Little Boys
November 10, 2010
Oh, look at this.
That’s cool. I like that one.
God, why are you breathing on me.
(elbow shoving)
Sorry. Sheesh. I’ll stop breathing.
Please do.
Oh, that’s awesome.
Duuuude.
Now, you’re leaning on me.
(elbow shoving)
Whatever. Can I look when you are done?
Why? Why do you need to look? Copycat.
What? Am not.
Yes, you are.
I can’t help it if you always do things I want to do before I think of doing them.
This same conversation has played out in my house for twelve years, give or take. It began with looking through the toy catalogs that came in the mail. Then it was the guns and weapons catalogs. Now at just-turned-16 and not-quite 15, it is the online car listings.
My son turned 16 today. At 10:05am to be precise. And when you are a kid,even a big kid, those small distinctions matter.
I don’t feel any different.
Neither do I, baby.
From when, Mom? Yesterday? It isn’t your birthday.
I don’t really feel any different from the day you were born.
But that was SO long ago!
To you it is a lifetime. To me it was a blink of the eye.
I still see them like this.
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Awww, that last picture brings a tear to my eye. My about-to-be-17-year-old son used to wear his boots all the time in the house as a preschooler because he was “Boot Man!” Those years did indeed pass in the blink of any eye. I did not believe the older moms when they would tell me how fast it would go and how much I would miss it. Boy was I wrong!!
November 10th, 2010 at 7:55 pmGorgeous. Happy 16th Birthday!
November 10th, 2010 at 8:44 pmHappy Birthday to your son!
November 10th, 2010 at 9:30 pmTime really does fly.
I still see my 10-year-old as a toddler hugging my now 7-year-old when he was first born.
I see my kids the same way. I’m dazed and confused about how quickly the time has flown by.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:39 pmGuns & weapons catalogs? Somehow I just can’t picture you getting those in the mail.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:16 pmAt first I thought your son’s t-shirt said “Save Naptime”. I was going to ask where you found such a completely fabulous t shirt.
and I love your conversation with your son.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:46 pmI have a 2 year old and I am pregnant with a second child - one that I think is another son.
These words and pictures made me burst into tears. I hope you have a happy day too Chris.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:16 pmTo me it is a blink of an eye, too.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:28 pmThe birth of my first child made me a mommy 19 years ago yesterday. 19 years…gone just like that…
November 10th, 2010 at 11:50 pmIt is amazing how life with children just whizzes by in the blink of an eye. My boys are just 3 an 6, but it feels like they were just born yesterday. Oh and the conversation above? Classic.
November 11th, 2010 at 8:33 amawww…I feel the same with my boys. the time goes by so fast!
Happy 16th birthday!
November 11th, 2010 at 8:34 amHappy Birthday to your son! We always do see our children as little. My only child is going to be a mother soon and the time went like a blink of the eye too. I always wanted her to read your blog and she said now she will have something in common to read it. haha
November 11th, 2010 at 9:04 amHappy birthday to your big 16 year old!
November 11th, 2010 at 9:31 amNice post. Time certainly goes by way to fast when raising children.
November 11th, 2010 at 1:31 pmSeriously- you speak the universal thoughts and truth of all mothers. I swear you live inside my head. You=amazing writer.
November 11th, 2010 at 1:36 pmUgh, I’m sobbing at my desk. You nail this growing-up stuff, and make me cry every time.
November 11th, 2010 at 2:52 pmMy youngest will be 50 in February. His brother is 19 months older. I still see my babies when I look at their eyes. (an I am afraid they are still on to me!)
November 11th, 2010 at 4:08 pmI love those photos…..they remind me of the E Trade babies.
November 11th, 2010 at 8:24 pm*nodding*
We’re doing the arguing over toy catalogs stage in our house. They’ll be 5 and 3 in the next week and a half. I have no idea where time went.
Happy birthday to your young man. Happy birth day to you.
November 12th, 2010 at 2:47 pmThose photos are so sweet. I especially like the first one, how your older son has his leg crossed like a grown man reading the paper, but with a sippy cup under his knee. So cute. Happy 16th Birthday to him!
November 12th, 2010 at 2:56 pmTime sure does fly fast. I hope he had a wonderful day.
November 12th, 2010 at 4:52 pm