Above, some pencils from the upcoming page of Penance.  Mor-me’goth does not look happy.  J.D.’s done with the inks, so it’ll go up when she’s finished with the colors.  Can’t say when.  At the rate we’ve been going since Baby was born, I estimate the next page will be up sometime in 2009.  😉

It’s amazing how much parenthood has changed our lives so far.  Taking care of Baby is more than a full-time job — it’s a career.  There’s so much to do, to learn, to unlearn.  So many questions that — a year ago, hypothetical — must now be answered.  When to introduce solid food?  Tummy or back?  Homeschool or public school?  What to say about Santa?

Hobby time is nearly nonexistent.  Before Baby, I spent my free time writing, drawing, playing music, enjoying video games and movies.  J.D. would also write and draw; she’d create worlds and relationships and clothing and philosophies.  Now, we struggle to get the must-dones done, while our creative ventures and entertainment are moments snatched when duties allow.  Last night J.D. and Kitsune spent three hours cleaning piles and piles of dishes because we had not had time to do them this whole past week.

But.  Lest it sound as though I regret our new addition — let me say that my dear little daughter has transformed not just my circumstances but my heart.   The two paragraphs above fade into insignificance when I look into her eyes, and she looks back at me and squeals with joy.  Nothing else matters.

At a restaurant today, a knowing grandmother smiled at me holding my daughter and asked: “So has she shown you a whole new world of love?  One that you never knew existed inside you?”

“Yes,” I answered.  “Yes, she has.”

“Just wait ’till you have grandchildren,” she said, winking.

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