Second Trimester

So, here I am.  The second trimester.  It's actually been second trimester for quite some time, but somehow I never "feel" second trimester until awhile into it.  So, what does it mean to feel second trimester?  Well, I no long have the overwhelming desire to lose my lunch when I have to wash diapers.  I've cut down to one daily snack, most days, instead of 3 or 4.  And I actually have energy and motivation to do things.   Of course, the fact that we're envisioning moving helps in the motivation department.  Suddenly, I find myself daydreaming about where we're going to put different pieces of furniture, about how I'm going to arrange the picture frames on the wall.  This is extremely annoying to Thomas.  He just wants to get that paperwork DONE, and then we'll worry about where to put the couch.  The reality of having to actually move all of our stuff is also a strong motivation factor for having it organized to start with.  Anyway, here are some things I've accomplished in the last couple of weeks:   I sorted through all our markers.  The ones on Alina's table in the kitchen.  The ones in the drawer in the kitchen.  The ones in Alina's room.  All the markers that didn't work satisfactorily went into the garbage.  No mercy.  This included anything without a cap.  Oh, all the caps without markers went, too.  Next, Alina and Tassia were both presented with new sets of markers.  Alina was sternly instructed that the markers are to stay together, with marker and appropriate cap always together.  Today, I made them both zippered marker cases.   Alina's room now sports a new barrette holder.  No more barrettes laying around the house, and no more not being able to find them when I'm doing a little girl's hair.  The hair rubber bands are all in a zippered case nearby.   I cleaned out the cellar.  This is not to say that the cellar is actually clean, but there were a certain number of boxes that had basically never been opened since we moved here from Paris.  They pretty much all made their way to the Red Cross.   And, ta-da, for the last 2 weeks, I have ready my Bible every day and practiced my violin almost every day.  Previously, there was very little of either going on.   Of course, next week, I start teaching again, then there's the move, then there's the baby...