Just like that, it's Winter...

It's a remarkable day in late November: it was snow-storming earlier this morning, now the sun peeks out between these thick, dark clouds. Even the lowest ridges are hidden in a snowy mist. Fiki is, you guessed it, asleep (you can tell by the fact that I'm writing!) after a busy morning of forgotten wallets and friendly visits.

Summertime... before my birthday,
before my teeth came in

Looking over the last post, I can say that life is still running in a similar pattern. Only, things have changed... Boy, have they changed!

Ofelia had her first birthday. She was kind enough to take some of her very first self-facilitated steps while her grandmas were visiting for the occasion. Since then she's been walking like she's got places to go! It's one A-Ha! moment after another as she learns and comprehends more and more.  Though most of her speech is bibble-babble, she clearly knows the meaning of things - she'll show you, if you ask her "where's my nose?" or request a kiss - and we interact as a family in a rather natural, organic way. Most of the time we understand each other just fine.

Two teeth appeared at approximately the same time. They are striking leaders who have yet to be followed. Hence, Fiki has two significantly long teeth in an otherwise empty set of smooth, pink gums.

Even more than before, Ofelia loves school. I don't even call it daycare - it's school. Fiki is the oldest in her room (shortly to move up) and acts like she runs the place. Let's just say she's quite comfortable. She runs to her teacher some mornings to embrace her legs, eats well, sleeps comfortably. Most importantly, she's engaged with other kids in the projects and play they do together. She's always happy when I pick her up, sometimes shows me the day's favorite spot or what she learned or made. It's stimulation Ty and I would not be able to provide for her on our own. I feel a little sad writing that, but I believe it's true.

I'll try my best to fill in the rest of the story with photos. I'm still not taking many. Most of these are from the grandmas. Thank you grandmas!

Grandmas Visit

These Apples

Busy

Fall

August update

Since our trip, there's been a lot of development.  Although it looked for a while like Fiki would skip crawling in favor of upright walking, she reconsidered and is now a full time rug-rat.  She's also getting better at discerning edibles from non... After some experimentation with her diet, Fiki's congestion has cleared up and she's eating well, sleeping well, and chatting all the time.  I can't tell yet whether she knows what she's saying.  As for her parents, we're doing fine.  The task at hand is getting back on track with "normal" life.  I'm at work most days and Ty takes good care of her when she's not in school.  Life is busy and full.  I have not taken a picture in quite some time, as my hands are too full to hold the camera ...well, perhaps one.

June 2010 - The Big City

Here it is, folks, the post you've been waiting for! I'll let the photos speak for themselves... I'm too tired to write.


Additional bonus material: Shots we took at Agnes's photo studio.

Additional SUPER BONUS: Ofelia in Chicago video. Watch it here!

we've hit the big time!

Fiki's been eating real food consistently all month. The past couple of weeks we've made it a priority to eat one real meal a day, and she's loving it. She enjoys pureed vegetables, and baby snacks! So this morning's poop was over the top... Seriously, I can't believe that her bowels are working this well. No longer yogurt consistency, this poop sludged up the back of her diaper pungently and by the time it was over, it was all over - a thick, orange, insidious magma. There was no saving the jumper. We had to take a double-bath. Strangely, this makes me very proud. Still, we'll have to teach her to use the potty soon.

We recently finished our first family road trip. It was awesome. Fiki had a wonderful time, we could tell. We met Ty's west coast family, who fell in love with her and showed her a good time. She loved being held by her aunts and coddled by Grandma. She also hung out with Madi, a cousin of similar age, and we saw a lot of development just in that week. Fiki can tell some full-on stories now when she gets into it. Someone or something out there must be able to understand her! Also, I think she simply enjoyed traveling - she was a great car companion, and it was cool to introduce her to all these new things and people all the time. Road trips are great for that.

One more thing to add: Fiki's taken a strong liking to rattles. She seriously reacts to them! She had no qualms picking out a toy when Ty took her to a kid shop in Flagstaff - a small, standard-issue yellow & green baby rattle, no hesitation. Perhaps she'll be a percussionist?

half way around the sun

The Thursday after our last post, Ofelia started daycare. Two days a week - parents have lives too, right? One of our biggest fears of this exposure was her still-building immunity. Sure enough, come Sunday she had a fever. Her first fever! Stay calm... it's normal... it's just the body's way of fighting off viruses... stay calm... We were at the emergency room just after midnight. Hospital staff chuckled pleasantly before sending us off. It never developed into a real cold. Despite this, we kept her home the following week to let her system recuperate. Fiki loves daycare. The facility is warm and friendly. They play bird songs in the infant room at nap time. Fiki doesn't usually nap long during the day. She loves to play with the other babies and is always happy when I come to get her in the afternoon. Favorite activities include looking at people & smiling, floor time, and the bouncer. Yes, she's quite the bouncer these days! Not inclined to crawl, Fiki's moving straight to walking. While she can't stand up by herself yet, she's definitely comfortable upright and stands readily with support. She's also sitting very strong these days (although tumbles are still common). Her attitude and attention have seen much development. No longer content to lay around for any length of time staring at things, Fiki loves to be on the go. Go go go! Walks, drives, new places, these are the things that soothe and interest her. She had a blast on our first road trip! We went to Santa Fe to visit our friend Rachelle and explore the land. We saw piggies, collected rocks on the banks of the Rio Grande, and danced as a matter of course! Shortly after our return, I started signing to Fiki, simple things like "Milk" and "wash" and "walk" and "light". She hasn't signed back yet. Spoken language must be difficult with swollen gums, because Ofelia still just coos, squeals, laughs, and mumbles her grumbles incoherently. But since we've been a family for so long - a whole six months! - we understand one another just fine.

4 months, and counting...

It's the fourth moon of Fiki's existence, and we have seen many changes. Moving past the most basic physiological challenges of birth and with the body's sustainance cycle under control, it's time to focus on more advanced functions.

Most mornings we wake up happy and alert. Ty changes diaper before getting ready for work, and places her next to me for breakfast (after which she may poop again). Then Fiki and I have our morning meditation: we stretch, touch fingers to toes, toes to nose, tummy on tummy, then rolling over (off my tummy). There is a lot of laughter these days, and increasing conversation. Ofelia delights in her growing capabilities. She's started "playing" with small toys, especially one colorful parrot with crinkly fingers and gummy feet*. She holds the parrot by its plastic ring with assurance, confidently passing from hand to hand. She's also discovered her feet, which she loves especially bare. Other times she becomes enthralled in the expanses of her voice and throws it across the room in squeals and joyful shouts. These often become more intentional, signaling hunger, or.. boredom?

By far, Fiki's favorite activities are just that: active. She loves walks, whether it's a full-on hike or just hanging out (in a sling) as I walk about the house. Sitting around while still actively engaged is plausible, but forget sitting in front of the computer! She certainly knows if you've stopped paying attention and simply wants to be included in whatever's happening. Bath time is a blast. Fiki's always shown enthusiasm for water, so our deep tub is an amazing playground. When I float her with my hand under her belly, she kicks forcefully and knows to expect a forward reaction - it's hilarious to see her go!

For a couple of weeks now, we've had success putting her to bed between 8-9 in the evening. She still wakes up every couple of hours or so to eat, but she's usually half-asleep and dozes right off when she's done. Ty usually doesn't have to wake up at night, which is wonderful since he has to be fresh for work most mornings. I get some hours here and there to "work", and with a project or two off my head, I look forward to seeing my baby's face all lit up in discovery of our world.