Superduperpooper!

If that title doesn't make you read a post I am not sure what will!  Today was a monumental day in the Dafoe house!  Elijah was getting dressed this morning (well actually I was getting him dressed), and he told me he had to pee so we ran into the bathroom to use the potty.  He was straining so hard "to make the potty come out" that I was afraid something else was going to come out so I asked if he wanted to sit down and try.  After getting him set up he immediately pooped and peed in the toilet!  I am so proud of him, but it was more fun to see how proud he was of himself!  I am not sure what to make of this because he doesn't really show me any other signs that he is ready to potty train.  I am not sure if I am brave enough to just throw him in some underwear for a day just to see how he does.  He did however have a repeat performance this evening during bath time. Both boys were in the tub playing and Jonah had to climb out to go. I heard Elijah calling my name and came in to find him in the bathroom pointing to little surprises in the tub!  He had told Richard he had to go potty too when Jonah climbed out, but Richard assumed he was just wanting to copy Jonah like everything else during the day.  Oh well! I guess we won't second guess him any more ;0)  

Weird how you can be so proud of your child for doing something so basic and natural to an adult!  It made me a little sad in a way because it is just another reminder of how he really isn't my baby any more!  He is getting more grown up every day! Which he does remind me of course! I got a couple of great pictures of this special day. I am sure he'll love them when he is 18.  If you need to hear more about it, give us a call...he loves telling the story.  Jonah was relatively easy to potty train and we were pretty spoiled by him.  I have had a fear that Elijah wouldn't be so easy. Partly because of his stubborn nature and partly because he isn't as bothered by being dirty like his big brother.  Only time will tell I suppose. For now, I will relish the first big step!

It warms my heart

I have prayed for the day when I would be able to be home mostly and just work enough to A)Keep my nursing license/skills B) Take care of those cute little patients and C) have a little time out of the house.  That day is almost here as I am nearing the end of my orientation at Altru and looking forward to just working my two 12hr shifts a week!  The other days I get to be home with the boys.  I have been working full time during my orientation and therefore not seeing the boys very often. The days I am home I have been making an effort to spend more time with the boys and less time on our house.  I have also been working on my patience and realizing how much I have learned and have to learn about being an effective mother of two toddlers, while trying to instill Christ's love and lessons in them. I am hoping to read some parenting books in my free time (oh wait, I don't really have any of that) so if you have any suggestions let me know.  

Over the past few weeks I have been spending my days full of Thanks for the Lord.  Here are a few things that have warmed my heart...

• snuggling with the boys in the morning (this has become a ritual if I am home)
  
• lots of hugs and kisses when I come home/leave for work
  
• seeing life from the eyes of my toddlers
  
• being able to enjoy my days home with these two
  
• seeing richard's soul excited to teach and connect with the kids at school when he tells me about his day
• watching the boys with my family
  
• hearing Jonah talk about Iowa as his "other city" 
  
• reminicing about our time in iowa
  
• looking forward to meeting up with good friends
  
• having a home to call our own
  
• listening to the boys playing together
  
• being able to send them down into the basement to play
  
• getting to know our neighbors
  
• listening to the boys play outside while I work in the kitchen
• getting to spend time with my hubby in the evenings
• being able to go over to my parents house whenever
• being able to watch my little sister run
• how much they love to read
• helping Jonah with his "school work" (workbooks I got at the dollar bin at Target- my weakness I think- that he loves)
• getting phone calls from friends in Iowa
• connecting with friends here in ND

I know there are more but I am tired and my brain is shutting down. I hope you have things that warm your heart and you can cherish them!

M.I.A

I apologize for being M.I.A. but we have had a busy couple of weeks! My sister Nikki has been home in between clinical rotations and I have been enjoying her company. We had a few bridal showers for her and Tom which was lots of fun! She leaves on Friday and I am not sure if the boys are going to be able to handle that! They are doing better, as far as adjustments go, but this will be tough on them.

Jonah has decided "he likes his new city" and even though he misses numerous things about Iowa City (His friends: Caleb, Lilly, Abigail and Josiah, The library and the park, the children's museum, the mall and the parks) he thinks he will "be ok here" because Grandma, Grandpa, Laura, Jake and Nikki are here. He is so cute! He and Elijah have been LOVING the space in our new house and re-discovering their toys that have also been M.I.A. for a few months.

Richard started school yesterday and has therefore officially entered the workforce! Maybe I can get him to share some of his own stories on here ;0) We are still unpacking, getting settled, and making our home our own. We love visitors so come on over if you are in the neighborhood! Work is going well for me, but I sure miss UIHC and my lovely coworkers! I am greatful for my time there but wish it could have been a little longer!

Well, I better get back to mommy duty! I will hopefully write more later, but wanted to just let everyone know that we are doing pretty well!