Chubby hands throw rocks unsteadily into the cold river water. Each rock is an adventure, how big is the splash? How far will it go? Eli could throw these rocks far longer than my patience will last, until the sun has set behind the mountain. He does this because he likes to see the effect he has on the water, what his strength can do.

Today as he was busily picking up rocks far too heavy for him to throw, I realized that we are all still throwing rocks. We are all giant, unsteady toddlers throwing our talent, ideas and heart out to the world and waiting to see the affect. Will we be strong enough? Will we make a big enough splash?

Sometimes we don’t throw ourselves into anything at all because we are afraid it won’t be enough, it won’t matter to the world. We hide the talent God gave us under a familiar blanket of self doubt.

Recently I realized that it doesn’t matter if I’m not the next big thing. I don’t have to be best at anything, I just have to be me. Flawed, wrinkled and without doubt, wholly mortal.

In the water’s reflection I see his blonde hair curling up around his elfish baby ears. I know that some day he won’t be content to just sit and throw rocks but instead he will be wondering if he can make the team, get the girl or earn the corner office. Wining is great, being the best at one thing must be an amazing feeling. I hope he gets to experience it.

However, more than anything I just can’t wait to see his impact on the world, even if it is just our small one down by this river.

My best friend Rebecca has a little girl that is 9 months old and her name is Anna:

And as you already know, I have a little 8 month old boy named Elijah:

When you put these two squishy, chubby, sweet babies together you get this (ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?):

Between the rolls, the blue eyes and the squeals, I could barely stay behind the lens of the camera. I wanted to just dip these little nuggets in sauce and eat them for dinner. Rebecca and I each have three children, all of which are extremely close in age. Putting all six of them together is more joyful than words can describe.

Of course there was more to our visit than these babies but when I saw these pictures on my computer I knew I had to dedicate a post just to their chubbiness. Internet, you are welcome.

When I am out with Eli and he isn’t wearing something that is outright boyish or blue, I often get comments about how pretty “she is.” At first, I was indignant, can’t they see that this is clearly a handsome young man? I guess not.

I can’t tell you how many times people have said, “how old is she?” or “what is her name?” Lamenting about this with my friends, they often say, well in the defense of these kind strangers, he is a “really pretty baby.” I could continue to fight this issue or I could just give in and say, yes he is very pretty boy.

So Internet, I present to you, my pretty little boy. Eli, I am so sorry, this was not was totally my idea. You drew the short stick with me as a Mama my son….

Everyone always asks, “are you going to try for a girl?” Well, I think the answer is officially “no need to, I’ve already got a pretty little Eli.”