24 Weeks

In which I write about pregnancy, tired eyes and the beauty of an ordinary Saturday morning

The jacaranda trees are blooming, the November birthdays in our family are over, and Christmas is in the air. I’m starting Advent with the kids next week and it is so sweet to see my girls’ excitement about starting up the Jesse Tree. All these things remind me of the poem I wrote last year, Australian Advent, and in that newsletter I also mention some of our Advent traditions and resources we like to use. I’m doing much the same this year!

This newsletter is not Christmas themed at all, but gives glimpses into normal, daily life right now as we end the busy school year and anticipate summer holidays.

24 Weeks

I am only halfway there 
My watermelon belly not yet ripe,

But I feel the weight of it
Even though I have much longer to wait.

When I fall into bed at night
My whole body sinks into the clouds 

in relief, every part of me sighing
The muscles slowly releasing, relaxing.

How did Sarah and Elizabeth feel?
With child instead of with grandchildren.

Doubtless they were much stronger than me
Muscles toned by a day’s physical labour.

Yet surely their bodies must’ve groaned
All while singing for joy at their miracle.

Feet aching, hips sore, back pulsing with pain
Hearts soaring, full of praise, finally feeling those flutters.

I rejoice with them at God’s faithfulness
My child not a promised one, yet still miraculous

Not in the sense of beauty after barrenness
But a fourth healthy baby with no complications.

I can bear the weakness, the pangs and pains
Because my heart aches with awe at this gift. 

---

Tired Eyes

The mirror shows me the gaping caverns under my eyes,
Darkness betraying the rhythm of my days and nights.

Look at those bags!
I sometimes say to my children, holding their faces,
You could go shopping for days with those! 

My bags are filled up with: 
Broken nights as I go give the toddler a cuddle and a drink of water,
Early mornings as my husband leans over to say bye and one of the girls comes to use our bathroom,
Days on my feet as I cook, clean, care, all while pregnant,
Late evenings as we put the kids and the house to sleep, and then still try to spend precious time together.

I look in the mirror and cringe at the half-circles.
Then I put on a smile, the bags receding a little into my laugh lines. 
Yes, I’m tired.
But I’m tired because of good things, because of normal limitations,
as I do what I think God would have me do. 
And those eyes? 
I know my Father sees them.
And He is with me, 
my Strength and my Song. 

---

Saturday Morning Goodness

Isaac wakes first. Surprisingly, this is a rarity, with the girls usually up first, busting for the toilet. But this morning, Isaac cries out from his room, and I pad down the hallway to him. He cuddles me briefly in the chair, but won’t sit still, so I take him back to our bed. We shhhh him so the girls can continue sleeping after a busy few weeks. He lays quietly next to Chris, looking out at the rim of light around the curtains. “Wake,” he says. “Yes, you’re awake,” we reply. His cheeks are peachy soft and I can’t help kissing them and holding his hand, rubbing his fingers with my own. He doesn’t resist, melts into the pillow.

Greta is up soon after and while she uses our bathroom, Chris asks me “Should I take them for a B-I-K-E-R-I-D-E?” He knows Isaac won’t snuggle for long before he wants to go play. It’s a lovely idea and I know that all three will treasure that time together. And I have no problems being the one at home, dozing in my bed.

Greta goes to her Dad who asks her, “How’s your spelling this morning?” Chris and I chuckle at her utter confusion, which deepens even more so when he spells out bike ride to her. He avoids saying the actual words because otherwise Isaac won’t stop repeating “bike wide!!!” until he’s perched in the bike seat. Chris whispers it in her ear and she lights up with quiet enthusiasm, understanding the need to keep Annie asleep for now.

Isaac is well and truly ready to get up now and waddles to his room to find shorts, standing at his chest of drawers calling for them. Chris gives me a kiss and a good morning hug. “Oh, isn’t Isaac just so cute laying there between us?” I say. Chris rolls his eyes, “Yeah, for five minutes.” I smile, “Lets give him some credit. It was ten.”

