Raising A Boy

Raising a boy is hard. Partly because I'm not one myself. I don't always understand Jack's thought process, his wiring so to speak. He is so much like me which ironically makes it even more challenging. I catch myself thinking, 'Hmmm...I wouldn't do that' or 'I wouldn't have done that as a child'. Then I remember...he's a boy. A vivacious, curious, on the go, emotional boy.

I have a neighbor who has three young boys. Bless her and all of the other women I know who raised 3 boys, including my dear mother in- law. When I'm around my neighbor's boys, I always marvel at their manners and good attitude towards life. I compliment her on her "boy raising" skills and I think...I want Jack to be just like that. But how?

I question the way I raise Jack daily. Am I doing this right? Am I teaching him how to have self control? Am I fostering good values and morals? Is he focused enough? I wonder daily and on more than one occasion, is this normal boy behavior? And if something doesn't seem right, I answer myself with 'he's just a 2 year old boy'.

But, I don't think that's right. And it doesn't seem to satisfy my concerns. I need to understand him, I need to understand boys. I need to know this is "normal". If he's only two and I feel so unsure, imagine what I will feel like when he's 12....16...even 20.

I imagine this is how most parents feel, no matter the gender. But, if you have a boy, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about. It's just different, certainly challenging, and even scary at times.

I have no problem with a challenge. I think I enjoy a challenge and on many occasions, Jack is just that. A gift from God kind of challenge.

I adore that boy. I know he was meant for me and I was meant for him. He fulfills my life in so many ways. He will always be my little boy. He will always be my first child. And he is bound to keep me young while keeping me on my toes at the same time. I just want to make sure that I am giving him the guidance he deserves.

Jack and I saw that same neighbor with her three boys today. Again, I was so impressed. I had to ask, "how do you do it?". She was so honest about the challenges, the fears, and the uncertainty of raising boys. She graciously shared one of her favorite "boy raising" books with me.

I am an avid reader. It use to be for pleasure, but since the addition of Jack and Maggie into my life it has become more informational. I jumped on the opportunity to learn more about raising a boy. So tonight I'll hunker down for some good knowledge based reading, say a little prayer for my Jack, and start tomorrow fresh...ready for another day of 'raising a boy'.

Such a boy...

Birthday Bonanza

Is is just me or does everybody have a birthday in the Spring? Okay, obviously not, but it sure does feel that way lately. In a good way though...a busy way too. Jack spent his weekend birthday party hopping. He had a blast and was nothing short of exhausted by Sunday evening. It was good practice for he and Sophia's 3rd next weekend!

We started Saturday with Miller's big day. The little man turned 3! I can hardly believe how big he's gotten. I remember when he and Jack were just wee little ones tackling each other at the park before they could even crawl. My how time has flown.

Sunday was another big day, this time a 3rd birthday for one of Jack's classmates. More running around and another tired little boy...we were both happy with the out come of that one.

Saturday

Miller's party was at The Jump Zone. My cautious 2 year old did little jumping and a lot of climbing. He'd make it to the the top of the stairs and have a change of heart. I thought with Sophia in tow it would give him the courage to see it through. Well...

...not so. Sophia is off and, Jack, well, he is still on the stairs. No problem he wore himself out regardless--that's quite a trek up that ladder, especially if you do it 100 times.

Jack had the honor of enjoying his Curious George cupcake right next to the Birthday boy. What a treat! Happy Birthday Miller!

Sunday

Sitting around the "red circle" lasted about 2 minutes and then the wild rumpus began at Lila's Birthday party!

Jack carried these two balls nearly everywhere he went. And if you had asked him why?, he would have replied, "blue and yellow-my two favorite colors". Well, duh?

More sweet treats! Jack strategically picked this seat between his two favorite sweethearts. Reese's mom told me that Reese has decided she wants to marry Jack--so sweet!

One last energy burning activity--the zip line. And if you're thinking Jack can't be that cautious if he tried this...just check out his facial expression!

The Four Hour Fight

I'm in the process of moving Maggie to her 4 hour schedule. She's ready...I know she is. I say that with 100% confidence. But, she's fighting me on it.

Surprisingly, the big fight comes with the sleeping not the eating. She's a sleeper, nothing to complain about there. But, when you make the shift to 4 feeds a day, there also has to be a shift with wake time and naps. We are going from 4 naps a day...3 full naps with a pretty long catnap in the evening to 2 full naps and 1 catnap. She doesn't like it.

But, that's where I come in. When I made the decision to start this endeavor, I knew she wouldn't take easily to the shift and consolidation in sleeping. So that's why I've made a very gradual attempt at the change. We are talking very gradual. Like 15 minutes added to her wake time every 4 days.

The first 2 days of that four day stretch are rough. She fusses, whines, won't even let me put her down during that extra 15 minutes. It's a side of her I've never seen before and I really don't care to see after this is over. So you can imagine when time is up, I throw her in her crib, not really, but let's just say I'm extremely ready to put her down. The third day of the stretch is better and by the fourth day, she's pretty much got it. Then we start all over with another four days of adding 15 more minutes...exhausting I tell you, for both her and me.

I'm hoping we are fully there right around the time she turns 5 months, maybe even a short bit before. Even with the sleep fight on her part, I know this is the right thing for her. I know my baby and I know it's time. She just needs a little coaxing and guidance, or maybe it's considered more of a push. Regardless, I haven't questioned myself on the timing. I just remind myself that she is a different baby than Jack, so we have to go about this transformation, well differently,... and much... much... slower.

Celebrating Bradley Elisabeth

Another spring baby, another celebration. This time we got together to welcome Bradley Elisabeth, Karen's newest addition. We all met for a sweet luncheon at The Swan Coach House located in the History Center. It was the perfect venue on a perfect day. The first day of Spring could not have been any more Spring like. After a delicious lunch we treated ourselves to pink pettifores. Congratulations Karen! We can't wait to meet the new precious bundle of pink!

The girls...Allison, Erica, Cristina, Beth, Donna, Me, and Karen. Only two of us there were not pregnant! I told you there were lots of Spring babies on the way! It's crazy to think that Maggie will be in the same grade as most of these gal's babies that haven't even arrived yet!

Another cute shower favor that I found on Etsy. And no, it's not a sachet as Erica originally thought:) It might be a bit awkward to be reminded of Karen's baby when we looked in our lingerie drawer. It's actually wild flower seeds in that pouch. I plan on taking Jack outside with me to plant them...we'll see what pops up!

Who said baby girls had to wear pink? Isn't this little red dress precious? If Bradley Elisabeth looks anything like Karen's first baby girl, she is sure to be a doll in this dress.

More cute goodies, this time green and pink! Can you guess who this is from? Yes me, I thought the colors might give it away...my fave baby girl colors! And I didn't even notice until I was posting this picture, that the monogram lady left off Elisabeth...oops! Sorry about that Karen! At least she will be in the privacy of her own bathroom when she uses the hooded towel!