All Boy
I grew up among girls. My dad being the only person of the male gender in our household. Even my pets were all females. When my son was born I remember thinking “What on earth am I supposed to do with a boy?”
The first diaper change. Yikes. Which about sums up how it went. And the first time I got pee’d on during a change? Never again did I open a diaper without something to shield myself from another accident. Live and learn.
The first time he questioned me about his penis (seriously I just can not type wee-wee, member, johnson, WHATEVER.) was at bath time. He was sitting in the tub and started to fiddle with himself. He asked me why it stands up sometimes. Uh. Pause. “HUBBY?!?!?!?!? Your son has a question for you!!” I bolted out of the room mostly because I didn’t want to laugh about it in front of my son. I still laugh when I think about it.
No dolls, no manicures, no cute dresses, no hair ribbons. Out of my league. So I would do crafts with him. I would cook with him. I even taught him how to use my sewing machine. I did the best I could.
But the testosterone in him ultimately won out. I let nature guide me.
- There’s the time my dad took him up to the local mountain preserve park for a hike. I think he was about 4 at the time. They came back, my son waddling up our front walk way. My dad laughing. Apparently my son had collected and stuffed so many rocks in his cargo shorts pockets that his shorts kept falling down. All Boy.
- The never ending boo-boo’s and bruises from football, basketball, sliding down stairs, climbing trees. (At one point he had so many bruises on his knees and shins I was afraid the pediatrician would think I was mistreating him. Honestly true. ) All Boy.
I peeked into the front flap pocket of his school back pack the other day and found: One Spalding Bounce Ball, a rubber band ball, a squashed piece of gum still in it’s wrapper, a Bakugan. And more rocks. (Future geologist in the making?) All Boy.- Our puppy. He laid down next to the puppy on the floor. Started talking baby talk it. Stopped for a second. Then proceeded to ROAR in the puppies face. All Boy.
- There’s the fish that only lived about 3 days in our house, because he needed to look at them up close (out of water). All Boy.
- There’s the hamster that he used to carry around in his sweatshirt pocket and finally got lost because it fell out and ran away. (Smart hamster. I’d have run away too if I were him.) All Boy.
- The mischievous side that at the age of 5 had him cover the toilet bowl with saran wrap and lower the seat over it. I was the victim of that one. Oh Boy. All Boy.
- The perpetual need to make a fort out of anything and everything. Cushions, tables, large boxes. And the never ending need to wrestle someone. All Boy.
And ya know what? I love having a boy. I now play basketball with him. I’m an assistant administrator in the football program. I can look at a worm without gagging. I love the mother/son dynamics and his thoughtfulness. I love cleaning out every one of his pockets for rocks and gum. I love the Nerf darts all over the floor and the fact that there isn’t one carton here that doesn’t have a peep hole cut out of it.
I could do without the constant replacing of pants because of rips and tears from being so physical though.
I don’t want time to move faster than it already is moving, but I’m excited to see the man he will become.
And if he’ll be a geologist.
@orangepeelings on twitter.
said:
Great post…I have two boys and can relate! On the walk to the bus the other day we had to rescue all the worms that the rain had washed out. This summer, my garden was full of holes…and little dump trucks and tractors. I could go on and on and on…
All boy.
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Awards! (Updated with winners! Yay!) =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 5:40 PM
I love those little trucks all over the lawn. (The worms I can still do without.)
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@Kristin_OPC on twitter.
said:
Boys and girls are so very different! I think every mama needs her mama’s boy.
.-= That One Mom´s last blog ..Never A Dull Moment =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 5:41 PM
It’s so awesome how affection they can be! (When none of their friends are around of course.)
[Reply]
That One Mom
@Kristin_OPC on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 7:48 PM
My boy is starting to get to the “embarassed by mom” age. It cracks me up and I totally exploit it!
There is an award for you on my blog!
.-= That One Mom´s last blog ..How Very Lovely =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Thank you so much for the award!!! I’m heading over to you right now
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@beths_confusion on twitter.
said:
Boys are a whole different ball of wax. I agree it’s going to be so amazing to see the men they become. I wonder that about my boys.
.-= beth aka confusedhomemaker´s last blog ..Glamour, Body Image, and the Loving Your Body Revolution. =-.
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I love this post! We have a 2 year old daughter and are expecting a BOY in January. This gets me all pumped up
Thanks for your wisdom!
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Congratulations on expecting a boy!! A happy and healthy pregnancy to you!
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Oh I love this post……climbing out of a pile of motocross gear, sweaty basketball clothes and a big amount of testosterone myself!
can I tell you I laughed out loud with “….Then proceeded to ROAR in the puppies face. All Boy”
.-= *Michelle*´s last blog ..Listening to the Littlest =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 5:44 PM
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@trinmom on twitter.
said:
Oh so sweet Nancy. Boys really are different from girls aren’t they! I totally relate to the mysterious things (bottle caps, rocks, trading cards) that are BOUND to be in pockets. Mine also have the tiniest pencil stubs in every pocket as well because they both love to draw…on any scrap of paper that they come across.
Gotta love em.
