My baby celebrated his 16th birthday last week....eekk

Let me try that again "my little boy is now sixteen years old!" - nope it still hasn't sunk in. 

Over the past few week's, I've asked myself countless times "how did that happen? where has the time gone? Why has it gone so quick?" I still remember how tiny he was, how he came into my life as my first child and changed everything (in a very good way), how I used to just cuddle him for hours and hours; but all those precious memories and moments feel very far away, time came and went, quickly, too quickly, and the years slipped by. 

He is no longer a child now, but nearly a man and this birthday represents a big milestone. I have probably been more excited and nervous than he has, as in his normal laid back manner "it's no biggy mum, just another birthday". He wanted to celebrate his birthday with something low key, he didn't want a party, he wanted to spend some time with us, so as a family we went out for a lovely meal together.   At the restaurant we surprised him with a birthday cake - the restaurant blared the Happy Birthday song out, and the waitresses walked up to the table carrying the cake all singing to him. He was slightly embarrassed, "I can't believe you are doing this to me" he muttered to us, but the light in his eyes said otherwise.  His brothers thought it was funny, and Paul and I captured the moment, another precious memory to store away.

I am super proud of him, my not so little boy is a well mannered, thoughtful, sensible and an overall lovely young man. A great son and a great big brother. Don't get me wrong, he is your typical teen and he has his moments, but I wouldn't change him for the world, he is just perfect the way he is. 

And, I've enjoyed every single moment watching him grow up, from wiping away the tears, kissing his bumps and bruises to laughing with him, to just being there with him; 16 years of celebrating all his milestones and I am looking forward to much more.  I can't wait to see what he does with his life, where life takes him, what life brings him. And, no matter what, we will always be here for him.