Spring!

At the end of March, we headed out to California for 10 days of fieldwork and catching up with friends and family (who came down from Oregon). Once again, we were all sick, bringing Caden’s tally for the winter season up to 6 stomach bugs, 2 fevers (4th/5th/6th diseases? - these were how it started in October), 2 pink eye infections, pneumonia, 2 bouts of ear infections, and a chronic cold. When I threw my hands up at the doctor’s office this last week (she diagnosed Caden with more ear infections), she was completely unconcerned. Apparently, kids his age who go to daycare are expected to be sick 10 times a year. From checking blogs of our friends who have kids his age, it seems we are not alone. I still say, this is insane. Enough!!

Catching up on my thesis work, with Matt's help

Fortunately, we did enjoy a couple sunny and healthy days in CA (Easter being one of them), and we were excited to get news that a friend (a researcher at the lab there) is expecting a baby in September! I knew I’d packed my knitting needles and some baby yarn for a reason, so I made up these booties.

When we got back to Massachusetts last Tuesday, we found the first real sign of spring here in the northeast – a crocus blooming at the bottom of our front steps (look close!). We planted a few bulbs when we moved in last fall. We are looking forward to daffodils pretty soon.

I’m going to try to start adding more little posts, instead of saving up ideas for big ones (like I have been), then only finding the time for those once a month! For future posts, things on my mind are: healthy and green living: lunch containers (plastic? Metal?), natural and organic home and health products, where to get carbon credits, how to support renewable energy, and why are some calico fabrics now labeled as health hazards (CA prop 65)? If you’re wondering about some of the same things, stay tuned! I’ll sprinkle some of my thoughts and findings in future blog posts.

Happy spring, and here’s to the healthier season of the year!