Oona's Universe

Au revoir, fourth trimester!

Posted by: oonaverse on: November 26, 2009

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!

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meaty thighs

meaty thighs

piano fingers part 2

super cutie

Defying gravity

Posted by: oonaverse on: November 14, 2009

We took a long, leisurely stroll around Lake Merritt on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. We stopped at the Lake Chalet for lunch, a new restaurant on the lake with outdoor tables on a boat dock. Oona enchanted a group of women while being changed in the bathroom – they couldn’t stop ogling. We continued walking around the lake past Fairyland where we stopped for a photo/video opp.

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Lunching at the Lake Chalet

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Mama and Oona lit with love

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Dad and Oona take a turn

Morning glory

Posted by: oonaverse on: November 6, 2009

Oona after sleeping through the night!

Honorary aunties

Posted by: oonaverse on: November 1, 2009

Oona’s honorary aunties, Diana and Jen, flew all the way out from the east coast to meet her. We wandered around the east bay hiking, watching sunsets, brunching and talking trash. Just like the good old days, except with the addition of a little Lebowski.

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Diana, Oona, Laura and Jen at Sibly

Ghouls just wanna have fun

Posted by: oonaverse on: October 31, 2009

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.

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Hula girl and the bear

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Jr. Ranger

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Grrrrr!

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

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

Happy Halloween!

Posted by: oonaverse on: October 31, 2009

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Getting in the mood for trix and treats

Shots! round 1

Posted by: oonaverse on: October 27, 2009

For Oona’s two month birthday we threw a surprise party for her at the doctors office. The gift of vaccination did not amuse Oona. Her blood curdling scream made her face turn purple – a horrifying sight – and made our hearts ache. But a few minutes on mommy’s boob and everything was ok. She slept the rest of the day.

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The calm before the storm

Santa Cruz round two

Posted by: oonaverse on: October 26, 2009

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.

 

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Laughing at mom and dad for killing the car battery

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A well fed, happy baby

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Thank you Mr. Tow Truck

 

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

 

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Oona is happy we made it to Santa Cruz

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Daddy wrap

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Glorious fog!

 

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

 

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Curious morning stare

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Mom and dad watching the Monarch butterflies

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Butterflies!

 

Fire and Nice

Posted by: oonaverse on: October 20, 2009

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Not impressed one bit by the epic sunset

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Mommy's muse

Oona meets the Octopus

Posted by: oonaverse on: October 17, 2009

On a late afternoon walk in the Berkeley Marina we encountered a giant Octopus flying overhead. It was one of many spectacular kites filling the sky. We walked the bumpy loop in our non-all-terrain stroller while Oona slept – she likes to sleep. Some day in the near future Oona will enjoy watching the kites as much as we do, perhaps more.

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Oona meets the Octopus

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Kites fill the silver sky over the bay

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Clouds!

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Daddy and Oona watching kites

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In the glow of the setting sun

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Mama and Oona in the beautiful light