be patient and watch things bloom

My lilac bush, the one I received for a Mother's Day gift last year, just bloomed. Like, over night. It didn't bloom last year, which was not unexpected considering it had just been transplanted and needed to recover. This year I was ready for it though, and feeling so impatient with it, wondering when those beautiful fragrant blossoms were going to show up already.

As is the case with all things... patience it a beautiful thing, and it will be rewarded.

A lesson that is a timely and very fitting reminder for my relationship with my 3-year old right now.

This weekend was one of highs and lows. Highs: We had a really nice time at my parent's on Saturday celebrating a belated Mother's Day with my mom, birthday with my dad, and early birthday with Trav. I cooked us all a nice dinner, the timing of which worked out well, and which everyone enjoyed. We ended the weekend last night on a really nice note with lots of Gwen snuggles before bed, and then she slept through the night (something her inhaler has been messing with for the past week)!

The Lows: Sunday was fine overall, but Gwen has been having a rough time lately (I think the inhaler she's on right now for a cough is a big contributor), and she had a huge screaming meltdown on Sunday which sucked. She also had a rough moment earlier in the day and told me she didn't want me and generally made me feel crappy, and even though I know I can't take it personally (she's 3!), I ended up crying in the shower. (Read more about this over at Connected Mom.)

What a weekend.

The important thing though is reminding myself that it is all fleeting, that if I hold my patience, the blooms will come. The I love yous before bed, the snuggles and kisses, and the cooperative sweet kid who greeted me this morning, well, they were some pretty sweet blooms.

so much

Sometimes life seems to get so full that it becomes a tad overwhelming, even if its all good things. We have a lot going on right now, and I'm feel a bit ... oh, I don't know, stretched? pulled? like 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week is not nearly enough?

I'm sitting down this morning with a calendar and a list of things that need to happen and when they need to happen by, and I'm getting this plotted out so I can feel more in control again.

I'm so grateful for my work from home days, which give me a bit of extra time for finding balance. Regaining my commute time (which isn't huge, but is ample time for getting other small tasks done) helps me just sit and breathe and check off the little things that otherwise get pushed aside. Little things like sitting down with my calendar, which is obviously a big thing for my mental health right now! These days are also great for rainy spring weather. Looking out my window at this moment, I'm certainly glad to be in here, while it pours out there.

All this to say, sorry if posts are short, sporadic, or mostly pictures for a little while. Things should settle down soon.

sunny days and sick snuggles

Playing catch up today after a surprise day at home yesterday due to a sick Gwen. She's better today, thankfully, but leaves little time for blogging. Lets give it a shot though.

This weekend was full and wonderful. Saturday I attended a sweet, surprise wedding shower. Then Trav, Gwen, and I headed over to Ro and Pat's for a little cake cutting for Ro's birthday.

Sunday I got to sleep in, then received some sweet presents in bed.

New upcycled glass bottle garden decor.

We headed out to breakfast afterwards.

Trav had tennis that afternoon, so Gwen and I used that alone time to do some crafts. Something for Trav's upcoming birthday, and a little something for the grandmothers for Mother's Day, and my dad for his birthday.

The rest of the afternoon/evening was spent grilling with the neighbors.

Monday morning poor girl wasn't feeling well. Her cough had kept her up much of the night and she had a low-grade fever. We slept in until almost 8:30, then spent most of the rest of the day lounging around alternating between watching cartoons and reading books.

We did make two excursions out. One to meet Trav for lunch since we needed to bring him his wallet. The other for a walk around the block with Gwen up in the sling. I'm a big believer in the power of fresh air!

Napping, still holding her lunch balloon.

She didn't eat much all day, but she was downing liquids like no one's business. Thankfully after an early bedtime last night, and a good night's sleep, she was feeling back to normal. Still coughing, but otherwise fine.

So, back to work for Mama... and time to play catch up!!

over "dew"

Its funny, the things you wish for. I spent all of April wondering where all of the rain was. Wishing we could get a few good days of it, so my poor flowers could wake up already after the long winter.

May has finally delivered on that promise (my garden thanks it!). Finally my flowers can bloom. Better late, then never.

Work has slowed down a bit this month (event-wise), in anticipation of the upcoming summer, which is our slowest time of year. That doesn't mean its not busy, but now at least I'm busy catching up on all the things that have pushed aside over and over to have time for event details instead. I can finally see my desk again, and I'm happy for that change. I think it happens every year that the pressure builds and builds as we have so much going on in the new year through beginning of spring, until we slow down a little in May/June and can all finally breathe. This year that breath is especially appreciated since there is much going on outside of work in the next few months, all of which I'm looking forward to, but which would seem that much more overwhelming if work was taking everything out of me.

The day is about over, so I'm going to finish up with the hope that you are also enjoying a big spring exhale.

semi-wordless wednesday {walk down memory lane}

Looking through some old picture at my parents. Here are some of my favs:

My Mom's gorgeous Mom.

My Mom's Parents

One of the first times being held by my Papita.

Hanging the "It's A Girl" sign
outside the Allentown Midwifery Center.

Me, 7 weeks, with my older sister.

Big sis and I again.

My mom and I, soon after Ethan was born.
Also at the Allentown Midwifery Center.

Ethan and I.

My Gram and Ethan.

Navigating the Booby Trap

Today I'm over on Intoxicated on Life, with my submission to Navigating the Booby Trap, on The Evolution of the Breastfeeding Relationship.

As those first days, then weeks pass, you worry, but you also learn together. Soon enough a feat that initially required 2 pillows, special positioning, and at least one more hand then was actually available is now, if not second nature, then at least a heck of a lot easier! One pillow to prop your arm, pull out your breast, and off they go. [check out the rest HERE]

firsts

A few first this weekend:

- First Saturday of the month, so Ridley Creek park clean-up. I missed last month, so I was happy to be there this month. We went back to the trail we made the last time I was there to do some "benching" and remove a few stumps. Man is that trail looking gorgeous! It's hard to believe it wasn't there just two months ago.

The spring green is helping obviously, but I was a bit proud! LOL. 

- Gwen had a first this weekend too. Can you guess what it is?

She had asked me about this a bit ago when one of her classmates came to school with her nails painted, then I came home last week after getting "its warm and the sandals are coming out" pedicure and she asked again. So I ran out to get some piggy paint, and she got her first mani-pedi this weekend. 

She was quite pleased!

I did my fingers too, at her request... and now you can probably see our fingers from space!  ;-)

- First really really hard night for Gwen and Trav in a long time. I had a much needed and long overdue dinner out with a girlfriend of mine, which was so nice. Not so great was Gwen crying for me not to go. I felt so crappy leaving her, but she called me on the phone, we talked for a bit, and she seemed fine. Apparently she gave Trav a hell of a time going to bed though.

I think me being away in the morning, then again at night was hard. We had a great time between. Doing her nails, then heading outside to do some biking on the tennis courts. 

I try not to plan days like that, but they come up sometimes. So that was hard.

Showing off the insane green.

Thankfully she and I spend all day Sunday together.


- First day of the new "tennis season" for Trav! He's helping teach our neighborhood tennis camp again this year.

This picture has nothing to do with tennis,
but I just thought it was too cute.

He stayed home on Sunday to head to day one of tennis, while Gwen and I headed into the city to see some friends for a welcome back to town brunch they were having. Our half-hour drive turned into an hour drive thanks to accident/construction/Broad Street Run traffic. Still fun, but makes for a long day.


Lots of firsts. Now its time to get ready for the new week!