The January thaw arrived, bringing with it a fresh breeze and some watery sunshine, and I spent a good portion of the baby's naptime laid out on the floor near the open window, breathing deep lungfuls of clean air and listening to faint splashes as the last snow melted and ran down from the roof.

Mooch has managed to catch her first cold of the year, and though she's been really good, all things considered, it's difficult to get through the day when your nose is constantly running and you feel generally miserable. After she finished her supper she told me that she was sleepy, and at seven o'clock she's tucked up under her thick plushy blankets, Mr. Bear under one arm and her puppy under the other, fast asleep. This is the first time in weeks I've been able to get her to bed this early, and it was at her suggestion. Poor kiddo. We were supposed to run up to Edinboro tomorrow, but that may depend on how she's doing in the morning.