Tuesday, March 20, 2012

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.

60 comments:

Liz said...

Oh My Gosh, you're having one of those 'blink of an eye' moments I've had so many of this last month or two..!! Happy birthday to your gorgeous boy child Margaret....
Lizzie
xxx
ps. fabulous photos too, he was a cutie for sure....

Mouse said...

ohhhh love his wee baby piccies ... not sure he will talk to you after this update for a bit hahahaha ...
HAPPPPYYYYY BIRTHDAY ... hope all your dreams come true :) love mouse xxxxx

Myriam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Myriam said...

Happy birthday!
And what a surprise..my youngest son Antoine is 21 years old the same day!

Chris said...

Happy Birthday to your son!!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

WOW! Where does the time go? What a handsome, gifted, talented boy-child. He has done his Mother proud!

Am sure he is looking forward to college and more exciting adventures.

Giovanna said...

Many happy returns! We'll be going through the same with the eldest in a few weeks :-)

Jackie's Stitches said...

Happy Birthday!

It's times like this when you really realize how fast they grow up!

ROSELLA69 said...

BUON COMPLEANNO,CARISSIMO,UN ABBRACCIO.

Krista said...

So very sweet, thank you for sharing all of these memories.
A BIG happy birthday for the Birthday Boy!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

joyeux anniversaire !
bisous de France

Bertie said...

Happy Birthday to your boy child, a very photogenic child too:))Have a lovely day together!

Cathy B said...

They grow up so fast and then "poof" they are gone - off to explore all the world has to offer! Wishing your son a very happy birthday!

Jennifer said...

Oh my , I went through this in February ! Love the photos. A wonderful milestone. All the best .

Carol said...

They sure do grow up quickly, don't they Margaret!! Wishing him a very happy birthday today... My oldest is turning 30 tomorrow...now that makes ME feel really old. It's a great time of year to celebrate a birthday, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Hello

I enjoyed your post today.

Great pictures from a sweet baby to a handsome boy.

Happy birthday to your son.


























.

marly said...

Happy Birthday to the musician, what a sweet post mom!

Cari said...

Oh Margaret...thank you so much for sharing your lovely child. I know you are so very proud. Hugs

Laurie in Iowa said...

Happy, Happy Birthday Dear Boy Child.
I hope you will forgive your mother for posting your baby photos for all the world to see.
She's so proud of you!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

What a sweet post. You've raised a handsome young man. I hope his special day is great!

Jenny said...

From adorable to handsome - what a wonderful journey. Thanks so much for sharing with us, Margaret.
You are truly blessed with such beautiful and charming children!

Lanie said...

Oh my gosh, Margaret, your post made me emotional! First -- happy 18th bday to your son! My youngest turned 18 last September and as every parent before us has said "in a blink of an eye". It's so true. This is such an exciting time for them. The world is truly at their feet and we wish them a happy, wonderful adventure as they set out to fulfill their dreams. Congratulations to you and your husband on a job well done!

Marion said...

Happy Birthday to your handsome son!! Mine turned 18 on March 6th, so they are pretty close in age, aren't they? Ah..smiling..yes, my son now "smiles" without a smile....
Take care
Marion

Kristen said...

Sweet post. :)

Happy Birthday, boy child! Congratulations Margaret (and father type) on raising such a fine young man!

barbara said...

What a wonderful post! Happy birthday to your wonderful, talented son - and all the best wishes for his new year!

Erica said...

What beautiful memories you have!

Deb said...

Happy happy happy birthday to your son! They grow up way too fast, don't they!

valerie said...

Happy Birthday to Boy Child!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

HB to your DS! Great little walk down memory lane, Margaret! Wishing him a wonderful year!

Marjorie said...

aw what a sweet post! Happy Birthday to your boy child. Lol @ the unsmiling older child pics. My son is the same way.

Penny said...

From an adorable baby to a very handsome young man! Wishing your son a very happy birthday!

Jeannine520 said...

Ahhhh, what a cutie! Happy birthday to your sweet boy.

Littlebit said...

Aww..Margaret..what a wonderful post!! Happy, Happy Birthday to your handsome son!

Michelle said...

Happy Happy Birthday to your handsome (no-longer-a) boy child!

Ruth said...

Awww, What a nice walk down memory lane.

Congrats, Mom, he made it to 18! Good show.

Melanie said...

Happy Birthday to himmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!

Deborah said...

Wonderful photos! Happy Birthday to your son.

Anne said...

HAPPY DAY OF BIRTH TO YOUR DSON!!!!!!

P.J. said...

Happy birthday to the Boy Child!! They do grow up so fast. They are such precious gifts.

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday to your handsome boy! I love how in the last photos he was hamming it up for the camera!

ps I hope he gave you a big hug for his birthday!

Mugwump Woolies said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet baby boy! Enjoyed seeing all your precious photos...what a handsome fellow!
Robyn

Paulette said...

Happy Birthday to your spring baby! :) Love the walk through the pictures! You must be sooo proud.

Paulette

Lois said...

It is scary how quickly our children grow up. What wonderful pictures Margaret. Happy 18th birthday to your son.

Sylvia said...

A happy, most fabulous birthday to Eli! How time flies. It makes me a bit sad, but also so excited to see where our children are headed next!

Daffycat said...

Awwww! What a wonderful post, Margaret.

Happy birthday!!!!

Caroline said...

Oh Margaret - your post made me mist up a little. My baby is almost 4 and it's like I just got a glimpse into what's ahead. Lovely post -lovely boy - happy birthday to him!
xo

Sally said...

Happy Birthday to your son Margaret. What wonderful photos.

Joy said...

From a beautiful baby to a handsome young man! Happy Birthday!

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Excuse me as I wipe away a tear! Best wishes to your handsome son.
Linda

Debby said...

Congratulations with your handsome boychild!

Greetings from Debby

Catherine said...

Great post Margaret! Loved all of the pics ~ hope your son didn't mind! Happy Birthday and best wishes for a wonderful year!

BeckySC said...

Happy 18th to your son :)

Dona said...

Margaret, that sweet post brought tears to my eyes! What a wonderful son and a wonderful tribute!

It does go by so fast!

krayolakris said...

So sweet!

Anonymous said...

A very happy birthday to your son. What wonderful memories you have. ( I knew Mia wouldn't be too far away lol)

Zlata said...

My congratulations! He has only the beginning! Let life give him a lot of interesting events, true friends and love of course ! )))
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kim said...

Margaret!! I have a frog in my throat, as my son will be turning 16 in August!! The time has went by so quickly, one minute they are that sweet little baby and then you blink, and they're grown up. Thanks for sharing, I could feel the love you have for your son with your words and pictures. He is really something special~~

Dani - tkdchick said...

Awwww... My nephew turns 18 this year and I wonder where time has gone!

Loretta a/k/a Mrs. Pom said...

Happy Birthday to the boy child! Where did the time go? You didn't even have him when we moved to California. He is a cool kid!

Karoline said...

Happy Birthday to the Boy Child