Finally an elusive Ivy smile has been captured for all to appreciate. No doubt she was plotting future plans of world domination (or achieving world peace for the softer at heart, but I know better. I’ve seen Aos whispering to her.)

A few people have asked me how I have been doing recently, and as anyone who has children knows, life has been very busy. Between Damian and Ivy’s needs as well as carving out the all important couple time with Michael it is amazing I accomplish anything beyond basic household chores.

There are good days and bad days. Yesterday wasn’t great, I was moody as were my children and then the washing machine when kaput. That in itself is not the end of the world, except I exclusively cloth diaper my children and the sopping wet load in there at the moment is three quarters of my supply. Ick! However other then a middle of the night disposable diaper run on Michael’s part (love you!) the washer is under warranty, so it is only a temporary inconvenience. I admit that for a moment last night, it all felt totally overwhelming. Michael is totally taking care of it all though (again, love!)

Yesterday aside, I usually feel pretty balanced but these short Winter days can really wear on my emotional state, as does postpartum body. I know not to be too hard on myself and I do not have any particular drive to look skinny and stretch marks do not bother me in the least but I feel unhealthy right now. At the moment weighing less would be a step in the right direction to fix that. So an increase in exercise is in order as I already eat a very balanced diet for a breatsfeeding mother (though that did go partly the way of the dodo during the holidays. Mmmm cookies…) I am not sure how to go about exercising yet. Come Spring, yard work and general time out keep me fit but Winter has a couple strikes against me in that arena. Besides that I simple do not like working out in the Winter. Again, I accuse the heavy clouds and lengthy darkness for that lack of motivation. Which is a little funny since working out usually lifts my mood in the cold months. I would like to find something indoors and motivational that I can do between chasing a toddler and caring for a newborn. And something free, I can’t afford a wii or wii fit as much as those are fun and I would love one.

Beyond my health though, life is good. Whether good or bad each moment feels precious and my heart feels more open than it has in a long time. I know I have to treasure these moments as I will never again be at this moment in my life. Today I am going over a list of words to pick a theme for the next year. At the moment openness sounds good, but then so do simplicity and balance. I want to narrow it to one. It will be my mantra and spiritual focus until I feel I have some mastery of it, or for the next year, whichever point of reevaluation comes first.

And to finish with a little bit of frivolity (as both my children are now awake.) This is Damian’s latest epic battle toy arrangement. Is it odd that it bugs me more that there are herbivores attacking the stegosaurus than that a robot is joining the fray?