Christmas 2009

Daniel and Ryan. Daniel prefers already opened gifts as opposed to opening them himself
I've upgraded diaper bags!

Jake's first Christmas

My favorite gift ♥
Santa stopped by
Daniel was not pleased

I think this Christmas was by far the most enjoyable to date. Christmas 2007 I had a 3 day old and Christmas 2008 Daniel had an ear infection. But even though we were all free from maladies, seeing family and making new traditions topped it all.

Christmas Eve is always Ryan's side (which is great since it has always been tradition on my side to celebrate on Christmas day). We enjoy soup and family and endless pictures by the tree ;). This year a special visitor stopped by, but Daniel was less than thrilled. Perhaps he will enjoy Santa next year. All the gifts were special and it was so nice to see my boys interacting with Ryan's side of the family.

Christmas day we awoke to snow! I love snow, if I do not have to drive in it, so I was a little displeased, but with a quick prayer asking for watch over us as we drove to my parents, we made it in one piece. This year Christmas was at my parent's new home and my mom had it decorated with so much Christmas cheer. The boys again got many nice gifts and it was wonderful to be able to exchange gifts. We had the obligatory noodles and cheese and created a new tradition of playing with the Wii. I am sooo addicted now! Ryan and I are going to have to invest in one. Nothing like a little family competition on Jesus' birthday ;)

Happy 2 years of life, Daniel!

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalms 127:3-5

It started at 5:45 p.m. on December 21st, 2007 (technically 38 weeks ago, but only Ryan and I need to know those details ;) when I got up from the couch with my empty bowl of cereal (in hindsight, should of ate more) and felt a pop, a pause, and then a gush. Ready or not, I was truly in labor and my first born was ready to come. Ryan and I quickly called our respective moms, changed and left with our belongings. Of course there was still the remains of rush hour traffic so we detoured a bit. Only I didn't realize Ryan would detour quite so much and stop for a candy bar while, with every bump in the road, I gushed fluid onto myself. He was kidding and it makes for a great story now, but I was not happy then! We get to the hospital and noone is there to meet us! Apparently a lot of other women's children decided it was a good time to be born too as there were no clean rooms and the secretary was out. Luckily, it was change of shift (only a RN can really plan to have a baby when it's another RN's change of shift!) and a labor nurse saw my soaked pants and put me into a semi-clean room to change. (My own little version of the Christmas story :) Soon to be grandma and grandpa arrived, "aunt" Rach, and later, grandma Chris to celebrate Daniel's birth.

11 hours later, I began pushing. 1 hour later,at 6:23 AM on December 22, 2007, my son, my beautiful, baby boy was born-with APGARS of 3 and 8. (Apparently, he stunned himself at the very end and didn't want to breathe or move. The monkey. 1 hour later, I FINALLY got to hold my baby and have not let go since.) We named you Daniel Robert after your grandfather, Robert. You share names and a great friendship.

Today we not only celebrate your birth, baby boy, but the beginning of our family that God so greatly blessed us with. You are a bright light in our lives. A boy to the very core you love to run and wrestle and tumble around, but a momma's man all the same. You love cookies and chips and to dance. You are a creature of habit, and hate being thrown off. You love openly and fiercely and give kisses and hugs without abandon. You are a big brother and first grandson and play those titles very well. You belong to our hearts and we love you very much. Happy 2 years Daniel ♥

December already?

I am still in shock. 2009 is coming to a close and it is so very hard to wrap my mind around it. In fact, these past 2 years have just gone by in a blaze. In 2 years, I have graduated college, started my career, gotten married and become the mother of 2 very special boys. It is my New Years resolution (1 month early) to enjoy and relax in 2010. To watch my boys grow into curious toddlers, to continue to grow in my marriage, to find some "me" time and continue to make my house a home. I am ready to see what awaits this little family in 2010.

In other happenings, I have thought heavily of the Seattle, Washington police officers that were brutally killed last week. I'm not sure why this particular story is weighing so heavily on my mind, but I cannot seem to shake these thoughts away. I am so proud of my husband and the decision he made to become a police officer 2.5 years ago, but it's times like these that make me so nervous. I think what is truly fueling my worries is one particular individuals comment concerning the gunman in Seattle are his applaud at the gunman's efforts-and the 42 pages of comments agreeing with the aforementioned comment. It makes me literally sick to my stomach to even fathom that many people with a vendetta against our protective services.
And even more heart wrenching than that was the comment made by a longtime friend of Ryan's that stated he wishes "crackheads" would kill State Troopers and police should die because one gave him a rightfully earned speeding ticket!
So, I end with this. Thank you, thank you, thank you all who made the decision to risk their lives to protect ours. Thank you all protective services. Thank you to my husband, my brother and my brother in law for doing what is honorable and right when so many, many people do not.

