The end of a chapter, spring and new beginnings

Saturday was my due date.  I’ve been getting increasingly antsy and told my husband that if we stayed home I was going to go nuts.  It was absolutely gorgeous outside here in Toronto and I was eager to get outside and embrace the sunshine and fresh air.  We made our way to the local park which was exploding with kids and parents all in the same mindset.

After a long, cooped-up winter, everyone looked thrilled to be out of winter gear and engaging in fun, outdoor play.  My son had received a soccer ball and a baseball set for his recent birthday, so item one on the agenda was trying them out!

Here’s my son trying out his new (padded) bat!

Someone had told me that walking was a good way to get the baby moving, so we went for a long walk followed by a yummy lunch.  Though my third child was not born that day, the day had an "end of a chapter" feeling to it.  It felt like we were closing an era when it was the four of us.  In the restaurant, I couldn’t help but wonder what table we’d sit at next time when we’ll be a party of five.  In the playground, my eyes were well-trained at monitoring two little ones. I asked myself:  "How will I keep track of another little person running around?"

I guess time will tell, and I’m hoping I will adjust.  A little over three years ago, we took a similar walk on the boardwalk at the Beach on my daughter’s due date (she was two weeks late – I seriously hope that isn’t the case this time). I recall that same "chapter closing" feeling as we swung my then-eighteen-month old son between us.  Now, I can’t imagine life without our little dictator, as she’s known around the house.  Here’s a pic of her from today, bossing around some of the older kids on our street.