Monkey Turns 12

It’s hard to believe 12 years ago I was in labor for the better part of 3 months; seems like it was just yesterday – that’s a pain one doesn’t forget easily. Hospital stay after hospital stay, my OB finally gave up, decided to show some mercy, and let this stubborn kid come a month early. So my November baby became an October baby – right smack in the middle of his mom and dads birthdays.

This year we kept the celebration tiny – just the family.

Izzy spent the morning watching Jeff Dunham:

Snatching bacon when he thought I wasn't looking:

Had his requested breakfast of bacon andFrench toast:

Was surprised by Grandma Barbara & Paw Paw Joe coming up and taking him to lunch –he chose Chick-Fil-A:

Got all the cards in the mail (on time!) from his out of town grands and great-grands:

Got the Fedora he’s wanted since summer:

Got the supplies he’s wanted for his comic drawings:

Got the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid – one of his favorite book series:

Shared his Peanut Butter Cake (that he wouldn’t let me even put sprinkles on) w/ Jack (who’s technically 3 ½ now):

And spent the rest of the day playing a video game he rented.

He spent the evening gorging on Sesame Beef and popcorn while we watched the Addams Family and trying out a new look:

As I look back over his life, I don’t think we had a clue just how obstinate this kid was going to be. Determined, persistent, pigheaded – kinda like his parents; once he’s set his mind to something, you can’t change it. No amount of time, explanation, reasoning, or money will sway him. Who could ever forget the Bible Man incident, him wanting a dog, or trying to kiss a girl?

This year he’s 12, and attitude and hormones are flying like bullets at the OK corral. As I reflect, I become increasingly aware that we should dig in our heels and brace ourselves. ‘Cause kid #1 is going to pale under kid #2 – that’s if he lives long enough for us to see it.