#rivervale_lodge

Kerri absolutely fixes new mama anything she feels the desire to eat.

And gives her the new mama lessons when it comes to matters of diapering, bathing...and yes, your belly is still going to look like that for a while.

Dagmar helps, and hovers, but rarely ventures super close.

The last has Tove sighing "I feel so vain right now... " She confesses as bathes the baby under Kerri's guiding eye

Healing magics helped her recover in one day faster than most new mothers do in a week..but yes, the belly is the belly

"We all have these impossible expectations of going right back to what we were. Body's changed forever, but it doesn't need to be awful, and we'll work on that. I could use some exercise, too, and Dagmar gets to tend to CJ while we're doing crunches."

"Crunches it is... is it wrong I could still eat a cow? Is that just me? "

And a whisper "I kind of told Dagmar i wouldn't abuse her as a baby sitter."

"Oh, no...honey, hate to put it this way, but you're the milk producer now. You're going to need some extra calories still for Mr. Hungry over here. But not too many. We'll get it balanced."

Tove gives a groan, "They didn't tell me there'd be math" Humor

A whisper back, "I know, but I think she's actually fascinated by him and wouldn't mind some time with him while he's still only minorly annoying."

Finishing bathing the baby and putting him in little green jammies, Tove says "Dagmar? I'm going to need to work out and get back in shape, will you mind holding onto CJ or at least tending to him while the Hearth and I hit exercise sessions?"

"I.. uh.. sure?"

CJ's googly eyes eyes look around as he gets used to the feel of this clothing stuff. Fortunately it's comfortable. And unlike baby Siv he doesnt' seem a die hard nudist

"Thanks, Dagmar," Tove beams "I appreciate it. " And to Kerri, "Kerri, Thanks for offering to exercise with me. I hate doing that stuff alone"

"It's a good idea to read to him a bit, Dagmar. Get the language patterns in his ears. Even show him things, anything he can focus on helps build the eye alignment."

Tove looks at her son "His eyes are fine right? Dad says they are, but dad is..well, biased"

"Oh, Tove, I get it. And actually, it's probably only a matter of time before Sylvi tried to turn drill sergeant on both of us."

"Um." She nods and shuffles her feet.

"Look fine to me, but those muscles can get lazy, too."

regarding the baby's eyes.

Tove laughs "I think Sylvi has been turned off mother hood or at least natural childbirth"

"And thank you for that!" Kerri laughs. "I'm perfectly happy with her being motivated to wait a bit longer. That relationship with Colton...well...they've moved awfully quickly," she ends with a wry grin.

"Oh my yes. Sylvi is probably texting him right now somewhere. And I AM so grateful to her using her fuddle to help ease the pain. Better than drugs." then "Dagmar, were you wnating to ask something?" Tove says at the Um

"Um?" Panicked look, headshake.

Has she held the baby yet? In the chaos of the last day, surely... well, if one were to think about it...

"Would you like to hold your brother?" She takes CJ gently into her arms "He's all clean now and doesn't seem too fussy"

Indeed, while Dagmar has put a palm against her brother, she has not held him

"Um..."

"Dagmar, I'll show you how, come sit." She indicates a chair or the side of the bed.

She shuffles over to the chair.

"Yes, I learned too." Tove says

"Okay, to start, let's get him wrapped up a bit so you don't worry if he squirms...." And she supervises Tove in getting CJ snuggled up tight in a baby blanket.

Dagmar watches, wide-eyed with fascination (and possibly terror).

CJ gives baby brow at this

"It may look tight, but it's actually reassuring for the baby," Kerri explains. Then she shows on her own arms, "You'll hold your arms like this, his head will rest here, and this part of your arm will support him. Ready?"

She mimics Kerri's arms, swallows nervously, and nods.

"All right...here you go..." And baby is tranferred.

Dagmar's expression is like she's carrying something made of spun glass. Or an unstable nuclear warhead. If she moves, it might be catastrophic. So she stays very, very still.

"...hi CJ..."

CJ's eyes actually lock on to his sister, or try to. He seems to find her fascinating

"He might cry, but don't take it personally. That's about the only way he can communicate right now."

"Oh.. he likes your eyes I think" Tove says gently

She stares back.

"There you go...." Kerri nods.

CJ does NOT cry. He drools a bit... but only a bit

Kerri passes Dagmar a burp cloth for her to dab up the drool.

Deer-in-headlights. Does this mean moving an arm?

Kerri nods. "He's supported on one arm. The other can move. Think how little he is...very high arm-to-baby ratio," she grins.

"Otherwise I'd never get anything done while carrying him" Tove says reassuring