Doctor Ely

Last night, I went to the nurse midwife for the first time for the new baby. Ely came with me, charming everyone with her usual vivacious self (which was good, since I felt anything but charming or vivacious.)

When we entered the examination room, she immediately alighted upon the toy chest in the corner, proceeding to remove every toy. Her favorites were by far a four string, wooden guitar made in her size, a stethoscope and a reflex hammer. After showing her the guitar, she checked my ears with the hammer and immediately began to listen to my arm with the stethoscope.

After the nurse found the baby's heartbeat, she emulated her, listening intently with her stethoscope, standing on a little stool by the bed. As soon as it was clear the nurse was done, she hopped onto the bed. "My turn!"

I dutifully listened to her stomach and heart with the stethoscope, and checked her ears with the hammer. Only then would she go.

What a bright and brilliant star she is!

The littlest one will be feisty. It took several minutes to find the heartbeat, during which you could hear the little leg kicks and arm swipes as the baby tried to fight off the stethoscope.

Am I in for trouble?

Innate Compassion

Yesterday, I was feeling down. Being sick all the time is increasingly draining on my physical stamina and my emotional outlook. By the time I retrieved my daughter from her daycare, I was really unhappy. My daughter asked me if I was alright. Wanting to teach her that sometimes it is okay to be sad, I said, "Mommy is just a little sad right now, sweetie. But I'll be okay."

She replied, "Mommy not sad. Mommy cute!"

And, in an instant, my bad mood vanished.