Today’s Shade of Shay is about me being a boy mom. Two weeks ago, I did my girl mom post here, but today, it’s about my boy.
I didn’t know Smith was a boy until the day he was born…and to be honest, I kind of wanted a girl. I had a one year old girl at the time, so I thought it would be better. I had lots of hair bows, lots of girl toys, lots of pink…I knew girls and thought it would be better…but I was so wrong. The minute I saw those big blue eyes and little dimples, I was sold out completely to being a boy mom.
I absolutely adore being a boy mom.
One of the best parts to being a boy mom is watching him turn into a little gentleman. He already likes to take care of things for me. He always offers to “fix” things, get things for me, help Andrew out with “guy” things like working in the yard, washing the car and stuff like that. He really is a little man.
I find raising a boy challenging sometimes too. I want him to have manners and be polite, but I also want to embrace the rough and rowdy boy in him as well. He runs (a lot), bumps into things (a lot), climbs, digs, builds, shoots, dumps, buries, and moves things (a lot). I want my house to be a great place for a boy to live…which often means I have to be okay with forts being built out of my kitchen table and couch cushions, bow and arrows being shot at my clean kitchen window the occasional monster jumping out at me when I turn the corner.
My main goal in raising Smith is that I raise him to leave and live his life for Christ. As much as I love him, I want to raise him to be the kind of man who leaves his mama and seeks out Christ’s will for his life. I pray every day that God works on his heart (even at this young age) and prepares him to be a man with strong beliefs and convictions.
Smith is about to be the middle child, and I know that is going to change a lot of things for him. My prayer is that he is a strong example for both of his sisters. I am thankful for his thoughtfulness, kindness and sweet heart…he is going to need that when he’s outnumbered by the girls.
Sometimes when you watch the news and read the paper, you get the impression that this is a generation of lazy men (they don’t stick around for their wives and kids, they don’t keep jobs…you just see a lot of laziness in the world today)…my prayer is that he is a motivated guy. I want him to be ambitious, hardworking and driven. I want him to be the kind of guy that’s going to build a strong and stable life for his family one day.
He tells me every day that he wants to play baseball for the Yankees. I love that he already has big dreams (even if those dreams would make me have to start cheering for the dreaded Yankees…).
A few things about Smith right now…
1. He loves to build things. Legos are his favorite but any kind of block or build-able object works for him. Considering all of the Shull men have engineering degrees…this surprises no one.
2. His favorite color is orange.
3. He has a blue blanket named Little Blue Blankey that he loves so much. He sleeps with it every day and any time he is upset, he holds it. He tells me he is going to have it forever.
4. He cannot wait to be a big brother! He is just so excited to have someone to boss around like Kensington bosses him around :). Little does he know that Ashby will probably boss him around too…living with two sisters, I doubt Smith will ever not be told what to do. 🙂
5. Smith talks non-stop. I mean all the time. Without ceasing. If he’s awake, he is talking. His little mind is always going and he has a million questions and/or comments. And he’s not talking just to hear himself…he is wanting to engage in a conversation with you the entire time. Kensington is so good at talking with him…I will hear him upstairs talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and she will be so patient and sweet when she answers (because sometimes, I want to say “please be quiet so that mommy can think”).
6. He gives the best hugs and kisses.
7. His favorite TV shows are Paw Patrol and Ninja Turtles :).
8. Smith’s favorite food is pizza. He loves the flavor of pepperoni but not the pepperonis themselves…so he always orders a Pepperoni Pizza but then picks the pepperonis off. If you order him a cheese, pizza he gets upset because it doesn’t taste like pepperoni. Sigh.
9. He loves playing with his Ninja Turtle toys, his bow and arrow, swimming, riding his bike, and Legos. He is great at entertaining himself but he much prefers it if Kensington is there to play with him. He will play whatever she wants him to (Barbies, dolls, Littlest Pet Shop, Strawberry Shortcake…whatever!) as long as she wants to play with him.
10. And it must be noted that Smith enjoys sleeping. A good nap or going to bed at night is a delight for him. Right now, I don’t mind, but I totally see in my future a big teenage boy that I might literally be having to drag from his bed to get up for school.
I absolutely adore being a boy mom. He might be rough, he might be loud, he might jump off of things he shouldn’t be on top of…but he’s really sweet and makes my heart melt. I cherish these days when he lets me kiss on him and he cuddles with me because I know they are few and far between.
I just didn’t know how fun it would be to raise a little man….but it has been such a blessing.
Today is the first day of school for Kensington! Eeks! My post tomorrow will be all about her first day. Right now, I’m trying my best to keep it together. It’s a very big “first” in our house today. I’m praying she has a wonderful day today.
