Things which I am loving lately:

my pieris japonica shrubs. the little blossoms are so amazing; they look like strings of tiny pearls.

the grapevines weaving themselves around the yard, with their perfect spiraled tendrils. i love how climbing vines cling.

these gorgeous orchids given to me on my birthday- by those who know the quickest way to the core of my heart.

watching the mud holes in the marsh out back. if you wait silently, for long enough, you might catch a glimpse of the inhabitants- tiny fiddler crabs seeking respite from the hungry herons.

the moss and lichens spreading across our bulkhead.

the explosions of forsythia. quiet spring fireworks.

carpets of petals all about. when the wind picks them up, it is pure heaven.

All of these things I am loving lately are dying to become paintings. The colors, the lines, textures, patterns, spaces, and voids... But I am just so dang tired lately. I really loved being pregnant the last time (once the morning sickness ended), but this pregnancy is really knocking the wind out of me. They (medical journals) say that a pregnant body is working harder while resting than a nonpregnant body is when mountain-climbing. I imagine I am reaching the summit, right about now. I know how hard and why my body is working as it is, and this brings me peace. I know it will be easier sometime during the fourth month... soon, soon, soon... For now I'll just keep trying to formulate those paintings in my mind.

Best Birthday/Easter, Ever

Bright, bright sunny day

Just dropping in to say a quick hello, and Happy Spring! Really this is my favorite time of year; I love the feeling of renewal that comes with the changing of the season. And really, how could one not be moved by all of the beautiful blossoms and also by how GREEN everything seems these recent days?

Last night I dyed easter eggs with my mother in law- something I hadn't done in a very long time. It was great fun, and I can't wait to set up a little easter egg hunt for Henry. Today I will be making and decorating cupcakes and sugar cookies with my Mom. It is a great way to celebrate my birthday weekend- yep, I turn the big 3-1 tomorrow. I've decided I rather like my early 30's. The morning sickness seems to be tapering off, and that combined with everything else leaves me with so much to be thankful for! Happy Easter dear friends, and hope your weekend is sunny and bright.

looking up into the sky...

Although it may seem as if we had fallen off the face of the Earth by the looks of this page, we have not. I have just been in a quiet, contemplative mood, and haven't felt much like blogging. We have been enjoying the warmer weather by going to the zoo and playing in the backyard. Our bathroom renovations are nearly complete; just a little paint touch up will finish off that project.

Henry turned 18 months old yesterday. I can't believe how independent he is becoming. We put him to work in the backyard, picking up pinecones for us.





Yesterday, just as twilight was setting in, he looked up and discovered the moon. Goodnight, moon.






Life is exciting these days. I hadn't planned to report this so soon, but since I am days away from the end of my first trimester, and I feel as if the whole world already knows (my husband was very excited to share the news with anyone who'd listen)- we will be welcoming our second baby into the world next fall! I have been so unbelievably sick the past several weeks, I haven't fully been able to enjoy it or soak in the good news, but I see better times just around the corner. Hopefully.