Over the weekend, we hosted Maxwell Sirius's second birthday party—Cars-themed (duh). My boys' birthdays always spark a contemplative pause within me, reflecting on the previous years since their birth. This year's thoughts varied from my typical blanket of perfect joy and abundant gratitude. I will detail specifics during a later post, but this past year has been pretty much hellacious. I’m confident life is on the upswing, and I will embrace the continued increase in peace of mind that I am working towards. When I was pregnant with Max, I experienced some of the most joyous moments in my life. Something magical happened in my group of friends during the summer and fall months of 2015, and I was one among seven women expecting a new baby. A special intimacy exists between pregnant women-- a camraderie of support through the feelings and changes and fears and celebrations. Our tight knit group was full of love, frequent bathroom trips...