8 months

My old hiking buddies have begun hiking again this year. I have mixed emotions about this. I read Bluto's blog and look at his pictures thinking about walking that same area and miss it. I am excited for them and their adventure, but I also remember how walking in the woods in the cold and rain sucked big time and I'm glad I'm not out there, except when I do. I think the trail will always be a little bit of a love/hate relationship with me. I would love to go back and section hike more at some point, but I don't think I'm there yet.

Mom and Damie came last weekend for a short visit. Their friends were driving about 40 minutes short of where I am so they tagged along and I drove out to meet them. They had a ball with Elba. It was a very nice and relaxing weekend.

The weather has been nice in the evening the past two days and I've taken Elba out for a walk after dinner both days. He really enjoys it. He sits in the stroller and goes between laid back chillin' and then he will grip the tray in front and sit forward, kicking his legs out of excitement when he is interested in something special.

I'm becoming more motivated and have more energy with the arrival of spring. I think seasonal feelings are very real and intense...I'm wondering if maybe that is another reason Michigan is sucking the life out of me! :) We get so little sunshine and beautiful days. I notice a real difference when the weather perks up; so do I!

Elba is still just pulling up, but much more steadily and with some grace now. He is getting the hang of things. I can't believe how big he is...the time has really flown. I remember laying on the couch with my little peanut in the nook of my arm.

Okay, time to get out of here to work.