The Times, They are Changing

I took all three children to Target and Babies R Us this morning. It was a glorious day, in the high 50's. Yes it was cloudy and very soggy outside from all the melting snow, but I relished the chance to be out and about with only a light jacket on. This week I have, more than once, quoted a line to Silas from one of our favorite books, I'm Thankful Each Day: "And it's nice just to know that beneath winter's snow, the blossoms of springtime are beginning to grow..."
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Praise be to the God of seasons. Not only are the seasons changing outside, but I sense and see and am so grateful that the seasons are changing in our home as well. We have hit a turning point. The months of endless sheer survival appear to be coming to an end. Bits of freedom are returning; I am no longer operating daily in the urgent. And the joy that comes along with it is enough to make me tear up as a write. Did I mention I am so grateful? I am so grateful.
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So what's making the change?
...a good routine...
...babies who can play independently for a bit...
...a preschooler who is (not perfectly, but excellently) learning to use the potty...
...new sleep patterns that maximize naptimes for all of us...
...fully weaning Lieren...
...puffs...

Oh, yes, they love those puffs. And it's enough to keep the two little ones happy while the rest of us enjoy a lunch or dinner. It's fun to have all of us sitting at the table (or around the island!) together.
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...a new rug...

It has been fabulous to have a soft place for all of us to play! When Silas saw it he said, "Now you don't need the yellow blanket anymore because Daddy got you a new rug!"

...Simeon learning to hold his own bottle...

Even though you don't ever know what might happen...

And speaking of times changing, our Simeon is just a few attempts away from real crawling. Right now he can pretty much get at anything he wants by propelling himself forward with his legs and doing a modified army crawl. But I can tell he knows there should be an easier way. Even his crawling is bringing me freedom. He gets so frustrated when he can't get at toys. Now he can get anything he wants! Here are Sim and Lieren yesterday morning. He takes just a quick little crawl step, which is so typical of him right now...


Untitled from Brittany Drury on Vimeo.

Lieren is sitting here with me as I finish this. She woke early from her nap, which she has been doing lately. Not my favorite season, but a season each baby goes through at different stages. I will say it again: I am thankful for the seasons. The ebb and flow of life keeps me humble and hopeful.

And who wouldn't want to spend a quiet afternoon with this sweetie?