.-= Mom of Three´s last blog ..Monday’s Muse – Progress =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 5:46 PM
It’s funny that you mention the pencil stub. Today I experienced my first one! He was doing homework and stopped for a few minutes. Went back to his homework and couldn’t find his pencil. I was helping him out and could not for the life of me find a pencil anywhere.
When he found it, I took a look at it. It was about 2 inches long and had points on both sides. I’m wondering…what on earth happened to the eraser portion of it…and who can write with a two inch pencil?
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@JulieChats on twitter.
said:
You brought tears to my eyes! So many fun things to do with a boy and to think I spent two days in tears when I found out I was having my little guy after hoping to bring his 7 yr old sister a little sister. But we wouldn’t give him back for anything now…well, maybe for just one day to get a break from tripping on all the balls & match box cars strewn about my living room like there was a tornado in Oregon….
Happy VGNO a little late! Stop by my blog to see my latest Layout of the Week and where my blog is being honored as Blog of the Week!
http://juliechats.blogspot.com
.-= Julie@JulieChats´s last blog ..JulieChats Wins Blog of the Week Award from Scrapbooking.com Magazine =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 6:32 PM
I was kinda bummed too that I’d be a mom to a boy, but anytime I hear a friend is having or adopting a boy they get an earful on how amazingly fun it is to raise them
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@orangepeelings on twitter.
said:
There’s an award for you on my blog! (Don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything with it, just know I enjoy your blog!)
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Thank you so much, Dawn!! (And double thank you!)
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Seriously, who calls it a “member”? Thank God YOU don’t!
This was really sweet and it will be something your son will treasure one day.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 6:33 PM
You will laugh, but when I was writing this I looked up alternatives to the word “penis” and “member” was one of the top 3 words used. Go figure!
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I just love this post! I too come from a family of all girls-4 in fact-so a boy was a real shocker. You are right. The connection of mother to son is a big one. Here’s to your future geologist!
.-= susan´s last blog ..How Not to Go Shopping =-.
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When I found out that I was having a girl I was terrified because the only small children I had ever been around and cared for were boys and boys can have such amazing relationships with their mothers.
.-= Unknown Mami´s last blog ..Sundays In My City =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 10:26 PM
And I bet you found how special it is to have a girl!
[Reply]
Unknown Mami
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Yup!
.-= Unknown Mami´s last blog ..Sundays In My City =-.
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There is a special bond between a mother and a son. It’s not better than it is with a daughther, but it is different. The way you describe the things that make a boy are spot-on, sweet and funny.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 5th, 2009 at 10:46 PM
I know if I had a girl, I’d be posting about how wonderful that is too. I think I am just surprised at how great little boys are. I’d always thought of them (before motherhood) as being so alien to me.
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When I was pregnant with my first and only I was scared to death I would end up having a boy. I was nervous about changing a boy diaper about answering boy questions, sports, wrestling, etc. I ended up having a girl and was actually relieved but then I look at the relationship my mom has with her son, my brother, and admire that and want that for myself someday. This post gives me hope that I might make a successful mother to a boy because I am not the only one with those fears or apprehensive thoughts. Thank you!
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 6th, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Im sure you will be a great mom….to any child!
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@submom on twitter.
said:
2 boys here! (And if you count husband, then 3!) Thank you for this great post. I sometimes feel sad about not having a girl: I only have brothers myself, and they themselves each has two boys… I am always curious about what it’s like to have a sister. LOL at the things your little guy does and collects. They’re all going to be geologists, aren’t they?
Btw, do girls NOT keep broken pencils and chewed up gum? Seriously?
.-= submom´s last blog ..Those who do the laundry should have immunity. Just sayin… =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 6th, 2009 at 4:54 PM
LOL @ your 3rd boy
Good question on girls and broken pencils. I will ask around.
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Oh my goodness, that’s too funny. But, the funny thing is that most of the things you listed are all things that my daughter has done as well. NOT even kidding!! They are the reason I started to blog in the first place.
Her favorite thing to do when camping ~ dig for worms, and name each one. Collecting rocks, petting the fish, cleaning the fish with dishsoap, the “pull my finger” joke (her grandfather taught her that one), chopped off all her beautiful long hair, sat in mudpuddles for hours, climbing trees… and it goes on and on.
She is also a little diva/princess as well. That part I can handle.
She’s a mix of both.
What a great mom you are!! Glad you are having fun enjoying your “son”. I hear ya on the penis thing… for that reason, I’m glad I have a little girl. I was worried about having boy…
Anyway, I’m babbling.
Great post! Lovin’ the blog
Michele
.-= Michele´s last blog ..Slacker =-.
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I come from an all girl family – including the dogs.. Now I am the mother of 2 girls and we have a girl dog….. the fish is a boy.. Poor husband…. but not anymore – he has a buddy jogger, golfer, and football game watcher… my girls love sports… and they love to get their nails done too…. thank goodness.
I enjoyed your blog – I will be back.
Love,
Kelly
http://www.ivebecomemymother.com
.-= Kelly Lininger´s last blog ..Monday After School Special =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 6th, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Glad you stopped by. I’m heading over to visit you!
