Just after midnight
I awoke to a squall
The whole house was sleeping,
But the smallest of all.
Her cries stopped at once
When she latched at my breast.
“Happy Christmas,” I whispered
And kissed her soft head
I was awoken at two.
Then from three through to five.
At six, I was snoring,
When the house came alive.
My eldest ran shrieking,
‘Santa brought me a spinner!’
My eyes were prized open
By the middle child’s fingers.
“I’ll put on the kettle,”
My husband said with a sigh,
And we all traipsed downstairs,
While rubbing our eyes.
Legs crossed on the floor,
The babe fed on my knee.
I was surrounded by paper,
And squeals of sheer glee.
The kids were delighted
With their new toys and games
They even opened presents
Marked with baby’s sweet name.
Then clothed in new sparkles,
They played with their toys.
The baby slept deeply,
In spite of the noise.
A ring at the doorbell
The hordes had arrived.
In came Auntie and Uncle,
And grandparents with smiles.
More presents were opened
And the baby passed round.
The toys for the children
Made terrible sounds.
Dad looked for some batteries
With a crash and a clatter
And I fed the baby,
While we all had a natter.
“I’ll cook the turkey!”
Uncle announced.
“And I’ll make potatoes,”
Grandma pronounced.
Baby stopped feeding,
So I passed her to Dad,
And slipped off for a doze
The first that I’d had.
But Aunt opened the oven
While the yorkies were rising
And my nap was disturbed
By the raised vocalising.
I went down to the kitchen,
Where they continued to snipe.
And I opened the freezer,
Got the ready-made type.
“We’re so sorry,” they said.
“Didn’t mean to disturb you,
We’ll finish the dinner
Unless you’d prefer to?”
Of course, baby woke up
And the dinner was late.
I fed her one-handed
And poked at my plate.
“I’ll cut up your food,”
Grandpa jumped up and said,
Tripping over the dog,
Who begged to be fed.
With Grandpa picked up
And my turkey cut small,
We pulled Christmas crackers
And laughed at it all.
We told stupid jokes
And wore paper crowns.
The kids, high on sugar,
Danced round and round.
After chocolates and board games
And the Queen’s speech was said,
The children were ushered
Once more to their beds.
The family waved off
With happy goodbyes,
We sat down and immediately
Heard baby’s cries.
As I felt the milk flow
And snuggled her tight,
I said to my small one
On her first Christmas Night,
“The day wasn’t perfect
But there was family and love.
I hope your milk tastes of turkey
And you have all you dream of.”