Thursday, September 20, 2007

Happy Birthday Boy



On this day in 1991, my son was born. Due to his prenatal size, the doc said that this time his Mom should have a C-section. It turned out this was a wise decision as he was almost 11 pounds at birth.

He came into the world without the battering of uterine muscles and pushing through bony passageways that his sisters endured. No bruises, no cone-head ... just a pretty pink baby with big feet.

He's been doing things the easy way ever since.

I distinctly remember holding him and thinking, "Six years from now, I'll still have a little one in the house, Yes!" I was having such a good time with his sisters, 3 1/2 year old Kate and 2 year old Emma that the idea of an extension of this joy was a very happy thought for me.

He (they) did not let me down, and if there's anything a teaching life has given me, it's lots of rare and precious time with my kids.

So today, my baby boy is 16. Such a milestone!

I like the way he's turning out.

He's smart and very funny.

He's creative, always making films complete with script and costumes.

He picks his friends well.

He reads voraciously.

He's messy like me.

He's a sports fanatic like his Mom.

He's a cutie. I hear he's cute ... I hear that a lot from girls at the our school.

He's naturally magic on a soccer field,.

He works hard to be magic on a basketball court.

He's got a kind heart and for that I credit the dogs and other pets that have taught him well.

He's taller than me now.

He listens.

He's lean and strong and likes to lift weights. I've noticed lately that on the weight machine we share, his settings are where mine are and sometimes heavier.

He grappled me in the kitchen a few weeks ago, (like Cato in the Pink Panther) and it took me a looooong time to wrap him up in a FLETC control hold ... it used to be so easy.

He's polite, a "Yes Sir, No Maam" kind of kid that gets rave reviews from the teachers and other parents who know (feed and house) him.

He's the one who reminds us to give thanks at supper time.

He's my son.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

He sounds like a really neat kid. Like father, like son?

Susan Humeston said...

Awwww - by the way, in the pictures that you've posted of your son - yup, he's a girl magnet cutie......

Anonymous said...

Lucky fellow. Both of you.

Anonymous said...

A big Happy Birthday to Ramey from Thunder and Lightnin!

roger said...

so nice to know of a proper young man. too often we hear of the other kind.

happy birthday to the knucklehead.

robin andrea said...

Happy birthday to your youngest. You have such nice things to say about him. That's his birthday gift to you. And yes, he is definitely a cutie.

Deb said...

Happy birthday to a wonderful young man, the kind I'm hoping my sons will be. Except for the messy part...must be a guy thing. :)

threecollie said...

Happy birthday to him. I love parents who enjoy their kids like you so obviously do. Makes for great families, fine memories, and good citizens a ways down the road.

Sharon said...

Happy Birthday to him! 16 is a big one. Sounds like you and Mrs. have done a wonderful job :) That pic is precious.

Ava said...

He sounds like an awesome young man! Happy birthday to him!!!!!

Juli said...

You have found your calling... contact Hallmark! ;) Happy Birthday to "Junior" and thanks for sharing your love of your fine young man.

kathy a. said...

what a great tribute to a terrific guy!

Anonymous said...

Yep; he's a cutie!! Great fam, fc.

SophieMae said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RJ!

FC, you could not have chosen a better picture! And your tribute is an amazing birthday gift. Thanks ever so for sharing your family - your heart.

Unknown said...

Yah, he is pretty darn loveable!! I'll be thinking about y'all today. Have a great dinner!! I love you.

Joni said...

My gosh that kid is adorable. I love his expression. Happy Birthday!

jojo said...

Great kids come from Great parents. So you do deserve some credit. Though he is a cutiepie...

and i agree! your posts are truly awe shivering sometimes. whaz up with that? warm fuzzy guy!

Anonymous said...

If he's turned out all right, we know who's to blame.

(Also, FC, I can't believe that you are messy!)

OldHorsetailSnake said...

Of course you would have a son like that. As someone else said, like father like bubba.

Anonymous said...

Sweet. Mad me cry. Think I will go give my own 16 year old boy a big hug. Happy Birthday, Jr.

ImagineMel said...

awww...he's your son, but I am blessed to have him as part of my family. Happy Birthday to my 2nd favorite 16 year old! :) You done good Dad! (and Mom too!)

Anonymous said...

Birthdays are as nice for parents as for children- at 16, he's thinking JEEP and you're thinking, "my baby!"
He is a babe magnet, from what I've seen an I love this list of strengths and virtues. And, I'm laughing at Hoss, as usual. Happy Birthday, Junior!

My passionflowers had GIANT (MUY GIGANTIC) grasshoppers consuming the leaves when I was down there last week. As much as I'm not fond of spideys I think I would have preferred them to these huge hoppers. I am always impressed that you are up and running with such fine photos and wonderful responsiveness, especially given your rural setting. It's to our great benefit! (And Panera's has it's limitations- there are only so many hours you can sit in a muffin shop and not buy muffins, ya know.)

R.Powers said...

Whew, late night with the birthday celebration and now I need to get to work so forgive me a "blankey thanky" this time.

Thank you all for your kind comments and birthday wishes. He was reading the post and comments aloud to his Mom last night.
She got all girly teary eyed.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Like father like son--the apple dosn't fall to far from the tree-- he didnt just turn out that way it took the love and molding from you and mrs fc. He will be a better young man having grown up in a loving family and it shows in the girls as well. It al started with Papa and Nana -- Pa and Ma and lets not forget Art and Peggy!!!!

Leslie said...

How wonderful for you to be able to write those words about your son. And how wonderful for him to be able to hear you say them. Belated happiness.

Meems said...

i'm a little late on this one but i wanted to chime in to say i enjoyed the tribute to your son for his birthday. how touching that you remember how you felt when he was born. you are a blessed man and he is a blessed son... which i guess makes up for being messy. :-)
i also read your post explaining how hard it is for you to use your dial up. wow. you really do have to be persistent and patient... which btw probably also makes up for being messy. :-)

Paintsmh said...

Oops. Im a bit late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!