walks

ever since she figured out this walking thing... it's like a rocket ship that's taken off. there's just no stopping it.
since the weather has been nice and warm and with daylight savings giving us that extra hour of light after i get home from work, we've been venturing out a bit and taking some walks. we go the usual route - the one i used to take her on when i was home for 12 weeks and she would just sleep the whole way. but now she gets tired of the stroller and wants to be on her own two feet, making her own way. and so, for the last little while of our journey, we all walk and it's great! progress toward our goal of home is usually very slow and often diverted by little miss who loves to run the opposite direction of the way we're going. and i call to her, "beth, we're going this way" and i wave my arm and start to walk; she begins to follow for a step or two before turning the other way, laughing and b-lining it for somewhere else. little teaser... independent, that girl is. remind you of anyone mom?

and marley, who is 50 yards ahead of us most of the time, gets tired of waiting and lays down in the grass as we slowly catch up to her. and sometimes it prompts beth to sit down for a little rest, and i am caught between the two, as though in stale mate. the whole scene is really quite comical.
but i love that we are getting out. i love that she wants to explore and run and play and be on her own two feet. it makes for a handful at times (besides walks like these), but as her personality develops and manifests itself, i can see that she is going to be a strong and funny little girl. and i can't wait for what lies ahead. (i know, i say that now...)

and today friends, i am sitting in my little condo in the mountains. the snow is falling outside, beth is napping in her pack n play (FINALLY - you have no idea), and i am waiting my turn to hit the slopes on this beautiful fresh snow. we've come up with some friends and are taking turns at the mountain, which, i will add, we have practically all to ourselves. they closed the pass not long after we made it over, so anyone who was planning on driving in today cannot and only those who came in last night are the lucky ones who get to enjoy this amazing powder. did i mention how stoked i am?! it's been a couple years, and i am so super excited to ride the mountain again. hank is giving his best and remembering how to ski (it's been a few years, like 20. literally), and we're hoping that at some point we'll be able to get out together for a couple runs. i think we've arranged that. so it should be awesome. snow all day today, and sun tomorrow. so tomorrow will be even better and i am even more anxious for that. anyone jealous yet? :) despite getting virtually no sleep last night - thank you screaming child, you're the best - today, my life is awesome. wish you all were here. no, for reals.