5 Months

 Stages in life and the infamous ebb and flow of it all...... 

When I started blogging again, I found it incredibly therapeutic and cathartic. I was pregnant with baby no. 3 and it was by far, the most physically challenging pregnancies I had experienced. I was experiencing intense pelvic pain and pressure, varicose veins, emotional misalignment, whelm, compression stockings during the hottttttt summer, and two other beautiful children who needed me. I was in whelm from all the covid drama and news forecasting that alway left me riddled with stress and I wasn't coping. My self care, in all areas required some attention and I thought that online journaling would help me recognize some things, and vulnerably expose me just enough that I'd feel more pressure to adjust things because someone else might come across and read my musings. It did help, and then, a beautiful, physical addition entered into our lives, and there was more change and adjustment, and I began coping, learning and growing in other ways, with much less ability to get in front of the laptop screen. In some ways, its hard for me to even think back to even just 5 short months ago - but I look at this like such a beautiful gift. I am grateful that life has felt full. I am expanded emotionally, physically, spiritually and and and and and.... we shared some glorious months after the birth of Baby T as a family - with our amazing Daddy man taking three months of paternity leave. He was so present, gentle, loving, caring and available. He supported activities, driving, preschool, homeschool, dog duties, household requirements, and nourishing us all. He was available to help with sleep (or lack of) and just the basics. The time flew. And amongst it all, our amazing provider was rewarded with a much deserved promotion at work, which was such a blessing. Christmas came and went, and we had leisurely time with our families, lots of hosting and meals and memories made, and some healing conversations that have brought us into the New Year of 2023 with softened hearts and more family. How fortunate we are. Thank you God. 

As with any big change, things adjusted again when paternity leave was over, and it was shocking how quickly three months happened. The children and I had to settle in to working together without our main man, and find a routine that supported us all. It's not to say that there haven't been hiccups, but we have loved each other tenderly through the learning process.