Marshalls Abroad

John Shea Life

5 Things About Raising a Little Boy

I think often about how much I absolutely enjoy being a Mother to a little boy. I am so thankful that we don’t get to choose the sex of our babies, and that the Lord Almighty plans out all of the details. What a privilege it is to raise a son (or a daughter!) and we pray a lot that he would be built up into a man that would make good decisions, stand strong in this world, be humble before His Creator… and that Cam and I don’t screw him up!! I know that every baby is totally different and special, and maybe these are just uniquely John Shea, but either way, they’re fun to write down and remember 🙂

1. Energy, non-stop.  From the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed, he is non-stop, go-go-go, say hi to everyone, touch everything, open this, go outside wild man. I love his energy! Except when it occurs anytime before the hours of 7am.

2. Snuggling, especially with me. I wondered if he would be less snuggly with me after weaning him, but it’s been the exact opposite. I’ve gotten even more tight hugs, kisses on the mouth and snuggles throughout the whole day. He is such a lover. He snuggles with our friends and people he’s meeting for the first time. He’ll put his head on their shoulder and arms around their neck and they’re instantly in love with him. Before naps and bedtime, and also after, he makes good time to snuggle with me. He’ll eventually grow out of it, as he should, but it is such a sweet time right now.

3. Roughhousing, with Daddy. He shows his affection to Cam by head butting (with some kisses thrown in) and wrestling. He rams his head and full body into furniture, into Cam when he’s not expecting it, and thinks it’s the greatest thing in the world.

4. No fear. Oh my gosh, the stunts he’s already pulled at only 1 year old. He will jump and leap off of anything, head first, no fear. So many times he falls or something happens where he looks at me as if to say, “am I alright or am I hurt?” Cam reminds me over and over, he’s only hurt in those instances if you tell him he’s hurt. And he tells me also to let him get hurt, to let him be tough. I know he’s right, but it’s not at all in my nature to do that, so he has to remind me often!

5. Direct emotions. While every person is amazingly unique, males and females are wired very differently, and for good reason. When John cries, it’s usually because he’s tired, he’s hungry, he has a poopy diaper, which is a dead giveaway from a mile away, or he wants me to pick him up and hold him. I don’t want to say that his emotions aren’t intricate, because they absolutely are, as is every single part of him, but they’re much more direct than say, mine. Haha, I will be the first to admit that I am a confusing emotional being! If we are ever blessed with a girl, I have a feeling we’ll be jumping into a deep sea of emotions, and what a beautiful, complicated thing that is.

6. The most beloved toy = dirt.  Other than his clan of stuffed animals that he sleeps with and takes with him everywhere he goes, he’d rather play with non-toys. A cardboard box, leaves, my hairbrush, lint…  haha, you name it. But most especially, dirt. It’s a big part of our daily life and still a total joy to him. We let him get dirty, we let him eat dirt, we let him get germs. How on earth our white couch has survived thus far is a big victory for me and Cam.


7. There are some really, really cute clothes for little boys! I love him in these cutie shoes and overalls (thanks, Grandma!), these booties, this jacket. (There’s always better deals online so I wait until their clothes go on sale and then use the extra discount codes) Other than Sunday morning though, John Shea prefers to be in just a diaper, and I can’t blame him one bit.

Oops, that turned into seven things, not five… What am I missing?!


Comments

  2. jennifer says

    this is totally beside the point of this post — which is so beautiful and fun to read, and makes me want a baby pronto (but seeing as i've been married for less than a month i should probably chill) — but where are your jeans and sweater from in that picture?! i love all the joy in your recent posts!

    • Amanda Marshall says

      ha! thanks, Jennifer! the jeans are from Old Navy – I found them on the clearance rack for $5!! wooo! they're the rockstar skinnies. And the sweater is from the Jcrew outlet clearance rack 🙂

  4. Caravan Sonnet says

    Wow~ what a beautiful post … you are so inspiring lady! What a wonderful mama you are to that adorable boy!! Thanks for inspiring me when I am a mama someday!!
    🙂 Rebecca
    p.s.- EVERY single picture is adorable but that one with him leaning against the couch and his legs crossed… soo cute!! 🙂

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Thanks, Rebecca, you are so sweet to me. Haha that one is my favorite photo too!! That was a very rare quiet minute when he was watching a cartoon on the ipad / posing like a model 😉

  5. Legally Lovely says

    I've loved watching little John Shea grow on this blog. He has the sweetest little smile! I'm sure it is so easy for people to fall in love with him.

    I've grown up in a house dominated by women – I have two sisters – and my boyfriend comes from a family where he has three brothers. I am OBSESSED with their brother/boy dynamic, probably because I never had that in my house? There is so much less drama with them all. It definitely makes me want a parcel of boys someday!

  6. ~Seth and Nancy~ says

    I've often heard people say that boys are the more affectionate ones. My son is 5 and still will climb up in my lap and loves to snuggle. He really is a lovable fellow 🙂 My daughter hasn't been nearly as cuddly as Levi. I hope he never changes. It's so nice having a son!

  7. itbritt says

    So sweet! We are expecting – and due in the next few weeks – and don't know if its a boy or a girl. Can't wait to experience all of your sweet words for myself.

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Ah congratulations!!!!!! I'm excited for you!!! When you hit the wall from not sleeping, feel free to email me and remember we've all been there and it'll pass 🙂

  10. I'm Nicholle. I love food. says

    This is just… everything. I'm in tears. We are so blessed to be mommas to our sweet baby boys!! When I was pregnant with Ayden I desperately wanted to have a boy. When he was born and Robert exclaimed "It's a BOY!!" I burst into tears with joy. Every moment with him, even the rough moments, are perfection. PS – the non-stop energy in these boys is enviable, isn't it??? HA!

    • Amanda Marshall says

      I want so much to have a playdate with our babes next time we're in SB!!!! We're coming soon to Solvang but it's for literally a day and then we're heading back up. Soon though!

  13. Hana R says

    Our son is polar opposite than our daughter when she was his age! Our daughter was so calm, patient, and quiet….then came our son……so wild, rambunctious, into everything….ahhh….the difference is night and day!!!!

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