Teenagehood Hits Home

My (itty-bitty, sweet baby) boy turned 13 last week! He would be mortified to read the (parenthesis) part about him, but it's true! Seems like just yesterday I was waddling around in the July heat 'bout ready to bust at any moment! Then right lickity-split we were sending him off to Kindergarten, and now this! AHH! The first few years went by kinda slloowwlly. But since the birth of his brother in 2003, Rylan's birthdays seem to come around weekly! I scarcely even remember the theme of birthdays number 7, 8 and 9 since there was another itty-bitty baby in the house to take care of, but I know we celebrated cause I have pictures to prove it! But turning 13 is a milestone, very monumental. He is now a TEENAGER and has all of the privileges (??) that come with it. What he doesn't seem to realize is that now he can't act like a 12 year old anymore. For example, no more fighting with his brother. A teenager would NEVER fight with a little 7 year old, would they?! I dareso, no. (So far Rylan has not embraced this new law. I expect it to kick in at any minute, though.) I guess the strangest thing about turning 13 is that suddenly he no longer even looks like a scrawny kid. He used to be a stick figure. Now muscles are when bony structures used to be, and he cannot seem to get full. He tries and he tries to no avail. I think he finally just gets tired of chewing and gives up. This is the "eats you out of house and home" phase I've been trying to pretend wouldn't come to MY house. Anyways, no matter how much he eats or how big his foot gets (size 10 already!!), he is now and will always be my baby boy! (Sorry, Rylan, if you ever read this!) We love you very much and can't wait to see what the next 13 years bring!!