Monday Morning

I'm feeling a bit melancholy this morning. I'm sure it has much to do with waking up and finding myself at "that time of the month". I had already determined from my diligent NFP charting that it was probably inevitable, but still. How I long to see that prolonged elevated temperature pattern! But for now I sit, dejected and forlorn, sipping a cup of coffee in this quiet early hour without even the pleasure of creamer, because I finished off the last container of my favorite variety yesterday and never made it to the store to replenish my supply. Sigh.

You know what else is making me feel a little sad? Dylan has a loose tooth. His very first one! But wasn't it just yesterday that we joyously saw that first hint of white peeking through his tender, swollen gums? I don't recall ever giving him permission to grow up so heartbreakingly fast! Must time keep marching so mercilessly forth? Can't we just slow it down a little?
Meghan, my precocious little sweetheart, is less and less a "baby" these days and more and more a "big girl". She runs around in ponytails and dresses, chubby legs adorned with bruises and ink drawings because she is just so gosh darn curious! I am forever finding her up on top of tables, cabinets, bar stools, chairs...The other day, I heard her plaintive little voice crying out "Mama!". And where do I find her? On top of the dresser in the kids' bedroom closet, wedged beneath the shelf above it, peering out at me with a perplexed expression on her face. I can't begin to imagine how she got herself up there to begin with, and apparently, she had no idea of how she was going to get down! Stunned, I stood for a moment and just stared, then burst out laughing and scooped her into my arms to cover her in kisses. (Of course, I sort of wish now that I had run to get the camera first!)

And oooohhhh, that Caitlyn. Such an independent princess! It seems sometimes that I can actually see her growing and maturing, and it is the most remarkable thing in the world. I can hardly believe she is going to be four in just three short months. I still sort of think of Dylan as being four years old, because it was such a fun and special year for him, and because I am just not ready to accept the fact that he is going to be six in September! (What about five, you wonder? This year has just flown by way too fast. I forget he is five. Honestly! But when I think about it, this has been a really great year for him, too.) But Caitlyn. Four! She is quickly becoming such a sweet little companion, a real treasure and a joy to have as a daughter. I really do love the age she's at now, able and eager to help around the house and happy to participate in all that we do as a family. She is so much fun to take along on quick trips to the store, keeping up a continuous stream of happy chatter for the duration of the entire ride. I love to hear the things she comes up with, the way her mind works when she's apart from the dominating presence of her older brother and the demanding presence of her baby sister!

I'm gathering my blessings close to me this morning. They're just beginning to stir, and I can't wait for those first hugs and kisses! Even without the creamer, it's looking like this is going to be a really good day, after all.