Fifteen years old. So old am I. So young is he. Fifteen is hard to remember but I feel like I was a teenager so recently. Maybe that's because I hardly feel like an adult.
When I asked if he was excited about his birthday Benny said that he didn't feel much like there was a birthday coming. I know it's because of all the other excitement. Moving. New school. Social life. Academics. Home. Thinking about driver's ed. Thinking about the responsibility of keeping a laptop with him at all times. So much else to think about - he hasn't had much free space in his brain to anticipate this birthday. Next year will be different.
My little boy was born on his due date, Friday, October 25, 1991, at approximately 7:30 am. I have suspicions that it set a precidence of timeliness and general OCD for him. He weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces. He had perfect hair. And perfect baby skin. And a sweet cry. He slept through the night at two weeks old. He made parenthood seem like the easiest thing on earth. Most of the time. He made being a rookie parent as easy as a baby could. We were living in Columbia, IL (just across the river from south county St. Louis, MO) and then moved back to Texas when he was two months old. Really those were about the happiest two months of my life.
Now he's fifteen. I can hardly believe it. Happy Birthday Benny. I'm so proud of you. :)
Happy Birthday Benny! My youngest will be 15 in December. I hadn't even thought about drivers ed but now I've been reminded. I hope Benny's 15th is one of his best!
Posted by: Janet | October 26, 2006 at 09:24 PM
Happy birthday Benny! I hope you have a great one. Good luck getting all adjusted to your new school and everything... I'm so glad to hear you are all together again :)
Posted by: Bethany | October 26, 2006 at 10:01 PM
How proud you must be of your son, and happy to have all your children together for his birthday.
Posted by: Vera | October 26, 2006 at 10:17 PM
Happy Birthday Benny!
Posted by: Amy | October 26, 2006 at 10:48 PM
Happy B-day Mr B! Greetings from a very rainy and stormy Stockholm.
Posted by: Catrin | October 26, 2006 at 11:35 PM
Great pics and what an awesome cake Laura!
Happy Birthday Benny, enjoy that laptop!
Posted by: Kelly | October 27, 2006 at 04:09 AM
I hate to say they grow up so fast, but dang! My older stepson was 5 when I met my husband. Now he's 20. Phew.
Posted by: jessie | October 27, 2006 at 04:31 AM
Happy Birthday, Benny! Love all those pictures!
Posted by: Carole | October 27, 2006 at 07:41 AM
Happy Birthday Benny! If you think 15 is great, just wait till you turn 16!
Posted by: Kate The Great | October 27, 2006 at 08:04 AM
Happy birthday Benny I hope you had a wonderful day.
Posted by: judy | October 27, 2006 at 08:36 AM
Happy birthday, Benny!
Posted by: wool winder | October 27, 2006 at 09:10 AM
Happy Birthday!! The bath in the sink photo really shows a strong resemblence between him and Emeline to me. All of the photos are great!
Posted by: janette | October 27, 2006 at 09:43 AM
That is the sweetest pictorial I have ever seen! Happy Birthday to your Big Boy son!
Trish
Posted by: My Merino Mantra | October 27, 2006 at 11:01 AM
Benny is a handsome young man! Enjoy your day and your new adventure, Benny!
Posted by: margene | October 27, 2006 at 11:15 AM
Wonderful! Thanks so much for all the great pictures, and Happy Birthday to Benny!!
Posted by: Jan B. | October 27, 2006 at 11:24 AM
Happy Birthday dear Bennnnyyyyyyyyy!
Happy Birthday to yoouuuu!!
And I bet your Birthday wish is for your Mom to lose that "bath in the sink" picture!
Posted by: Nancy | October 27, 2006 at 11:41 AM
Great pictures, Laura. Please tell Benny Happy Birthday from me, Bella, Chester, and our Benny. (who is only about 3 years behind him)
Posted by: christine | October 27, 2006 at 02:13 PM
Happy Birthday, Benny, even if it is a day late. I know that you are still making your mom very happy. You're a young man with, I'm sure, a very strong character and I'm sure that you will do well in life. I hope you enjoy all your new challenges.
Posted by: Pat K | October 27, 2006 at 05:40 PM
Happy birthday, Benny! Mmmmm, I wanna piece o' that cake!
Posted by: Norma | October 28, 2006 at 06:13 PM