The Boy Who Stole My Heart

There is this boy who stole my heart nearly 4 years ago.  He is a sweet, funny and thoughtful boy who melted me entirely at first sight.  You see, I am from a family of girls.  One might say that it doesn't matter but it does.  I never realized the truth behind the words my friends and husband in particular would tell me...there is just something between a boy and his momma.  I tell you, they were right, they ALL were right. 

When I was pregnant with Quinn, I was sure he was a girl. At my ultrasound I was stunned to find out he was not, I was going to have a boy. What would I do with a boy? Of course, I was not disappointed in the least, in fact I was unexpectedly very excited...but concerned. Even my mom said, "A boy? We don't know anything about boys!?". Luckily I have quite a few friends with boys, family too. I realized that my main concerns all involved his anatomy and how to care for it. Other than that we would just learn together as he grew.  He was mine and I was his..forever.

When Quinn was born, I connected with him in an instant. He looked familiar, like me. He was a good baby. He slept well, ate well and he was peaceful, quiet and relaxed. His name was fitting, it too seemed calming. He loved to be held but wiggled like crazy when he slept, still to this day, if you sleep near him he will end up on top of you somehow kicking and poking all the while. He has the most amazing smile, the best laugh ever and lips and eyelashes any girl would die for. This little blue eyed beauty took my breath away like I never imagined.

 

This little boy, he wants to love me, to make me happy.  He wants to take care of me and protect me and bring me flowers and make me laugh. All of these things come natural to him, some learned I suppose, but so much of it is just who he is.  He would do just about anything, actually maybe anything at all...if I were to do it with him.  He would drop everything, to be with me.

 

Last night we got home very late for a weeknight.  I went to visit my new nephew in the hospital and the kids stayed with their Granny.  It was 11:00 when we got home and Quinn was wide awake.  As I woke my daughter from the car and helped her shuffle into bed, Quinn stayed outside.  When I called for him to come in and put his pajamas on he said to me...

"Momma, let's go sit at the end of the driveway and look at the stars.  Come sit with me?  Lets look for the shooting ones."

See??  Melt my heart.  Life is so short, we are always in a hurry to do the next thing on the list (like go to bed).  At least I know I am and to be honest...when he asked...my first thought was not tonight.  But then...I smiled, and slowed down and said..

"Okay.  Lets do it Pooh."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me down the driveway.  We sat at the very end in the dark looking up at the sky.  Not a car in sight and the neighborhood was asleep.  We found the big dipper, watched for shooting stars,  found a few planes and just sat together, commenting on the night sky.  It was perfect...a moment I would have missed had I not just slowed the heck down.

This will wear off in time, I know.  And sometimes, a little me time sure would be nice, especially in the bathroom.  But I really wouldn't trade this time with him for anything in the world.  In just a couple of weeks we will welcome another little boy into our lives.  I wonder if he will be filled with the same sense of wonder and imagination?  Will he have me wrapped around his little finger too, at first sight?  I suppose so...beacuse you know what they say about boys and their mommas.... 

In the meantime, I am so very much looking forward to the 12 weeks of quality time I get to spend with Quinn while his sister is in school.  Getting to know him just a little bit better as my world slows down some.

Quinn, my sweet and amazing son.  You make me laugh everyday, no lie.  You are a sensitive, caring boy who loves his family. You especially love your Granny, your kitty Sami and your dog Tonka who you still call "Konka".  You idolize your sister Paige and talk excitedly about your new baby brother Lukie who will be here in just a couple of weeks.  You love to hug my belly and talk about your brother and how you plan to teach him things and play with him.  You are growing up and truly coming into your very own, little boy self.  You will soon be in preschool, making friends and learning so many new things, the truth is you don't want to though.  You want to stay with me and your Granny, right where you are comfortable.  You aren't a big fan of change and it takes you some time to adapt, you feel a sense of security in knowing what to expect next.  And who could blame you for that?  But sweet boy, it's going to be great.  You are sensitive to others, you question why people don't smile when you look at them or look happy and lately like to inform me how often I hurt your feelings.  You know, for asking you to clean up your toys or put on your pajamas.  The really bad stuff :)

In the past few months you have blown me away. Everyday I love you even more than the day before if that is even possible and I look so very forward to watching you grow into the little boy you are already starting to become.

