while on my third cup of coffee

"The breezes taste

Of apple peel.

The air is full

Of smells to feel-

Ripe fruit, old footballs,

Burning brush,

New books, erasers,

Chalk, and such.

The bee, his hive,

Well-honeyed hum,

And Mother cuts

Chrysanthemums.

Like plates washed clean

With suds, the days

Are polished with

A morning haze."

-   John Updike, September

still shots are tough for a 2 month old...

sister has a similar photo at 3 months in this onesie

mama, why do you focus on the toys in the background?

mama, on a Friday afternoon after a week of work, and travel, and family, and new iphone, and  blessing.

bubbles, baby rolls, and a sad, jagged old pedicure

the arcade fire t-shirt fits again

morning outdoor apparatus:

doll-baby.

thanks for today off the top of my head:

to LC and mom, for watching my babies this week

and through whose generosity and care

I think we came home more rested than before.

for the night at K & L's church, for perspective and getting to just be there

for work that isn't too much right now

for travel that was pretty okay

for the ipad and dora the explorer

for good people to work with

for changing seasons

for a clean house

for the urge to simplify

for a baby who sleeps and laughs

for a 2 year old who started calling us by our names this week

for the One who starts to pull and beckon 

just as you fear your flame's gone out.

and for the Jesus I tell my babies about.  I still believe.

-m.y.