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About the time that Marissa was approaching the two year mark it hit, baby fever. We knew that we didn't want our kids to be really close in age, but we also didn't want a larger age gap either. We decided to try for baby number 2 about the time that Marissa was turning 2 and hope for the best.
We celebrated her second birthday on June 17th, 2010
And 4 days later this happened.
What a blessing.
I will forever love this picture. I mean look at that face... seriously.
It is almost like she knew exactly what was coming.
9 months later we were a family of four, just like I had always imagined us being.
I look at these pictures and I feel overwhelmingly blessed. Blessed to have two healthy, beautiful girls and blessed by the timing of them coming into our lives.
God has been exceedingly gracious to us.
For us 2 is the magic number. It may have taken me a bit of time to fully process that, check my heart, talk to Russ about his. But now we feel we can confidently say that our family is complete.
What are your thoughts on expanding your family?
How did you know you were ready?
How did you know you were ready?
I love all the pictures of the girls when they were little! 2 is a good number for us too- like you, I had always pictured our family as a family of four, and I'm very much looking forward to that.
ReplyDeleteThis is so difficult for me. We would love a large family (6+ kids), but we struggle with infertility. We will probably not get what we want. But we will have what God has specially and purposefully intended for us if we say "yes" to His calling of how to grow our family. My prayer is that I have the peace and strength to accept it! Lord, help me please.
ReplyDeleteI try to remember the beautiful gifts He's given us through adoption and how I wouldn't trade them for the heartache of infertility. He knows what He's doing! Sometimes I just have to intentionally remind myself of that, you know what I mean?
So my answer is - we will never be "done". We'll be open to whatever God calls us to! At least, I pray everyday that I want what He wants too :)
-Jess
www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
The girls are so cute! I am not sure if we will have more... It's so hard for me to say this is it we are done. We will see...
ReplyDeleteOh. my. gosh. Marissa's face with the "I Am A Big Sister" shirt is hilariously priceless!
ReplyDeleteThe girls looked so much more alike when they were younger.
We are still trying to decide if 2 is our magic number. And, it took me a good two years before I knew we were even ready for 2. I think once M2 arrives, and is around for a bit, our hearts will let us know if our family is complete.
I love the pic of Marissa and the big sis shirt! So cute! As we approach #3, I am grappling with the feeling of being done. This pregnancy has been way more exhausting than the other two. I feel like we're done, but washing those tiny baby clothes for the last time has been hard.
ReplyDeleteLove this heartfelt post and love that very last picture of your sweet family. We would love to keep expanding our family but plan to take it one kid at a time and reassess after each. Of course, as in sure you can remember, when the fever hits it is STRONG!!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I think the key is knowing in your heart what complete looks like for you. I grew up assuming and wanting two kids - seemed to make sense. I came from a family with two kids and two adults meant each could take a kid when needed! But then I got into this parenthood thing and one is actually just right for us. And that's ok too. Thanks for this beautiful post today! and for being honest while not being preachy!
ReplyDeleteWell of course you know my desire is to have four kids. Always has been and in pretty sure always will be. If I could choose it would be 2 girls and 2 boys and now that it seems adoption is our only option that's what we are going for!! Of course in a perfect world I would have had two under 2 and hopefully 4 under five!!! We will see, obvi 2 under 2 is no longer an option....
ReplyDeleteI needed to read this. The sting of infertility is awful and while I love my daughter so much, I still have a great desire to experience pregnancy and delivery myself.
ReplyDeleteAaahhh, You just announced and I am already so, so excited for you lady. Can't wait to find out who's in there? Are you going to find out? Please say yes, please say yes ;).
ReplyDeleteYour outlook is such a huge testimony of Gods faithfulness friend. A story that says "I trust him completely even though I don't understand". A beautiful, beautiful story that blesses others and ultimately glorifies God. Thank you for sharing a bit of it with me.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand friend. It took me almost 3 years to know in my heart I was finally ready to shut that door. Some may take even longer. But when you know, you know.
