Happiness is...

There's always something to blog about when the title reads Happiness is... In no particular order:

Happiness is the view from my new double jogger. Feels so good to finally be able to dust off the running shoes and work up a good sweat again. I've so missed it. Oia weighs somewhere in the ballpark of 35 lbs, and Esme is close to 20. Lord knows how much the jogger weighs but no matter how you slice it, the workout is a good one. And I love it. Despite my efforts to trudge along as fast as I possibly can, my sweet Oia says Run, Mommy, ruuuun! She's brutal I tell ya, and quite possibly the best personal trainer I've ever had.

And speaking of the view from my double jogger ~ Happiness is simply saying "my girls". Plural. Two. I have TWO girls. Holy cow, when did that happen? Eight months later and I'm still trying to soak it all in. Rob and I are so fortunate. We have a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, petite Daddy's girl and a red-haired, brown-eyed, nubby Momma's girl. Both seem so different from one another yet they absolutely adore each other. Esme only laughs for Oia. And Oia is still introducing Esme to those who already met her 8 months ago. Despite what any medical textbook says about either, they are so undoubtedly perfect. And perfect for us. Already two peas in a pod. I think I'm in trouble.

And lastly, happiness is witnessing Oia tackle and master new terrain. Actually, happiness is an understatement on that one. Take this tiny hill:

It's the hill on our side yard. Perhaps our front steps give the slope some perspective. It's fairly small yet relatively steep. Perfect for pint-sized ones to sled down. It's nothing too extreme for most yet it's always been too dangerous for Oia to navigate on foot independently. Oia has been a walker now for a little over 2 years but never has she been able to navigate this slope. Always an instant tumble and for a girl with delayed protective reflexes, a dangerous one. But last week, she decided to give the hill another try, her first try since last Fall. I was hesitant but forced myself a step back. Success. She made it to the bottom, with control, then giggled and turned around to head back up and do it again. Her face was smothered in sheer pride. After some obnoxious cheering, I ran inside to grab my phone for this quick video...



Happiness indeed!