3 months

On Christmas Eve, December 24th, Ofelia completed her third month of life. Mom made a first attempt at traditional festivities, including a red-meat-less dinner of salmon fillet, cabbage, borsch, and breaking of bread. This minimal example mimics the time-honored celebrations of her Polish clan. Time is an abstract beast, marked by physiological developments (started drooling, holding head consistently, much hair rubbed off), external events (visiting relatives, Dad separates shoulder, Mom finishes a project), and the back and forth swinging of the QuietTime in the kitchen... Ofelia's skin rash - finally diagnosed as seborrhea, or the common cradle cap - has cleared up a bit, but she's still experiencing minor flare-ups. Mom uses a soft brush in the bath to scrub the crud off the delicate scalp. Ofelia likes it, as she likes most things. She smiles a lot and tolerates most forms of parental torture, like sucking out buggers and bundling up for the cold. This her mom attributes to an unrelenting supply of delicious milk, love and encouragement.

Pleased to meet you!

Mid-December, just before her 3-month birthday, Fiki received a visit from her Aunt Jane (mom's only sister). Boy oh boy, what a difference 9 months make! Gone are the self-indulgent, care-free days of mutual singledom... There's a baby in the nest! At first, there was a sense of curiosity - speculative looks were exchanged, tentative touches, giggles - but within a couple of days the two were dancing to rowdy klezmer like a couple of old pals. Jane noted that her initial skittishness subsided once she got a better feel for Ofelia's physical abilities and limitations. This is of course what we're working on and evolving every day. Jane has gone back home now and we miss her big-time!

2 months...

I know now why parents, when asked their children's age, often reply in weeks. Oddly enough I never gave it much thought. Today Ofelia is 2 months (but 9 weeks) old.

Travelling without moving

Last week was an important one: Ofelia lost her belly button stub and in return gained the ability to smile! We also took advantage of the awesome weather and made great advances in outdoor endeavors by hiking up Hogsback, an impressive ridge at the edge of town.  Although it's a relatively easy hike, I was puffing & panting by the time we reached the top.  But we made it, and here we are overlooking Durango.

Introductions

Just when Ty and I were becoming overwhelmed by the both the reality and surreality of our situation, grandma arrived. She saved the day: I was fed, the house was spotless, we were sleeping at night because she enthusiastically danced with the baby after I'd nursed her. My body was recoiling from the shock of giving birth, Ty had to return to work, and my mom was there to pick up the pieces. Before her leave, Ty's family joined us to rejoice the newcomer. Everyone fell in love with Ofelia, and she could barely see any of us yet...

In the Beginning: Ofelia Sage is Born!

On a bright Colorado afternoon in September, Ofelia Sage emerges with eyes wide open and quickly shuts them for a near two-week adjustment. Her father is delighted and astounded. Her mother is led from the bathroom in which she stood over the toilet in her last thrusting moments of labor; she shakes with adrenaline as they lay her down and carefully place a gray, bruised, wet thing to her chest. It's warm, though, and wiggly, and as helpless as she. The rest of the room and world fade in their embrace.

The Pertinent Data

Name:	Ofelia Sage Russell
Born:	September 24, 2009 at 1:53PM
Weight:	6 lb, 7 oz
Length:	19 in