For all of you mamas with kiddos back in school, my Meal Planning Monday will help you out! It’s recipes made for busy families.
And the winner of mine and Sheaffer’s Barrington Bag giveaway is…
Susan Bush!!
Woohoo!! Congratulations Susan! You and FOUR of your friends who work in education each get a bag from Barrington!
I emailed you this morning, so all you need to do is email me back to claim your prize! Congrats!!
XOXO
Marju V says
Your boy is absolutely cute and adorable! Can't wait to be a mom one day 🙂
Tab & Erika says
Loved this post all about Smith!!! Boys are SO different than girls, but so much fun…I completely agree!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
YAY SMITH! I love our boys so much. I always thought I'd have a little girl too….and so did the tech reading the sonogram at first. She was all "There is HER little nose. There is HERE little foot. There is HER….um, wait. Never mind, it's a boy!" Chris and I were both shocked. We just always pictured ourselves with a little girl. Yay for our little boys!
Lindsay Kingdon says
I have an almost 2 year old little boy. Boys are something else, but gracious I love him so much! This is a great post – made my cry. 🙂
Polka Dot Blossom says
Awesome post! Teary-eyed! 🙂
Ny says
He is such a neat kid! My almost four year old son have so many similarities it made me LOL – like orange being their favorite color and their favorite food being "pepperoni-less" pizza with pepperoni taste. So glad to hear other "cases" of this! 🙂
Just said a little prayer for you and K. It's going to be a good day!
Narci says
So sweet! Being a boy mom is the best!!
kimm atwood says
First…best of luck to Kensington today!! Aaahhh…being a boy mom….I'm a boy mom 3 times over and through I could've never imagined knowing what to do with a boy….I couldn't imagine my life without my sons….what I've learned about raising boys (my oldest son is 18) is that they LOVE their mama!!!! My boys are all boy…sports, matchbox cars, super heroes, mud and dirt…but they are just sweet as can be and I love being their mom!!!!! Happy Monday
Julie Mills says
Loved your post. I too have a son. I too wanted a daughter because I only had nieces and had never been around boys. My husband wanted a son for my dad who only had granddaughters and his wish came true. God gave me just what I needed. He is now in his 5th year of pharmacy school and I couldn't be prouder of him. Boys are the BEST !!!!
Katie Compton says
Prayers for a smooth first day for all the Shull family!! I taught Kindergarten for 10 yrs and now teach 2nd grade. I still get excited about my new batch of "babies" that come to me each school year!!
MorganizewithMe says
Such a sweet post. I have a middle boy with two sisters. He is such a sweet boy and has so much patience with his two sisters! I always tell him he is going to be a great hubby some day!
Sarah Kuykendall says
I have been looking forward to this post. I have two sons and I loooove being a boy mom. My biggest struggle is one you mentioned-letting them act like boys, but still using good manners, etc. I find myself wondering, SHOULD I let him jump off the deck or tell him it might not be safe? Smith reminds me a lot of my boys so this post warmed my heart.
I hope K has a great day at school!!
melissabunny100 says
Smith is a lucky boy, to have you as a mom!
Christina says
"…because sometimes I WANT to say: please be quiet so that mommy can think."
You mean you actually don't say that to him- you just want to? Because I've got six boys and I definitely actually say that out loud ALL THE TIME!! 🙂 Great post, love the pics.
Sharon S says
Good Luck today Shay. Keep yourself busy and Kensington will be home before you know it with lots of stories of her first day. One of the biggest challenges of this change is that this is HER experience where mommy isn't part of it. It is kind of fun to have them tell you all about things and experiences that you don't already know. And I know people have told you time and time again BUT here it goes again. I have 3 children. This is the very first year that one of them is not going back to school (well except my daughter who is a kindergarten teacher). It's a wierd feeling to. The anticipation of September has been part of our lives for the past 22 years. My baby boy is 22 and just finished university in April. The next stage of life is upon us. But be assured of this….in all honesty you and they are ready for each new stage as it comes. Keep calm and carry on as the saying goes. Good Luck.
Marty says
I just stopped to pray for you and Kensington this morning. I know it's such a hard and exciting time! Hang in there! I've got 1 girl and 3 boys and both sexes are so different, and have challenges and JOYS all their own. Being a girl-mom came easily to me. I was nervous about being a boy-mom at first, but I have loved every minute of it. I've had the forts set up everywhere, the dirt tracked in all.over.the.house, all the critters they've brought home, and the continual pranks they play on each other and on me. And they are SO LOUD. They are all older now, young adults and the last one is a senior in high school. They are all kind and fun and, because their older brother has Down Syndrome, they are empathetic and helpful. My greatest joy is to see them walk with Christ daily. It sounds like you are raising a wonderful son. Loved this post! Brought back so many memories! 🙂
Alison Williams says
What a sweet post!