I know it isn't Christmas yet...but so cute!

Scrapbooking Photo Tinks by WiddlyTinks.com

New additions

Next Sunday we will be adding to our family. Ryan and I have carefully thought this decision over and over and have decided to get puppies. They are adorable Bull Mastiff mixes. Ryan absolutely loves large dogs and has been not so subtly hinting that he has wanted another since we said farewell to our last. After careful research and prayer on my part, I feel like I am at a place where I can take on another being in our household. We saw them this past week and it was so heart warming to see Daniel with the puppies. He was so gentle with them! We actually picked out one of the ones he was holding. That one will be Hutch. He is caramel colored with a dark muzzle. I chose a truffle colored one and will be naming him Zeus. (And, no, I am not hungry, they just really remind me of those desserts :) I am excited to begin this new adventure as a family. It'll almost be like having another baby in the family!

In other news, we went out to eat this evening and poor Daniel started throwing up right at the dinner table. I think he was drinking his milk waaay to fast and it caught up with him. Ryan is one lucky man that I was there with him and could take care of Daniel. He is not one to deal with puke, or poop. He gagged, I cleaned and then we got outta dodge (leaving a "we're so sorry you have this puke mess to clean up" tip) because the smell was horrendous! Daniel definitely rode home in his diaper and some blankets covering him. He was all smiles as soon was he was done and thoroughly enjoyed his shower once we got home.

And more to round out the night. Ryan put Mr. Jake to bed this evening and then came back downstairs. Daniel and I were watching Chicka Chicka Boom Boom on youtube for the millionth time when I noticed Jake was crying. An unsual cry. A "I am distressed, please help me cry". I ran upstairs thinking he had his foot caught in the crib and I nearly had a heart attack when I saw his head was under his blanket and he couldn't get out from under!I just held my little baby and comforted him and thanked God I could hear him. He is sleeping peacefully now sans blanket. Thank you Lord for helping me hear his cry and protecting his until I got to his room.

Baby Blessings

I took care of my first patient that I knew Wednesday night. I was a little nervous at first, I really didn't want anything to go wrong in her labor. Luckily, the only problems we encountered involved a very stubborn baby that took forever getting down the birth canal,I broke her water with my hand, and then said amniotic fluid ran down my arm. And even though I was a little more vested in this delivery (not that I don't give 100% of myself in every labor/delivery)I found myself very easily moving into the role of a Labor and Delivery RN. She had another girl that I really did want to deliver, but like all babies, they come on their own time and she didn't deliver till I was gone. I tried to stay after, but sleep was quickly winning over. The baby is precious and healthy and Momma is doing good!

October 2009

Click here to view these pictures larger

Oh geez...

Wow..one of these days I won't let a month pass before I blog again. Fortunately, I can finally take a breath. October almost made me crazy with working, attempting to organize my home and take care of the boys.



Things have been good here. The boys are fastly growing (too fast sometimes). Jacob has another tooth and is trying oh so hard to sit on his own. He's been doing his "baby crunches" for awhile. Daniel is a ball of energy and sometimes it can be overwhelming, but we take it in stride. His tantrums have become more frequent and Ryan and I are learning how to deal with them (it involves lots of prayer and counting to 10 :) but I can't relish the good without the bad. I've noticed that my relationship with Ryan is slowly becoming more about us again. For awhile I was afraid I was never going to figure out how to balance my roles as wife and mommy, but I think I am beginning to get a better handle on things. I do still think we need a nice night away from home to rekindle some things, however. Any takers on babysitting? ;)



I did have one bad moment just the other day where I just wanted to lie down and cry and scream. It was on it's 100th day of rain (an exaggeration, but that is what it felt like) my house was a mess, I was sleep deprived and the children were incorrigible. I really and truly wanted to run away. But how can I run away from my life? I couldn't in the literal sense, but I could, just for a moment, spiritually. I closed my eyes and asked for strength, for renewal, for help. I managed to get to nap time and stole a moment for myself. It was then that I read a blog that touched a thought I had been having since the rain began and she wrote was I so wanted to hear. Seeing all this rain did remind me of the torrents of the rain Noah and his family endured and the promise God made to His people. No matter the day I am having I can turn to Him and all can be right again. I can call on Him, lean on Him, and know I am not alone even when it feels like the whole world is out to get me. And that is a comfort.



I'm going to end this with some pictures of the boys, a request and good news! There is a blog that I have taken to reading and I ask that you place in your thoughts and prayers this beautiful little boy and his family. http://http//www.mycharmingkids.net/



I think I found a church! I am going for the first time tomorrow!

It's beginning to feel like Fall!

