definition of a REAL superhero

What is a superhero? Someone who possesses superhuman strength? Someone who protects the public by defeating the villian hurling them into outer space or binding them with a spider web? Someone who wears a mask, cape, and tights to conceal their identity?

Maybe when we were 8.

With age and life experience I have learned what a superhero really means. It is someone who can swoop in when you need them the most and help you with the big problems as well as the small, everyday things. They make you feel important. And loved.

Jayden has been in a wear-my-spiderman-costume-everywhere-all-day-every-day phase. In fact he wore it to the hospital the day we had our ultrasound. All the radiology techs got a kick out of seeing spiderman at "the office" that day. Last week--I think Wed. afternoon-- a spiderman-clad Jayden noticed me sprawled out on the couch. I was tired and dying for a nap. He came up to me and asked, "Mommy, you're tired. Can I use the vacuum for you?"

Oh. My. Gosh. I was blown away. I thought to myself, I need to write a letter to all those big brain psychologists who study the Nature/Nurture debate and cite this example in favor of the Nature side because I know he has not learned this skill set (the ability to discern others' needs) from...eh hem...the other male member of the household. My husband is always happy to help in any way I need, and he provides a ton of help with the house and kids, but, as it is with 99% of the male population, we need to ask.
Without being asked Jayden got out the vacuum, plugged it in, and proceeded to do this:

And then later that evening while I was making dinner Jayden asked if he could help me cook! He even ran and got a chef's hat to wear for the occasion. ;-)

And this, my friends, is the true definition of a superhero. A man who steps in and does the cooking and cleaning without asking!

a mother's intuition

A little over a year ago I came to Josh and told him that I felt deep in my heart we should have another child. He was quick to shoot me an eyebrow-cocked glare and tell me I was crazy to want to add to the craziness that already existed in our home. But "something" was telling me over and over again for months that our family was not yet complete. And not only was I convinced that we should add to our family, I felt very strongly that it was going to be another boy. After a few months of discussion and prayer, we decided together that we'd take the baby plunge again. Besides, since I am the neck I was able to turn the head to see things my way.  ;-)
After I found out I was pregnant, my symptoms and cravings further convinced me of the fact that we were, indeed, going to have that boy I'd been anticipating for a long time.  Cravings of meat n' potato type food for every meal, acne breakouts, crazy, intense dreams every night, chinny-chin-chin hairs to pluck (oh yeah! probably my favorite symptom!).....it's been my pregnancy w/ Jayden all over again.

So Thursday's ultrasound left us all feeling pretty shocked to say the least when the ultrasound tech told us that we are having our 3rd GIRL!! I'd completely convinced myself...and Josh...and the kids...and everybody else...there was a little male floating around in there.  If I've talked to you in the past couple months personally, you can vouch that I've been telling the world this was going to be a boy!
HA.  So to hell with my "mother's intuition"!

I am beyond excited to have one more girl. I've already pulled out all the pink, girly baby clothes we'd saved; just to look at them again!  And do you know who's really, really happy this baby is a girl??  Josh! Yes.  He is.  You see, he has a soft spot for his girls and sometimes I think he views Jayden as a spinning, 3 foot tall dervish of destruction.  So the thought of not having one more human tornado in the house brings a sigh of relief to him. ;-)

So now it's time to come up with another "J" name, isn't it?!