Feeling Springtime

one year into the pandemic, so much has changed. my life is almost unrecognizable from a year ago. i never imagined i’d be a stay at home mom. i am really enjoying this slower pace of life and i’m starting to get used to it, but I also just took on a small gig and am working for the first time in 6 months. the pandemic has happened in phases - the initial shock and depression, then settling in and enjoying some of the new normal things, then apocalypse prepping and total burnout - and now this (hopefully) final phase feels actually hopeful. we survived covid winter. as the weather starts to get warmer and turn to spring, it feels like i’ve come through into something new. my family and friends are getting vaccinated, and i just made an appointment for my first shot next week. i have childcare and systems and routines that feel good. i get to see my brother and sister-in-law almost every weekend, and riley has people in his life who he gets to see regularly and have relationships with. i have plans for the next few months that i feel confident will actually happen, and more will become possible. 

i’ve also managed to accomplish a lot of things i’ve accomplished in the last year:

i’m a better mom than i was a year ago, and i know which parts of parenting i’m good at and have accepted the parts i struggle with

i’ve proactively worked on my mental health and found a therapist i like

my house is clean and organized, and i don’t totally hate cleaning any more

i read 13 books!

and mostly i cooked a lot-

i’ve kept a sourdough starter alive for a whole year and can consistently make a good loaf of sourdough bread

i make really good homemade pizza

i’ve perfected my chocolate chip cookie recipe

i’ve made pasta, croissants, and danishes

the only thing left on my baking bucket list is bagels