Michelle says
My little boy is 12 and stands almost 6 ft tall! He still has his blue blanket in bed with him, just this year stopped taking it in his pillow when he would go overnight to Nana's house. When he talks it is to say something while his sister talks to hear her voice. He is my little man and I love being a boy mom!
Tara G. says
Our boy is between two girls and yes, he is always biased by one of them! He is also my most social child and talks all.of.the.time. I tease him at times that I can't believe he let's his sisters stage Lego weddings, but he just grins…he is a good sport!
Lana says
What a sweet post about your son. I'm a boy mom to two sweet young men, and it just gets better as they get older! Good luck to Kensington…and you today! You'll both do great. Blessings!
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
Sweet little boy! Enjoy your days alone with him!! My son gets all eye-rolly about chores around the house, but I tell him I'm preparing him to be a good husband…not one that expects to be waited on. His future wife will thank me!! 😉
Jaclyn Johnson says
Hi Shay! I just wanted to say that I hope Kensington has a great first day at Kindergarten! I got teary because I have a 3 yr old daughter and can't even think about her first day of school yet. I'm sure Kensington is having the best day though and I look forward to reading about it all tomorrow 🙂 Great post about Smith too!
April says
Goodness, he's SO cute!! I'm with him on the pizza…I like mine the same way!! 😉
V @ X-tremely V says
Sometimes you forget that it isn't just your little boy who does these things! Thank you for this Shay! It reminds me that I need to let Xavier be a boy and embrace it as much as possible! He may drive me crazy, but he is all I have and I love him to pieces 🙂
sayyestohappy says
I just adore your family and love that you share so much of your life with your readers!
I hope that when I have kids I have a boy and a girl so that I can experience both. My dad always says how different my brother and I are.
Your kids are so lucky to have you as their mama! Can't wait to hear about Kensington's first day!
Amie says
I hope Kensington had a great first day and that you were able to make it through without too many tears. Also, can I just say that Smith looks exactly the same now as the day he was born in your photos. It seems like most babies change quite a bit from newborn to when they are older, but it is so cute, he looks just the same 🙂
Nicki says
Your Smith sounds SO much like my Jax! 🙂 After having a daughter first, I also wanted a second little girl. But man, have I been blessed to be this little boys Momma! He's rough and tumble and all things boy and I just adore him!
Jeanie says
Smith is such a sweetie, and so darn cute.
Jennifer Cannon says
Praying kensington enjoyed her very first "first day of school" 🙂 exciting memories to come mama!
Xoxo
Jennifer
Angela says
We just found out our little baby is a BOY and I am terrified! I only have a sister, and all the babies in my family are girls. I want to raise a strong guy with a heart for Jesus, and a gentleman! There's a lot of pressure… but I am started to pray now so that hopefully by the time he's here (and grown up) God will have worked through him in a big way. 🙂
Jaren says
My little man is sandwiched between his two very feisty sisters too. He's done great with it. But just recently he got a new baby brother to join him. I love my little men. Smith sounds SO MUCH like my Grant.
Mimi says
What a great post! Years from now, it will be fun for you and Smith (and his future wife!)to look back on this and enjoy all the wonderful things about him at this age.
Although I THOUGHT I wanted two girls, I was blessed with a daughter and a son, and I wouldn't want it any other way now. Funny how God always knows best. 🙂
audra wray says
Love this post and love being a boy mom!
Kelly @ Familiar Joy says
I love this! How funny, but I just wrote a VERY similar blog post a couple weeks ago. I absolutely love having little boys! (Especially after picturing myself with all girls). They are so full of energy and a bit crazy at times, but really, it's the best!! <3
AmyJo says
I, too, had no idea how much fun raising a boy would be until I had one! Wouldn't trade it for anything. And Smith is so cute with his little dimples and sweet smile!
Dianna says
He is just adorable and seems like such a sweet kid. My boy loves Paw Patrol right now.
Erin Truitt says
This post makes me so happy. My first is a girl and my second a boy and I come from a family of three girls so I didn't really know what to do with a boy, but it has been amazing!! I love that he is a mama's boy, that he is a mess making expert, but oh is he so sweet and cuddly! He reminds me a lot of how you describe Smith. I adore being a boy and girl mom! There are such awesome differences in them, but at the same time they are similar in ways and just the best buddies ever. Thanks for this post!