Not Just Another Boy

I remember it quite clearly, stopped on a walk with my 2 toddlers, chatting with a Mama friend I hadn't seen in awhile. She was pregnant with her third after two girls in a row and I asked her what she must have heard a million times: "So, is it another girl?" I'll never forget her response, that brilliant friend of mine. She smiled and said, "oh, no. Not another girl. It's a different one."

With that comment that I'll never forget, my sweet friend nailed it - what large families everywhere know. There's no such thing as "another girl" or "another boy." Because every boy and girl is different. Even in a family with plenty of each, every new arrival is something new.

Today is Peter's third birthday, my 3rd son - and goodness, is he not just "another" boy - but a very different one. Peter came along and the world has seemed a little bit sweeter ever since.

I don't remember a great deal of his pregnancy - which is probably a good thing. It was mostly business as usual until those last few hot and humid months. I remember it now, when our air conditioners struggle to do battle with the steamy air and do a lackluster job of it. I remember the long walks I'd take with Jonah, my toddler at the time, through the neighborhood.  The fierceness of the heat second only to my fierce ambition to walk that baby right on out. Of course, Peter had his own plans and came at the perfect time, 5 days "late." 

Peter's birth was my favorite so far - an empowering yet incredibly gentle birth for my biggest baby yet, a whopping 9 lbs 9 oz. Peter as an infant well into toddlerhood was mild and sweet, quiet and observant yet so precious and loving. He spoke very little until he was two years old, preferring to keep his thoughts to himself. He's my boy who stayed a baby the very longest and goodness but I've cherished his babyhood, nursing him along side his baby sister for quite a while.

Peter, 3rd boy and 5th born, is an indispensable part of our family. His sweet heart, curious spirit and infectious joy refresh those around him and bless the world. Not "just" another boy for me. A different one. And one I'm so very thankful to have been blessed to have.

Happy Birthday to Peter Matthias. My darling boy.

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