Soon I will have two son's and a daughter.  Nothing like wearing your heart on the outside of your body is there?  I couldn't be more blessed.

 

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
Elizabeth Stone

Celebrating 7!!!

This past Sunday we officially celebrated Paige's 7th birthday with the family and a few friends at our house.  It was a beautiful day to have everyone over, we couldn't have asked for better weather!  And as one does when preparing to have company, I was running around the house all morning like a crazy person cleaning and decorating to make sure everything was perfect. 

 

We had told everyone to arrive between 2:30 and 3:00 so when the doorbell rang at about 1:00 I froze in a bit of shock, who could be here this early?  Oh no!  When I opened the front door I laughed out loud at the person standing there.  It was Sally Star!  You see Sally Star (a.k.a. Sue our old neighbor) is a clown and we haven't seen her in a few years.  Over the 4th of July we hoped to see her in the Forest Lake Parade, we even asked another member of the clown club to tell her "Hello" from us, her old neighbors.  Well, apparently she got the message and decided to stop by to say "Hello" back...in person!   

 

I immediately brought her to the back yard where Jeff was working and the kids were playing.  Paige's reaction was awesome.  Her face lit up and she yelled, "Sally Starrrrr!!!!!" as she ran full speed across the yard and jumped into her arms.  Clearly she doesn't have my fear of clowns. 

 

 

It had been a few years since we had seen her so Quinn didn't remember her at all and I had a hard time getting him to hop in the picture.  He was willing to do it as long as Daddy went too.  He must be the one who inherited my totally rational fear of clowns. 

 

 

It was really a great start to the day and for some reason I think that Sally Star stopped by once before, a few years ago, in full costume on Paige's birthday.  But I can't quite be certain.

 

Jeff smoked ribs and brisket for dinner and everyone brought something BBQ-ish to share.  We had so much food and it all turned out great.  The kids even had their own table!

 

 

I was so excited Stefanie was able to make it.  On top of just loving her company, she was a HUGE help!!

 

 

We of course had to get some baby shots in.  This will likely be the last time I see my sister before she has her baby next week!!

 

This picture is my favorite, mostly because of Paige.  Hahaha!

 

 

And one with our Mommy.  She always says, "The babies are coming! The babies are coming!"  And yes, they certainly are!

 

 

Paige and her Papa....

 

 

Quinn shared some of his toys with Dakota...

 

 

She was too cute with the dinosaur, she loved him.

 

 

 

Paige really wanted a soccer cake this year and she imagined having the kind that had the soccer field and little soccer players on it.  We looked at Target and they had exactly what she wanted for every sport except for soccer.  I told her I would make one for her but she decided that this cake would work just fine.  It turned out pretty cute I think!!

 

 

Time to blow out those candles!!!

 

I forgot to mention that my Mom made a cake for me too since we didn't get together to celebrate my birthday a few weeks prior.  She made me my absolute favorite cake growing up.  It was a 3 tier confetti angel food cake with flavored multicolor cool whip frosting.  It was delicious and my Grandma Erickson's recipe which made it extra special. 

 

Paige had a blast opening presents and had a ton because she hadn't got to open any from Mom and Dad yet, we saved them all for her party.  Quinn was such a good boy too.  He watched so patiently, never complained even once that he didn't get anything.  We had a little surprise tucked away for him just in case that he got later for being a good boy at Paige's party.  It was a Superman launcher, just a little something, and he was so excited.

 

Paige with Dylan and Cody!!  She was so excited they were able to come to her party!

 

New shoes were the most important gift Paige had been hoping for.

