Signs of Spring

Like most of you, I am so glad that warm weather has finally arrived! We've been taking advantage of it as much as we can, because I'd like Chaela to be a kid that plays outside in the summer, you know what I mean? And if I want her to be that, I have to be that, and this year, I'm ready for it!

Here's how you know spring has sprung at our house:

1. Growing things

My dad is really, really into landscaping, and thanks to him, we have a lot of flowers that are blooming already. Chaela likes to walk around and show me every single one. She points to each one and says "fowa, fowa, fowa, fowa, fowa..." you get it. It's pretty awesome!

2. Gretel trapped on the deck.

Yes, every year around this time, Gretel starts spending the majority of her time outside on the deck. Mostly she hangs out by the door that leads into the kitchen, which is also another sign of spring: it's open!

3. Cats in the windows

For some reason, our cats are addicted to open windows. They come running every time they hear one open. To them it's just as good as a can of tuna.

4. Babies in the dirt.

My parents plant a garden every year, a tradition I fully plan on keeping if I ever get a house of my own. Mom has done the seedling trays and today we took them outside (in the 72 degree weather, YES!) to get some sun. Chaela was thrilled, which made me happy. I think she's going to like helping in the garden. Watch out grandpa!

The fifth sign of spring, which I expect to see sometime this week, is my dad grilling something. Mmmm...

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So things are great here! It's amazing what a sunny day can do for your spirits. I've been training at Curves and had my first actual workout today on the "circuit." Let's just say I have a long way to go before I'll be able to do it without feeling like I've died afterwards. However, I do look forward to being able to do it often, because I'm at my highest weight ever (excepting pregnancy). That's horrible, considering that my lowest weight ever was only about 2 and 1/2 years ago.

Will is doing ok, but he hates the job he has and may keep looking for others. Chaela is great, she's got as much energy as always. She has been a little more cranky than usual, though, because she's been getting teeth in like crazy. I'm not kidding. She didn't get her first until she was 10 months. She's 16 months now and has 9 or 10. Here are pictures of her latest antics. She found these red fuzzy socks of mine and put them on. By herself. Yeah. I helped her pull them up, but only after she'd already put one on. She's so funny. I love her!

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!