It feels like May just began, and somehow it’s basically over. Time just seems to pass more quickly every year.

Spring weather is slowly creeping into summer weather here: we’ve officially had our first few 90 degree days. My tomato plants are enjoying it, even if I’m not. I’m sad to have my knits packed away until October.

However, I’m relishing the mild mornings: I’ve been waking around 5:00-5:30 am with Beatrice, who seems to be a morning person. So I often get up, open up the windows to let the breeze in, and start a pot of coffee. It’s given me some quiet time in the mornings, often with baby snuggles and a good book or knitting project. I’m grateful.

I’ve come to really appreciate our armchairs perched in front of the window. They’re the perfect place to sit and read and knit. They’ve become the focal point of the living room.

Michael and I have been sitting here and reading together. I read him his very first chapter book: My Father’s Dragon. He loved it and was very concerned about the baby dragon. We are now reading the second of the series, Elmer and the Dragon.

Earlier in the month, my parents went on a camping trip and on a whim, took Michael with them. We stayed behind to take care of the animals and gardens, and enjoyed the photos they sent whenever they had cell service.

To say he had fun would be a gross understatement. He went on many adventures with Grandma and Grandpa and loved making pancakes, playing in the dirt, and seeing the big trees.

Michael is growing in leaps and bounds. His new obsession is the Disney animated Robin Hood. He has added singing “Oo-de-lally!” to his song repertoire. He loves to sing: usually a mashup of Old MacDonald, Alleluia, and Row Row Row Your Boat. He loves to talk and has some adorable toddler-isms. My current favorites:

“Buckle me out!” — the opposite of “buckle me in”, said vehemently when he wants to get out of the car.

“I’m playing hide and seek with my eyes!” — his version of peekaboo.

“Go frontwards” — the logical opposite of backwards.

“Hold me up!” — instead of “pick me up”.

He is also a very protective and loving big brother. Whenever someone else is holding Bea he gets very concerned and wants to know where she is at all times — sometimes even telling that person to “give her back”.

Beatrice has discovered she can smile, and does so with gummy gusto. She also has found her head and clutches it quite often, which makes for some pretty funny pictures.

We took a trip to Southern California to visit Jake’s parents and celebrate his younger brother graduating from high school. We got to see many dear friends and family members.

Michael was especially excited to spend time with Oma and Opa: together, they watched Robin Hood probably 4 times, and read books and played silly games.

I was able to visit one of my favorite parishes for Vespers and Mass: St Michael’s in Whittier, CA. It was lovely to catch up with friends and pray in the place where I discovered the beauty that is Orthodoxy. This is where I was chrismated. This is where my soul is most at home.

There was something that was particularly meaningful to me: six years ago on Memorial Day, I attended a youth BBQ at St Michael’s and met this cute guy from Michigan. Now here we are on Memorial Day, at the same place where we met, after nearly five years of marriage and two children. To God be the glory.

On Pascha, our little Beatrice turned two months! It’s amazing to see just how much she’s grown.

She’s an adorable chubster with rolls upon rolls, the squishiest cheeks, and the most intense and varied facial expressions. See below!

Like her brother, she is afraid of missing out on things and loves to be held so she can see all that’s happening around her. However, unlike her brother, she is a champion sleeper and even slept through the night a few days ago. I’m grateful!

She got rave reviews at her recent two month pediatrician appointment. She’s 11 lbs 11 oz, and growing excellently in every way.

Michael adores her: he still calls her “Baby Beatrice Margaret Marie” over and over again and wants to help with her in any way he can. When I’m not holding her, he gets very concerned and wants to know where baby sister is. He does get a little territorial when he sees her with Grandpa, however.

When we are at church, we jokingly say that she’s “everyone’s baby”. She is usually either being held by her godfather or one of the several other members of the parish that love baby snuggles. Over Pascha, I think I held her maybe twice outside of nursing her. It’s nice to know she is so loved and well taken care of at church, and it’s nice to have the chance to be at the choir stands too.

Nearly two and a half, Michael is as rambunctious and precious as ever. He’s got some adorable “Michael-isms” right now, with my favorite being “Buckle me out!” when he wants to get out of his car seat (a reasonable opposite of being buckled in).

He loves any sort of vehicle as usual and points out every car or truck he sees whenever we’re driving. My mom recently got him a bunch of different construction and farm equipment toys, including an attenuator. He loves talking about his “attenuator truck that grandma got me!”. It’s hilarious to see a two year old throwing around a five syllable word. Whales are also currently a favorite, because “the whale flies in the sea!”

Age Two definitely comes with its difficulties — my goodness, does he have a will of unyielding steel — but it also comes with its beauty and sweetness. I really love how his curiosity and wonder show me a new way of looking at the world.

We are still recovering from Holy Week and Pascha over here. Things are quiet — well, as quiet as they can be with two children — and peaceful even amidst the busyness. I’m working in our garden, hoping to grow quite a supplement to our grocery bill this summer. I’m knitting up a storm (more on that later).

I’m also preparing for the storm of preserving that summer will bring. It’s already begun: we stopped by our local strawberry stands and bought two full flats: I’m hoping to can up some strawberry balsamic jam this weekend.

Happy Bright Week, dear friends — Christ is risen!