Happy Birthday Son

(Disclaimer: To any of you guys out there some of the following post may make you squirm a bit. Sorry in advance).

Today is our youngest son's 23rd birthday.
It is hard to believe that he is that old.
That makes me, what, "older than dirt"?

Look at the sweet face. From this picture it is hard to believe that this is the child that convinced us not to have a third. This innocent baby made his arrival in the world at 3:45 in the morning and that became the witching hour for us. Every morning at about 3 o'clock this beautiful little boy would want to get up to play. This went on until he was over 3 years old. To tell you the truth it really hasn't stopped. I've just learned to live with it. According to him, he rolled in at 3:45 this morning. See it never ends.

Here he is with his big brother. Aren't they just the most adorable things. This was before big brother realized that little brother would want to play with his stuff. Jr and I endured a whole host of sibling crap before the oldest moved out.

He is enchanting. This is right before I had my sleep deprived meltdown concluding in JR going in to get snipped. That was a telephone conversation went something like this:
JR: Hi honey. How's it going?
Me: Crappy! I'm going to kill these bleeping children then serve them to you for dinner. This is all your fault.
JR: I know sweetheart. Uh, Are we still on for one more?
Me: Are you out of your (really bad word here. Which I couldn't say because the little ones were up from their naps. Oh wait. The birthday boy never, NEVER took naps) mind?
JR: I must be. Sorry.
Me: BTW, you're going in for a vasectomy.
JR: I'll call the doctor tomorrow.
Me: Don't bother. You have an appointment for tomorrow.
At this point I hang up. Loudly!

Still Cute!


Here he is at 1 year old. Conversations with him at this age were rather one sided. I just didn't appreciate that like I should have. Today's conversation between the birthday boy and I went something like this:
Me (in a loud and chipper voice): Good morning honey!
Boy (in desperate whisper) Hi Mom. Not so loud ok?
Me: What do you want to do for your birthday?
Boy: Nurse my hangover.
Me: I think we should all go out for Oysters with poached eggs.
Boy: Ugh!
Me: Or maybe breakfast. We could get some eggs over really easy. You know the kind that run all over the plate.
Boy: Ahhhh. (as he runs to the bathroom)
He has just learned a valuable lesson

Paybacks are hell.

This must have been one of those rare days in Western Washington when snow covers the ground. As you can see I grabbed the boy stuffed him in a coat that was way too big, slapped a duffy hat on his head and force marched him out to the cow pasture for a photo op. I doubt if he had shoes on. I just know I'll make "mother of the year" soon.

Proudest moment of my life!
Should I have worried about the 1st birthday dunce cap he had on?


This is what he looks like after a day at the Washington wineries. Or after a big test. Or after he has a successful day at recess.

How to be the best mother on the plant or make that universe. Take a whole gang of college students on a winery tour.
Now, take a couple of minutes to spot the old people (a game closely related to "Spot the Looney" from Monty Python).
I'll wait. (theme from Jeopardy plays)

Is this the same kid that is applying for medical schools?
You betcha!

Our youngest son has been and still is an absolute source of wonder and joy for us. He likes to hang out with us old people. He's smart, funny, and kind. I'm still glad we didn't make him a middle child.

Happy Birthday Son!

Love,
M