Growing up

It's something I can't stop...my oldest is growing up. I'm more emotional about this lately - I'm sure its the pregnancy hormones or maybe this is just how the next 13 years will be. This week several things happened -

1. Samuel tied his shoes without help.
2. At a mid-year parent teacher conference Samuel's teacher said she has seen him grow and mature this year so much, especially in the area of self-control (ie. not talking when the teacher is talking)
3. He asked for some of Jeremy's Dr. Pepper - he hasn't liked carbonated drinks up til now because he said they were "spicy" but from whatever influence - he likes the spicy stuff.
4. He did his laundry almost all by himself. He can't fold shirts yet but he's pretty good at pants and pj's. He can move the laundry around (in the washer, to the dryer, to the basket, fold the pants and help me put them all away - whew! I love it!)

Can't believe it.