summer of fourteen.

now that it's snowing in some parts of the country, it must be the perfect time for a post about the summer, right? if it weren't for this (premature) arctic blast, this post would really only be about one season behind...but, eh, such is life right now. i should probably get around to doing a home tour: nursery edition post before will goes to kindergarten...

it's all really fitting, anyway, because life seems to be really soaring by lately.

but, let's go back to the summer of 2014! there was not enough time outside, as always (damn the work days!), but i do feel like we soaked up some really summer-y days, so that makes this seasonal shift (to THE WINTER) a bit more bearable.

summer was pretty tough, though, too. the last 6 months have, without a doubt, been some of the hardest of my life. i know that sounds entirely dramatic (especially considering there were some really terrible, hard, long days during the grad school/deployment #2 months), but it's true. the juggle of work + baby + life has been...just a lot. when it comes down to it, often the demands of the day just leave me tired. there's so much to say...

[...the incredible whirl of rushed mornings; meetings; pumping sessions; emails/texts/phone calls; cleaning; napping; cooking; diapers; soothing; laughing; feeding; pumping; cleaning; discussing; running late; yelling; driving; crying; explaining; apologizing; nonstop work agendas; catching up & falling behind; rushing home, rushing to work; more emails/texts/phone calls; trying to find time to workout (laughable); feeling blessed beyond belief; feeling frustrated; more rushed mornings; meetings; pumping sessions; soaking it up; feeling level & feeling overwhelmed...]

but probably the easiest way to describe it is...tired. as i'm learning with parenthood, though, you just somehow muster up the energy most days. and that's really all there is to it.

it's so good to look back & remember the really nice times we had this summer. necessary - completely necessary. sometimes the moments between andy & i haven't been so admirable (or enjoyable)...and sometimes the lack of time has left me sputtering & spewing...but summer also brought some of the sweetest, tender, and peaceful moments to the surface. and they almost all included the gummy smile of a little baby boy.

.:.adorable baby showers that were not my own (so fun!).:.

.:.family coffee date followed by a beautiful walk home.:.

.:.a saturday at the south shore farmers market.:.

.:.visitors & visiting!.:.

.:.playtime, smiles, and the sounds of a little william discovering his voice (mostly growling).:.

.:.meals shared with friends.:.

.:.the quiet of weekend naps.:.

.:.a few trips to the biergarten.:.

.:. and a couple of date nights.:.

...a good life, that's for sure.

now be ready for a christmas post next may. ;)