20 months apart

Isaiah, our 6 1/2 year old, prompted this post when the other night after prayers he said to me: "Mom, can you tell Isaac he is the best brother in the world." Isaac was only 4 feet underneath him on the bottom bunk, but for some reason Isaiah was overcome with this sentiment and I was the messenger of his love.

My boys are 20 months apart and will be just a grade apart in school. Although their names may seem to some almost identical, these two couldn't be any more different. One is shy the other could talk your ear off, one wakes up in a good mood the other not so much, one loves new and bright clothes/toys/anything, the other will only wear a specific set of shorts, socks and shoes, which I buy in bulk so as to prevent melt downs when a set is dirty. The list goes on and on. But it is these differences that makes them quite the pair, perfect playmates, and bestest brothers.


One of my most distinct memories after bringing Isaiah into the world was I can't wait to have another baby and give him a sibling. I knew it was the best gift that I would be able to give my precious little baby boy, who after 48 hours of hard core, traumatizing labor was finally snuggled in my arms nursing away.

Isaiah loved his little brother from the start. 

Back in 2008 when our team went from 1 to 2 kids it was the hardest transition that I have made in my mommy world. Maybe, just maybe, it was because our Isaac cried for 10 months straight (this is no exaggeration just ask my mom), but it was also because I went from having time to myself (you know, time as when Isaiah took his 2 1/2 hour nap every day and then of course he was sleeping through the night) to absolutely NO, NONE, NADA time to myself. Crying baby, NO me time, post pardom depression-- talk about fun times, and poor Matt who got the brunt of it all.

But with all that said, I wouldn't change it for the world. Yes, we (barely) made it through that rough patch, but we did make it and with 2 little, adorable boys in tow. And it is no exaggeration to say that since these 2 have been able to play together they have been inseparable. They don't know life without the other and most days seem to walk and play in sinc with one another.

Everyday is a new adventure for them, whether they are super heros, scooter pals, fishing and swimming buddies, legos builders, and much much more!

When I am out and 'bout with all 4 kiddos I do hear a lot from random people (as I know lots of you do too who have your littles even closer in age!) say: "Wow you have your hands full" or "Wow they are so close in age, how do you do it."

Honesty, sometimes I don't know how we do it, how does anyone do it really? But I can only chalk it up to mucho grace from our sweet Lord. Raising little ones, though, isn't always pretty, like last night when all 4 were CRYING REALLY REALLY LOUD on the way home from a party and I sat in the passenger seat with my head in my lap and fingers plugging my ears just so I wouldn't completely flip out on them.

But really our little people are God's greatest gift to us and to each other.
And it is these sweet moments that erase all the hard away.

One thing that I have learned is that it doesn't matter if you have 1 child, 2 or 4, it is all EQUALLY hard, challenging, life-changing, and simply amazing.