12 years old

Silly boy on his birthday

Sean asked me to make his favorite cake-german chocolate

Bringing his cake to the table

All lit up

Happy birthday, Sweet Pea

Today is Sean's 12th birthday. It's amazing, really, how quickly the twleve years have passed, and yet at the same time it seems like so long ago that I first held him. He made me a mother. My first-born child. The one that turned my life around, and made me realize exactly what it means to live. The one that taught me that I can love another human being so much that it hurts.

Sean came into this world at 3:34pm on February 22, 1995, weighing a whopping 11 pounds and measuring 23 inches. He was perfect from the second he was born, and caused quite a stir around the hospital with his size. Doctors, nurses and staff members from all over the naval hospital at Camp Lejeune came to see him during the two days that we were there. He was the largest baby born in that hospital at that point, and everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of my pride and joy. I was happy to share.

He is one of the most loving children I have ever known in my life, and I am so happy and blessed to be his mother. Those who have taken the time to get to know Sean over the years, and really embrace his personality, have been pleasantly rewarded by having met one of the kindest souls that exist. He is adored by all of his teachers, school staff (especially the librarians, who hold a very special place in Sean's heart) and even his bus driver. I actually get notes sent home from his bus driver telling me how kind and caring Sean is towards her when the other students are making fun of her or causing her problems on the ride to school. Sean isn't afraid to stand up for those that he cares for.

So today I sat and looked at pictures of his birth, read his baby journal, and shed a few tears as I realized that my Sweet Pea is growing up all too quickly. Happy birthday, Sean. I love you up to the sky and down to the ground.