Happy Birthday Zachary Chavez!

I can not believe he is 13 years old. My oldest nephew... I was his age when he was born. I was in the eighth grade... and I remember my best friend, Kelly Rhodes, and I rushed to the hospital with my Mom when he was born. I was soooooo excited to finally meet my very first nephew! He was the cutest little baby.

As he got older and started to walk he was chubby, with a big head and bright blonde hair. Then before I knew it he was starting kindergarten. Then before I knew it he was playing soccer and baseball. Then before I knew it he was going to middle school.

When I was thirteen I thought I knew everything. I was just discovering boys and puberty. I was no longer into cartoons are coloring. I was now into sports, boys, and makeup. I loved to take me newborn nephew everywhere. When he was two years old his mom disappeared off the face of this earth (not literally). My brother was a single father and still is to this day. I now have 2 other nephews!

Growing up Zachary was more like a little brother then nephew. We fought like siblings, and he taught me a lot about being an adult. Because my brother was 18 when he had him, I helped my brother raise him as much as I could. I would babysit him, feed him, bath him etc. Then he got to the age where he didn't want to be seen naked. So he started bathing himself etc. Now it is so hard to believe. His voice changes an octave with every word. Donovan and I where talking about him and we realized that when Donovan and I first started dating Zachary was only 3 years old. I even have pictures of Donovan and I going to prom with Zachary in the photo in his full body pajamas (GI Joe). Donovan mentioned how crazy it was to see him grow up so fast, and I said, just imagine him going from diapers to puberty. That is what it feels like for me.

It is just crazy to me to think that I was his age when he was born. I remember thinking I new everything I needed to know. My goodness, what I know now does not even compare to what I knew when I was 13.

I love you Zachary. Happy Birthday my first born nephew!