New

Honestly,

Those who know me best know I love my routine. 

Not that I would ever use the "boring" word to describe my life,

but there's a sense of calm that comes with planning and carrying out a certain sequence, 

even if it just means checking the fact that I've folded a load of laundry off of a very thorough to-do list.

Many a day has been carefully detailed and effectively accomplished,

yet,

it can also be somewhat of a weakness, somewhat a struggle.

And around here, we are establishing a brand-new uncharted adventure of a new routine.

One with a little more time at home, although nonetheless as busy.

One with a little more diaper changing and just as much teaching.

One with a little more dishwasher emptying, although I have a feeling my floors and counters will be just as littered with dishtowels, groceries and momentarily abandoned toys. 

And so, the last few days have been a little out of the routine...
or should I say we're establishing a new sort of routine.

With a much needed face time with many old friends 

new babies

and new-found friends.

Play time

with conversation that's reached a new level

a new affection

new cooperation

new fascination

Oh it was good.

And more newness,

a whole morning spent with a precious little girl

quite possibly more cuddly than both of my littles combined.

Pretty sure the sum of our snuggle was just about heavenly.

Completed with time in our new backyard,

with a new bottle of bubbles.

My little girl, quite the big girl

entertaining,

doing her own share of babysitting,

and duly rewarded.

And the little man?

Well, this new routine fits him just fine.

His zeal is yet to be contained.

Part of this new routine has included lots of new postings at my photography blog here. You really don't find me without a camera these days.

Summertime

For me, summertime is truly here now. 

4:00pm yesterday marked this momentous occasion.

A little more momentous this year, but more to come on that. 

A Target run included sunscreen, swim diapers, and a pair of flip flops.

My class gifted me with a pool bag a few days ago.

The hubby and I dated last night with sushi, shopping and ice cream. 

My sisters (now just living minutes away) are also living the summertime, 

finals have been graded, lost and found accounted for and report cards sent home for good.

So playing is in full drive mode around here.

And let summertime commence.
(Please know that I am refraining from ending this post with, "And may the odds be ever in your favor." Those who recognize this line from an overly popular book or movie can just smile and shake their head at this point.)

Bellies

Just a few pictures

to document our growing bellies.

My baby sister and me, seven months preggo, due four days apart. 

There's nothin' like being swollen and achey and sweaty except being swollen and achey and sweaty with someone who totally gets it. We are so blessed.

Side note: I've also been blogging here to share my photography. Check it out!

Sweet

We're slowly, slowly settling in,

finding our routine, our places, our niches, our sweet spots.

One of which, I have a feeling will be in the shade of my very favorite tree of our new home.

And if not there, here, I imagine.

The warmth of steps outside the door.

Which we enjoyed the other night.

When I brought cupcakes home,

just because.

And if one might be curious as to how four ginormous treats could be so safely guarded through a day and commute,

let me just summarize. 

A student brought them in as a part of a year-end research project. 

And, being mother of all creativity, I needed a quick, secure home to hide my treasures away for later.

Sweets for my sweets.

So, discarding leftover crackers from lunch, just a few snips of elementary scissors and I think my end result actually was just about perfect.

In fact I'm a little proud of my ingenuity.

I mean, seriously. 

Look at the reaction.

You'd think the poor girl was deprived.

She's been eating sweets like this, with tender loving care and delicate picks since her first birthday.

A savorer to the fullest.

And with just a little convincing, the sweet little thing shared with the littler one.

The sweetest part of all.

Tonight

Tonight, the babes are snuggled for an early bedtime,

already had milk poured for, read to, prayed with, tucked in, and back through this routine of prepositions at least once this evening. 

It's been a full weekend, but one a little more reminiscent of the everyday than we've had in awhile with the transition and chaos and excitement of life lately. 

For one, I got my real camera (not just the handy camera phone) out.

And two,

a visit from Nana and Papa.

Full

with playing

with planting

and projects

and reading

and  lots of the best kind of messes.

And leaves me now, 

tonight,

tired,

with almost seven-month-(yes-I'm-kind of-really-rounding-up)pregnancy aches

But, 

oh, 

so,

so thankful.

Thankful for the 

growing, 

building, 

learning,

messes

called motherhood.

Called life.