I picture a small brown haired boy called Chris doing the same things and know why his dad and mum have such fond memories of his childhood. There’s such a spark of fun in both of them, but also a gentleness, a softness, that tempers their male roughness and playfulness.

I am cocooned in my pillows, support for my growing belly, and I hear the three of them move around to get dressed. At one point I peek out the door down the hallway and I see Chris walk past to the front door, followed closely by Isaac, and then back into the kitchen, Isaac behind once again. Isaac is like a baby duckling and it makes me smile, wishing I could capture it on my camera as a little video. They leave out the back door and the house goes silent. I nestle down and close my eyes but there’s a glow in my chest that doesn’t dissipate.

An hour or so later, I’m picking up two of my dearest high school friends to go out for breakfast. We chat non-stop as we drive, sit down in a café, order and eat. We take turns giving each other little updates, ask questions and opinions, and share funny anecdotes. We laugh, we tease each other and we moan over how delicious the food is.

I can’t stop raving about the fried chicken, bacon and egg croissant that I’m devouring with gusto. I did not know I would enjoy fried chicken, of all things, for breakfast, but when I saw that it included a croissant, bacon and maple syrup, I just couldn’t resist. It is the best thing I’ve tasted for a long time and I savour every mouthful of getting to eat a delicious breakfast I didn’t need to cook myself and that I get to enjoy without needing to remind children to stay sitting and keep eating.

I also savour the time with these two dear women. We know each other so well, we can be completely honest with each other, and we can laugh and joke together with no inhibitions. It’s a beautiful thing to have such a friendship, I know it, and I soak it in as we sit and drink coffee and enjoy fresh morning air together.

Within ten minutes of getting home, I have two crying children in my arms. Chris and I look at each other and laugh. The other child hugs me as if she hasn’t seen me for days. These children of mine have missed me so much while I’ve been gone… for three hours. I’m glad I’m so well loved.

Feeling refreshed, and with a full belly and a full heart, I tackle the Saturday job list.

---

Sharing is Caring Vol. 11

I am very much a paper girl when it comes to planners and such. Last year I bought a week to page diary and a magnetic monthly calendar from Officeworks and since it worked well I bought the same type again this year for 2026. I like this planner because it has room for daily and weekly to-do lists, shopping list, meal planning, habit tracking and writing extra notes. I skip most of the goal-writing stuff. And the calendar is helpful for the whole family, even the girls, to see what’s coming up. I also use a fairly blank day to page diary for writing out Bible Study reflections, prayers and sermon notes. I really love using the Kaisercraft ones and usually wait until a good sale to snap one up.

This egg run I got from my birthday from Chris and the kids brings me such joy (although I’m pretty sure the one he bought me wasn’t that expensive, but who knows!). Way better than just keeping them in a spare egg carton on the counter.

I bought a bunch of these dish brushes for various family members. Love that it is inexpensive and made of natural materials. I find it always cleans better than my plastic brush.

While writing a poem the other day I was reminded of this lovely little EP by Sara Sparks, especially In The Arms Of God We Sleep. I also love her song Religion.

Isaac got some really cute books for his birthday that he absolutely loves: My Dog Bigsy, Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site, and a Sally Sutton Roadworks set.

I haven’t been reading as many Substack posts as previously, but these stood out to me: church mums who never liked me // Housework as Told Through Genesis // Fall // Issue 37 ✍🏻 We Need to Hear the Stories // Is This Love Worth It? // Appetite // Motherhood’ll do that to you // Insecure // Weakness at 34 Weeks (my above poem was definitely inspired by this essay) // Golden hour

Thanks for reading! In December I won’t be sharing poetry, but one of my favourite ways to end the year: a collection of beautiful captures that I took this year on my camera. I’m excited to share! And let me know either by commenting, replying or telling me IRL: how do you think Sarah and Elizabeth felt being pregnant at such an old age? What gives you your tired eyes? What’s a favourite Saturday morning memory? xx Kym