13 months to 13 years

13 years ago today, again if I was writing this post on March 19th when I was suppose to, I was lying on the sofa, yes the same sofa, at 530am when my water broke. (Don't worry, we've since gotten rid of that sofa) I wasn't fooled this time, I new what it was, but really 530 in the morning...like I'm going to jump up and get all flustered about that. There no flies on me so I got up, took a shower, had some breakfast, folded some laundry, got John and Brenna up, got Brenna ready for school and then we went to the hospital. And just a couple hours later, there was our sweet baby boy.

Somehow we've gone from this

to this...

How does it happen and why can't I make it stop. It seems as though each age is just the best and I don't want it to end but some how time just keeps plowing on.

Zack has turned into a funny, crazy, challenging, active, scary smart kid. And while I still firmly believe the middle school years should be spent at a boarding school, he seems to be navigating these shark-filled waters pretty gracefully. This has been the age of duct tape, pogo sticks, Xbox and Nazi zombies. I despair of him ever eating anything besides corn dogs, frozen waffles, cinnamon toast crunch and candy. Our goal is for him to weigh enough to turn the airbag on on the passenger side of the van. When I see what so many others are going through I am so proud of the young man he is becoming, but I am sorely missing my little buddy who always insisted I was his favorite and when there was no such thing as too many kisses. Now I have to be happy with a head bob and with the fact that he'll still let me come on his field trips with him (as long as I bring money for candy). But you know what... I'll take it.

18 months to 18 years

18 years ago today, if today was March 11th when I originally started writing this post, I was lying on the sofa talking to my mother on the phone when suddenly I started peeing in my pants. So, I hollered to John who came out of the kitchen with a wooden spoon in one hand and a pot of half-stirred Kraft Mac and Cheese in the other hand and I threw the phone at him and yelled, "Talk to my mother, I have to go to the bathroom I'm peeing in my pants!" Which was a little perplexing since if I knew I was peeing in my pants wouldn't I stop it??? Then the "AHA moment" when I realized that in fact I wasn't peeing in my pants but a whole new human being was getting ready to push it's way out of me! I told John and yelled at my mother that we had to go and all John could say was, "Right now???" as he looked sadly at his Mac and Cheese, but off we went. So, how can this be? When did this happen? When did we go from our blond whispy haired angel to a this stunning blond supermodel? Where was I and why wasn't I paying attention? It seems like just the other day they were putting this slimy, squirmy bald bundle of baby on my chest, where she promptly peed all over me. Not too much later she threw up right into John's mouth and we were off and running in the parenting life. This has been the most amazing, exciting, infuriating, humbling, funny, exasperating, terrifying, crazy roller coaster ride ever. As with most 1st children, we always felt like we were flying by the seat of our pants. But to look at her today, you'd think we were professional parents. She has turned into such an amazing young lady. I can't believe she'll be leaving for college in just a couple of months. There were years when she was growing up that I would have sold her to the gypsies, heck I would have paid the gypsies to take her. :) We despaired that she'd never learn to be quiet in class, that she'd never stop hiding her trash instead of throwing it away and that she'd never stop poking her finger through all the plastic wrap on the meat in the commissary. But some how she did and she has turned into an amazing, funny, smart (when she tries), kind (except to her brother) young woman and I'm looking forward to watching and seeing what the next 18 years bring.