The moon gave us a winter white night. Long shadows, blue snow.
I know all this because I have developed sympathy new-parent-sleeping-habits. Two hours into the cycle I am wide awake, thinking baby thoughts. There are no baby noises at the farmhouse, but I imagine what they must be like and I lie there listening.
I'm sure the new parents are exhausted. And I'm exhausted for them!
We are entering a two day period of intense cold. A wind is buffeting the already freezing air and we have warnings popping up everywhere telling us to stay inside.
I go to the barn to visit with the cheepers. They huddle, but they find a sunny spot and try to take in some of the sun's warmth.
As I throw them bits of bread, I notice Butter is off to the side, staring at the tractor-mower. Ah! There is a barn mouse right by the little wheel... see it?
Butter glares at the mouse. The little critter is feeling brave, wanting to join the feeding party. No way! Butter pounces at it. The mouse barely gets away.
We have a mouser-cheeper!
I leave the brood to their devices and head over to the hospital.
Day two of little Snowdrop's life.
How she has changed already!
Her parents as well. I sit back and admire the scene. It's as if they've been doing this stuff for years!
Time with little Snowdrop is precious. Very precious. A parent is overwhelmed with responsibilities. A grandparent sees only the beauty of every move, every yawn, burp, scrunched face.
It's dark when I pull into the long farmette drive. The cheepers are locked in their coop, Isis is eating cheese and crackers with Ed, both waiting to see what supper ideas I had for them.
We pick up our evening routines. I cook supper, we watch some documentaries.
Someday, snowdrop will quiet down in the evenings. Someday. Probably not today. Not just yet.
I know all this because I have developed sympathy new-parent-sleeping-habits. Two hours into the cycle I am wide awake, thinking baby thoughts. There are no baby noises at the farmhouse, but I imagine what they must be like and I lie there listening.
I'm sure the new parents are exhausted. And I'm exhausted for them!
We are entering a two day period of intense cold. A wind is buffeting the already freezing air and we have warnings popping up everywhere telling us to stay inside.
I go to the barn to visit with the cheepers. They huddle, but they find a sunny spot and try to take in some of the sun's warmth.
As I throw them bits of bread, I notice Butter is off to the side, staring at the tractor-mower. Ah! There is a barn mouse right by the little wheel... see it?
Butter glares at the mouse. The little critter is feeling brave, wanting to join the feeding party. No way! Butter pounces at it. The mouse barely gets away.
We have a mouser-cheeper!
I leave the brood to their devices and head over to the hospital.
Day two of little Snowdrop's life.
How she has changed already!
Her parents as well. I sit back and admire the scene. It's as if they've been doing this stuff for years!
Time with little Snowdrop is precious. Very precious. A parent is overwhelmed with responsibilities. A grandparent sees only the beauty of every move, every yawn, burp, scrunched face.
It's dark when I pull into the long farmette drive. The cheepers are locked in their coop, Isis is eating cheese and crackers with Ed, both waiting to see what supper ideas I had for them.
We pick up our evening routines. I cook supper, we watch some documentaries.
Someday, snowdrop will quiet down in the evenings. Someday. Probably not today. Not just yet.
Precious moments, thoughtful words, exquisite photos, full of new love.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet from our perspective too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBaby is a very alert little one! what a sweet sweet face!!
ReplyDeleteOn the second day of Cadence's life, she was zonked from her big job of being born. Not so awake as your little babe. Mary would rouse her to nurse every two hours and get that good colostrum. By now she loves to nurse, like all, all evening. :)
I enjoy reading and living this along with you. I feel your joy! I see they practice lots of good skin to skin contact. I don't know if I did with mine? it was winter, I bundled them up. Cadence likes her limbs free. They are keeping the house warm so she can wear just her bopper. Of course she's held almost all the time! there is NO such thing as "spoiling" an infant.
Yes, you could hold her and watch her face all day long. i like the joyful expressive face she's seeing from her Nana. She'll know you, soon.
After the early days with our new grandchild, I had a restless sleep too, with images of her popping up all night. Pleasant though!
But these white nights.. they disturb me. Maybe I can mindtalk my way into seeing them as something magical. :)
It's all good, as the kids used to say.
Snowdrop's zonked post delivery phase lasted six hours. Right now, she is just hell bent on getting everyone to pay attention to her needs. All night long. I truly think the young parents have not had a decent hour of sleep since before labor. I keep telling them that the little one isn't wailing out of sadness. She's just trying to participate in life's conversation.
Deletei like that!
DeleteLove your Snowdrop pictures! We're figuring she'll settle in soon :^)
ReplyDeleteShe looks so much more alert today! A beautiful perspective, as always, Nina.
ReplyDeletePrecious. What more can be said! Precious. xo
ReplyDeleteCongratulations !!
ReplyDeleteDomestic Bliss in Wisconsin! Lovely photos and beautiful first memories being stored up. She is a lucky little girl, surrounded by so much love.
ReplyDeleteOh Nina...She is perfectly beautiful and so obviously loved. Your post is so sweet as you gently present her to your friends here on Ocean. Heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved.
ReplyDeleteAgain, many thanks! It's so good to hear from all of you, here in the comments section!
ReplyDelete