Hannah was on the horizon, due within a few months. I wrote this about Elisabeth's baby-ness as she was getting ready to be a mom.

Elisabeth Susan Potts. Baby. September 1973.

I remember…

Dark Indian-baby hair

soft and silky upon your tiny head

The smooth warmth of your

miniature self, snuggled against my neck

Fragrant new skin, impossibly

small fingers and toes

pink, sweet, and delicate

The frantic sounds of

your instinctive quest for nourishment, greedy and eager.

(Did you think I wouldn’t feed you?)

Unfocused eyes moving in wonder toward movement

and light—

crossing and uncrossing

I remember…

wakeful worry your first few nights at home,

holding my own breath while listening for yours

climbing out of a warm sleep into the cold

3 a.m. darkness to change little diapers,

to feed you, rock you, love you

small movements, tiny sounds,

baby girl. 4/07

Larry wrote this piece at the same time.

I introduced you to Winnie when you were a little baby…and you introduced me to Pooh.

I introduced you to Charlie and Annie when you were a little girl … and you introduced me to you as a helpful and loving big sister.

I introduced you to reading and ideas and science fair …and eventually you introduced me to your friends in Phi Beta Kappa.

I introduced you to the possibilities of medical school and residency and the pursuit of a difficult professional career … and you introduced me

to your new friend, colleague, and eventual husband, Evan.

Soon you and Evan will introduce your mom and me

to your new baby and we will be grandparents,

happy and proud.

I loved you before Pooh, and always will,

Daddy