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I am the same.. i grew up in a house with all girls..poor Daddy.. now its reversed.. im the ONLY woman..LOL!! LOVE THIS POST GIRL!!!!!!
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I was laughing and shaking my head as I read this. I adopted a 10 year old boy in 2007, and I have marveled at the differences between him and my daughter. He lives in a household where there is no daddy and no other boys. Even the dog is female. Yet, he’s very much a boy -loves wrestling, camping, rocks, etc. The good thing is that when he gets married I think he will adapt easily, because he’s used to PMS and all things female. Oddly, he’s sweeter and more cuddly than my daughter, too!
.-= Dee´s last blog ..Back to the 80′s =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 6th, 2009 at 7:46 PM
It really is so amazing the effects hormones have on people. How boys develop and their traits. How the hormones effect the teen years. How they rule women as they get older. Interesting stuff!
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Coming from a family of angry women for aunts and grandmothers and only girl cousins, I was thrilled when we ended up with 2 boys. They are pure magic, bumps, bruises, billy goat climbing on everything…and the latest: an affection for spiders. Love Love Love my boys. I would have been a terrible mother to a girl. Your boy is lucky to have you.
Glad you are a fast learner. I have been peed on many times, and surprised by each….. and amused of course.
.-= magda´s last blog ..Grand Slam =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 6th, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Thanks Magda! And I feel really lucky to have him too!
The getting peed on was pretty funny. My mom was a victim of it a few times as well.
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print this out to save for him when he’s older – he’ll love reading it. i too am all girls — 4 generations of all girls and both my sister and i produced three girls of our own – guess girls just don’t get made over here. loved this post!
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 6th, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Good idea
I am liking that I listed the funny things he’s done. It will be fun to read it in a few years.
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I have 3 boys and 1 daughter….I was terrified of having boys. But you know what I’m finding the boys are a lot easier. They’re also more carefree and easy going.
Loved this post and the list about your son cracked me up! I had to laugh about him looking at the fish up close out of the water. I took our hermit crabs out the other day to clean their tank and when i was ready to put them back in, I found 2 of the boys trying to coax the crab out of his shell because they wanted to know what the crab’s backside looked like. Eeeewwww…
.-= Helene´s last blog ..Well, throw an apron on me and call me Betty Crocker… =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 6th, 2009 at 7:49 PM
LOL. Did they get to see it’s backside? Very funny!
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I love this post! I have one girl (adopted from Korea). When we went through the adoption process again I just assumed we’d have another girl. I, too, come from a family of girls (all 5 of us!) and wondered what in the world I would ever do with a boy. The we found out #1son was a boy and I was pregnant with #2son. Two boys! What would I do? Get dirty. Listen to poop/pee jokes. Climb trees again. Watch bugs. It’s been an absolute blast!
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Tunes for Tuesday – Here It Goes Again =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 6th, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Funny, we were adopting for Korea and got a referal the day after our son was born. Long story there..glad you were able to do both!!
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I’m not sure what I’d do with a girl. I love having boys. Love it!
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Awww…I relate so well and am totally cracking up over your post! Perfect! We have one boy and one girl and I have naturally found things “easier” with her. It is foreign ground with a boy
But I love every second! He is the best…so naughty and so sweet all together. His smile has such a place in my heart.
I babied him for the longest time (he is only four though) because of his allergies and Eczema. I was always trying to make up for his “suffering” with itchy skin and limited diet that I over compensated in every way possible.
Now that he is so so so much better from taking his Vidazorb chewable probiotics…I can finally parent without sympathy. I can do things the way that makes us both better people. Even through all this, he still has such a loving and tender heart…and pockets full of dirt, rocks and worms too! LOL
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 6th, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I’m glad he’s able to do better now. That must feel like such a relief!!
I’m guilty of over-babying too, but because I’m a smothering mother hen
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@mommywords on twitter.
said:
My little boy Miles is only 18 months old and I wish time could stop and I could relish every moment a bit longer of his TOTAL boyishness already. I am not ready for him to be 2 much less 10 or 20. I love how you wrote this and how you remember all these things about your boy and how it is precious that boys are so different! Miles does not talk about his penis but Sophia does. He does already tough it though…ewww! Great post!
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I always thought I would have a girl. I know how to relate to girls, dress them up, fix their hair… boys, not so much. So when I became pregnant, I was sure I would have a girl. But I had a boy… and I love every minute of it. Granted, he’s only 7 months old, but I’m excited about all the different things HE’s going to be teaching me about raising a son!
-Jen
.-= NathanRising´s last blog ..Wiggle Worm =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : October 8th, 2009 at 10:02 AM
You’re going to LOVE it!!
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What an adorable photo! I have 2 boys!!!
.-= Misty´s last blog ..Fall touches…inside… =-.
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Aww! Now that I’m a mommy of a little boy, I can’t wait to have those “All Boy” moments, although I’ve already had the pee’d on moment, and the “oh, this is my penis” moment!
.-= Blupoetres´s last blog ..The Dreaded Sex Talk! =-.
[Reply]
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