Eighteen

How did it happen?  My youngest child, turning 18.  No longer the little tyke playing with Thomas the Tank Engine or watching Winnie the Pooh, but a young man with facial hair and a double bass to cradle.

You must excuse me while I go down memory lane.

My cute 3 month old with the chubby cheeks.

I still remember having to reach through some hole or other in the prop to hold onto your straps in the back so you wouldn't fall over.

Your first birthday.  Notice the little mark next to your eye?  That was from a tumble you took down the back door stairs.  (And yes, I made that quilt in the background.  It was given to your cousin as a baby quilt -- he's 13 months younger.)

You always had a smile on your face when you were little.  You made up for it later with all the non-smiley pictures you took as an older boy.

I've always loved this picture of you.  How cute is that hair cut?  Do you remember you used to cry when you got your hair cut?  Do you remember the tickle machine?

This picture was taken after we'd finally gotten someone to admit you had  strabismus.  The glasses were to help with the problem.  Remember how you had surgery to correct the strabismus on your 4th birthday?  We tried to present it to you as an adventure.  And all the time I was freaking out.

We're jumping ahead here.  My gosh, I'd forgotten how cute you were at 10!

Yup, you went through braces.  Desperately needed.

Graduation from middle school.  By this age, you'd tacitly stopped wearing your glasses despite being far sighted.

Always with the music.

And sometimes with the paintball.  (This picture was taken by one of our good friends' kids -- who is also good friends with our kids.)

One of your graduation pictures, taken last spring.  Why do they take senior pictures in spring of junior year??

Another senior picture.  Such a handsome fellow!

Had to stick this one from college auditions in again.  :D  A boy and his bass.

You are busy today -- your  birthday -- with school, followed by hs musical rehearsal, followed by a quick dinner and then jazz rehearsal.  Good thing you managed to party out all weekend instead.  It was a nice coincidence that a lot of your college age friends were home for spring break, so you could celebrate in style.

Then you deigned to celebrate with your parents on Sunday.  Here you are with your birthday cake, a couple of days early.

Mia, of course, was watching the festivities.  :D

But today, of course, is your real birthday.  My spring baby.  Happy spring.  Happy 18th birthday.  You get to vote this year, kid!  Unbelievable.

Here's wishing all your dreams come true.  Happy 18th.  I love you, mister.