He Da Man

He da man. Back in January, when the boychild turned 18 (into a manchild, but you know I will always call him the boychild), I started a post about how he was now a man. Although it’s not an instantaneous change to manhood on the date…it’s been a long slow process. Digital cameras didn’t exist (or did they?) when he was born, but my first pictures of him date from Easter 2003, age 7 (girlchild is a mere 19 months younger than him)…searching for candy was always a joy.

This was back in the day when he would still let me shave his head and would wear what I asked him to…March 2004, age 8 (girlchild has bangs because he started the cut and I had to fix them).

Yeah, she let him do it.

He posed for pictures back them, November 2004, age 8. He also loved bright colors.

He even liked his cousins: December 2004, age 8, with cousin Jensen, aged 18 months?

Although sometimes we got the sulky smirk…October 2005, age 9.

July 2006 brought tears to my eyes…age 10, with Ivy as a puppy. Still letting me shave the head.

By December 2007, age 11, you can see the hair growth.

In November 2008, age 12, the hair is even longer, but he’ll still smile for the camera.

By April 2009, age 13, we had the hat. Yes. The hat.

In December 2009, age 13, with cousins, another hat…

We briefly lost the hat in April 2010, age 14.

No hats allowed in June 2010, 8th grade graduation, age 14, with the American grandparents. And the hair. And the lack of colored clothing.

The hat returns in December 2010, age 14, still poses and actually smiles.

By June 2011 in Aberystwyth, UK, barely a smile shows, age 15.

 

The hat returns in November 2011, age 15, with driving! The hair is seriously long now (yes, he did have to get it cut, but it kept getting longer and longer). Fewer pictures from here on out.

In December 2012, tall, fuzzy, long hair, um…put your cousin down, age 16.

December 2012, I managed to catch him smiling, age 16.

December 2013, the family photo, he’s refusing to smile, even though this is supposed to be the goofy photo, age 17.

 

But sometimes he still gets caught off guard, especially with his cousins…December 2013, age 17.

December 2013, girlchild snapchats while he listens to political convo…age 17.

Spring 2014, the two of them…her 16, him 18. Adult. Longest hair ever, settled into the black shirts and jeans he lives in (I can’t really argue against that, as those who know me will attest)…he does shave, when he feels like it. He even smiles occasionally.

Tomorrow he graduates from high school, with honors. In 8 weeks, he goes to college, Cornell, a way way far away…you did good, boychild. Don’t forget to write your momma. She’s gonna miss you.