Thoughts on children. Particularly mine.

I have two children. Two gorgeous, happy and incredibly wonderful boys. Boys who will one day grow up and become men. Next, they will become missionaries or college students; soldiers or blue collar men. I am with them 24/7, 365 days a year. They know when they see my stern face that they are in trouble. They know when they get hurt, that my magical kisses will be there to make it all go away. They know mom is always there, even at 3am when mom would much rather be snuggling up to dad. I will never, ever hurt them, leave them or not tell them I love them and kiss them every chance I get.

For some reason, I have been thinking about their futures a lot lately. It is partly because I am worried about the state of our country; it is also because my baby will be 2 already and my eldest will be 4. It is because Luke and I are hoping for one more and then we are done. No more stretched belly, pubic and hip bone displacement, heartburn or peeing every 20 minutes. No more feeling my sons kick and roll in my tummy or late night conversations so they can hear and know their mama's voice more than anyone else's. No more trips to the Maternity Ward and surgeons slicing my tummy to deliver the best present a mom can get. No more snuggles with a tiny little human that is pieces of the man you love and yourself. That stage of our lives will be over and replacing it will be extracurricular activities, potty training, learning to ride a bike and tie our shoes. Then, onto broken hearts, homework, learning to drive, learning to be comfortable in your own skin and parties and basketball/football games.

Luke and I have had a few conversations about this while lying in the dark, enjoying some quiet and alone time. What will the boys be like? Will the personalities they have now be the ones they keep? Or will Dietrich become the quiet studious one and Finn the wild charming one? Will Finn keep that tall slender frame and continue on with Jujitsu or play Basketball? Will he instead focus on more artistic things such as theater, (like his mama!), music or painting? Will Dietrich keep that broad, bulky frame and be the star linebacker, (with a kind heart of gold, of course)? Will he be the type who knows the importance of education and be the Valedictorian of his graduating class? Will they still come to their mom with their "boo boos" and will I be able to kiss it away? Or will I have to let them hurt and fall and pick themselves up again? Luke and I talk about all these possibilities a lot and we want so much for them to be the best person they can be.

Then, I think about the not so fun things. Will one of them rebel? Will Finn be teased for his chest or Dietrich for his hair color? Will they stay close to Luke and I or will they find us irritating or stupid? I couldn't imagine them any way than how they are now until I was looking through my old pictures on Facebook and saw their newborn pictures, (those who are my friends know that I made them my main pictures. I was feeling nostalgic and couldn't believe those tiny things were now my behemoth children. ;) To help illustrate just how different they already look just 18 months and 3 years later, I am posting their newborn pictures and pictures of them now together. Check this out:

Let's start with my eldest. To me, they honestly don't even look like the same kid. He is three days old in this picture and the bottom was taken last week, (he is always smiling with his front teeth sticking out. Okie style, oh yeah.) But, what do you think? Can you tell Finn is that precious little guy who had a rough start but is now that gorgeous big guy in the second picture?

 

 

Now, to my ginger. He was born in very different circumstances. This time, it was me who was going to be having a bit of a rough time and not my newborn. Since he was born via C Section, he came out round and fat, (although Finn never had a cone head, which I was very happy about.) In these pictures, Dietrich was only about 5 hours old and then a couple weeks ago. I honestly can see him in the newborn picture but I am still amazed at how different he looks in such a short time. Thoughts?

Quite honestly, it freaks me out. Where are my tiny babies?! What do you think of all these thoughts and worries I am having about my sons? Do you have them about your own children?

Well, the brownies I am baking are calling to me so I must go. Hug your littles tightly and remember they will only be that age right now and tomorrow they will be a day older. I think the masterful JM Barrie said that. Or something to that effect. Either way, it's pretty deep no? :)