Nothing prepares you for being a mom to a little boy.
That intensity - both in sweetness and activity.
The noise.
The dirt.
The hugs.
I had a girl first so I already knew what it means to love your own child, what it is like to be a little girl's mama, and I thought I sorta knew my role as a mother at that point.
Before child number two.
Before him.
Sons are game-changers.
They love you like you have never been loved.
Your love for them is new too... not more than for a daughter.
Just different.
I even had three little brothers and I still didn't get-it.
The way they play.
The way they drive you to the brink of insanity and reel you back in with those long-lashes and wiley grins.
Actually, just the way they drive. period.
They slip their hands into yours and it's ok that there is dirt in all the pudgy cracks of their boyish fingers.
They hold your heart in the pocket of those favorite shorts - the ones they refuse to admit are too small because they like them and you let it go because you hate to think about how big they are getting.
They tie you up in knots and fly you like a kite on days when your patience is thin.
They teach you to look at things in new ways - "gross" things especially.
They can be quick to instigate arguments with a sibling but even quicker to protect them from someone else.
They are loud and shake the whole house in a storm of galloping feet, tumbling bodies, and limbs akimbo.
They are experimenters, frog-catchers, stray-dog lovers, army guy sketchers, zombie-tag players, sister-thwarters, daddy-helpers, Lego engineers, finger-painters, early risers, storytellers, silly singers, mommy's quick crafters, puddle-jumpers, sword swingers, and cape wearers.
They take on a plethora of personas and create countless characters.
You can't keep up.
You are thankful this is all "normal".
You love them the way they are.
You just wish they would be quiet for a minute.
And then they surprise you with their quiet attentiveness to something that piques their interest.
You are thankful for those moments immeasurably and they give you the insight you need to last through the crazier times.
This is the blessing of boys.
These are my boys.
***
A peek into a couple special days I spent with my boys and their classes. It was sweet to focus on them separately and watch them interact with teachers, friends, and peers; like learning other angles of their personalities not always visible at home and as a family.
Plus, I am soaking up the days that moms are "cool" and coveted accessories on field-trips.
My older boy.
My littler boy.
***
And it strikes me often that this bump could be boy #3.
Go on as many field trips as you can until they really don't want you to go. Although, sometimes, they don't THINK they want you to go, and they really do. How I loved them. And boys? Just love them.
ReplyDeleteGreat boy adventures! I always love your photos and perspectives.
ReplyDeleteI think you've summarized boys perfectly! I have three...with a girl on the way and I'm a bit nervous that I'm not going to know how to raise a little bundle of pink after all the noise, dirt and mischief that I've been given so far! :) I had three brothers growing up and thought it would help me be a mom to boys, but alas, I still have A LOT of learning to do!!!
ReplyDeleteI love all your photos and your writing style is beautiful! I really need to visit more often! :)