Oh man, it feels soooooo nice outside today! I've already taken the kiddos on one walk today and really want to wake them up again to take another (And I cannot believe I just said I want to wake them from their naps) It just feels that good outside! I feel renewed, refreshed and reenergized. (And that's a good thing especially since Jacob just cut his first tooth and let it be known most of the night last night.)

I especially love this time of year because I feel happier and more active than in any other point in the year. It always comes at the best time too. Just when I'm starting to feel the drags of the heat and laziness of summer, the fall smells arrive in the air and the breeze blows and leaves fall and I feel rejuvenated. Yes!

Here's a shout out to anyone that is an avid reader like myself. I need a new book to read! I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife (decent, but not something I would invest in) and need another book! I'm open to anything.

(Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.)
And given the fact it's a Monday, here is a nice little "not me" segment. I would not be the type of mom to cut and color my hair and spend a little money on mommy when my kiddos need new Fall/Winter clothes...not me.

Newer pictures of the boys

Honest to goodness, I did not put them this way. Taken from phone

Taken from my phone...he loves loves loves his toes!

Happy 4 month old!

Loves riding in his car

99.9% of the time, he's all smiles

What mom?!

September

Normally this would be a post updating on Jacob's stats from his 4 month check-up, but we all overslept this morning and I had to reschedule. Note to self, never again use children as an alarm clock. If I want to be completely honest, however, I did enjoy sleeping in.

This past month has been so busy I've barely had time to breathe (or sleep). Work has been insane with the arrival of Epic and the sudden shortness of staff and the abundance of pregnant women. The incredible abundance of pregnant women. I really didn't think there would be many left, but as my facebook friends so nicely reminded me, we have a couple more groupings going to deliver within the next 9 months. Job security at it's finest that is for sure!

Daniel has been growing more and more. He can say even more words and has taken a very strong liking to his favorite aunt now that she is living with us. All of a sudden while looking at his seek and find book he got for his birthday last year he started to point at all these pictures and claiming what they were. Some things I didnt even realize he knew what they were! It was a proud mommy moment for sure. His love for music is also growing and he's been showing us all his new moves. I can't believe that is a few months this little boy is going to be a big 2!

Jacob is also growing into an entirely new baby! He smiles and laughs so much and is generally a very happy baby. Loves his toes, too. Loves his brother even more. He'll sit a follow his brother all around the room. He's grown more into his jumperoo and goes crazy, absolutely crazy, when placed in it.

I joke with Ryan about wanting another baby, and I really am only have kidding about it. Not at this time that is for sure, but maybe in 2-3 years? My home still doesn't feel complete and we do make adoring babies. As of right now, we are all living in the moment and trying to relish the precious time that we have. Pretty soon another year will be upon us and I'll wonder where all the time has gone.

Anyway, here are some new pictures of the guys. There sure do look like brothers now!

(Well, this is where they would be but they are all on my other computer. Another time!)

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This past week I did not have Jacob sleep with me so that I could get an extra hour out of nap time. I also did not wipe Daniel's snot nose on my teeshirt when it was running therefore ensuring that my firstborn son would proceed to wipe his nose on my tee everytime it ran. I also did not keep my children up past their bedtime just so I could show off how adoringly cute they were to others. I would never give in to my son's demands of cookies before dinner just so I could get some peace and quiet for 1 minute. No, never :)

Happenings

Another month has flown by-especially since I've been back to work for almost 3 weeks. I'm adjusting better, but it feels like a lot of hours are wasted just trying to get back some of the sleep I loose from working nights. And trying to actually get to sleep hence the 3 am blog.

Jacob is growing so fast! He is hitting milestones at record speed and starting to show more of his personality. Ryan and I must breed serious babes though, because he sure is shy about dolling out those smiles. But, it does make for some heart warming moments when he does give them out. He can lift his chest off the ground and roll over. He still enjoys his swing and watching that mobile go round and round. It amazes me still to see a baby look so much like me. I feel like he and I have a special connection because of that. Ever since he was in the womb, I knew he was my Jacob and knew he would come out in a blaze of glory and be a spitting image of me. He is a beautiful example of God's work.

Mr. Danman is a bubbly burst of energy and high spirits as usual. Ryan and I love watching him discover and seeing his personality deepen even more. Daniel is quick to give out all of himself but he must have his "Daniel time" as well. He is such an observant and thoughtful little boy. He can still have some moments when he does not want to share the spotlight with his brother, but overall is very caring towards Jacob. No longer does he shake the swing every time Jacob is in it! I was afraid it was never going to get through his head that doing that was a no! He is 19 months now and I think that this is my favorite stage to date. He can communicate so well and everything around him seems to be amazing.

Every day I watch my boys and imagine what they will become. And every night I pray over them and ask for healthy children, strength to raise them properly, for dutiful children to both God and Ryan and myself and sweet dreams. I know that before they were even a peice of my heart, they were destined and designed by Him. I pray that I can enrich my boys lives in such a way that they too know what they can become.

