October update

It's been a long couple of weeks around here. We've temporarily relocated three times in the past two weeks (with one more final move to come next Tuesday), including for a stint of four back-to-back twelve hour shifts for me back in Reston, and that has started to take its toll on all of us--especially Eden. The past few days, she's gone from her usual happy-go-lucky self to a screaming bundle of frustration who has no tolerance for-- well, anything. We were about at the breaking point yesterday, and then suddenly today, she was back to her smiling, giggling self. The only thing I can think of to explain it is that in our desperation, we committed to getting back on track with very regular nap and bedtimes and also more primal eating (the throes of morning sickness sent me fleeing into the arms of carbohydrates, which is about all I felt like I could get down at times). Maybe it's just coincidence, but since she's already doing much better, we aren't going to argue!

Also taking its toll are things like living in an extremely small space together (though we just upgraded to a 2-bedroom cabin, which we're thrilled about--no more litterbox next to the dining room table, or peeing in a cup or frying pan rather than barge through the bedroom into the bathroom and wake the sleeping baby), having few of our belongings, my extremely erratic schedule and sometimes long hours, my fairly constant nausea/vomiting/exhaustion, and the fixedness of our budget, which means few treats or indulgences with which to blow off steam. On the other hand, I told Matt I feel a little like the Israelites complaining about always having to eat manna--back when we were praying hard for a good clinical site and an affordable place to live, we had no idea how closely our prayers would be answered. (He did point out that we're paying for our experience, rather than having it fall from the sky.) Still, it has its uncomfortable moments.

But, on the whole, we're having a pretty good time. Upgrading to a 2-bedroom has already made our living situation seem much less stressful. Eden being in a better mood today has put us in a better mood, too. And fall is coming to Lancaster County, which means cooler weather and gorgeous scenery. As you can see from the pictures below, we're managing to squeeze in some fun of various kinds.

Still, I know we're all anxious for the time when our lives will be a little more stable. When exactly that will be is another issue, since once I'm done here there are still the issues of moving back to the midwest (to yet another temporary living situation), welcoming another baby, starting up a small business, and figuring out countless other things about a brand-new life back in the midwest. However, we're thankful that we'll have lots of helping hands nearby while we feel our way and figure it out.