The Magic of the Mundane
A reflection on finding the beauty in the most ordinary of days.
An unclurled stretch, the suckling of clentched hands, a soft cry. The baby is cradled to chest and drifts back to sleep, milk dribbling down cheek.
A sip of warm coffee. Bliss.
Bread crumbs fly as bread is cut for toast. Topped with rich butter and paired with fruit and sausage cut up into tiny shapes that fit tiny hands.
A scamper down the hallway trailing the sound of small plastic wheels on wood floors.
Shh shh shh. The baby is back to breast, eyes fluttering, slowly returning to milky dreams.
Arms full, swaying back and forth. Little treasures collected and presented like a secret language of love. A toy car, a puzzle piece, a wooden block, a cheddar bunny.
Toothy grins and gummy smiles. Nursery rhymes fill the air, sprinkled with the sweet notes of laughter.
A basket of laundry, sorted and organized. Turned over, the basket becomes a fort.
Sticky hands reach for crustless sandwiches spread out on a picnic blanket. Fresh-cut grass mingled with herbs and flowers blooming in pots. Scents of summer.
Heads bent over storybooks, getting lost in the land of make-believe and fairytales. Sleepy kisses and stuffed puppy dog cuddles.
A sip of cold coffee. Turn the pot back on.
The baby is back to breast. Delicate fingers grab onto hair. Belly kisses.
“Mama”
Mismatched socks slip into shoes. Shoes scuffle over sidewalk chalk and run up and down pavement. Dappled light caresses skin. A bouquet of dandelions.
The coffee pot turned cold.
A savory smell lingers in the air. Veggies chopped into piles and stolen nibbles. Crayons scattered across the table. The baby is back to breast. The kitchen is for nourishment.
Splash. Sudsy water spills onto the floor. Wet curls coil. Shivers wrapped up in a dinosaur-printed towel.
Footed pajamas tucked into a soft mountain of blanket. Huddled together, melting into bedtime poetry. Somewhere, a cow jumped over the moon. A goodnight kiss.
A quick tidy, erasing the signs of magic.
The baby is back to breast, eyes glazed over in a milky haze. Body nuzzeled into body. A perfect fit.
“How was today?”
Just an ordinary day.
Whispers of Delight
The summer farmer’s market is in full force. Our Saturdays are filled with fresh produce and walking around holding overpriced, but very delicious, coffee. Last weekend, we picked up some flowers that my toddler helped me repot. He calls them “pretty flowers,” and I couldn’t agree more.
White chocolate limoncello almonds: the best late night sweet treat while breastfeeding.
I have been devouring books left and right since getting my Kindle. I have been craving consumption rather than creation lately, and these reads have hit the spot. I just finished The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, and am almost finished with Woman of Light. Up next is Winter Garden, and whatever book we choose for my book club!
Postpartum Book Club
I created a book club! Here we can escape into a dreamy story together, discussing our thoughts and musings, and connecting one postpartum mom to another.
Postpartum Book Club is a private publication, but the link to sign up remains open in the post below!
Oh what a beautiful ending, Ashton. Just an ordinary day... But filled with so much magic (amongst the mundanity, of course, which makes it all the more surreal)
This was so tender! Also impressed your laundry is folded and organized (my laundry is always Mt Everest BUT I am a fiend for the vacuum) 🩵