Life is changing around here

Over the last few months, probably since early winter, it's really hit me how life is changing around here.  As the boys grow up and we've been blessed with 3 little girls, there is almost a palpable culture change.  I don't know how else to describe it.  I knew it would happen, I just don't know if I was actually prepared for it and definitely not this quickly.

I LOVE my boys.  I was a mom to boy for 13 years before I had my first girl.  I honestly never thought we'd have any girls and I was perfectly alright with that. People always tell me they feel sorry for me having so many boys.  As if boys are the worst thing to ever happen to moms.  I love mothering boys, I love having a house full of boys.  There is something exciting about the energy they bring to life and a home.  I am not at all info bugs, mud, dirt, flying things, frogs and all sorts of other things boys are into, but I love that they love these things.  So now my youngest boy is 5.5 years old and he seems so much older.  He tries so hard to keep up with the big boys and he really isn't interested in Thomas the Tank Engine like the other boys were at this age.  While I am so excited about this new phase of boyhood that is coming...one that is full of new and exciting adventures as they are all old enough for things like zip-lines, hiking in the woods alone, frog hunting and so much more. I am sad too.  Sad that my little boys are growing up and there isn't another one coming up to take their place.  So while I never imagined having girls, I now anticipate that this handsome guy is going to be my last little boy and that is bitter sweet.

I no longer hear about train tracks and matchbox cars.  Now it's princess dresses and sounds of little girls giggling.  I hear Veronica ask Rosalia to play dollhouse together or discussions of tea parties or playing house.  There is a lot of talk about dressing up and doing hair.  Veronica asks me every morning to do her hair; I don't think I've ever had one of the boys ask me to do their hair.  It also means I've had to learn to actually DO hair.  Pigtails are a current favorite.  There is lots of discussion about what outfit is perfect for the day and I've learned that little girls love to layer their clothes...dress, skirt, leggings....all at one time.  And the outfit choices are interesting and eclectic.

I am loving this new phase though.  It's fun to see the girls grow up and naturally love their "girl" toys.  Sure they love picking up frogs and swinging toy swords at each other as much as the boys.  Veronica loves to catch bugs and was proudly showing me her caterpillar the other day, but they also love all the girl stuff.  It's fun to sit and listed to Veronica and Rosalia have a tea party or play with baby dolls.  I love to hear them giggle together and can imagine them in the years ahead and how much fun they will have together.  They love each other in a way that the boys don't.  They actually squeal with delight when they see each other.  Veronica gave Rosalia the biggest hug after a nap the other day.  Spontaneous and joyful just to see her sister.  And she can't walk by Beatrice without stopping to hug her and talk to her.  The girl bond is amazing and so different than the boys.

I see these 3 girls together and I wonder where we will be 10 years from now when Veronica is 13 and as old as Grant was when she was born and my journey as a mom to girls began.