Oona's Universe

November 24th marked 3 months since Oona emerged into this world. It feels like an important landmark and comes with new skills and a continued sense of Oona settling. Besides the almost regular ability to sleep through the night (knock on wood), she can now sit in her upright chair (with some assistance), is sucking her thumb (often poking herself in the eye while trying), grabbing her toys (when they magically appear near to her hand), and can sit peacefully and watch us as we wander around the house (when she’s in the mood that is). And then there are the increasing number of heart-melting, toothless smiles…The good stuff in life.

Today is Thanksgiving day and gratitude abounds. There is no way to explain in words how grateful we are for Oona and for this incredible, mind and heart-expanding life transition and for our families and friends who are loving and supporting us along the way.

Happy 0.25 birthday Oona!!

I'm .25 years old, yo!

deuce

meaty thighs

piano fingers part 2

super cutie

Once upon a time there was a young hula girl from Hawaii who was invited to perform with her friends in Montana at Glacier National Park. After her performance she wandered into the woods to explore the rugged and beautiful landscape. Suddenly she realized she was lost and deep in the woods. Out of the darkness emerged a giant grizzly bear snarling and grunting. “You look like a sweet treat for me to eat” said the grizzly bear. The girl was frozen in fear. Then, out of nowhere, a courageous junior park ranger emerged and said “Stop! you grizzly bear you – you will not eat this hula girl”. The grizzly bear, realizing the girl was a Hawaiian hula dancer and not a treat to eat, apologized profusely for the horrible mistake. The grizzly bear then invited the junior ranger and the hula girl over to his friend’s house who was having a party with a crew of other babies. There the three became best friends and they lived happily ever after and were asleep by ten. The End.

Hula girl and the bear

Jr. Ranger

Grrrrr!

The lineup - (left to right) Neshia, Akasha, Oona, James, Sage, James

The love bug and the hula girl (who lost her grass skirt)

We used to be able to drive to Santa Cruz in an hour and fifteen flat. Not true anymore, but it’s all about the journey, right? On our way we hit traffic, then Oona needed to eat (and mama needed Oona to eat – a new reality that has taken some getting used to). We found a nice turn-off with a view and parked for a little breastfeeding, diaper-changing, music-listening and sunset-watching break. I guess the car battery only had about 20 minutes of juice and we found ourselves stuck on Skyline Road, half way between Home and Santa Cruz. We called triple A, but began to think “what if the jump doesn’t help?”. Our new reality of a mandatory infant car seat that requires installation makes hitching a ride with the tow truck driver or calling a friend for a lift far more difficult. Limited options and rescue scenarios dominated our thoughts while we waited. The predicament didn’t seem to bother Miss Oona. Luckily the jump was all we needed and we were back on the road.

Laughing at mom and dad for killing the car battery

A well fed, happy baby

Thank you Mr. Tow Truck

After arriving safely in Santa Cruz we took an evening walk.

Oona is happy we made it to Santa Cruz

Daddy wrap

Glorious fog!

The next day we walked to see the Monarch butterflies at Natural Bridges with Auntie E.

Curious morning stare

Mom and dad watching the Monarch butterflies

Butterflies!