Ahh, Springtime!

I love that spring is finally here. The winter this year seemed to drag on forever, and was so incredibly cold. I spent so many days just waiting for warmer weather.

Now that it has finally arrived, Miles and I are making the best of it. (And, if it's a weekend, we drag Patrick along, too!) :)

We are spending every spare moment we can find outside, enjoying the sunshine. Most days, it looks something like this:

We pack Miles up in the car, complete with shades* and a paci.**

And we head off to the park, to play in the swings. This happened to be one of the days that Patrick came along, and the two of them had enormous amounts of fun playing together.

Or, we head off for a walk along the paths around the park.

Or, we simply spread out a blanket and enjoy the sunshine while lounging in the grass.

Regardless, though, this is usually the scene in the car by the time we get back home:

We hope you are enjoying the gorgeous weather as much as we are!

*Which he pulled off two seconds after this picture. And threw at me. He leaves no room for misunderstanding when he has an Opinion.

**Which he spit at me about five seconds after throwing his shades at me.

Photo Fun

To get your Friday started off right, here are a few shots of everyone's favorite little boy. Enjoy!

Enjoying a yummy breakfast of cherrios! :)

My blue jean baby.

"Helping" Mommy at work.

Have an excellent weekend!

Honesty.

Can I be entirely honest for a moment?

The last few weeks have been rough. Miles has teeth coming in - I can see them under the gums, but they just won't push through. They've been like that for almost three weeks. As a result, my happy-go-lucky boy is often fussy at the best of times, and flat out screams for hours at the worst. And I am afraid that I'm not handling it well. After bouts of crying that last for more than fifteen minutes, I find myself putting him in the crib and closing the door, while I lay curled up, sobbing, on the couch with my hands over my ears until he finally wears himself out and falls asleep.

Yes, the last few weeks have been rough.

With that being said, I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Miles has finally started sleeping for longer stretches again - seven hours, the last three nights - which means that I am finally getting sleep, too. And his naps are beginning to improve. He's currently out for his second nap of the day - it's been an hour, and I haven't heard a peep.

And then, today, we played on the bed for 45 minutes. I tickled him and nommed on his belly. He giggled for all he was worth. And suddenly, the last few weeks began to melt away. As though they never happened.

I know that I have many more battles ahead of me on this roller coaster called parenthood. But, I think I can honestly say that I am winning this one against my own frustration. And it's all to see this beautiful smile.

Lucky

I had planned to write earlier, but well, crying baby happened. In a big way. For two hours straight. For no apparent reason.

I blame teething. Stupid teeth.

Anyhow, this is not about me whining about my kid whining, 'cuz that's just ridiculous, ya know?*

The point is: I'm incredibly lucky.

I know, I know. Those last few lines just seem kinda contradictory, don't they? But they're not. And I'm going to tell you why, right now, instead of rambling on like I have been thus far.**

I'm incredibly lucky because in the midst of this crying spree, at my wit's end, I finally accessed one of my favorite resources: a forum board of other mommies. Nice ones - not the poopy-faced ones that gripe at each other all day. I only go to that board when I'm bored. Anyhow, I tell them what's going on, and within minutes, I have 5 responses. Most of them reassure me it's probably just teething, and there's not much to be done. But they offer me e-hugs, and support, and a voice of experience to say "It won't last forever." Blessing number one.

I'm incredibly lucky because when the forum boards had little to offer other than sympathy, I sent a text message to my husband, expressing my frustration. Partially because I needed to vent, and partially looking for suggestions that I may have forgotten in the mind-numbing white noise of endless crying. Fifteen minutes later, he walked in the door, took Miles, and told me to go get ice cream. Blessing number two.

I'm incredibly lucky because when I was getting my things together to go get ice cream, Stacey showed up at the door, as if on cue. She listened to me ramble as I drove to Dairy Queen, and continually reassured me that I was not a terrible mother, and that everyone has bad days. She sat in the sunlight and ate ice cream with me. And when the time was right, she gently guided the conversation away from Miles so that I could stop stressing for a few minutes. Blessing number three.

When we returned, Miles was sleeping soundly, and the three of us sat around kibbitzing for a little while before going to dinner. Miles woke up in a better mood, and our evening went smoothly, and all was well.

And I'm incredibly lucky because the day is over, and I can sleep now. Blessing number four.

*Apparently, I've been reading too many other blogs and their 'voice' is rubbing off. I'm in such need of sleep that I'm taking on the e-personality of random individuals I've never met. Great.

**And then I'm going to bed. Wow, I need the sleep.

Hang On for the Ride!

I feel like we are at the top of the first hill of an outrageous roller coaster ride called the Festival. This week, we began the audition and casting process, and from here on out, it's going to be a crazy ride.

And all the while, Miles is right there in the middle of it, smiling and keeping the rest of us from screaming. :)

Yesterday, we had a meeting to discuss the course of our Festival this year. In most places I've worked, the word "meeting" has made me groan in disgust. Festival meetings, however, are actually kinda fun. We met at 10:00, and Carrie, my wonderful boss, had prepared a little "nosh" for us - scrambled egg cups, fruit, scones, donuts. We sat on couches, and ate and talked, while Miles played on his blanket on the floor. We talked business, but since our business is fun, it was really not bad at all.

Most important for me, though, was that last night was the audition for the children's group I am directing this year. I spent the entire day feeling like I was going to throw up from anxiety. I've never been the one who had to make casting decisions, so I had no idea how stressful it is.

But, all is well. I have a cast list!

And it's time for work! Have a wonderful day!

Update on Mr. Snotmonster

There's no infection. Miles is fine. Apparently, Thursday was just a bad day. So sayeth the doctor.

Random Thoughts on the Week

It's been a whirlwind sort of week.

Miles and I spent Wednesday and Thursday at the office, trying to get things ready for an audition workshop this weekend. Wednesday evening, we had dance rehearsal. Last night was Shakespeare. And through it all, Miles whined.

The doctor said on Monday that he thought Miles just had a cold. Nothing terrible. He did say that his right ear looked a little pink, but he thought that it was probably just from being rubbed or laid on. He didn't think it was an infection.

After 4 days of whining and crying from a child who usually smiles through anything (including teething), I think it's an ear infection.

So, we go back to the doctor this afternoon. I'm sure he thinks I'm one of those paranoid moms who takes her kid to the doctor every time he sneezes. I'm not. At least, I don't think I am. I just know there's something wrong. Miles never cries this much.

I will update after the appointment.