Sun and rains...

It's that time of year again, where there is so much transformation going on. Snow melting, grass growing, people shaking off the winter and squinting into the sun-- and then running for cover as the rain-- or snow-- comes on. It's not as if we didn't know the rain was going to come again, or that it could, we just didn't want to think about it. In the past, I've never gone into that sun without thinking about the rain: having raincoat, boots and emergency food standing by, just in case, because I just *knew* things could change in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, the childhood I lived, in generational emotional/physical alcoholism, taught me that very well. What I want to give my children is that life in the sun, with the consciousness that though rain will come, the sun is here right now. Let it warm you all the way through, relax you and make you smile, so you can be strong for more difficult times that make you want to run. The rains don't only take, though, they also give. Growing things need rain-- too much warm sun takes all the starch out, which is all that keeps you upright sometimes... Learn to love that rain for the coolness, the freshness, the perspective. The sun isn't nearly so interesting!

Resource Management and Blessed Spring

I'm as tired as all get out. I'm only 2 years older than when I was last pregnant, but about 40 lbs heavier and responsible for an 18 month terror. It makes a huge ton of difference-- read HARDER.

Redbeard has had to pick up a lot of slack b/c I've just been so damn tired that even though it bothers me, I have NOT had the energy to pick up the house or even make dinner. It's all I can do to watch Monkey, who has been a crazy wild thing. I feel very strongly about each of us doing our jobs, though I certainly let Redbeard help when he gets home b/c I don't get any days off or breaks unless there's a blessed nap. It's all been kind of depressing and upsetting because I know I'm not doing what I strongly feel is "my part," but even that is not enough to overcome the pregnancy fatigue and my funk.

Now that the weather is beginning to look up, my spirits are lifting too. It was a very closed-in winter this year with lots of snow and changes and stressful things. I'm the bolsterer and the one who tends to reframe things to see the positive, but without any extra energy, I've not been able to fulfill that role either. But, I'm going to focus on getting it back and because it's a rewarding cycle, I'm going to get outdoors and get Monkey outdoors, which tires him out and gives me more energy AND time, (if he's tired out) which allows me more resources to get what I need to get done-- which helps my marriage and my tired husband.

It's just what needs to happen. The second trimester is coming soon too-- and that is always a better time with a lot more energy AND focus on nesting and just getting it done! I really look forward to that.

Well, I'm going to do some stuff while Monkey-boy is napping and then we're going to go somewhere outside and see what kind of trouble we can get into!

Best to all-- hope spring has sprung for you too!

"Winter has released its taloned grip..."

... is what I meant to entitle this post (without the quotes, aye?). I then intended to forth noting the signs of spring, the melting, the roads clearing and the warmer temperatures, etc.

Well, I just glanced outside AS I was entitling La Post, to find it snowing.

[Sigh] I like snow. I love snow. I feel like a kid who is going to get a snow day when I see the flakes falling outside, but right now a week from April... well, I'm ready to play a different tune.

Moving on...

We are all well and sassy. Redbeard was a few minutes late to work today because he couldn't stop sassin' me while we were laying in bed. Monkey not only is climbing (as monkeys do) but has a newfound fascination with dragging all the pots and pans out of the cupboard and into various places in the house.

He also has learned how to play the crowd when he falls down or bumps his head- though he usually grabs his hand (whether "hurt" or not) and holds it out while wailing heartbrokenly. It's pretty funny.

My MIL came to stay for 10 days early this month; she is a very nice lady and had a wonderful time with Monkey. Those two are like peas and carrots; I felt a bit abandoned, truth be told!

My mom called to say she and my nephew will be visiting in June, so that will be nice to look forward to. Redbeard said he thought it was time to teach my nephew to take his own fish off the hook, hehe.

Redbeard is back to work these days and is going to be very busy, which is wonderful. He had some times at the other office where he had to do makework and he would usually just take one-leave and come home instead. He's NOT a busy-work kind of fella. Fortunately, they seem to recognize that more easily here, and the biologist he's working under is very communicative and cool but professional and focused. A very good match for Redbeard.

I am still being everything to everyone, and making all go smoothly in every direction-- except when I say to hell with it, and all ye bend to my will and make me happy. There's been more of the latter these last couple of months than the former, I must confess. Ne'ertheless, my boys seem to still adore me, so it can't be all bad serving The Queen, lol...

I have started paying close attention to my diet- as in what I eat, not denial of food to lose weight. I am really trying to make sure I get in all my recommended servings and watch the serving sizes. Also, now that winter is abat(ing), I'm trying to get out to walk as much as sensibly possible. Even driving to town is more exercise (sic) than I've had over much of the winter. We could have snowshoed more, but Monkey wasn't all that keen on being out too long (with the whole fresh air = Baby Benedryl thing). So, I'll work on it more this spring. Spring! Yea!

Well, I'd better feed my spawn and get started on that laundry I've slacked on for, oh... about a WEEK! Yikes! All three baskets are full; oh, the glory of being a domestic engineer! ;)