looking back on the long winter

pulling inches and inches snow off the roof

It's March and the official first day of spring is just around the corner, which makes me sooo happy. I've been itching to start up my daily walk around the neighborhood, this time with a baby in tow. But we've still got heaps upon heaps of snow, and if you live anywhere near the Midwest, the weather/cold/snow is all anyone can talk about these days. When will the snow melt? When will the roads finally be clear of ice? When will it be above zero degrees? I've always sort of been of the mindset that if you're going to live in a state like Minnesota, you better be ready and able to handle winter. I try to not use complaining about the weather as small talk or a conversation starter. But if there was ever a winter to talk about, this one would be it. It has been one of the coldest and snowiest that I can remember, and we've broken all sorts of cold and snow records. But it's winters like this that make us hardy. It's winters like this that make us appreciate the fresh air of spring that much more. Yes, it's been long, but being stuck inside with a new baby isn't the worst thing and I will look back on this crazy winter and remember…

rocking my brand new baby to sleep at 2am by the warmth of the fireplace
sleeping in the downstairs guest bedroom for the first month after Jack was born
piling more blankets than any other time
nursing Jack in his cozy nursery and watching the chickadees on the leafless lilac bush
wearing snow boots almost every time I left the house
not leaving the house for 4 or 5 days on several occasions
watching Tim shovel the driveway countless times
taking a walk on the one above-freezing day
falling asleep the moment my head hit the pillow at night
learning to cherish Jack's 4am feeding, when everything is quiet and cozy
finding a new routine
seeing the thermometer dip to -30 degrees actual temperature
learning that the top of Jack's head is oh so kissable