The BEST Memories

"The best memories are not perfectly planned or created...they just happen..."

My dad was well known for "living life to the fullest" and living in the moment.  He was one of the few men I know that enjoyed the simple things in life.  This is not a skill that I have mastered as I have shared in previous posts.  I am a planner, an organizer with a color coded life mapped out in detail in my planner.  This is not something I'm proud of and it is something I am slowing trying to move away from. 

Though my dad is gone, he continues to teach me new things each day, even in his absence.  I've realized that when I am driving down the road or walking aimlessly somewhere that memories of my dad come to me.  These are not the big memories...you know, not the ones that would be mapped out on the calendar they are the little moments in our lives that remain with me always.  They are phone calls, funny moments, silly quirks....just little moments that I never realized would mean so much to me.  I've been jotting them down as they come to me in the hopes that I will never let myself forget them.

But as I do this, I realize that I don't need BIG PLANS to make BIG and Lasting Memories with my family...I just need a willing heart to live in each moment and cherish it for all that it's worth. 

An "action" shot of Nolan rolling over!  He loves to be on his belly.  A moment in time...no grand production...just this little second where I feel so proud of my son to see that he is learning and growing and accomplishing new things each day.  This is the stuff my dad would've loved to see! 

Who knew sleep could be so sweet.  First they were playing and smiling and then just a few short moments later we have this....He's all cuddled up with Daddy and it's about the cutest thing I've ever seen....Priceless moments like this that become the cherished ones...

I hope that I can do as my dad has wanted me to all these years..."Relax baby. You gotta just learn to enjoy life." 

Surrounded by Cuteness

I hope you don't mind me saying this

but

I'M SURROUNDED BY CUTENESS

I realize that I'm a bit biased, but I'm their mommy...who can blame me? 

Just thought I'd share some of these adorable moments with you.

Asher & Nolan enjoy looking out the window to see the trees...Actually it might just be the light, or maybe it's just the change of scenery, or perhaps the different positioning...either way this seems to be a favorite.

Don't let the picture fool you...They don't really have the standing thing down yet.  They can stand as long as there is something there to help catch them, but it's not like they just go around standing any ole place they choose. 

Nothing like a little brotherly love.  I always wonder if all babies are this fond of each other or it it really is the twin thing.  They are constantly touching each other and pulling on each other, it's the cutest thing!

Asher LOVES his Blankie...can't you tell! 

Yes, we are showing off Nolan's little pudgy belly!  He has rolls in his rolls - and I love every single inch of him!!!

They're growing big enough for their jumpy!  They seem to enjoy it quite a big too...



Well, that's all for tonight...I've got to get some sleep. HAHAHA 

The boys have gone from actually sleeping 8 hours straight - down to 3 or 4 ---Sure making for some long nights.  But, as I've told myself a million times before...I'm going to remind myself to enjoy every second of it.  Before I know it they will be grown and I will wish that they would wake up every now and then for a snuggle!  Goodnight

Pumpkins Pumpkins Everywhere

Yesterday after church we ventured down to the "pumpkin patch." The boys have already had the pleasure of going to the real pumpkin patch, but I couldn't resist the urge to take pictures in mounds of pumpkins.  The real pumpkin patch just didn't have that many pumpkins when we went...so instead we went to a lot with pumpkins on crates...Otherwise known as the "pumpkin patch" 

Once again, we didn't get any pumpkins becuase next year, before I can blink my eyes the boys will be walking around both of these pumpkin patches and choosing pumpkins of their very own. 

Each time I look at pictures I am amazed at how quickly time has passed and how much these precious babies grow and change each day!  I've told them on several occassions that they need to stop growing, but I just don't think they understand what I'm saying!

I love my job!

I love my job!  I remember when I found out I was pregnant.  (Well that's different blog post entirely...)  Nathan and I continually discussed child care options.  Actually, we discussed this long before I ever became pregnant and each time I remember the feeling I had of MISSING OUT on my child's life. The thought of it would make me cry. Well, when we found out we were going to have TWO babies, I think it changed the scenario just a bit. 

Today I called a child care center because I was curious as to what it would cost for us to put our children in day care if I were to work full time.  Umm.... One thousand, two hundred and sixty dollars per month! 

This week Nathan started a new job with "regular" hours.  So, now I'm really trying to figure out this wife and mom thing....and loving every minute of it. Those of you that have never done it probably think I sit on the couch all day and eat twinkies and watch soap operas.  Let me be the first to tell you that I don't sit down unless I'm nursing babies or on the floor playing with babies.  There is no laying down on the couch all day indulging in daytime television or even a good book.  I must admit, I knew that it would be difficult, but I really never guessed it would be such hard work.  I know that many of you are still thinking..."hard work...I'll tell you about hard work..."  But..those of you who have done it know just what I'm talking about. 

