nine

The final birthday of 2012 {well, for the kids anyway}.  We obviously had poor family planning!  Three birthdays starting Feb. 5th and ending March 7th....every year.  My first born bringing up the rear....every year.  How unfair is that?

He was quick to point out to me that I was "on top of it" for Eden and Ty's birthdays, but seem to have lost interest in his.  Ouch.  True, I'm a bit worn out come March 7th but I have not lost interest!  Not in this sweet boy!

Being the oldest, his baby, baby pics were taken on a film camera.  So, I have zero little baby pics to share.  {except his 9 mos. picture because I have the disc from that shoot}  Even his 1st birthday was shot on film.  Oh well, he is the only one with an actual album, so he should feel special about that!

9 mos.

I honestly don't know where the time has gone.  A total cliche statement, but really he was this little dragon yesterday....

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2

I couldn't wait to meet Colin.  We knew he was a "he" before he came.  He had a name.  He just wouldn't come, and so I made him come...we induced...and boy does this child have a birth story!  

My first lesson in the life of a Mom...you cannot control everything!  And, my second lesson...your heart just grows and grows and expands... to sizes that you never dreamed possible!

big moments!  {2...but 3 in a few weeks!}             

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the force is strong with  this one!

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kindergarten t-ball

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another BIG moment!

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a BIG mess after LHF daycamp

L.O.V.E this kid!

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And now... with a heart three times bigger than I ever knew was possible {and still stretching}.

9!  a whole new year!

For each year these kids tack on, I can still see this one's brand new, little eyes searching my face.  I cannot believe 9 years has passed.  How he's grown...how I've grown.  And I know that very first night I met him won't be the last time he keeps me up into the wee hours of the morning {like tonight, for instance}.  He's still teaching me how to be a Mom...the good, the bad, and the ugly...and I'm so grateful.

Happy Birthday, Colin!  I love you!

{just a little side note...he was actually born on the 7th, but so late it was almost the 8th so this post is still technically on time :) }