Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Bean Sprouts

So I am kind of known around here as the mom of teens. However, the truth is I am the mother of only one (very moody and wonderfully maddening) teen. My other child is not a teen. In fact, he is one very sweet little boy that still likes a tuck-in, is willing to snuggle on the couch, never passes up an ice cream run with Dad, and speaks in full, non-inflammatory sentences.

But that's all about to change.

My precious Mr. Beans is about to officially cross to the dark side. Sure, I have seen subtle harbingers in the form of hormone surges, texts from girls (MANY texts from MANY girls), smelly armpits and even a bit of defiance. But I have heretofore been able to shrug them off because he's still my baby. After all, he's 12, not 13, so any experimental foray into teendom is only temporary, and kind of cute. Until this coming Saturday. God help us all...

And while I want so badly to hold onto him, as he is, keeping him cute and innocent and nice, I also wonder what life has in store for this creature that is unlike any other. I can't wait to meet him after all the messy teen chaos gets sorted out, and he becomes the incredible man I know he will be.

Because while the scenery will change, and hair will grow, and the voice will deepen, the awe-inspiring soul that draws others to him, the smart but gentle humor that comes so naturally, and the courage and self-esteem that make him stand so tall will all still be there, shining brightly.

Let's just hope I haven't lost my mind by then, so I can enjoy him a little.

32 comments:

Tony@ That One Paticular Harbor said...

Deb, I think you will weather this change just fine. Mr. Beans will not disapoint you. Maybe after he has turned 30 something and so has Alayna we can let them date. It will be her 1st as she is not allowed around boys until she gets her doctors liscense.

Ash said...

"I can't wait to meet him after all the messy teen chaos gets sorted out, and he becomes the incredible man I know he will be."

Now I'm crying. Thank you. I'm crying.

Take good notes. 7 will be 13 before I know it.

Now where's that glass of wine...

Mama-Face said...

Wow, Can I relate. If I think real hard (difficult in and of itself) I can remember some pretty rough times with my now 22 year old son. But mostly I remember all the really great times and now he is one of my very best friends!

My last is about 9-- and I live in fear and dread. Can't wait for the funky odor to kick in. Boy smell. ick.

You'll be fine--he's got a Mom who loves him!! :)

Ash said...

P.S. Happy early Birthday to Mr. Beans.

Sniff.

Mama-Face said...

By the way...cute new picture!! :)

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

Happy Birthday Mr. Bean!!! And congrats on moving on to another stage in his life. Those moves are never easy. My oldest is about to turn 18 on Dec 1st and I am losing my mind. How is it possible that I have an ADULT child? And how is it that your baby is now a TEEN? How does that happen so stinkin fast!?!

PS...nice to see you posting =D

Sera said...

This is just written so beautifully, as usual, Deb. :) He's seemed so sweet whenever you've had him in a video. You're doing an awesome job, and so what if you go crazy. I think we all already have if we are parents.

Mariah said...

DEB!!! This is a sweet post! Good job.

I don't want my boy to become moody teen!!! But he will, won't he?!?! It's only a year and a half away. Bummer.

Michele R said...

It is harder when the subsequent reach that birthday, isn't it? My oldest is 13.5......I need not say more. My next one is 11, but very close to 12. He loves snuggling and even has a few stuffed animals on his bed (he would die if this was known). When they were all little and driving me insane I'd picture all of them grown up with their arms around me.
Happy b-day to him!

That Janie Girl said...

Oh, yeah...I remember those days!

AnnieRoso said...

Mine's only 4, but I've kinda been having the same thoughts as he makes the foray from baby to boy (kicking and screaming...he's good at being a baby). Today he asked me if I could tell his teacher he had to suck his thumb because she was getting after him about it.

Boys are wonderful. Happy birthday to yours. :-)

Jenn@ The Crazies said...

Happy Birthday to your almost teen... I am sure he will be perfect... most teens are!! LOL

Anonymous said...

Thank you Deb for reminding me that there is a light at the end of the funky smelling boy teen tunnel!

We've got a few years and then round 2!

Yippee!

Susan Holt Simpson said...

Crossing over to the dark side - yes, that describes it perfectly!

michelle said...

Wow. I could have been reading my own words about our 12 year old. My husband has always said he doesn't want them to grow up and grow hair and loose their squeaky voices. As much as growing up means going away, I'm still curious about the changes adolescence will bring.

Harlene said...

May the force be with you!

I'm on my 4th tween now!

Two words- XA-NAX!

Young Momma said...

Aww Deb... That was adorable!!! I haven't been able to read your blogs in a bit - but I am so glad I came back to this one! Beautiful!!!! The bit about meetinging when all the messy teen chaos is gone.... ugh, so reminds me of when my brothers hit those teenage years!!! You're such an amazing mom, I know BOTH of your teens will turn out to be amazing men!

Lindsay said...

It's unfortunate that we can't keep our kids kids forever. I sometimes wish I could bottle up Liv's toddler sweetness (but not moodiness--they really are tiny teens) and never let it go.

I'm sure you'll do fine. Moody Teen has no doubt acclimated you to the world of teen-dom.

Unknown said...

Beautifully said.
Been there.
Am there.
It's a crazy but incredible ride. And some sleepless nights.

Tenakim said...

very sweet tribute and mourning of his sweet loveable ways. I know it well. My 10 yr old girl thinks she's 17 so, I practically have 2 teenagers, too- we definitely deserve a couple drinks.

Beth said...

It would only be fair that this one be the calm teen. If only fair were the name of the game.

Ash said...

How you holding up?

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

Happy Birthday to your little boy - er, little man! And good luck with alllllll that! Teenagers - ACK!!!!

Missy said...

My 11 year-old son is in puberty hell! We fight daily over deoderant, etc. His mind is still "little boy" but his body is smelly!

Heather of the EO said...

Well, you're officially the mother of TWO teens as I write this. Happy Birthday! (late)

And I hope you're doing well with this whole kissing childhood goodbye thing...your words were just beautiful. I can't wait to meet my boys as adults either. But i'll keep them this way for as long as I can!

Unknown said...

awwww Deb your an incrediable mother...you and him will be fine and do great!

Hope his Birthday was awesome!
I apologize for my absence I have been a sicko and am just now trying to get caught back up with everyone

Claremont First Ward said...

I'm covering my eyes.

I'm scared of the dark side. I mean the teen years.

life in the mom lane said...

My "little man" is not so little anymore... he is about to turn 16 in 2 (yikes) weeks and is 6'1 with a chin strap (a thin little beard thing along the jawline) and hairy legs... You are right though, in between the teen attitude etc. I see glimpses of the man he is becoming and that is so cool! :)

Bramblemoon Farm said...

Feel free to freak out; I remember this when it happened to me. I have to admit that only one of my teens became the Angry Teen, so there is hope. Mr. Beans COULD skip the angry part. We can only hope:)

Fragrant Liar said...

Found you over at MWOB, and enjoy your writing.

Happy birthday to the kid who's about to be swept up in the dark side.

tiarastantrums said...

he will always be your baby though!!

jo@blog-diggidy said...

i feel ya deb!! my pumpkin_seed just turned 13 and her attitude changed like a flip of the switch!!! oh my goodness...but she is still sweet and i guess we will keep her around a little (A LOT) longer!! ;)