When I was single and in college I wasn't necessarily thinking when I met guys about how good they would one day be able to pretend to be a horsey or if they could come up with a voice for each animal while reading the book "Duck on a Bike". I always knew that I wanted kids, so I knew that I wanted to marry someone who shared that desire...and I have found that actually becoming a parent and sharing that responsibility with someone is different then just helping me babysit for a few hours.
Becoming Griffin's mom & dad has been a journey for us. Those months before he came were spent thinking, talking, worrying, wondering...in anticipation for him! Since the night we found out we were pregnant we've been on a lot of highs as a couple...but that also comes with a lot of lows. It's hard to collaborate ideas, choices, feelings, opinions and backgrounds all together into one parenting model. We haven't quite perfected things either, but I guess you never really do right??? Isn't that the glory in living and learning! Thankfully, because of the awesome God we both know and love, instead of falling apart in the early days of no sleep, figuring out how to feed him, when it's ok for him to nap...and the cursed adventure of putting together all of the baby gear we continued to fall more in love with each other. A joint interest in this little life that God helped us create together made us see yet another reason to feel blessed that we were lead to each other.
It hasn't been easy, but worth it...for sure! Last night as I sat in G's room and watched the boys do their bed time routine I couldn't help but love both of them a little more. The best sound in our house is the two of them laughing together...playing cars, wrestling, or making weird faces at each other that makes them both crack up! Ryan does this hilariously ridiculous pony shake when he's giving Griffin a ride and his voices for the cat and the horse in one of Griff's favorite books makes me dye laughing, which in turn gets Griffin cracking up. After I kissed little man nigh night and walked out while the boys started their prayers, I couldn't help but think about all the things that we will laugh about with this next baby and how blessed I am to be doing this with someone who is so good at reading good night stories. Becoming a family has it's fair share of difficulties and heartbreaks and all of those things have only lead us to this point, where we can say we are more than thrilled to add to our family and share bed time rituals and funny voices and the idea of family with someone else. Although I am sure it will just as full of worry, doubt and frustration...we can't wait!
That all being said (sorry if I am getting sappy on you:)!) baby # 2 is scheduled to have an ultrasound on Monday! I am so excited I could burst. In less than a week we will get to see our little peanut again bouncing around inside of me, amazing that they can do it, really! We are just busting to know boy or girl too, and hopefully the baby will cooperate enough for us to find out! We have names pretty much narrowed down either way and as Ryan is anticipating, I can't wait to get the nursery all put together for Griffin's little brother or sister! We were excitedly out preparing/anticipating in baby gap this weekend, wondering which swimsuit we will be picking up for our new family member so we can all head up to the lake house after their arrival!!?? Aren't both ridiculously tiny and cute!?? We'll keep you posted...do you think PINK or BLUE?
In conclusion, no I didn't have try outs for pony rides and story time when I was dating, but thankfully God says that he knitted me together and has plans for my life. Those perfect plans included Ryan, Griffin, Maci (although depending on the day Ryan may or may not agree) and now this new little one who is already a boy or a girl created to fit right into our little family.
"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, I will tell of all the great things You have done. I will be glad and full of joy because of You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."
Psalm 9:1-2
