5 Things About Raising a Little Boy

I think often about how much I absolutely enjoy being a Mother to a little boy. I am so thankful that we don't get to choose the sex of our babies, and that the Lord Almighty plans out all of the details. What a privilege it is to raise a son (or a daughter!) and we pray a lot that he would be built up into a man that would make good decisions, stand strong in this world, be humble before His Creator... and that Cam and I don't screw him up!! I know that every baby is totally different and special, and maybe these are just uniquely John Shea, but either way, they're fun to write down and remember :)

1. Energy, non-stop. From the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed, he is non-stop, go-go-go, say hi to everyone, touch everything, open this, go outside wild man. I love his energy! Except when it occurs anytime before the hours of 7am.

2. Snuggling, especially with me. I wondered if he would be less snuggly with me after weaning him, but it's been the exact opposite. I've gotten even more tight hugs, kisses on the mouth and snuggles throughout the whole day. He is such a lover. He snuggles with our friends and people he's meeting for the first time. He'll put his head on their shoulder and arms around their neck and they're instantly in love with him. Before naps and bedtime, and also after, he makes good time to snuggle with me. He'll eventually grow out of it, as he should, but it is such a sweet time right now.

3. Roughhousing, with Daddy. He shows his affection to Cam by head butting (with some kisses thrown in) and wrestling. He rams his head and full body into furniture, into Cam when he's not expecting it, and thinks it's the greatest thing in the world.

4. No fear. Oh my gosh, the stunts he's already pulled at only 1 year old. He will jump and leap off of anything, head first, no fear. So many times he falls or something happens where he looks at me as if to say, "am I alright or am I hurt?" Cam reminds me over and over, he's only hurt in those instances if you tell him he's hurt. And he tells me also to let him get hurt, to let him be tough. I know he's right, but it's not at all in my nature to do that, so he has to remind me often!

5. Direct emotions. While every person is amazingly unique, males and females are wired very differently, and for good reason. When John cries, it's usually because he's tired, he's hungry, he has a poopy diaper, which is a dead giveaway from a mile away, or he wants me to pick him up and hold him. I don't want to say that his emotions aren't intricate, because they absolutely are, as is every single part of him, but they're much more direct than say, mine. Haha, I will be the first to admit that I am a confusing emotional being! If we are ever blessed with a girl, I have a feeling we'll be jumping into a deep sea of emotions, and what a beautiful, complicated thing that is.

6. The most beloved toy = dirt. Other than his clan of stuffed animals that he sleeps with and takes with him everywhere he goes, he'd rather play with non-toys. A cardboard box, leaves, my hairbrush, lint... haha, you name it. But most especially, dirt. It's a big part of our daily life and still a total joy to him. We let him get dirty, we let him eat dirt, we let him get germs. How on earth our white couch has survived thus far is a big victory for me and Cam.

7. There are some really, really cute clothes for little boys! I love him in these cutie shoes and overalls (thanks, Grandma!), these booties, this jacket. (There's always better deals online so I wait until their clothes go on sale and then use the extra discount codes) Other than Sunday morning though, John Shea prefers to be in just a diaper, and I can't blame him one bit.

Oops, that turned into seven things, not five... What am I missing?!