Monday, September 11, 2006

Cords & Kin

Owen’s umbilical cord fell off on Wednesday, September 6th. We weren’t sure what to do with it, as it seemed wrong to just throw it away, but creepy to build a shrine in honor of his emancipation from the placenta, so we stuck it in a Ziploc and left it on the coffee table until we figured out an appropriate final resting place for it.

It stayed there for a few days, and Allen kind of forgot about it until I reminded him that his sister was arriving on Saturday afternoon and she might not find residual birth matter sitting out in the living room particularly welcoming. Allen got motivated and planted a flower and the umbilical cord in our front yard in honor of Owen’s birth.

Allen’s sister, Katherine, arrived shortly thereafter and became Owen’s first non-grandparent family member to visit, bringing in tow her solution to the pacifier conundrum: a “Bee” or a modern version of it. Apparently, Katherine took much comfort from age 5 months until 8 years of age in a bunny rabbit with a satin body that she would rub against her cheek. Fisher Price no longer makes these (though vintage ones sell on E-Bay for over $150) but Katherine managed to find a “My First Blankie” lamb which was along the same lines.

Katherine’s visit was especially well timed as it coincided with Allen’s return to work and Owen latest phase of refusing to nap during the day. Aunt Katherine made a perfect resting place for Owen while I sneaked in a shower and breakfast. Unfortunately, Katherine leaves tomorrow morning at which point my showering options will be seriously curtailed.

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