G-Kaz: 2016 Topps Custom

Someone in the Kaz house is 2 1/2 years old on this day!

I'll give you hint: He's pictured above.

Time flies, man.  It feels like just yesterday we brought Gabriel home from the hospital for the first time.  Now, he's a healthy, happy toddler running around the house bossing his mommy and me around.  Gotta love it.

Anyhow, I ordered this custom card when Topps.com was having a half-off sale during Memorial Day weekend. And that's precisely why you're getting a 'half-birthday' post.  I don't normally make a point to celebrate half-birthdays or daycare 'graduations' and such, but I didn't wanna sit on this card til January.  I'm just an impatient cat.  My apologies.

In the spirit of the 2016 Topps design, I opted for close-cropped photo of Gabriel in action.  I tell ya, he's a tough dude to pin down for a photo.  Literally, he never sits still.  Always on the go.  He's got a Hunter Pence type of motor.  He's got soccer or track in his future, I think.

Oh, and since this custom card was 50% off, I thought it would be fun to make a 'variation' card.  You know, like one of those fancy Super Short Prints that are all the rage...

Both Mrs. Kaz and I agreed that this was the perfect photo choice for such an imaginary rare variation card. They're supposed to be fun, right?  Don't worry, those are foam rubber baseballs and he gets a real kick out of plopping himself on the sofa and lobbing them across the living room.

If you're a super-collector, the SSP is a must!

Okay, so here's Gabe's Topps timeline thus far...

Rookie Card.  Photo taken on Opening Day, 2014.  He was four months old.  I chose the '87 design for Gabriel's 'rookie' because it was my first year as a card collector (I was seven).  Plus, can you argue with a classic design like '87??

Second-year card.  From Opening Day, 2015, when the Mets beat the Nats.  Notice the happy face.

And the current year.  Mrs. K took this photo the day after the Mets' opener since it was an ESPN Sunday Night game and someone has a 7:30 bedtime.  Apparently he wasn't too shaken up at the news of the Mets loss. Smart kid: it's a long season.

I love making these things, and I look forward to making many, many, many more!

MK