Studies have shown that the development of a baby’s mind is aided by listening to Mozart or Bach in utero.

I figure, if that’s true, then Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Chopin will aid in emotional development, right? Of course right!

And so we do a little of both: Itzhak Perlman covers the Bach violin concertos, and I dust off my Romantic repertoire. (Poor little guy — his patience is probably seeing more development than anything else!)

It’s now 1:00.

The absolute end of the morning.

Unfortunately for me, “morning sickness” is a misnomer, and 1:00 is not the magical hour of health.

Hey, I’m getting a lot of reading done!

Now wait just a minute…

When it’s time for boys to fall asleep, they say goodnight, perhaps give a kiss, and then rollover–’cause that’s what you’re supposed to do; that’s why they call it sleep. But girls? No. Girls want to wait ’till you’re just about dozed off, then without warning, declare that you have nice thumbs!

Nice thumbs? Huh. Apparently girls talk about guys thumbs a lot.

Girl apartments, at 10:00, are lit by selective lamplight or just candles, serenaded by favorite Baroque cello, and warmed by afghans, tea, and favorite books.

Boy apartments, at 10:00, have just started to come alive with every light on, POD blasting (or whatever adrenaline-crazed music of choice), and warmed by cranked heat so that only a white undershirt and jeans are required.

It makes me smile.

The union of two individuals, creating a unique family unit.

I think about that on days like today when I’m blasting Aaron Copland orchestral works, and suddenly remember that Ryan doesn’t really listen to stuff like this.

But then, if being married means that I have to think Ajax is cool (programmers out there will know what I’m talking about), then I guess he can grow in his appreciation of Michael Tilson Thomas.

:)

“Brothers and father,” he wrote, and my heart fell, heavy.

Somehow that sounded so forlorn, so unsure, so… not right. A family isn’t just girls. A family has a mom.

a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…

Yes, we all quickly learn to identify with that.

Thanks be to God that we can also come to identify with glorious Life through Jesus Christ, and the hope of the Resurrection.

Lord, let my life only continue to be more and more empowered by that hope. One day I will see You–and then all will be satisfied, forever.