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Pony: There is nothing like this
6.7.2007
Down with kvetching. Aren't you sick of hearing me whine about I have not slept more than 3 hours in a row in 5 months (and that happened only once because I drank half a bottle of wine and then, unthinkingly, breastfed and I think I got the baby corked on accident. Please don't call children's aid).
And while I am still watching the news, renting movies, discovering new music, meeting people, reading good books (The Yiddish Policemen's Union was a total, brain-tickling joy to read), there is nothing I do more than stare at Gabriel. Everything is eclipsed by this gorgeous baby.
Lately he has been waking for his early shift at 6am. I know he is awake for the day because he does not claw at my breast like a blind mole-rat, rather his bright eyes pop open and he looks right at me and smiles pure sunshine.
I groggily bring him into bed where he grabs his feet, rolling on his back and broadcasting his dolphin song that occasionally dips into Mongolian throat singing. Then he notices his dad, thrusts his whole body to the side, and taps him, ever so politely on the arm or back, and does a fake cough. As soon as Kiff opens his eyes, another smile. Pure sunshine. And no matter how tired he is, Kiff takes him downstairs for a couple of hours while I get some deeper sleep.
Sometimes Gabriel and I go to the pool where he gets very serious and introspective.
Other times we go for a walk in the stroller while he cuddles his stuffed giraffe and falls asleep.
Today we put him in the jolly jumper and he did a hilarious Michael Flately: Lord of the Dance routine.
Often, he will watch intently as I do something like make toast, and when I catch his eye, he gives me a twinkly, conspiratorial smile. Helen W. used to joke about how tedious kids can be - how when they finally do talk, they say things like, "Mommy, my coat has seven buttons." But with wise-seeming babies, it's hard to believe they are not forming profound, compassionate thoughts.
Every day we have music time, when I play something he likes on the stereo and we play on the bed. So far Kiff and I have isolated Mozart, Jim Noir, Serge Gainsbourg, Coco Rosie, Studio One reggae, Gruff Rhys, Toumani Diabete and Bach Cello Suites as his favourites.
The other day I put on his favourite Mozart mix and we lay on the bed together and listened to a magic flute duet. He turned and looked out the window and was captivated by the sunshine coming through the leaves. He got the same dreamy-zoney look on his face that I have always been teased for having. I curled up beside him and he held onto my finger and we stared out the window for ages. Then he remembered I was there and turned around and smiled at me and touched my face.
There is nothing like this in the world.
