Happy Birthday Sour Apple

Where has the time gone?! I cannot believe that my baby is 12 today. It seems like only yesterday when he was born, yet it seems so long ago. So much has changed in 12 years. He is growing up to be quite the young man. He is in 7th grade this year, junior high. He is playing junior high soccer. Wow. He changes classes, he has a locker, he is growing up.

Part of this makes me happy, to know that he is growing up. Part of this tears me up, to know that he is growing up. I do not know if I am ready. So much is changing, so fast. He will always be my baby, he will always be my little boy, he will always be one of my best friends. Where does the time go? I can remember him being so little, so sweet and always wanting to be with me. Now, his is bigger, not always so sweet and not always wanting to be with me. He has friends now, he has a life beyond me. That is good. For me, sometimes that is bad. I miss my little boy but I am proud of the young man he is becoming. He may not always be responsible, he may not always be mature, he may not always be reasonable or respectful...he is 12. He can be responsible, he can be mature, he can be reasonable and he can be respectful and most of the time, he is all of those things.

He is a wonderful big brother, most of the time. He loves his baby brothers, he does not always like his sister, that comes with age but I know he loves her, he tells me. It is sweet. He tries to look out for them even though they do not want to be looked out for. He tries to hard to "mother" them.

He is a good boy. He makes me happy, he makes me mad. He is me when I was younger. I think that is why we butt heads the way we do. He is me. We have a special bond. I love him.

When I think back to 12 years ago, so much was different. I was a new mom. I knew nothing. I knew how to love him and that was all I needed to know. I have learned a lot about being a mom over the past 12 years. Some of it I learned the hard way, some of it I am still learning. The one thing that is for sure is that I love my kids with all that I am and all that I have. They mean the world to me.

I love you, my first born. You make me happy and I am proud of who you are becoming. I will always be here for you. No matter what.


I cannot believe how old my little boy looks here!

He has changed so much in the last year, and he changes more each day.

He will always be my baby.

He is so funny. He makes the best faces and has a huge personality.

He is a great big brother. He loves his little brothers more than anything.

I still cannot believe my baby is 12.

Wow.

Happy Birthday Diz! I love you!