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!