Spring

I love spring. I'm always reminded of the years in Pullman, on the first warm day after a long, co0ld winter. When you look up at the sky and feel actual warmth from the sun on your face. I'm reminded of Western Washington springs, dragging the shorts out from the back of the closet and pairing them with fleece and sandals. I'm reminded of the last days with Will, then Violet in my belly, my back aching, and then bringing home a new baby in the sweet spring air.

I shocked Ian by cutting all my hair off yesterday. How many times now have I gone to the salon saying "Don't worry, it's just a trim" and as soon as I hit the salon chair face myself in that big mirror and decide, "Oh god, cut it off, cut it all off"? Probably every time.

I got Ian a barbecue for his birthday, and we're having Gabe over for dinner. I'm looking forward to many, many evenings out on our deck this summer.

It feels like having two toddlers in the house now. At times, I'm prying limbs off of me, trying to get an inch of personal space, and other times I'm clinging to Violet's babyhood before it slips through my fingers. She will probably be done nursing soon... I have mixed feelings about it. We've been able to keep it up despite my schedule, and I'm very glad for that, and I'll also be very glad to finally have my body back after what feels like 4 years. But she's our last baby, the last one.

Ian wrote about this man on his blog. I won't go into it much here, but it just broke my heart. William's kindness that day made me prouder than I have ever been. Taking the time to just touch someone, if only for a few minutes...we often think of philanthropy and grand gestures, but it's clear to me now that reaching out, without judgment or hesitation is one of the biggest things you can do, even if you are only two years old.