concert and had no idea how much we should have been appreciating it.  i know she wishes we still had those dolls...at least, most of them. 

oh yessssss...the era of crappy mall photo studios with the soft lighting and glittery backgrounds!  funny forever.

and then there was my aunt's wedding, where she was extra excited to get all dolled up but froze as it was time to walk down the aisle.  she got over it, as you can see, and was all smiles for our "four generations" photo.

we've all changed a bit since then, i'd say.

but there are some things that never change.  she still loves britney:

and playing like a little kid.

of course, there's disneyland.

my adorable baby has grown up into a beautiful, smart, funny, sarcastic woman who has so much ahead of her, and i'm so proud of her every day.  i'm just damn lucky to be her mom, and i'm happy to be along for the ride.

happy birthday, baby girl.  i love you so much, and i can't wait to see what comes next for you!