12/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2017."

Afon:  I don't know if he sees right through you or right into you. Either way, it's unnerving.
Roan:  playing in the park on a warm spring day.

Afon lost his first tooth on the past Tuesday.  At first, he was quite distressed, and I didn't know what was happening.  We were getting him into the bath before school and there was blood coming from his mouth.  When I saw that his tooth was loose, I assured him that it was okay and build up the excitement of getting a big boy tooth.  He seemed to cheer up when he realized what was happening was normal and expected.  It came out later that day and was sent home in a small brown envelope--his first lost baby tooth!

Roan has picked up a few words, such as "water" and "shoes."  The speech therapist says he is delayed, but we are optimistic with his introduction into playgroup via Flying Start after Easter.

11/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2017."

March

A two-week virus, including a double ear infection, swallowed half of March.  But there is something sacramental about getting over an illness in the spring.  Your body and the earth have the same sort of fawnish hesitance.  Spring here is bursting with flowers, daffodils especially.  They have different color faces, like the orange ones pictured above, but I think I prefer the ones of pale yellow.

The light-time grows each day by minutes, but a minute at the end of each period of darkness is a lot. New babies are born and are expected.  Saint Patrick and Saint Joseph invite reprieve from (some) fasting.

Lent is slow, and my attempt at rhythm and fasting challenged by long sickness.  It'll take some doing for me to right myself again.