My First Baby is 10!

Nathanael turns 10 today. I really feel like I blinked and he went from this....

to this....

It's not always easy being the oldest of four kids. He often ends up acting like the third parent. We have placed a lot of responsibility and expectations on him from an early age. He had to stop being "cute" and start being "mature" way sooner than he should have. He even had to go to bed at the same time as his siblings for a long time. I admit this was a mommy fail. No 8 year old should have had to go to bed at 6:30. I'm sure he will forgive me....one day.

In spite of all this, he's weathered his calling as the oldest sibling pretty well. He's developed a natural compassion and sensitivity for others from being a caretaker. I remember the basketball game that one of the kids on the opposing team fell down hard. Everyone else was focused on the game, but Nathanael was focused on the kid. He stopped playing and helped pick the kid up. That may not have been the best move as a game player, but he didn't care, and neither did we. Even this morning, when I was choking back my tears because my baby was in double digits, I noticed that he was too. I hope no matter how old he gets, he never loses this. His compassion and empathy is going to take him somewhere in life. We love you!