Lucky 13!
Posted: May 3, 2012 Filed under: baseball, kids | Tags: 13th birthday, All Stars, baseball fanatic, becoming a teenager, cute puppies, Fenway Park, First Colony Little League, first day of kindergarten, happy birthday to my son, Little League baseball, Red Sox Nation 38 CommentsMy firstborn turns 13 today.
A watershed event.
The last of “The Gerber Gang” becomes a teen. The Gang was our very first playgroup. Six babies (3 girls, 3 boys), all born within 6 weeks of each other. My guy was the youngest of The Gang, and now they’re all teenagers.
Lots of things have changed since days of The Gang. No more strollers, no more diapers.
Some things remain the same, however, despite the passage of time and the achievements of milestones.
My boy still loves to read.
I’m proud of him for a lot of reasons, but being a lover of books is on the top 10 list, for sure.
He still loves animals. 
Baseball remains his all-consuming passion. He’s always been reliable at the plate, and this past summer during All Stars was known as “The Doubles Machine.” He knows how to keep the line moving.
Little League has been a constant every year since he was old enough to play. 
His very first season, as a kindergartener, was the start of some exciting time spent at the ballpark.
This is his last season of Little League. While it won’t be the end of baseball for him, there’s something special about Little League, and the innocence and purity of the game up to the age of 12.
He’s a Red Sox fan to the core.
A proud member of Red Sox Nation practically since birth. He even wore his favorite Nomar jersey on the first day of kindergarten.
He loves his junk food!
And he does not like to try new foods!
He loves the beach.
He’s still not a fan of dressing up, and his idea of formal wear is shorts and a polo.
He still refuses to wear long pants, even when it’s cold (well, cold for Texas, anyway).
He’s not a big fan of smiling for the camera, either.
But sometimes he slips up and flashes a little grin.
His eyelashes have always gone on for days.
And his smile has always grabbed me by the heart-strings. 
Happy birthday, Pal. You’re not too old for your mama to give you a hug & a kiss!
The Pink Underbelly 
What an amazing young man! Happy birthday, Pay!!! ❤
Muh!
This is the year he becomes taller than his mom. Happy birthday, Payton!
It won’t be long now!
I have to admit I cried a little when I opened the blog and saw the first picture of my precious first born and cutie Pay sitting on my couch. Where did those days go!!?? Back then we couldn’t imagine them as teenagers, well here we are! Can I confess we still look like mothers of toddlers and people believe it? Happy Birthday Payton!!
Heck yeah, we still look young enough to have toddlers! We’ll just keep telling ourselves that!
Happy Birthday Peyton! Wow, Nancy. You have a handsome son. The teenage years at home will go by even faster than you can imagine.
Thanks, Barb! If he turns out like your boys, I’ll be a happy mama!
He will always appreciate your hugs, trust me on that
bw
Bill: I hope so!
Happy Birthday Payton.13 WOW I have seen that cute smile and i am so happy that Payton let’s me give him a hug and even puts up with a kiss from me. Can’t wait to see him in the surf at Salisbury Beach this year. Love
We can’t wait, either!
Happy Birthday to your newly minted teen! What a cutie.
Thanks, Susan!
That picture still kind of startles me at how grown up Payton looks, and I’m the one who took it! You look great also, I bet when you two are out together people assume you are so nice to drive your little brother around.
Great post, I really enjoyed looking back at the little man. It really brings home how much he’s grown and changed when you see the photos through the years lined up like that. I missed seeing his famous eye-rolling class picture! I wonder if teenagers still like fried dough and Fenway, or is he too cool for that now?
He’ll never outgrow Blink’s and Fenway–you didn’t!
What Trevor said! Happy Birthday, Big Boy!
So awesome! Happy birthday to your boy. Enjoy your day together. I absolutely loved looking at the photos, and that’s coming from a diehard Yankee fan. You have a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Stacey! So nice of you to say.
Happy birthday to Payton! The photos are cute beyond belief!
Aww, thanks Jan!
Wow Nancy….had to grab my tissues after seeing that first picture! Hope you are enjoying Payton’s day as much as he is……I know you are beyond proud of him! Happy birthday to Pay! And cheers to us moms….from the Gerber Gang to now teenagers, I think we’ve done pretty good :)) Miss you!
We have done pretty good! Miss you too, Kim–let’s get together for tennis & margaritas!
Happy Birthday Payton!
🙂
Oh, these are precious pix, you proud momma you. And somewhere in the background, do I hear a newly hatched teenager groaning??
Love his cowlick and love that he’s a Red Sox fan. He’s okay in my book on both counts. xoxo
He’s been good at groaning for a while now, Kathi!
Wow! Is he a handsome boy! Your photos brought so many smiles and remembrances. Yes, Little League is a special time.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
Hi, Brenda! Glad I was able to take you on a little trip down memory lane!
His father must be really good looking 🙂
Sorry – that’s a bit of an inside joke. Some less-than-thoughtful lady in a grocery store made exactly that remark to Nancy as a new mother with an infant. For all her willingness to speak her mind, Nancy has incredible powers of restraint as evidence by her utter lack of a police record.
Haha, T! That story is priceless! Surely there’s still time for me to amass a record?!
Nancy,
So many parallels – breast cancer diagnosis, my son was born 6 weeks after his cousin, and will turn 12 tomorrow 5/8/2000. We just began our 7th season of baseball, my son even had the same camo shark swimsuit. It is all about the beautiful eyes, smile and hair with these precious boys. May you continue to be blessed Nancy. Life is unpredictable and we just have to adjust, but with these beautiful little gifts we are given to raise, and see each year pass as they continue to bring such joy, such wonderful rays of sunshine. Happy Birthday Payton, may you continue to spread your smiles in your Mother’s life!
Kelly Jo — so glad you stopped by and shared your parallels. Life is unpredictable, for sure, yet worthy of adjustment. Happy belated birthday to your boy!
AHHH!! A teenager! Run for the hills! I love all of the photos. 🙂
I’ve got my running shoes laced up, Mandi!
That was soooo sweet! Thank you for sharing! Happy belated birthday to him.
Hey Renn! Thanks for the birthday wishes and for the comment. I always love to hear from you.