In praise of girlfriends

Before I forget: here's a special birthday shout-out to my gorgeous red-headed twin sisters, Dorothy and Ruth, who turn 31 today. I love you both (and what would sisterly love be without me dragging out an old photo to commemorate the anniversary of your birth?)

And now, back to our regular programming...

This weekend Jim, Jimmy, Audrey and I made the trek over Snoqualmie Pass for a baby shower hosted by my buddy Lydia. While the boys had lunch and went on a quest for Jimmy's latest holy grail (a Spiderman wastebasket for his bedroom—sadly, not to be found), I got my estrogen fix hanging with some of my favorite girlfriends.

First, let me say that Lydia deserves some serious props for throwing the shower. Saturday morning, with less than four hours before it was supposed to start, she calls me because Roxy, her three-year-old, has been vomiting and she doesn't want to expose us to what ever bug poor Roxy is battling. The multi-tasking, creative super-trooper that she is, Lydia (at 7:45 a.m.) has already come up with an alternate venue for the shower (at Aubrey's, right down the block), and she just wants to make sure I'm okay with the change of plans.

Aubrey, who threw a party the night before, graciously let us take over her place and enjoy the gorgeous decorations (she created the beautiful strings of lights herself!) When I got there shortly after eleven, Lydia, Aubrey and Dyann were busy in the kitchen with all manner of amazingly delicious food. Thanks so much, ladies, for a wonderful party (and to Sundy, for the tasty pear salad).

One of the most amazing things about Audrey's birth is the way my girlfriends have rallied around and supported me—those that live close to me, as well as those far away. They've painted my house, brought our family meals, lightened my mood with cards and phone calls and emails, given us delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, baby sat or taken Jimmy on playdates so that I could rest and go to doctor appointments, visited me at home and in the hospital, thrown parties, showered me and Audrey with adorable and thoughtful gifts, and prayed for us to be well.

I'm always amazed at the strength we women draw from one another, and grateful particularly at this time to benefit from that. Thanks and love to all the women in my life: my mother, sisters, step-mother, mother- and sisters-in-law, and those who have chosen to be family even when they didn't have to—my friends.

Oh geez

Certain things come to you with greater clarity when you're not on painkillers. Like the ability to read the fine print on the little red sticker stuck to the bottle:

Use care when operating a car or dangerous machinery or when trying to compose poetry. May cause drowsiness or excessive schmoopiness.

Yeah. Whoops. Missed that one.

Poetry friday?

It's been a while since I posted any poetry because I've been too busy to really take the time for my poetry to process properly. But if I don't stop now and then... I'll wind up back where I was six months ago with no creative outlet and my juices fermenting in vain. And now that I'm writing again, I find that while I was MIA, my favorite poetry site is phasing out. I did get an email from Rob, one of my friends from Poetry Thursday about a new site, Writer's Island. Thank you, Rob!

Already the days are melting together, and while I know that my Vicodin-enhanced euphoria is partly to blame, it hardly seems possible that Audrey has been with us for a week now.

Looking back at my posts I realize that I haven't said much about her; just a passing mention of her weight and length. Maybe that's because I don't trust myself not to gush. I didn't think it was possible to talk about how much I love being a mother without straying into the realm of schmaltz. But I think motherhood has once again been fertile ground for poetic inspiration, and hopefully this won't be too sappy.


The New Math

You took my heart
the day we met
but you give as
good as you get
and so my love
always returned
equal measure,
interest earned.

Take my heart
divide by two
a piece for him
a piece for you
my love is halved
yet somehow there
is still enough
and more to spare

And now my heart
is split in three
the day she joins
our family
divisible
yet somehow more
my love is greater
than before.

What's not to love?

Audrey's been a bit jaundiced so we're making sure she gets some exposure to filtered sunlight each day. Yesterday we chased a patch of sunshine around the kitchen and when I caught sight of this little moment, I ran to get the camera. I knew when I married him that Jim is a good man, but I'm always amazed at how much tenderness and patience fatherhood brings out in him.

Oh, baby!

Meet Audrey Parker.


We just can't get enough of each other!


Getting ready to go home from the hospital.

Audrey was born on Friday, August 31 at 8:41 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs., 2 oz. and was 19 inches long. She's got lots of dark brown hair and right now her eyes are dark blue. We spent a couple relaxing days in the hospital recouping and getting to know each other.

I checked out earlier this evening and am glad to be back at home. Jim's taking three weeks off from work to stay home with us and I know that will be a big help in Jimmy adjusting to being a big brother.

And now, let the sleep deprivation begin!