Adjusting

The weather was semi cooperative today (43 F feels balmy when compared to the 30 degree or less temps felt around here lately) so Owen, Ever and I bundled up for a walk.  Owen has inherited my tendency to get a little grumpy when not exposed to the outdoors at regular intervals.  Add teething on top and the result was a pretty explosive morning.  Everyone needed a break.  (Maybe not Ever, she slept through most of it - early avoidance tactic perhaps?)

It was still a little windy as we walked around the trails.  As expected, I had to stop Owen from going down to explore the iced pond several times.   Thankfully the fat, slow squirrels caught his attention long enough to get us over the levee.

Nothing, however, could drag him away when the man turned on the leaf blower to clean out gutters on the nearby houses.  He spent over 15 minutes watching the team intently - following them as they moved from one house to the next.  Lost in the manliness that is power tools.

The last few weeks have been a big adjustment for Owen, one that he's handled very well.  As usual, I think it's been a more difficult balancing act for me than for him.  Whereas he flows easily from change to change - testing the limits of his new boundaries occasionally but generally accepting Ever and her permanency -  I analyze his loss for him and bounce from being grateful that he's gained a friend to contemplating the loss of my undivided attention for him. 

I think parents are good at out-thinking their children.

The blessing of higher sight allows us to see more than their limited 'what-I-need-right-now' perspectives.   I need to remind myself of this often.  Owen is happy watching leaf blowers (and the men who wield them) for hours.  He is happy that I can read him 'The Foot Book' 20 times while nursing Ever.  He lives in the moment, with absolutely no thought for why things are different than yesterday.  

And that's a good thing.  

In those moments when I'm overwhelmed by my love for Owen and overly protective of his little heart I remind myself of this.  And I remind myself of how well he is adjusting to our new life structure - an answer to many prayers.   

A hug or kiss and car race later and he's reassured me that I'll be fine.