My family just took a trip down to Florida to introduce Nux Gallica (now eight months old!) to her paternal grandparents for the first time. It was so affirming and warm and wonderful. We listened to a bunch of great family stories about Gallica's great-great-great-grandparents and beyond and stocked up on love and memories. That, and I got to wear a bikini outside for the first time since I got pregnant. Woo woo! Here I am demonstrating the "Venus de Milo" look.
To get this look in three steps: 1. Chase an active baby around all day to tone up after childbirth. 2. Breastfeed for "nature's boob job." It's temporary, but there are no scars. 3. Don't get any sun, ever. Live in a gloomy, overcast place like Michigan until you have a complexion like a hunk of cold marble.
Ta-da!
Nux Gallica's naps are not NEARLY long enough for me to work on my novel, but even though I'm itching to get back to work, I'm getting a lot out of this fertility sabbatical. I'm experiencing life like only a child can make you do, and I'm finding the time to write little bits (like sporadic blog posts) and do some good reading. My breast pump bag is currently stocked with Isabel Allende, and I've written an entry for the Literary Lab's Variations on a Theme contest! Have you written yours? Do it! See your work in print and try for a cash prize!
I hear a baby waking up! Time to disappear like Houdini... I'll come back for my spotlight one of these days. Let me check my itinerary...
Ahhhhh 8 months already?! That's wild.
ReplyDeleteI love the introducing of the baby to the family; I love what it brings out in people, and the stories you hear. (Okay, and the unsolicited advice.) Miles didn't meet a branch of my husband's family tree until his grandfather died, which sucked -- said grandfather never got to meet him, though at the funeral we found out that he had delightful things to say. Mostly, "I can't believe my son is a grandfather."
Good luck with the naps and the novel! I'm still slogging through the edits of mine. It's shocking how conductive children aren't to the writing process. XD
You look amazing after just having a baby 8 months ago. Wow.
ReplyDeleteAshley, it's crazy how fast babies grow up! Everyone says it, but it's worth repeating. Today, we are also going to introduce Nux Gallica to many of her relatives for the first time--at the funeral of her dad's cousin. It's a sad time, but this branch of the family probably wouldn't have gotten together for any other reason. I know how that goes.
ReplyDeleteDark Mother, thanks! I feel very fortunate to have a healthy baby and a healthy self after childbirth. I'm trying to keep it up.
Wow! My goddaughter (#3) just had her first birthday, my other goddaughter (#2) will be two on tuesday, and I cannot believe that much time has passed already.
ReplyDeleteTime flies!
What a really cool blog!
ReplyDeleteSandy
Excellent!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post baby body;kudos to you:)
ReplyDeleteTessa, wow! You must be a super in-demand godmother.
ReplyDeleteHello, Sandy and Lion!
Thanks, Toyin.