I've worked outside of the home as a teacher with 25 students in my class...I've got to tell you, that was easier. 

Let me add...Those of you that work and take care of your children....I'm not sure how you manage all of that either..Hats off to you!

The responsibility that I feel as a wife and mother sometimes surprises me.  As a wife, who is not "working" I feel even more responsibile to take care of the cooking, cleaning, errands and general well being of the home.  As a mother (of two babies) I want to spend all the time I can with them because I see just how fast it is passing by.  When they are awake I want to be playing, reading, singing, and being silly with them.  I feel very guilty doing anything else when they are awake....which is most of the day :D 

Yes, it can be challenging

BUT

When I get through the day and the boys have been happy for the most part, the house is pretty clean and dinner is one the table when my husband arrive home from work...I feel so successful. 

I really feel so blessed that I have a husband that supports the idea of me staying home with our children and is willing to work hard and possibly make some sacrafices in order to make that happen.  I know that I am so lucky to be able to do this and I can't imagine it any other way!

When I was working as a teacher I desired to give 100% of myself to my family.  Now, I can do that and it feels so good.  Afterall...who would want to miss this...

A Day at the Farm

Today we took a trip to Mike's Farm.  It was about an hour and a half of driving, but it's a good thing because it gave the boys the perfect chance to take a nap.  I realize that perhaps they might be a bit young for such events, but that just means we will be all practiced up for next year. 

We went on a hayride.  It was fun to watch the boys experience something new.  That's one of my favorite things about this mommy thing...watching my children experience so many new things...each day is a new adventure and I love it! 

We walked around the pumpkin patch looking at all of the different pumpkins...Maybe next year we will actually get one.  I figured we could save that to be another first...

All in all....A good day...



The Perfect Day...with a perfect ending

If you could create the perfect day in mothering twin boys of four and a half months...It would've played out exactly as today did.  In the book of perfects...This was it. 

The boys were SOOOOO well behaved today.  There was hardly any fussing and barely any tears.  They were so happy all day.  The weather was beautiful!  I am feeling extra thankful for today.  I can't imagine having missed this day.  (Of course, I did put in quite a few days of endless crying and constant whining to get a day like today!) Praying for many more days like today. 

If you're in need of a reason to smile...please see below...BUT please excuse the annoying sounds in the background...aka ME :D

Where does the time go?

Each day I am reminded how quickly time passes.  It amazes me how quickly the time goes.  I've promised myself over and over that I would cherish every moment and never wish that they were older and to enjoy the age they are in and all of the moments that that age provides us with. 

A few months is nothing when it's just you, but when you watch your infants grow, develop and change over the course of a few months...it seems like a life time!  I know that a mother's goal should be to raise healthy, spiritually minded children....but I don't want them to grow up...is that crazy?!

They will be five months at the end of the month and I can hardly believe it!  When they went to the doctor's last week Asher weighed 13.9 and Nolan weighed 14.6.  They were both 25 inches long.  (They have grown 7 inches since birth and have more than doubled their birth weight!) 

It's been awhile since I've blogged so I have included a few of my favorite pictures so far from this month!

I plan to delay regular "solid" feedings until much later as I do believe that breast milk offers the babies the best of everything that they need at least until 6 months of age...or until the boys let me know otherwise.  However, we have been giving them little tastes of foods.  This is a photo of their messy first time with sweet potatoes.  (I'm sad to say that these were not homemade.  I have made homemade applesauce and homemade carrots though!)  Both of the boys REALLY liked the sweet potatoes!  I think they'll be super excited about Thanksgiving! 

Here is Asher sitting in the "waiting room" as we like to call it.  Being a twin certainly provides several opportunities to learn patience.  Mommy can't change two diapers at the same time...although I am sometimes amazed at all of the things I can do "at the same time.." so somebody has to sit in the waiting room (AKA the unused crib - there's boppy pillows, music, toys, books, little blankets etc...It really is like a waiting room!)

What a big big boy!  Asher is just too sweet.  He was laying on the floor while Mommy and Daddy were eating lunch and he snuggled up with that blanket and took a little nap.  It was very cute.  He really likes this blanket and often puts it over his face when he's ready to go to sleep! 

I recently realized that they are quickly growing out of the "snuggle stage"  They don't really cuddle up on my chest and go to sleep the way that they used to when they were teeny tiny.  I was so busy trying to teach them to sleep independently that I forgot to enjoy those little naps they took while laying with me :D 

BIG BOY JEANS!  We had two Gap gift cards that I've been waiting to use and I finally got to use them!  These jeans are SOOOOOOOOO cute!  Nolan's pair is 6-12 months...That almost made me cry.  Asher and his skinny self is in a 3-6 month pair.  He's so lean.

This is the result of a good walk with Mommy!  Isn't it so sweet!