Phases

We seem to have entered - fingers crossed this doesn't jinx it - a more positive phase of parenting.  The late winter and spring months were tough, tough, tough.  It wasn't just having a new baby around, it was also just a difficult time for Milo.  We were all trying to find our new roles and routines.  We've already established change doesn't come naturally to Milo and me, so we butted heads a lot as we were figuring things out.

This new period, though leaves us both some room to breathe.  Milo is happier and more interesting to be around lately.  He's telling imaginative stories, singing silly songs, playing fun games and doing considerate acts for others.  He is more able (willing?) to take direction and to help.  He's less likely to run away from me in public or throw a tantrum for a questionable reason.

Leo, too, is coming into his own.  We see his personality forming and like what we see.  He's napping more regularly and interacting with us in fun new ways.

It's not that we don't have our challenges - both big and small, but they seem like just challenges and not huge insurmountable mountains of trouble.  We're in a good phase now.  It's like the earlier haze is burning off and leaving a cool morning of joy to discover together.