Motion.

Where did the rest of 2010 go?

I could have sworn it was right there. And then it was just...gone! The last thing I remember was crossing the Finish Line of the Battleship Half-Marathon with Starnes in early November. Well, that and the Mellow Mushroom pizza and the celebratory Dogfish Head Punkin' Ale that night.

And then the V. sport health training camp in the mountains a few weekends later. And coming home and taking a positive pregnancy test. (Wait, WHAT?! Beautiful). And going home to Virginia for Thanksgiving. Before heading to New York City in a daze of decimated appetite and fatigue.

And then celebrating Christmas with family in North Carolina and Virginia...with more than a foot of snow on the ground! And then ringing in the New Year by walking the Running of the Lights at Tanglewood at midnight with our buddies.

And just like that?! It was 2011.

Fortunately, Erich has kept me balanced in terms of resting (a.k.a. hibernating) and moving throughout the winter. We've tried to go for walks every other night when possible, even at times bundled in North Face from head to toe. And we'd signed up for the Hot Chocolate 10K in Asheville long before we knew I'd be running for two. So I was pleased to be able to run (with plenty of walking) right past the Finish Line and into the Early Girl Eatery for brunch!

To be sure, the winter has been cold and dark. It's tough going to work when it's dark, coming home when it's dark, and still staying motivated to move. Anywhere. Even from one side of the couch to the other. But it's true what they say - the second trimester is quite different from the first. Other than a bout with a wicked upper respiratory infection, my energy is on the upswing. And just in time for the sun to come out!

It's a lot more fun to move around outside when the temperature is above the 20's (Fahrenheit). And I find myself even contemplating a 5K or two. And maybe even fantasizing about a 10K in the fall. Hard to imagine not just one but two Grants waiting for me at the Finish Line. But doesn't that sound like something worth getting into motion for...

And speaking of moving, that's just what the littlest Grant decided to work on this past weekend. Not just moving around, which it's been doing for weeks now...but moving so that we can feel it. From the outside world. Absolutely surreal!

So Erich is training full-force for the Battenkill. And I'm quickly moving out of hibernation mode back into the real (much faster-moving) world. And the tiniest Grant is...well, just completely on the move!

The moral of the story? Rest is wonderful. Priceless. Essential. (And something to be treasured dearly, from what everyone tells us)!

But motion is a beautiful thing, too...