Mom of boys

For whatever reason I have been reflecting on being a mom of boys a lot lately. I think it's because I am finally at complete and utter peace with it. It's no secret that I wanted girls. Really bad. My 20 week ultrasounds that revealed I was having boys were far from the best days of my life.

After some reflection I realized that a big part of my initial disappointment is that I always imagined myself with girls, so it was a big shift to start envisioning what my life would be like with boys. But now that I have them, I am in love with being a boy mama. Even more so, I've learned that gender really doesn't matter. Our culture tells us lots of things about raising boys vs raising girls but I don't think there is much of a difference. The goal is the same-- to raise confident, loving and kind human beings that learn to find their passion, trust their intuition and make a positive impact in their communities.

All kids are different, regardless of their gender and I refuse to buy into the stereotypes that girls are sweet and sensitive, pretty and proper while boys are wild. Owen and Wes play with lots of "girl" toys. They have a baby doll with a stroller, a vacuum cleaner and a kitchen. Boys grow up to be husbands and dads that cook and clean so I'm not exactly sure why these are considered girl toys in the first place. Of course they also loves trucks, trains and riding bikes, things that most of the little girls in our life enjoy as well. The types of toys that are marketed to each gender stimulate different parts of the brain so I think it is one of my jobs as a parent to provide my kids with a wide variety of ways to play and express themselves.

If we have a third baby, I won't find out the gender until it's born. I thought it mattered the first two times but now I know better. Honestly, in my heart of hearts, it doesn't matter one way or the other. I would love having three boys and I would also love having a little girl. A third child would be an amazing gift that would make both me and our family complete regardless of the gender.

Life with my boys is everything I could ever want and there is nobody else that could fill the giant space in my heart that they inhabit. I love them for who they are now, who they will be in the future and for how they are teaching me to be the best version of myself. Things don't always turn out exactly how we imaged them to, but fully embracing the life we are living allows us to write a beautiful story.

Halloween 2016

I could hardly handle the how adorable the boys were this Halloween, especially Wes with his fat little face. They were so excited and sweet with their dragon tails, wings and roars. We went to a harvest party at one of the local churches in the morning and trick or treating in our neighborhood in the evening. These two, I tell ya, they are seriously the best. 

Pumpkin Patch 2016

One of my favorite traditions with some of our favorite people.

Fiona Dorothy

Introducing the newest little love in my life, Fiona Dorothy. In early October I got to spend three days with my two best friends and this sweet baby. It doesn't get much better than that. I loved seeing Beth as a mama, getting lots of snuggles and spending time with Robby for the first time in many years. Having one baby is such an accessory. I remember these early days with Owen so fondly. You can pick them up and take them anywhere. Lunch, shopping, walks around town, they're along for a the ride. 

The Westermann's are living in Cleveland for the year so I got a glimpse of the city and attended a Cleveland clam bake at their neighbors house. I am learning more and more about photography and she was the world's best subject to practice some of my new skills. 

There is so much to love about this sweet face. I can't wait to watch you grow, support your dreams and see how you change the world, Fiona. 

xo