The summertime suits our family. It turns out we’re pretty great at go-your-own-pace beginnings to the day, leisurely breakfasts, mid-morning adventures and soaking up a little sunshine in there somewhere before nap time. This feels like the first summer where everyone has some autonomy. I think it’s good for all.

I find I’m way less stressed going into the day with a loose plan (but not a definitive one) on at least three of our weekdays, sometimes four. This usually leaves room for impromptu summer awesomeness, as defined by play dates, trips to the library, afternoons at the pool or mornings wandering downtown for bagels and coffee. Coincidentally or not, the kids and I seem to gravitate toward similar energy patterns on given days, and even if we’re not in sync, it’s not impossible to find the hook in an activity that gets them engaged after a little while.

So, our summer days are filling up nicely as I stay determined to make the most of the glorious weather and our time together as the three musketeers before baby joins us early autumn. It’s kind of a bittersweet summer for me, because I’ve really grown to love our rhythms and the dynamic we carry as a trio, most of the time.

Before Eloise was born, I declared Wednesdays with Henry “Wonderful Wednesdays” for the last trimester of my pregnancy. I was just hopeful that giving one day a week a special designation would corral my energy into something fun and memorable for us as a duo on those days. By and large, it worked. Wonderful Wednesdays were our thing, so we traipsed around the Farmer’s Market each week, had bagels in our favorite chairs in our favorite shop, visited Jason at work and made extraordinary out of the ordinary. I loved it, and so did Henry.

This time around, it feels a little less planned than I imagined, but I’m still trying to be intentional with my time with the kids. Naturally, it becomes harder and harder the more pregnant I get. But we do still adventure, and Henry kind of ushers Eloise along into this routine of ours where we make the most out of the mundane. I will love this baby with all of my heart when he or she is born (and I already do), but Henry and Eloise have had my heart for so long now…it’s hard to imagine anything different.

I grieve the loss of our time as a family of four while I simultaneously celebrate becoming a party of five. It’s just the way of things, I think.

I’m so grateful to be expecting our little bean in the summertime. Though it goes without saying that the summer is hot, I’d much prefer flip flops and flowing tunics to layers and winter coats that won’t button while I’m navigating ice. I love summering with the kids far more than I love wintering with anyone 😉 So it’s just about perfect to me that we can have the whole summer together before baby #3 makes an appearance (at least, we presume).

Making the most of things has really become my M.O. more often than not. Much of this is circumstantial, and in equal measure, I feel called to see the beauty in things where it’s hard to find. I don’t have this particular skill down to a science, but I do try my hardest to see the good, and to find it if it’s hiding. Without parking in this camp, I think a pregnant summer with young kiddos in tow could be a real drag. I’m just not willing to give up so many of our days like that.

And yet, occasionally I grumble in this safe space about one thing or the next, doing so in the effort of transparency on this journey. When I look back on carrying the baby bean, I want to remember how I was really doing and what I was really feeling. I want baby to be able to sit down here and know that it was all very real–the highs and the lows and the ways I navigated different parts of this pregnancy with intention (and hopefully, grace).

Today was an exercise in going with the flow and being present to the moment. Where our course was diverted, I tried to ride it out in stride. When we were held up, I tried not to put undue pressure on myself or the kids (which is super hard for me, but I’m working on it). When nap time rolled around and my two were buddied up with friends making mud pies in the front yard, we went with it today. No naps, but earlier bedtimes for all. Summer is gracious like that, and I love her for it.

Tomorrow will be a different kind of day, more focused on things that need to get done and tasks to order responsibly, in an effort to make the weeks ahead more seamless and healthy for everyone in the little blue house. Lest I ever forget, this season of change is full of unknowns in a million ways, and while I’m working to be glass half full at it all, it’s certainly an effort and a habit more than a natural reflex.

I’m so thankful to summer for it being so good, what with all of the sunshine and pool-friendly temps and easy going strolls after dinner time. Summer feels like a balm to me right now, when other parts of the year feel rigid and planned out and even a little boxed in. And the timing couldn’t be better, truly. We can all use a bit of flexibility and go-with-the-flow in our lives, no matter the season.

a little bit sunnier and the good kind of tired tonight,

mm