11 Years

11 years ago today at 6:17 a.m. my world changed forever. My Favorite Little Mister came in like a lion, though he’s grown up to be more like a lamb. He stole my heart right from the start & being a mom has taught me more about life than probably anything. Here are some photos of him through the years.

The first shows his “crinkly” ear {which is no longer crinkly; I think he was shoved inside the womb, growing so large, as he tried kicking his way out}

His “bird-feather” hair — so wispy & soft {until the first hair cut that is!}

His obsession with Thomas, by which he learned his colors & numbers & could identify any train in the set.

One of our favorite places to this day: The Morton Arboretum — I put him in a tree we are probably not allowed to climb!

BUGS! This was a ladybug release at the Brookfield Zoo. {I could have shown you the big, juicy cicadas he would rescue & carry to trees for their safety during the swarm of 2005, but I thought I would spare you.}

LEGOS! The obsession began young for this one & if anyone could become a master builder, it could be HIM!

OH & you could see the beginning of his mohawk here at age 4 which actually began with his obsession of cars at the Friday Night Car Show. While walking the route one night, he pointed to a yellow Mustang with a black racing stripe & exclaimed, “I want a racing stripe on my head like THAT!”

I said, “You want a mohawk?!”

He said, “What’s a mohawk? I just want a racing stripe!”

Botany! He loves nature & began loving botany specifically a few years ago because of the book Bizarre Botanicals, which he checked out so many times from the library, we ended up buying it for Christmas. We also made that summer’s family road trip to go out to North Carolina to meet the authors who are professors at UNC & they graciously gave us a private tour of their greenhouse! {To this day, he will tell you meeting Larry & Paula was the best day of his life!} Please buy the book & support these amazing scientists!

Bubo! His stuffed owl whom he created Owland for. The owl obsession began with his love for reading which led him to the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series which changed our home forever.

Nature! He loves nature: being outdoors, animals, plants, and will find anything interesting out there.

Reading! I am positive he has already read more books than I have in my entire life. His love for learning is amazing.

Cello & Piano! Watch out Piano Guys! I am raising up your third – & someday you’ll have to become a trio! His fifth grade “Hero” paper was all about their celllist: Stephen Sharp Nelson!

 

Oh, My Favorite Little Mister, I love you so! Happy Birthday my son!

 

Grace & Peace,

Julie