An Update (that gets progressively sappy)...

Well, here we go...

Adrian: Our little man just turned four months old this past week. His check-up is next Tuesday, so we can get his updated stats. So far, he has been an all-star baby. I really cannot remember a time when he didn't smile, and it warms my heart every time I see his eyes start to glow and the corners of his lips turn up. So adorable. Too bad I cannot make more people happy just by smiling at them. He is staying healthy so far, and the women at daycare think he is awesome. Of course, I cannot disagree there!

Riley: She is loving school now! Some days, we even have to ask for hugs before she heads off to play. Here's what she has learned so far: her ABC's, counting, all things farm related, and a bunch of new songs. My favorite is her extremely militant version of the Itsy Bitsy Spider. It gets aggressive! Seriously cracks me up. I practically beg her to sing it!! Right now, she's in a mama-mood big time. Last night, we had a sleepover in her bed and I am pretty sure I beat her falling asleep. When I come to pick her up from school, she shouts, "Mommy's here! My Mommy's here." Coolest thing ever.

Shawn: Teaching, coaching, and starting to work on a haunted house. Yup, he's the boring one in our family. Love you, babe!

Linz: I am four weeks into school, and finally starting to get into a pattern. Well, my school pattern is easy: teach, pump, teach, pump, teach, pump. The day goes by so fast! After school, I sneak in an hour of writing and then it is off to get the kids and then back to the school to get Shawn. Recently, I've had to settle for 25 push-ups and cleaning as my workouts in addition to pumping because I am too damn tired at the end of the day to even think about moving any more than I have to. And I try to steal another hour or two of writing before falling asleep at my computer, waking up to pump one more time, and finally going to bed. On the weekends, I try to nap, write in three-hour blocks at Panera (while drinking lots of coffee!), and do one extra thing around the house. The rest of the time is kid time!

These past four weeks have reaffirmed for me the three things I love: my family (and close friends), writing, and teaching. Seriously, I was giddy last Sunday at Panera with my laptop open and my mind in story-world. One thesis submission down, five to go. So exciting!

And I love my students, love making connections with them, love sharing my passion for reading and writing with them. Ninth and tenth graders are at such a cool point in their lives - and, I am thrilled to have the chance to be part of that and hopefully make the experience better.

And then there is my family. While I miss my parents and siblings and twin sister like crazy, I am so thankful for my husband and children who fill my everyday life with laughs and smiles and tickles and silly faces and bath time and story time and bubbles and bed-bouncing and hugs and nursery rhymes and little outfits and teamwork and love. I know there will come a day when I won't have to change the animal print sheets on the crib or soak a stained onesie or fill a sippy cup with water, and yet I hope that somehow this lasts - that the childhood my children know and experience will endure forever. And the reasons for this impossible hope are simple: Because it's not enough - these smiles and hugs and cuddly nights. Because I can't imagine a time when my babies will not fit in my arms as I rock them to sleep. Because when Adrian holds onto one of my fingers and Riley wraps her arms around me, I don't want them to let go.

More fun pictures...

Enjoy!

Great Grandpa Came to Visit...

Last weekend, my grandpa came up from Tampa to meet Adrian, hang out with Riley, swap stock quotes with Shawn, and treat us to Olive Garden. We had a wonderful time! Thanks for coming to see us. It was awesome hanging out. We love you!!

How to go back to work...

1. Fly back into town at 10pm the night before.
2. Take kids to two different daycare/preschool places.
3. Pump three times at work in between classes.
4. Have make-up duty after-school.
5. Have husband's open house at night.

So now I am a bit tired and pumping again...

Here's to the start of another school year!

My Sleeping Babies...

A Fresh, New Fall

Here's the quick run-down:

Shawn: started teaching and coaching last week. He's also back to bowling, too.

Riley: started preschool last week and gymnastics again. Loves gymnastics, not such a fan of preschool yet. Her favorite part of the day is when we come pick her up! This week is better than last, so there is hope... Otherwise, she is awesome - talking more and more, helping out with her brother, and just being really cute.

Adrian: rolling over, just about sleeping through the night, enjoying time with Mommy during the day for one more week! What can I say? It has been great being home for some one on one time with my little man. I feel so much closer to him now! He is such a smiley, sweet baby, and now he is getting so big!

Me: last week of maternity leave, then back to school full time and thesis work. Really, my two weeks of maternity leave have been awesome for Adrian and I. And, I am looking forward to seeing my students and teaching again. Writing for my thesis is going well so far. My first deadline is at the end of the month! Wahoo! Oh, and I have still been rocking Insanity (just four days a week)! Let's see how long that lasts!

Okay, that's all for now! Enjoy the new pictures!!