Rosanne's Lounge

You are lying on your back in a large lounge room. There is one exit to the south-west. There is a brightly coloured play gym on the floor, shaped like a butterfly.

> lick the play gym

The play gym tastes blue. There is a rattle under the play gym.

> pick up the rattle

Done. A large azure lizard appears and attacks you.

> hit it with the rattle

The lizard retreats.

> look

You are lying on your back in a large lounge room. There is one exit to the south-west. Your mother is an enormous geek.

Your hold on the earth
is so much less tenuous now

I have sustained you with my body
amazing thought
your mouth to my breast
eyes locked with mine
filled with trust
tiny hands tracing
ancient angelic sigils
on my skin

your voice has changed
from the frail bird-like cry
of confusion and frank fear
to an outraged surprise
at banged heads, delayed feeds
and the indignity of swaddling

I don’t know why you giggle
when I put my face close to yours
close my eyes and say “boo!”
but like Pavlov’s mutt I return
repeatedly for my reward

And when, finally, you drift off
into sleep, your hands continue
to conduct vast celestial orchestras
calling new planets into being
with the flick of a wrist

We are planning on making birthdays and end-of-year about experiences more than about things, but we know that people will want to buy Harper presents. I figure I ought to have one spot to point people for things we’re after or at least brands that we think are desirable.

Items we’d like & online stores:

Real world stores

In Melbourne, shops that stock eco-friendly and fair trade toys are:

• Small Dreams
• Fairground Child

Some notes of caution

If you find something you think is just adorable and it isn’t on this list, there are a few things to watch out for:

• Doug is allergic to wool, fur and feathers. This means: no felt, no woollen toys.
• We’d prefer not to expose Harper to toxic chemicals, volatile organic compounds and other fun things. This means: choose wood and cotton first; no polyester filling or materials; ask whether the plastic toy is BPA-free; no PVC if it’s something she’ll hold or suck. Also, check “eco” toys carefully: we’ve found 100% silk items that are filled with silk, but covered in polyester and toys labelled Bamboo! in big letters that are actually 20% polyester.
• We suspect Harper is gluten- and dairy-intolerant. This means: check that the gluten-free food you buy is also dairy-free (no milk, no cream, no butter, no yoghurt).

Thank you for helping us create a loving and safe environment for our daughter.

PS: gifts to charities on her behalf are also a wonderful idea.

It’s official…

Please spread the word. The message is important!