The Peters Family

With the birth of our third child right around the corner, I have been doing a lot of thinking about Fatherhood.

Before Emma was born, I figured this Father thing would be a piece of cake. I mean, how hard could it be? I saw fathers every day that seem to have it together. I’d look at some fathers and think, “if *they* can do it, how hard can it be!” Boy was I in for a surprise. The birth of Emma was one of the happiest days of my life.. and it’s hard to even remember life before that little bundle of joy came into it. But, the weeks and months following that showed my just how completely utterly exhausting fatherhood could be.

As Emma has grown it has been so exciting to watch her learn new things. And it’s been a challenge as she has entered each new phase with it’s own complications. Her current phase is the one where she doesn’t want to do anything we tell her to simply because we said it. Everything has to be her idea or she throws a fit. I love her energy and her independent spirit, but this has sure been a challege!

Before Christopher was born, I again was thinking that this is going to be a piece of cake. I’ve been through the newborn stage before, and I know exactly what to expect. However, those intial months have an entirely new complication added to them when you not only have this newborn, but also a toddler going through the ‘terrible twos!’ The wisdom of ‘make sure you sleep when the baby sleeps’ doesn’t work too well when the other child is awake. But, we got into a rhythm and got past all of that and once both kids got onto the same sleeping schedule everything was good.

Christopher has been awesome. He’s so completely different from Emma. His personality is more affectionate. He interested in things like cars and trucks. And he watches his big sister and wants to do everything she does. He’s such a sweet boy, and every day becoming more of a momma’s boy! If Mommy’s around, then he wants her to do everything for him. If she’s not around, then he’s just fine and it’s acceptable for Daddy to take care of him. But, if she’s there, he wants his Mommy!

So, now we’re on the verge of number three. Again, I find myself thinking that I have this all figured out. I’ve had two now that were completely different, so I’ve got this under control. But, I can’t help thinking that number three is going to be different again.

I’m anxious to see him and see how much he’s similar to Emma and Christopher. Will he have the same light blonde hair that they have? Will his personality lean more towards one or the other? Or will he be completely different? I’m pretty sure I know how Emma is going to react to having him around (she loves babies) but how will Christopher? Especially since Christopher has grown so attached to Mommy, how’s he going to handle it when this baby needs so much of Mommy’s time?

So, we have some exciting months ahead of us. Right now, we’re doing everything we can to prepare for the baby. Getting his bed situated, getting clothes ready, making room for him in our house. Maybe eventually figuring out what his name will be!  He’ll be here soon!

Between the Christmas Eve Blizzard and the January Snow Storm, we’ve had more snow this winter than I remember ever having in the past. But the kids sure have enjoyed playing in it.  Here are some pictures of them playing in the snow during and after the January snow storm. More pictures can be found in our flickr album.

We’d like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Jenny and I have always been very into the Christmas season. The lights, the food, the movies, the music, the gifts… and, of course, reflecting on the ultimate gift that God gave us by sending Jesus Christ to Earth to save us from our sins. But Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning to us as we begin to celebrate it with our children and see the season through their eyes.

I had a friend ask me at work the other day if I ever got tired of Christmas and doing the same things year after year after year. My answer was a resounding, “No!” Christmas seems to be getting better and better each year as the kids get older. Christopher isn’t quite old enough to know what’s going on yet. But Emma is excited enough for the both of them! She is asking us daily if it’s Christmas yet and how many more days to go. Watching the excitement and anticipation on her face brings a whole new level to the season.

Not that everything is perfect this Christmas. We have seen a tendency in her to feel entitled to lots of presents and not be thankful for what she’s given if it’s not exactly what she wants. So gratefulness is definitely something we need to work on with her over the coming year.

Christmas, to us, is a time to reflect on the previous year. We have much to be thankful for. We have two healthy, beautiful children who are growing and learning more every day, and a third on the way. Christopher just turned 2 last month and Emma is 4 1/2. Jenny has been feeling great this pregnancy; still, for the most part, having the energy to keep up with the kids! I recently changed jobs, moving from one that I liked but had grown to seem less stable into one that should be much more stable over the coming years with lots of growth potential. Emma began school, going to preschool at Legacy Christian School. She loves it and we’ve been amazed at how fast she is learning and maturing. Christopher is in the stage where he is learning more words every day and we’re seeing him make the transition from baby to little boy.

Christmas is also a time of looking forward to what God has in store for us for the coming year. There is, of course, the excitement and anticipation of the birth of our third child. We know that it’s a boy, and he’ll be here towards the end of April (I’m shooting for April 22nd — what a birthday present that’d be!). We are scheduling several trips for the next couple months while we can before the baby gets here. But there’s also some anxiety looking at the next year. I have my first surgery scheduled for January 5th — I’m having my gallbladder removed. But talking with friends and family who have been through this before has reassured me that not only will the surgery go smoothly, but I’ll feel much better once it’s over.

In closing we’d like to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas. As you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with your friends and family this year, remember the ultimate gift that God has given us — salvation through the birth, death, and resurrection of his only Son Jesus Christ.

Have a Merry Christmas!
From Matt, Jenny, Emma, and Christopher Peters