my baby is 10 today.

How can this be? Double digits? TEN???

I still remember being pregnant with him (after 2 years of trying). The happiest time of our lives.

And then having him come 3 1/2 weeks early (while we were 2 hours from home at a rugby tournament, naturally). I still think the Knicks haven’t forgiven me for taking Vic away from the tournament finals.

Everything a birth should be – capped with a squirmy, perfect 7 pounder. I still remember every moment vividly – it was magical.

My follower. The one who doesn’t burst with self-esteem. The clown. The one who jokes when he’s nervous, and to get kids to like him.

The big kid – always. Who takes after his Poppy.

Who looked just like his daddy when he was little…but is slowly morphing into me.

Loves computer games and his Nintendo DS (and the DSi that he just opened for his birthday).

Who cried when he found out he was getting a <gasp!> SISTER. But who has been a better big brother than I ever could have imagined (except for when he harasses her, but what big brother doesn’t do that, right?). Ava will always be blessed to have him looking out for her.

Our smartypants. At the top of his gifted class at school…smarter than his parents, which is scary (but don’t tell him I said that, ok?)

Who refuses to let me get the scar on his face removed – because “the girls will like it.”

Who loved playing baseball, but is now playing football (after years of begging to) and maybe – just maybe – has found his niche.

I simply cannot believe this amazing kid has been ours for 10 years. A decade. It’s gone by in a flash. In a blink.

Happy Birthday, Aidan. May all your wishes come true!