Spring Cleaning

Leave Elizabeth, Sigrid, and brother-in-law in good spirits, (Low moment on day after birth when Sigrid said it hurt to walk and that she Could Guarantee Right Now that the next baby was going to come from Thailand. Later in the day, think that see Elizabeth smile at me, but am informed by brother-in-law--otherwise Mute--which surely can't be good for the development of a child--that smiling does not Occur (his word) until between 6 and 8 weeks. Can only hope that little Elizabeth takes after our side of the family.) Return home to find apartment spotless: piles of magazines gone, floors shining, bathroom smelling of Comet, clothes hung up in closets or neatly folded in drawers and clean, and Jenny smelling like shampoo (human). Even plants dusted and looking vigorous. Am extremely impressed. Dave says he did nothing, which is clearly untrue. Blushes. We have pleasant dinner of pork chops with a mustard sauce, kale, and roasted potatoes, made by Dave. (Jenny, shrewdly doing her best to make sure that everything not too perfect gets into kitchen trash during dinner. Discovery of mess made when sound of violent retching rises above sparkling conversation about Elizabeth Bishop.) This morning while sitting at desk at home editing, am see neat pile of unkonwn papers on desk. Papers seem to be bills and the like--which am usually blind to--but as revision harrowing grab at papers. In stack, discover invoice from cleaning company, bill from wash and fold and bill from expensive dog salon. Become very hot and angry. March into bedroom to scold Dave, but he is sleeping in the bed smiling sweetly (Jenny a bump under teh covers next to him.) Do not like to seem that I am ungrateful, but because I am grateful, enormously.