Saturday, September 2, 2017

OMY: 19-31 August (W6&7)

We somehow made it to September, tripping through the first seven weeks of this academic year! Monsoon is still raging, though the ferns are yellowing -- a sign, I hope, of the waning rains. I wasn't super consistent about taking photos this week... too much sleep deprivation.

Wed 23 August
I call this one "Aftermath of Co-sleeping." Chloe's been sleeping poorly for a bit now, so out of necessity I've returned to co-sleeping with her so I can easily feed her in bed and allow Chris to get some good sleep.

Sat 26 August
At least she's cute -- and getting stronger by the day! Chloe often does these Pilates-style lifts during playtime now.

Sun 27 August
Chris and I toasted the end of his last day at Proofreading Pal with some nice gin and tonics. No more Sat/Sun work shifts!

Tue 29 August
This is a tired momma, getting ready for another night of (maybe) sleep. I'm clinging to the "this too shall pass" comment I hear so often.

Wed 30 August
Chloe is getting better at taking milk from a bottle -- finally! What this means for me, though, is more pumping... Not my favorite, but I'm getting into a rhythm.

Thur 31 August
It was a big football week at WS... We had Interhouse competitions in the AMs twice this week, and Goalathon (a charity tourney) this weekend. More to come...

**

Also, here's a poem I've been tinkering with for a few weeks. Not "finished," perhaps, but a fairly firm draft...

Motherhood
Seeing you --
your skin tightly tired,
the slight thumbprint bruises
beneath each eye --

I grasp for words, pull at “diminished,”
“less than.” You seem a scanty echo
of your previous self.  

But this picture misses out:

the tender gaze you offer your daughter
as she stalks that painted alligator across the room,
clumsy, but determined.

your growing smile as she
pounds indiscriminately on your beat-up piano,
making something only she could call “music.”

that thrill of recognition you feel as she
wraps her plastic doll deep in her arms --

whispering “I love you, baby.”

**

Have a beautiful Labor Day weekend, America-friends!
love, mel