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As we are one {ONE!} day away from meeting our newest family member we've been trying to make these last days as a family of three as special as possible. Kendall stayed up a little later this weekend, she got special pink pancakes with sprinkles and powdered sugar for breakfast and Jimmy and I even got to sneak away Saturday for a little last date/wedding action.
It's hard to believe that three years ago we were moving into our house, setting up the nursery and anxiously awaiting the birth of our first-born, little girl. Those days were full of so much anticipation, "is today the day?", wonder, "who will she look like?", and excitement, "our first child!". These past few days have been no different except this time it's been a lot busier and easier to keep our minds of off, thanks to a very busy, almost three-year-old.
It's also strange to think how certain we were that Kendall was going to be our only child. One and done, we said. It wasn't because she was a bad baby or that we struggled it was just, at that time, we felt complete. Then something changed last summer. We started thinking, if we are going to do this we better do it soon, and we decided that we didn't feel complete after all. Jimmy talked to his dad, who had four boys, and his dad told him, "the greatest gift you can give your child is a sibling". Being an only child myself I didn't really get it but Jimmy did.
I can't imagine what our lives are going to be like with a little boy in tow. I never thought I'd be a boy mom. When I was pregnant with Kendall I knew I wanted a girl and couldn't have imagined them telling us anything differently when we went in for that gender scan. This time I was much more open {since I already got my girl} but in the back of my mind I thought, "What am I going to do with a boy? I know NOTHING about boys!". When we found out we would be welcoming a son into our family I remember texting Jimmy one night {during his stint on night shift} and saying "I'm so glad we are having a boy!" and I truly meant it.
People warn you about going from one to two kids. How hard it is, how different it is and how unexpected it is. I get it but at the same time these are also the people who told me how hard newborns were and I'd take a newborn over a three-year-old any day. I know that we will have our bad days but I also know, I truly believe in my heart, that our good days will outweigh our bad.
As we spend these last few days, hours, with our only child I hope that she knows the joy, love, happiness, pride, twinkle in my eye she's brought us over the past three years. While I know she'll never remember these days as an only child, instead her memories will only know life with a little brother, I hope that in this moment she knows what a light she's been in our lives. We have our ups and downs with her but I wouldn't trade my spunky, headstrong, fun-loving, beautiful little girl for anything. She's been my biggest challenge but also the most rewarding.
Our family of three will soon be a family of four and while I have NO IDEA what the future has in store for us I know that it means we are going to be full of more love than we've ever known. I know that this little boy is going to be loved and kissed on just as much as his big sister and I know that everyone is anxiously awaiting his arrival just as much, if not more.
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My brother and I are 3 years apart and I don't remember much before he was born but I remember being so excited to be a big sister. I think that's a good age gap too! I'm not sure if I will want more after our little one makes their appearance in January, only time will tell.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear about baby brother!!! Enjoy the day :)
People may tell you it's hard to add a second kid or even just to have the first, but if it's that bad people would keep doing it. :-) Yes, its a challenge, but just like with the first...once you get a system down (a system, not necessarily a schedule) things get so much easier.
ReplyDeleteAhhh....so exciting, it makes me want to have another but then I must remember babies turn into toddlers, babies turn into toddlers, babies turn into toddlers.
ReplyDeleteI hope your last day as a family of 3 is everything you all hope for. Can't wait to hear all about the little guy!!
ReplyDeleteI don't get sappy often, but I am so proud of you and your growing family. You have handled this pregnancy with so much grace it's enviable. You are an amazing Mom to Kendall and I know you will be just as incredible as a mom to a young man. My biggest sadness now is knowing that I won't be there to share in your incredible new blessing. I will be thinking of you all day and all night and cannot wait to see his sweet little face. Love you to the moon (and all that mushy shit).
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you and your precious family, Shan! The next bunch of hours are going to be something to always look back on with utter love. You'll transition from being a family of three to a family of four with absolute ease. Having 5 siblings myself, I can truly say that this baby is one of the greatest gifts you'll ever be able to give Kendall. xx
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that this is your last day as a family of three!!! I feel like you were JUST announcing that you were pregnant! I hope you guys have an awesome day and I will be thinking of all of you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI forgot your an only, me too! Having two kids is a foreign planet for me, ha!!! Going to be an adventure for sure!!! We can do it!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. We know we want a second child and I know I'll be thinking just like you the days before he or she is born. Obviously I can't offer any words of wisdom as I still only have one, but I'm so glad I have a sibling. My brother and I were very close growing up and I have so memories of us playing together, with my Barbies and is army men. :) Good luck, I can't wait to see pics of your new bundle of joy!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you to become a family of four! Best of luck tomorrow, soak it all in! :)
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh! I am so excited for you! I share so many of the same feelings though! I am ready for a second one and we will start trying this fall, but it's crazy not being able to envision the future. When I was pregnant with Hailey I could picture me and my little girl doing all sorts of things together. When I try to picture another one, I just can't get a vision. But all I do see is Hailey and that little baby loving on each other. Her having a sibbling to teach things to and to share moments with. In all my visions its another girl, but if it is a boy then I will be just like you were "what am I going to do with a boy!" I know nothing about boys! Congrats! And I can't wait to see pictures!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best of luck tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteEek! Excited for you and your newest arrival!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS!! Oh my goodness, how excited are you right now? Enjoy every moment of this precious time :)
ReplyDeletexx
Megan
Instagram: megawat
http://hellonewlywedlife.blogspot.com/
So excited for you Shannon - your little family is going to be so perfect and so complete as FOUR!!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you as you prepare for the birth tomorrow x
I'm so excited for you, Jimmy, and Kendall! I know these last few weeks have probably been dragging by for you but it seems like I was just reading yesterday that you were pregnant. Good luck tomorrow and can't wait to see pics of your beautiful son!
ReplyDeleteI've loved keeping up with your journey on your blog. I love your honesty. Good luck tomorrow!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck today! I can't wait to see pictures of your sweet boy!
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow, not that you really need it. You have this in the bag. I can't wait for the introduction of Little Dew. An early congrats to the three of you.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you...thrilled to be exact! Of our four kids two are boys and they are such giant cuddle bugs. I now understand how great it is to have 2 little mamma's boys. You are going to love every single second...even those hard seconds...but I know you are going to do great. Besides without those hard times we would never appreciate the good times!
ReplyDeleteLaura @ Mice In The Kitchen
You look amazing! Congrats on making it to the day before :) Good luck tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I can't wait to see your little guy!
ReplyDeleteCue the tears! Kendall is going to make such a great big sister. You and Jimmy have done so well showing her a special summer leading up to this new season of life. Thinking of y'all and cannot wait for James Weston to make his arrival! Ah, still so in love with that name! Congrats for making it here Shannon!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you! You'll love seeing the interaction between siblings! Yes, they fight, but they really are amazing with each other!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. So happy for you guys :)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you Shannon!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Brings me back to the days before our second arrived. You will LOVE being a boy mama and a two mama. ;)
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