Waiting in the snow

I should have known today was going to be one of THOSE days when I fell on the ice while taking out the recycling. A light dusting of snow covered the sidewalk, covering a slick layer of ice underneath, and instead of treading with caution, I walked too fast and fell—extra hard—on my butt. After I got up and brushed off the snow, I looked around to see if anyone else had witnessed my humiliation. Lucky for me the coast was clear. I was glad I wasn’t carrying Adam in his 500-pound car seat, and relieved that only my pride was bruised.
My day continued to improve at the bus stop while I waited … and waited … and waited for my bus. An hour later, my bus finally came. It was a long, cold wait, and I was glad I was wearing not only a hat, but two pairs of socks.
While on the bus, I had the privilege of sitting next to a woman with breath so bad it could kill a moose! (Seriously, what did she have for breakfast? Raw minnows, Limburger, and garlic? And why oh why did she have to keep breathing through her mouth? Why couldn’t she breathe through her nose like the rest of us? I was never so glad to be wearing a scarf, so I could pull it up over my face without being too obvious that I was simply trying to survive the stench.)
My only other complaint today (why stop when I’m on a roll?) is that my lunch was freezer-burnt. On the bright side, this terrible, horrible, no-good issue is out the door. Thank God.

This winter seems to be dragging on FOREVER. I live in Minnesota and I’m usually all about embracing winter (this winter I went snowboarding at Trollhaugen, snowtubing at Eko Bachen, and sledding in Forest Lake), but right about now—after three solid months of cold and ice and white-knuckled driving and road salt eating my car and cycling through a wardrobe consisting of pants, sweaters, and turtlenecks—I’m ready to break up with Winter (and maybe even let the door hit him on his way out) and welcome Spring with open arms.
Enough is enough.
Even if I can’t break out my sandals, capris, and sunscreen quite yet, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In a few weeks, the average temps will be in the 40s and low 50s, in May, we’ll be hitting the high 50s and low 60s, and by June—a mere 12 weeks away—we’ll be sitting pretty in the 70s. I cannot wait.
In addition to warm weather, we have so much to look forward to this spring/summer (some people might grumble about a full social calendar this early on, but I absolutely LOVE it!):

Aaron and I celebrate three years of wedded bliss April 16. I fall a little deeper in love with him every day. He is good, kind, generous, smart, reliable, loyal, thoughtful, funny, sensitive, and always, always true to himself. He’s a loving husband and daddy, and even when we’re fighting about tacos vs. burritos, I know how lucky I am. (Can you tell I'm his biggest fan?) * Four friends (a co-worker, one of the college crew, a member of the “group,” and my sweet sister-in-law April) are due in either April or May. Bring on the bambinos! * Two friends are getting married in May (one is a friend from volleyball—second marriage, this time to a wonderful guy—and the other is a friend—and one of the nicest guys I know—from Aaron’s softball team). I love, love, love a good wedding. * A dear friend is celebrating her wedding reception in June following a destination wedding (another Lillian ties the knot! Long live the friendship of C.A.K.E!) *Adam’s adopted cousin Max turns one in June * July = annual Fourth of July party on the lake (bocce, beer, and boating, not necessarily in that order) *We’re going to Bozeman, Montana for BP’s wedding in July (yes, he’s my ex-boyfriend, and yes, his mom does daycare for us, and no, it’s not weird at all!) *One of my very best friends, one of my “girls,” Megan, is due in July and I can’t wait to meet her little one, see her as a mom (she’ll be a natural) and experience the crazy adventures of parenthood along with her and her hubby. It seems like only yesterday we were in 6th grade guitar class together, and now we’ll be discussing kids instead of chords?! In the words of Blink 182, “Well I guess this is growing up” *Our niece Morgan turns one July 20 *If all goes as planned, my soul sister, T (my maid of honor) will fly home from Idaho for a much-anticipated bridal shower/bachelorette party before her wedding this fall. It will be crazy, and I’m ready for some crazy. *My baby, Adam, turns one in August!!! *My immediate family is vacationing at Lutsen Resort for a week, sea kayaks and all. I am fortunate to consider my family some of my closest friends and look forward to this getaway with much anticipation. *September is shaping up to be a fun month, too, with a trip to Coeur d’Alene for Tonya & Sam’s wedding (my closest friends will be traveling to the wedding as well), and Aaron’s cousin getting married in Wisconsin.

In Adam news, he’s teething or something, because he’s up anywhere from two to four times a night, crying and fussing. It makes for a very long day at work. Somehow, though, his teething hasn't affected his regular daytime activities. He’s a happy, smiley baby with a very sunny disposition.
On my bus ride home from work, just about when we get to the turn that signals how close we are to the park & ride, I start anticipating my time with him and I start feeling really excited. When I pick him up from dayare, my heart swells as his little face lights up with joy and recognition. “Hi baby!” I say. “Mama’s here!” and his smile just about melts me. Aaron and I have fun reading to him (“Big A, little A, what begins with A? Aunt Annie’s Alligator, A, A, A”), playing with him (he’s into grabbing, and toys that make obnoxious noises, and anything with bright colorful lights), encouraging him (sometimes we sound like we’re talking to a dog: “Roll over! Come on, you can do it! Good boy!”), laughing at his hilarious sounds and expressions (I call him Darth Vader), doing whatever it takes to make him dissolve into those best-sound-in-the-world uncontrollable giggles, kissing (and kissing, and kissing) his fuzzy head, watching him splash (and pee) in the tub, and cuddling with him at the end of the night.

This quote makes me smile:

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

This one makes me laugh:

“My friend has a baby. I'm recording all the noises he makes so later I can ask him what he meant.”

This one makes me nod in agreement:

“People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one.”