bathtime, round one, nine months

Beatrice has graduated to the big tub - with my ample feet as supports.

The first semester at St. John's has ended. Winter break has begun! I always have Mondays off, during which I tend to squeeze in some much-needed cooking and/or cleaning, but this Monday felt different. A true domestic settling in, a rooting down for the holiday season and the many open days ahead to spend with my family.

The sewing machine is out. Our old friend Thomas is helping us deal with the many half-finished house projects that have been collecting dust since the summer. I made simple lentils and brown rice, roasted brussels sprouts and multi-colored carrots (baby loves them! oh the pleasures of a pre-picky eater!!), and a big balsamicky salad for dinner. It was the sort of meal that makes me so happy, so just-like-myself. When the days are short, something about lentils and warm winter veggies satisfies completely. (Lest you think I am sort some of dietary purist, this afternoon I consumed large quantities of chocolate accompanied by espresso tempered with - I kid you not - a generous glug of eggnog. I confess, I drink two cups of the stuff every morning, and will until the season is past and I have to wait til next Thanksgiving for eggnog to reappear on the shelves. Talk about impure! It's fantastic.)

The point is I have the energy and time to notice again, to relish, to direct some creative momentum towards the nest and my dear little birdies. They do drive me insane, but just now I feel glad we have enough time together to go a little nuts.

And there is Beatrice. Bea, Bee bee, Little B, Baby Bea. After her bath, I wrapped her up, rubbed my nose in her big warm belly, put her in pajamas, nursed her, and snuggled her up in her crib. While I was doing this Mike ran the bath for Gabriel, who waited for me to wash his hair, and his beautiful long body and smile - still so unself-conscious - were meltingly sweet when I opened the bathroom door.

Frances read Lord of the Rings with Mike, and after I did Gabriel's routine she came and climbed into my lap.

Let's talk about what's on our minds, Mama. For five minutes, before I have to go to bed.

So we did. And now they are all sleeping. I still have to make lunches and fold laundry and honestly, I don't even mind. Tonight I am grateful, only grateful, for all of it.