40 Weeks

40 Weeks ago today, I looked like THIS (above) for MOST of the day. It was the ONLY day I did NOT want my sweet girl to arrive, and it was the only day in the then recent weeks that I actively spent trying to NOT go into labor. 18 minutes before midnight on April Fool's Day, Emma Jane came crashing into the world. (Literally....her sweet little face was bruised.)

I was full of trepidation when the ultrasound confirmed that we were being blessed with a daughter. After 2 boys, I was very used to seeing blue. Pink was overwhelming to me. So many ruffles. So many bows. Glitter. Shoes. HORMONES in 10-13 years. (haha!!) Still, I was THRILLED to see a healthy babe...

Here's my little diva at this exact moment, 40 weeks old:
Love those rosebud lips, her little birth mark, and her blankie!

Raising a daughter is more intimidating than raising a boys. At least if you ask me. Do you SEE what girls are wearing? I recently saw some pictures of someone I love on facebook and thought, "NO WAY, in a million trillion YEARS, will Emma wear something like THAT." I don't care how thin you are, some clothes fail to flatter anyone.

Boys seem easy. I know I am raising them with good morals and that they will, most likely, be just like their dad. And let's face it, he's a clear winner. Gentle, patient, smart, loving, etc. I intend to raise Emma with the same morals and values. I hope she marries someone just like her daddy. BUT. Girls seems so much more susceptible to outside influences. Body image symbols flashing everywhere. (Shopping for clothes, even at a young age, that are made for skinny girls, and like I said before, I don't care how thin someone is, "trashy" is not flattering.) The need to prove themselves. Men treating them poorly. So much baggage. I'm not saying boys won't have baggage, just that from this momma's point of view, girls are more likely to accumulate more. I pray that Emma will grow up to be smart above all else, enabling her to make wise decisions for herself.....she is surrounded by strong women, family and friends who are the same as family, who are providing excellent examples of "the good life." PRAISE GOD!

My life has changed since having a daughter. Not that having Samuel and Brayden DIDN'T change me, of course it did. But Emma is like an extra extension of me. I'm more conscious of myself as a woman because I know I am Emma's biggest influence. (I know this because I am basically a different version of my own mother.) Everything I do and say impacts my children. Every day I pray for God to guide my steps, bend to His will, and provide a happy and safe environment for them all. I am so thankful for the opportunity to raise both boys and a girl (so far) and look forward to the next 40 weeks of their young lives.