Monday, July 23, 2012

Try for a girl?

I was at the grocery store today with both boys and the cashier commented on how since I have two boys I not have to "try for a girl."  She went on to talk about how boys may be "easier" when they're teens, but as adults they never call their mom, whereas girls call their mom all the time. 

There are so many things I can say about that conversation.

Yes, I have always wanted to be the mother of girls.  And it was only magnified by the fact that my sister has three daughters.  I dream of tutus, hair bows, and pretty leggings.  I could play with Barbies for hours. 

When we first found out we were having a boy, I was devastated.  I know it sounds terrible, and I felt bad that I felt that way, but I couldn't help it.  I didn't know little boys.  How do you play with cars?  I mean, what can a car do except drive in a circle?  I can't build anything unless you give me a picture to copy.  And I'm not a big fan of getting dirty.  Plus, let's be honest here, boys' clothes are nowhere near as much fun as girls' clothes!  What do boys have--basketball shorts?

It took me a while to get used to the idea of being a mom of a boy.  I've traded in Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty for Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen (who Micah affectionately calls "Ka-cow").  I'm building towers instead of sipping tea.  Instead of skirts and hair bows I'm dressing him in hats and ties (and boy does he look cute!). 

I love being the mom of boys.  We have so much fun together.  Micah has opened up a whole new world to me.  Yes, he keeps me very busy.  Most nights I drop into bed and fall asleep in no time flat.  But I love it.  I love watching him explore at the park and the look of concentration he gets on his face when he's trying to build something.  I love how he blocks everything else out when he's watching his favorite movie.  I love how as soon as you ask him if he wants to go outside he's got his shoes in his hands and is standing by the door, anxiously waiting for you to take him.  And when you get outside, he can't sit still.  He's going from the chalk to the bubble to his car back to the chalk and around again.

I've learned how to be the mom of boys.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  Yes, Brad and I want more children in our future.  And I would still love to have a little girl someday.  But I don't need to "try" for a girl.  If we only ever have boys, that's okay.  I am blessed by my boys and I don't need a girl to feel fulfilled as a mom.  My boys are just perfect.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

2 Months


I cannot believe that my baby is already two months old!  He's not a newborn anymore.  He is definitely a big boy.  At his one month check-up (which was actually more like 6 weeks) he weighed 12lbs. 3.5 oz. and he was 23 inches long.  I can't wait to see what he is at his next appointment!

Here are some highlights from Judah's second month of life:
  *Judah went strawberry picking with Oma, Micah, and Mommy
  *He's been to both the Tinley Park and Orland Park pools, but slept through our entire visits there. 
  *He started to smile this month and now he does it all the time!  He really is a smiley boy, especially when Daddy talks to him.
  *Judah is also starting to coo.  It is the most adorable sound.  I forgot how those first little baby coos sound, but I just fall in love with him all over again every time he does it!
  *Like his brother, Judah was diagnosed with silent reflux.  He's taking Zantac for it, but we're still trying to get the right dosage.
  *This past Sunday, Judah was baptized.  He did great, barely even flinched when the water was put on his head.  He slept through most of his party, too.
  *Judah's first major holiday (4th of July) has come and gone.  He really wanted to celebrate so he  made sure to stay awake all day long!  We had a little BBQ at our house and he just loved being around all the people.  He did great at the fireworks, too.  Never cried.
  *Judah loves his big brother.  Micah often tries to climb in the bouncy seat with him and Judah just loves it.  He always smiles when he hears his big brother, too.  I know they're going to be best buds!

Sleeping through a trip to the pool.

A little brotherly love.


Judah's baptism

Smiling for Mommy

Strawberry picking.

He knows to be worried when Micah's holding him!

Hanging out in the bouncy.



Judah's first Fourth of July

Monday, July 2, 2012

Judah's Baptism

In honor of Judah's baptism yesterday, I want to say a prayer for him.

Dear God,
Thank you so much for the wonderful blessing you have given us in Judah Samuel.  We praise you for the miracle of his life.  We pray that you would give us the knowledge and wisdom that we need to raise him.  Show us how to lead him down the path that you have prepared for him.  Give us the strength to instill in him the characteristics of a man after your own heart. 

Give Judah a heart for you.  Draw him close to you so that he asks you to be the ruler of his life at an early age.  Give him a burning passion for you, a desire to be close to you.  And give him a heart for your people.  Help him grow up to be a man who loves you and your people.  Someone who others can count on, who is trustworthy and has integrity.  Let him be a man of prayer, to know that he can turn to you in all circumstances.  Let him be someone that brings others before you in prayer, someone who people know they can count on to life them up when they need you most. 

Make Judah an honorable man.  Prepare him for what you have planned for him.  And show me and Brad how best to raise him.  How to love him and support him in the way that he needs.  Put other people in his life, too, who will show him what it means to love and serve you.  Give him people that he can turn to to life him up when he is weak or needs support, encouragement, or guidance.

Again, we praise you, Lord, for the wonderful blessing you gave us.  Thank you for entrusting him to us.

Amen