I've been blog diving recently and have come across some incredibly emotional blogs. I'm drawn to them because I am a mother and because of my profession. They are all Godly women who have lost babies. My heart hurts to read them and I cry so hard every time, but I also find hope in between their lines. Even though they have been through the most unthinkable tragedy ever, the never waiver from their faith or their love of their heavenly child. It really puts me to shame. I have 2 beautiful children who are perfect and filled with so much spirit and I take what God has so graciously given me for granted. Too often I forget to thank Him for my life, my circumstances, my marriage and my children. I am blessed far more than I could ever know, than I ever deserve, but He has given me this life anyway. I am truly truly thankful.

And to all those women out there that have lost a peice of their heart, thank you for sharing your stories. Your words, your faith, your unending love for your children, it is an inspiration. Thank you.

To all my working moms out there

This past week was my first back at work. It took me about an hour to get back into the swing of things, but then it was like putting on an old shoe-comfortable and smelly (you have to be a L&D nurse to know just how much of an obvious smell amniotic fluid has). Lucky for me my first mom was a recovery. I wonder if she chose the name Jack or Gus...Anyway, all in all it was a good weekend back and all of my patients were good. Especially my Chinese mom that came in a rim and delivered natural. She was a rock star!

As I was working, though, my thoughts were always on my children-and working mothers in general. I am dedicating this blog to all those full and part timers out there who live a full time life as a mommy and then go and share themselves with complete strangers. We live an exhausted, filled to the brim kind of life with commitments and chores and tolling out every little piece of ourselves to make a comfortable and fulfilled life for our children. We do not get much credit or grand gestures, but we do it just the same because we are strong and dedicated women. Cheers to you, ladies!

Kiddie Kandids

Last night Rach and her neices came over for a playdate of sorts and to watch So You Think You Can Dance. Kylie is 3 1/2 and Madeline is 14 months. It was so so cute to see all the kiddies interact. Sadly, this was Daniel's first actual playdate other than being at daycare. I wasnt sure how he would react and my inital idea was that he was going to be super shy. Imagine my surprise when Kylie and Daniel took it upon themselves to sit down and play ball. Daniel actually sat in the circle and knew that Kylie wanted to play and continually rolled the ball to her! Later, they ran nonstop and played "catch me". It was s.o. c.u.t.e.! Daniel really hasn't ever had a chance to play with kids his age other than in daycare because we don't have friends our age with kids his age and I can't ever find a church home for long enough to make friends. It was so exciting from a mommy standpoint to see my oldest having such a fun time. He is growing up so fast!

Daniel and Kylie taking a break from playing "catch me"

Yesterday was also Jacob's month visit and Daniel's 18 month visit to the pediatrician. Jacob weighs 10lb. 2oz. and is 22 5/8in. tall! I checked back to Daniel's first month stats and Jacob is actually bigger! I guess he is realizing at an early age that he needs to be bigger in order to keep up with brother! Daniel is 25lb. 10oz. and 33 1/4in. tall. Both are placed in 50% for weight and 75% for height. Of course, having Ryan as their daddy makes for a pretty guaranteed spot to always be tall.

Of course growth isn't the only indicator of how big my babies are getting. The boys were sitting next to each other on the floor and Daniel noticed Jacob had spit some milk out onto him and before I could grab and wipe to clean him up, Daniel was already doing it! I couldn't believe my eyes! That act of brotherly love was even more genuinely sweet than the kisses Daniel gives him. Of course, later than day Daniel tried to run over Jacob's head...sigh :)

Has it really been since October?

I guess it has...So so much has happened that it would take months to write everything-especially with 2 children now! Yup, since I last wrote, we have added Jacob Ryan Metz to the family. He was born May 25th, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. He weighed 7 lb. 3 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. A far cry from what Daniel was 17 months ago! Daniel paved the way and Jacob announced his arrival to the world with a frenzy! Dr. Gould didn't have time to put gloves on to catch him he wanted out so fast! He did wonderful, we're doing wonderful and Daniel is doing just as I had imagined. He understands there is a baby and as long as he has mommy and daddy time, he is ok with Jake being here. We've shuffled our lives a little bit, but Jacob is such a welcomed addition!

Daniel is growing up so much. It amazes me just how much he looks like a toddler now. And he talks, and talks, and talks! The words that come out of this kid's mouth are unbelievable! He is our joy, our entertainment.

I have to honestly say (and I cannot believe I am saying this) I miss work, a little. Since having Jacob, I remember how exciting it is to have a baby and it's neat to be a part of that in another person's life. I don't miss the chaos, but I miss feeling accomplished with a good delivery, a happy family.