Middle age - the new black?

Your father is 40 this year - and so beautiful. He thinks it is flattery when I say so but it isn't. His body is lean and balanced. The salt and pepper creeping into his hair suits him perfectly. And his smile is so quick and easy.

Happiness, health, confidence - still the perfect recipe for good looks.

Men are so lucky that they come into themselves again at this age. I can't see the age lines on my face as a bonus. But, somehow, his make him look more finished.

I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful and good looking husband.

And now, we have you two. How did I ever get to be so lucky?

Life is round and full of happiness and light. Certainly busier than I can handle some days but packed to the brim with meaning too.

Middle age - right in the center of all things. And I'm moving toward it pretty darn quick.

So far, not nearly as bad as it once sounded. Although, menopause still scares the s%@$ out of me. I guess we'll see.

What weening trip?

Daddy was supposed to take you along to Idaho for your weening trip today. We are down to just a couple of feedings per day and have been counting on this business trip with family support as a way to finish things up.

But oops - I totally chickened out - last minute (crying at the drop off curb, no less).

So daddy got on the plane and you are still here.

We are weening soon, Henry, soon. But not today.

"Mommy. Uh-up."

$10 at a kids consignment store might buy you...

...a dancing princess bride.*

*Adorable kid not included.

Remember this guy?

I do. And he is long gone. How did this happen? And where did this guy come from?

AND - you seem to be hitting yet ANOTHER growth spurt. You are only one shoe size behind your sister and you can wear some of the same clothes. Say what?

AND - your talking is coming in lightening FAST. Besides your the constant stream of your favorite words: truck, tractor and "wee-oo" for wheel, you are saying new words every day. Today it was: hole, popcorn, ring, cracker, car, and grape. Seriously - that many noticeable new words EVERY DAY.

We are reading More, More, More, Said the Baby a lot lately. You love this book and I love it too, partly because we are LIVING it.

I am always "running like anything just to catch that baby up" - both literally, and in my heart and mind.

And with your body, your signing, your words, and your quick-changing ways, you are leading me forward with "More, more, more."

Oh, my amazing boy. More, more, more. I keep on loving you more, more, more.

Just add salsa

I can't walk by a toy bag in the house without looking inside. What I find is always a surprise. Today: stale chips, one bead, and seventeen pennies.

Another backyard summer: painting

Why paint on a cardboard box...

...when skin makes a much more interesting canvas?

Thank goodness for backyards and washable paints. Woo!

Us Asleep

What exists in the thousands of hours

of lost consciousness

our bodies share

but a part of Us?

In the end, a quarter of my lifetime

will have been spent here

lying in sleep with you.

I don't like to sleep spooned into you,

I get too claustrophobic and hot.

But I love to lie hip to hip

one hand resting into yours

so that when I wake,

I feel an echo of our hours lost together,

mind tracing the movements that pulled our hands apart

and back together.

Happy 14th anniversary Jeremy. Oh how I love you - even when we are asleep.

Grandma day is here!

First - hooray, I can't believe we made it to this day on the calendar!!

Second - this girl is never going to grow out of needing mom!!

Another backyard summer: reading

Books and blanket required.

Princess costume optional.