 

Oh, and a kickstand for her bike.  She couldn't wait for daddy to put it on.

 

Paige got a gigantic magic set!  We just have to figure it all out so she can start practicing her skills and put on a show for us!!!

 

Quinn took Dakota on the John Deere, she loved it and so did he.  He got to be the "big brother" for once and help take care of someone smaller.  They were so cute to watch.

 

 

It was a great day to celebrate. 

 

Happy Birthday Paige!!!

 

 

 

And Then She Was Seven....

Paige turned 7 this week.  It sounds so old doesn't it?  For my little girl, my first born and my only daughter.  This is a picture I took of her the day we brought her home from the hospital.  She was just 2 days old.

 

Here she is again, about 6 months old.  She had the craziest hair.  We called it "The Donald"  as in Donald Trump and his epic hair.  Somehow, she went nearly bald except for a long toupee like tuft on the top of her head that I refused to cut and instead styled in a comb-over fashion.

 

 

1 year old...

 

 

And at 2 1/2....this is one of my all time favorite pictures.

 

 

3 1/2 Years old....holding her first minnow.

 

 

At 4 years old and her first Twins game!  She was in a phase where she was SO into baseball so it was pretty fun for her to see the new Target Field!

 

 

5 Years old, fishing up at Papa's cabin.

 

 

Six 1/2 years old....

 

 

And here she is on her 7th birthday...

 

I took the day off of work, brought Quinn to Granny's house and Paige and I went to Valley Fair with Shyan, Emily and Dakota.  We planned a really fun day with lots of rides but ran into a few hiccups with restrictions on height and age.  It complicated our plan a little being that both Shyan and I are 9 months pregnant and couldn't go on anything except the Ferris Wheel.  We still had fun though, we will just have to go back after the babies are born.

 

Paige took Dakota on this little lady bug ride.  Dakota loved it, especially having her very own steering wheel!

 

Paige and Emily got soaked on this ride!

 

Shy and I looking and feeling REALLY pregnant!!

 

I somehow convinced Shyan to publicly step on the scale at the "If we can't guess your weight/height/age you win a prize!" game.  I tried first and lost.  I was very disappointed as last year I won when I told them to guess my age.  They guessed 28 when I was actually 36.  This year I was 37 and they guesses 39.  Sad :(  So I convinced Shy to hop on the scale.  The guy overshot her weight by 20 lbs.  He is not a smart young man...guessing high on the weight AND age of 2 very pregnant women?  His mama didn't teach him very well.  Regardless, she won!!  Woo-hoo!

 

Look at all of our loot!  Dakota wanted to carry them all.

 

This was the biggest claw game Paige and I had ever seen.  If  daddy was with he would have for sure played until he won!  I didn't even try.

 

This is Paige's favorite ride, The Monster, formerly The Octopus.  Since it was one the only thrill ride she was able to go on without me she rode it 3 times.  For the record, it has always been my favorite too!!!

 

 

After we got back to the house we all swam in the pool for a few hours, it was great to get out of the crowds and relax.  Paige has become a great swimmer this summer and really loves swimming at Auntie Shy's with her cousins.

 

After we left Shyan's house Paige and I went to pick up Quinn.  Daddy was working second shift this week and wouldn't be home so we decided to go mini golfing too!  Not sure if we could have packed any more fun into this day if we tried!  This was the first time I had ever taken the kids golfing so it was a bit hectic.  Let's just say I didn't even try to keep score.  It was all I could do just to keep track of the balls.  They had a blast.

 

 

Everytime Quinn hit the ball in he would hold up the club and ball and yell "Woo Hoo!!".  Really, every. single.time.  It was great!  He was clearly having fun.

 

See?  Woo-hooing again in the background.

 

They had a bit of trouble with the water on this hole.

 

We ended the night with a single giant slice of chocolate cake for the 3 of us.  And we sang Happy Birthday to Paige at least 6 times, just for fun.

 

 

Happy Birthday sweet girl, I hope you had a blast!

We love you!