ReplyDeleteI left it up to my hubby this time since I wanted to find out the first time around. He wants to know, so we'll be finding out the gender :)
ReplyDeleteHehe! I thought you would appreciate that! They really did. Marissa's hair used to be a bit curly to. Just on the ends but still the resemblance can be freaky sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Emily was almost 3 before I knew we were good. When you know, you know.
I went into my second pregnancy really expecting it to be my last so I really tried to soak it up. Especially those last few weeks of being pregnant. It was really hard though so I totally understand.
ReplyDeleteNow I have LOTS of friends having babies so I give them hugs, steal their babies, snuggle them, give them back and send them home. It is pretty fabulous :).
Thanks friend. Such a great idea to keep checking your heart as you go along. Baby fever is SO strong however I think I was vaccinated. I still love to snuggle them, don't get me wrong but thinking about being the mommy, no thank you. Haha ha!
ReplyDeletePraying for you guys on this journey friend. God's plan is so so good even when we don't completely understand it.
ReplyDeleteDo you know Jess who commented a little further down. I really think you two could connect.
WAHOO!!!!!
ReplyDeleteaww love that you knew two was your jam! I didn't even want kids growing up. Then I wanted five. Now I have no idea. I'd love to feel confident in being done or wanting another.
ReplyDeleteI love this!!! And I love Marissa as a two year old. How cute is she?!?! And then the picture right after LOL. Poor girl knew her world was going to be rocked in a short amount of time. Love that you know exactly what you wanted for your family and you made it happen and your heart is full.
ReplyDeleteThe timing for this post could not have been more perfect. We are in the middle of these kinds of decisions for our own family right now too. I love reading the perspectives of other mothers. We have always wanted a big family. It took us a while for our first gift-from-above to join us, and we never take that blessing for granted. Thank you so much for sharing :) <3 xo
ReplyDeleteOur magic number was also 2 and I am so sure of our decision! I have friends that are just having newborns right now and I don't at all get that baby fever after holding them! I listen to the stories and know that I am so content where we are at!! Great post!
ReplyDeleteHaha! None to 5 is a HUGE difference girl. You'll figure it out as you go along. It took me almost 3 years after Emily was born to know I was done for sure. Then one day out of the blue I told Russ if he got me pregnant I would cut him. Ever since then I have been pretty passionate about being done with no desire to change that.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to soak it up, for sure. I just have to remember everything is a season and I can't keep going on having babies forever.... well... I could try...but no. :)
ReplyDeleteShe was pretty ridiculous. Those cheeks and DIMPLES! She has always had some of the most impressive dimples I have ever seen. Bursting at the seams, thanks friend.
ReplyDeleteOh girl you and I are right in the same place. So many friends with tiny babies and a (big) part of me screams "Thank God that is over with for us" lol. I do love to snuggle those babies. But definitely agree no fever, I don't want another.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Lol.Oh man that made me laugh :D!
ReplyDeletePretty huge stuff when your considering making a person :). They are such a huge blessing aren't they. Well wishes and prayers for whichever way you decide to go.
ReplyDeleteHow precious! Those are some darling pictures:) Right now my husband feels pretty confident in our family dynamic of one boy and one girl. In my head, I've always thought I may have more. We will see how the Lord works and are open to what he has designed!
ReplyDeleteI love her face in the picture with the “I’m a big sister”
ReplyDeleteshirt. Priceless! I think two is the magic number for his {I mean, if it’s in
God’s plan!!}. Just makes sense…two parents…two kids….ha! No but really, I hope
to give Mason a sibling someday. I love all of these pictures…especially that
last one! Awesome!
It will ALWAYS be one of my favorite pictures. That squished up nose is just to cute. I know exactly what you mean. I always felt the same way two parents, two kids it just works. Life is set up pretty well four a family of four. Praying God would give you your hearts desire friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you.