My teenagers turned sixteen today. Someone congratulated me on their birth, but I wasn’t even there when they were born. Some might argue that such a situation is the best possible scenario in terms of birthing, but not me. I loved being pregnant, loved giving birth. But I was not pregnant with them. I did not give birth to them.
My husband and I adopted them seven months after their premature birth.
I think about her today, of course. I wonder if she thinks about them–I know she must. I wonder why she stopped contacting us. I hope she is well. I hope that one day, when my twins grow up, they will circle back to her and understand how they fit into our world and her world. I hope and I pray.
Meanwhile, I bought them sixteen Mylar balloons today and all the food they’ve recently requested. I regretted the balloons almost immediately and have spent an unpleasant amount of time today ordering various kids to “STOP HITTING THAT BALLOON!” All my kids relish a boxing match with a balloon. And it drives me crazy. I forget that fact from celebration to celebration.
I grocery shopped with them in mind and specifically brought home Ruffles with dip, cans of clam chowder and spaghetti sauce (among other things). A few years ago, they complained that there was nothing to eat–I said, “Eat a sandwich. That’s what most kids do.” But they turn up their noses at a run-of-the-mill sandwich. They didn’t believe me and I said to their friends, “Hey, what did you have for lunch?” and every single boy said, “A sandwich.”
My boys have never eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. (Their weirdest meal? When they were about two, they each ate a bowl of ketchup for lunch.)
Tonight, my husband planned to take the two of them to dinner to celebrate. (They are having a birthday sleep-over Friday night . . . save me!) The boys wanted to invite their friend. But another friend was over, too, so my husband invited that boy, too. Then my daughter wanted to go. (I couldn’t go because I was working and then had to pick up our 11-year old from lacrosse practice.) My husband agreed to take her, too . . . but she was at her friend’s house down the street . . . and so she invited her friend and then they couldn’t leave the other brother home alone, could they?
And that’s how it happened that my husband took seven kids to a restaurant tonight. And I wasn’t there.
I did not ask how much that cost!
After dinner, our boys went to youth group and had ice cream cake (provided by my husband). (He is such a good dad.) They came home smelling like garlic and hopping around with birthday joy.
Tomorrow we’ll be back to normal. I will look up at their blemished faces and daydream about those long toddler and preschooler years that seemed like they would never end. How do those warm bodies curled on my lap–both of them at once–grow so quickly into these young men with deep voices and giant feet who know more about being a parent than I do? (Oh, I laugh.)
Blink. Babies. Blink. Toddlers. Blink. Preschoolers. Blink. Elementary school. Blink. Teenagers. Blink. They’re gone.
Just that fast.
Actual Unretouched Photo 
Our first baby will be 23 in July.
‘Blink’ is an understatement.
Happy birthday to all!
Lucy
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That was beautiful.
How are you not published yet? Oh, that’s right. You have to finish your book first.
Get right on that, will ya?
Congrats on raising two fine boys who survived into teenhood and all the wisdom that comes with it. (Teenhood…not your wisdom, Mom. It’s they who are the smarter creatures now. 😉
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What a big day it is at your house-a milestone for all of you! Today is my baby sister’s 16th birthday and all she has done so far is complain that her new driver’s license says “intermediate” on it. Oh, to be 16 again. Life was sure tough.
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Ah, yes. The joys of motherhood! It does fly! And so, we have adoption in common as well!
Good job, mom! I have 3 more years until my oldest (of 7) is 16. Thanks for paving the way!
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Happy Birthday to your boys!
I’m an adoptive parent also, and birthdays have such an emotional component to them, for me.
Your husband sounds like a saint! Snowballing kids out to dinner! I don’t think I could have done that!
Good luck with the sleepover!
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Happy happy birthday to your boys
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It does happen far too quickly. My babies are 21 and 19! I have two adults! Hope they (and you) enjoy this momentous milestone.
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Oh, darn, that last part made me cry. I so did not want to be crying right now. My middle (boy) child will be sixteen in May. He doesn’t like PB&J either.
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My kids never ate pb&j, either. I was sure they were switched at birth, or something.
As I said on FB, my boy’s 13th b-day was yesterday. He had his “family” birthday party tonight, and tomorrow night, he’s having a sleepover…then bowling on Saturday. Can you say “birthday overkill?”
Your last few lines made me tear up, too. It is unfathomable how fast they grow up.
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Wow – I can’t believe they are 16!! I don’t want Luke to get old…I wish you could make them stay little forever.
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He’s such a great Dad. And happy birthday to them. Congrats to you for making it this far!!
Steph
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that WAS beautiful. glad you all had fun. =)
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Congratulations on 16 years of parenthood anyway, whether or not you birthed them! And happy happy (belated) to your boys! =)
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First you were talking about ice cream, and not the low-fat, no sugar added stuff I pretend to enjoy these days…no…real Haagen-Dazs…sigh.
And this post…left me with tears in my eyes. My baby girl turned one on Easter. My oldest daughter will be 13 in July. And yet, I remember her first birthday just like it was 10 days ago also…*sniffs*
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aw! it goes by so quickly!
Nell
SheSnaps.com
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