Dear family,

I’m sorry that you hear a lot more noodling on the piano these days. I am suddenly driven to learn the whole Well Tempered Clavier (book 1 at least), and Debussy’s Children’s Corner Suite, and his first book of preludes. I know that can be trying, especially with our out of tune piano, or you might be trying to work or sleep.

I can’t help it. I practice piano when I’m waiting.

Curtis, I know you are sick of watching me crochet baby hats. You even asked me if I really had to knit something else. Like wasn’t I done yet?

I can’t help it. I have to do something with my hands. And I still have yarn for that hospital hat project.

Even as I type this, my hand is throbbing from having finished the 20th hat (to donate to the hospital) today.

I know you all get sick of me monopolizing the DS. But Brain Games are a good way to occupy my mind. To keep my mind off the fact that I haven’t had this baby yet.

Imani and Joy, I know you’re sick of doing math every day. We have to do it before baby. And again, it takes my mind off the waiting game.

Yanni and Xay, I know you’re tired of all the esoteric cleaning requests. I have an idea of how I want the house, and I can’t do it by myself. I am grateful that you two are so capable. The house looks much better than it usually does. If I could get you to clean more, I would. I would probably join you too, if I weren’t so scattered.

There is so much to get done, and yet all I want to do is lay down and have a baby.

And I fear we won’t see her until after Xay’s birthday. . .