I already had one beautiful baby girl, Abby Leigh, and as I watched baby number two on the ultrasound screen, I couldn’t help but secretly hope for another girl. I loved the Laura Ashley nursery at our little house. I loved all the pink outfits, the ruffles, the bows, the sparkly shoes. I loved it all! But I also knew I’d love a baby boy just as much, and I was well aware that a boy would make Jeff’s mom happy since he would carry on the Adams name. With Jeff being an only child, that duty fell on us.
“Let’s see if your baby is going to cooperate today,” the nurse whispered in the dimly lit examination room.
Jeff squeezed my hand. I smiled up at him, so excited to learn the sex of baby number two.
It seemed like the nurse moved the wand up and down and across my petroleum-jellied belly for an hour.
“Oh, there it is. I can confidently tell you the sex of your baby,” she said, printing out a few pictures. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Yes,” we said in unison.
“You’re having another little girl! Congratulations!”
Jeff kissed my hand he was already holding, and I cried tears of joy. I was so happy I was having another baby girl, a little sister for Abby.
Jeff’s mom also cried when she heard the news—I’m not sure her tears were ones of joy because she really wanted a boy, but what she didn’t know at that moment was how close she and Allyson would become. Best friends.
On the drive home from the doctor’s office that day, I worried Jeff might be disappointed we weren’t having a boy, but even before I could voice my concerns, he said, “I’m so glad we’re having another girl. They are so precious.”
Life with girls has been such a blessing; okay, not every day but most days. If you’re a #momofgirls you’re nodding your head right now. Being a mom of two amazing daughters is great in many ways—we share shoes, clothes, makeup, and a love for romantic comedies. It’s been great to see my girls excel in gymnastics and cheerleading since those were sports I also enjoyed when I was growing up. And I’ve loved being able to give them advice about dating, frenemies, and “girl stuff” over the years.
I’ve also enjoyed sharing some not-so-girly passions with them—Cubs baseball and bass fishing. Yes, we’re a Cubbies-loving, bass-fishing family, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now, listen. Raising girls hasn’t been all butterflies and sunshine and bluebirds sitting on my shoulders. We’ve had screaming matches. We’ve had seasons when Abby wanted to move out because I was, and I quote, “the worst mother in the world.” And we’ve battled some serious health issues with Allyson. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it.
So many times, I’ve fallen on my face before God and asked for His intervention—that He would help me parent my girls—because many days I felt like I was falling short. I wondered if I was good enough, smart enough, strong enough, or simply enough. I found out that I wasn’t, but He was, and with God’s help, I can testify from the other side—we made it!
Both Abby and Ally have grown into remarkable young women. Both love Jesus. Both graduated college and are excelling in their respective careers. And both are happily married and starting families. Jeff and I stand in awe of our daughters.
I wish I could take credit for any of it, but honestly, I can’t.
It’s all Jesus.
I don’t know what stage you’re in these days, but wherever you are on this motherhood journey, just know you’re not alone. Include God in every stage, at every age. Let Him direct your steps, as it says in Proverbs, and trust Him in the big and little decisions. Whether you’re a #boymom or a #girlmom, it doesn’t matter because you’re a loved #childofGod, and with your heavenly Father by your side, you’re going to rock this!
