12 looks good on you

you.

your cake.

me: what's your favorite cereal?

you: oreo puffs

me: what?

you: oreo puffs. remember i got an ET finger out of it!

you have an incredible memory.

me: what's your favorite tv show?

you: verminators or spongebob

you are torn between adulthood and childhood.

me: what's your favorite vegetable?

you: pickles

me: do they count?

you: uh, ya, they are really cucumbers!

you are smart.

me: what toy would you never give away?

you: woody and buzz

me: i knew the answer to that one!

you will always be a kid at heart.

me: what do you take to bed at night?

you: my stuffed dogs: boone, buster, buster the second, buddy, braxton

me: just like i used to.

you: yep

me: they all have B names

you: ya, i know

me: it's amazing there is room for you to sleep

you: just so you know, there is even more than that on my bed.

you are still my little boy.

me: what's your favorite game?

you: ghosts in the graveyard

you appreciate the simple things.

me: what's your favorite book:

you: why can't it be an author

me: well, i guess it can

you: ok, then author stephanie meyer

me: poor jk rowlings

you: ppphhhhhft!

you are an excellent reader.

me: what's your favorite candy bar?

you: today, toblerone

you are your mother's son. milk chocolate, not dark!

today, you turned 12. i remember your birthday like yesterday. the day i brought you home, mimi told me to take a good look at you because tomorrow you would graduate high school. since that moment, i have found myself trying to slow time. just so you know, it's not working. it is slipping away faster than i care to admit. i hope you know that i love you more than life itself. as much as you want to grow up, i want you to stay little. you need to know that i am so proud of the young man you are becoming. i am so blessed that you are my son. there is not a day that goes by that you don't make me smile and every year you get older, i am reminded of becoming a mother. you were my first. you are unique. you are my baylor andrew.