Happy 13th Colin....

 you entered this world in such a whirl of excitement, I only had my toothbrush and pillow to sustain the labor, delivery and hospital stay....you were the firstborn grandchild for Gran and Pop, they hurried quickly to the hospital late that night with G-Mom and G-Dad not far behind.....and in four short hours you made your first cry, so weak that the nurses had to use a styrofoam cup to help you breathe???  I still don't totally understand that one but it worked and you were cleared to leave the hospital and begin your life at home.....

I remember your first smile - daddy was home sleeping after working all night....I saw that smile and ran downstairs to wake him up to see your grin;  I remember your little clicking sound you used to communicate with; I remember telling you to settle down and be patient while I got ready because you would be waiting on women the rest of your life:); I remember your first crawl, backwards nonetheless;  and your first steps, you were not about to let go of my fingers and do it by yourself;  your smile at 4 in the morning - you weren't one to cry at night, just one to want to be awake

On your first birthday, we packed up and headed north....you cringed when we tried to get you to touch the snow; you flew on an airplane every single month of your second year of life;  you jumped out of the crib at Gran and Pop's house - I opened the door to find you in pure darkness with the most surprised look on your face and you asked, "What happened to me?"....thus began your days in the toddler bed

At the age of two, you welcomed P into our world;  every morning you would wake and climb into my bed and together we would snack on Golden Grahams cereal while P had a bottle; and off to Florida we went to begin another phase in our family journey;  Mickey Mouse's house was an accessible part of your life; you began your first year of preschool and you learned how to swim

At the age of three, you continued preschool....you were not an artsy child, drawing was just not your thing; and your teacher was not your favorite which became outwardly evident on the day that she asked you to help clean up the toys and you boldly told her "NO!" which landed you in the Director's office:)  Your days as the best John Deere Gator driver ever began as you drove P around our neighborhood daily;  you played your first season of soccer, my favorite part being the games when you would run up and down the field waving to us....perfect!

At the age of four, we moved yet again.....you fussed at our moving truck driver for smoking;  and you flat out kicked your preschool teacher because she would not let you count past 100;  you continued your driving skills on the Gator, thus leading us to believe that our Gator purchase was the best money we ever spent!  You were in a store one evening with Gran when we discovered to you could read fluently without ever being taught how to read; you loved your imaginary friends, John and Jor;  soccer took a backseat while baseball became your thing

At the age of five, you went to Kindergarten and the only thing you wanted to do was ride the bus to and fro - I tried desperately to convince you that my car was the equivalent to a bus but that would just not do;  you began playing the piano; you decided that swim team would be your thing so long as you could be the coach, otherwise, you were not about to participate:)  

At the age of six, first grade began and your first little crush appeared in the name of Meghan; the DS became a hot item in your world; you wore a mohawk to school;  riding a two wheel bike became a treat for you at the beach - you learned how to do this while we were on the beach and you told me you could only go straight, no turning until the next year;  

And, keeping it real, 7, 8 and 9 all tend to run together....you were a favorite student to your teachers; baseball and basketball were your sports; piano crept into your daily life; we began homeschooling, new friends were met, old ones remained;  Wimpy Kid books made you laugh out loud;  

And then there was 10, 11 and 12....three years that you quickly grew up....Axe entered the scene;  texting became second nature;  challenge introduced itself in the form of Algebra though you continued to maintain an A in math;  Social and sports coats you began to enjoy;  your interest in music became more apparent;  your desire for you own phone grew and grew despite our constant reminder that "just because that person has something does not mean you need it too"....

And during all 13 years, your love for your family, and our love for you continues to grow and grow - our proudest moments are when we see you smile because you have achieved a goal or when you come to us for advice or when you seek us out to show us your latest home movie....and we love hearing your dreams, receiving your hugs, hearing your laughter, and, most of all, we love who you are!  God has big plans for you buddy, and we are so blessed to be your parents!  

We love you Colin!