CubCub arrived on a Monday morning in July.
And just like that, through all the noise of the busy world around us, the headlines about the election and the Olympics, the arrival of our little one brought us this: Clarity.
Why? Because it’s not like we know what the heck we’re doing.
Nope. Just the opposite. The past and the future has fallen away a little. CubCub lives only in the present. And so we are joining them in the here and now. With clarity.
It’s clear now that nothing else really matters. It’s clear that our hierarchy of priorities needs a big rejigging. It’s clear (again) that our friends and our family are both our buoys and our anchors. We’ve been granted a direct line to the rawest of emotions. And we have none other than our little one to thank for—what I’m calling—this flush of supreme love.
The whole family is healthy and happy. Happy Summer, all.
We’ll be back in the studio August 12th.
Until then, parental leave presides! It’s called “leave” but I haven’t felt more present. The days are now split up into three-hour morsels. Time has slowed down. My mom is staying with us through a month-long cocooning period: a Chinese tradition of pampering the mother and newborn with acts of service for thirty days.
Mom’s been restoring my vitality with traditional sweet vinegar dishes, hot ginger teas, and snow mushroom ‘dessert’ soup (shown below with goji berries).
Latest Food Obsessions - Ben
Clafouti(s) inspired by watching A24’s “First Cow”. The recipe is courtesy of Julia Child. Our version is a fresh blueberry-forward treat that’s like a cross between a flan and a Dutch baby. Best served warm to hungry bears over breakfast and in between (sacred) naps.
This Roasted Fennel and Sausage Recipe from Six Seasons.
Sourdough long loaf with polenta and lemon zest. The polenta gives an incredible custardy texture to the loaf, as mentioned in Tartine Bread.
Garden zucchini in everything! Zucchini stir fries, zucchini fried rice, zucchini walnut bread, zucchini lasagne! Look under your seats!
“Between Time” Photo Roll - Ben
When we received a visit from fellow parents Julia and Eric of Cereal Box Studio a week before Chloe’s arrival, they had mentioned that these early weeks of being new parents have moments of feeling like vacation. Between the feedings, sleeps, snuggles, quandaries and chores… gaps of between time started to emerge. What really strikes me is that we actually have a positive level of energy to do something when they emerge. Photos and captions below.
On My Nightstand — Diana
Bringing up BéBé
Best sci-fi I’ve read in a couple of years
Meds for a UTI (post-partum can be no joke!)
The Fourth Trimester
Prenatal gummy vitamins because I’m an adult
Kindred Bravely nursing bras
My five year diary
Final Scene
Velcro swaddles and drawstring shorts,
Diana & Ben (and CubCub!)
CONGRATULATIONS AND GREAT JOB!
❤️❤️❤️