Adjustments

Hello from the virtual quarantine that is maternity leave! My days are made up of feedings, wearing Joni while she naps, and trying (mostly successfully) to keep up with the laundry. I did manage to write an entire chapter of my fanfic, which is now just one or two chapters from its conclusion. But mostly? It's been a lot of this:

Joni gulped down her first bottle! Victory! It's the beginning of a new chapter for us all:

Joni's second bottle was not received quite as well as her first; wish us luck as we attempt a third! Still, she gulped down the first half:

Adele has taken to reading to Joni every chance she gets! It's very sweet.

Miles is still very skilled at holding and comforting her; he's very patient with her, despite her having woken him up several times last night while she struggled with her tummy troubles.

Joni's first proper bath was not photographed, because it was a cryfest. But her second bath, and every bath since, have been a different story.

She is calm as long as that good old washcloth stays in place. Good thing Miles taught us this trick back in 2009!

She's uncurling and stretching out even as she grows! 

There is a my-butt shaped indentation on this part of the couch. I live here, and she lives in the stretchy wrap, and this is our life. It's really not such a bad one!

Joni and the cat have had a few territory battles:

Her relationship with the dog, however, remains untroubled, if a bit one-sided in the affection department:

We're still doing storytime every night, to all of our relief! If I occasionally have to read while standing and holding a mildly fussy tiny listener, then I do. We can roll with that. 

All is well at home. All is not well abroad, however. and even under the partial quarantine that is maternity leave. Coronavirus is wreaking havoc on the world around us, and it is impacting us already. RIT and Geneseo have switched to all online classes, and many social events, parties, concerts, church events, community events etc are cancelling all around us, disappointing us all. We are worried and anxious like everyone else. This is a time, even more than most Rochester Marches, which requires a great deal of spiritual fortitude. Perhaps optimism and hope is our radical Lenten discipline these year.

More updates about how we're coping to follow.