Birthday Boy

Today is officially Sam’s 9th Birthday. Nine sounds so old to me. I’ve always felt that way about the “nines.” Twenty-nine, Thirty-nine, Forty-nine…you get the idea.

This is such a bittersweet Birthday for me. He’ll never be a single digit number after this year.

You mean, I'm actually allowed to "grow up?"

I remember how exciting it was, as a kid, to hit those “Double Digits.” Now, I find it a little depressing. I know every parent goes through moments when they want to stop time. And, I have found myself in quite a few of those, especially with my little one, Jake. He’s my baby. I want to keep him that way.

You are not to get any older or bigger. Got it kid?!?

But, Sam has always been the one that I’ve encouraged to “advance.” Mature. Become self-reliant. In fact, I’ve expected it with him. He’s my oldest, and I expect him to act “like it.” What does that even mean? I guess, the opposite of acting like Jake. The “baby.”

So, this 9th Birthday has caught me off-guard. Today I realized that my first “baby” has very limited time remaining in this “kiddie” realm. And, I don’t want him to grow-up so fast. I’m  really not ready for the fast approaching “Double Digits.” He may be, but I’m not.

"Double Digits here I come."

Sam and I are now both in the “nines.” This is my thirty-ninth year. And, I’m trying to accomplish a whole list of things before I turn the big 4-0. But, one thing I’m not going to do is rush through Sam’s 9th year.  I’m going to savor every last minute of it. Because, as we all know, it all goes by oh so fast.

How do you feel about your kid’s milestone birthdays?