ALL ABOUT EVA

On the first Wednesday of every month, the San Francisco Zoo is free. So Eva and I thought, since it was such a beautiful day, that we would go. I was really excited to show her all of the animals, but it turns out she is just not that interested in them. To be fair, they really blend in with their environments. Good for them, bad for Eva. Eva was most interested in the foliage (she is a treehugger) and the people. Things she liked: ducks, penguins, and the Siberian tiger (maybe she felt a connection with him since her ancestors and his ancestors come from the same place). Also, I think now is the appropriate time to share one of the dumbest things I have ever done in my life: when Eva’s Dad and I were in Laos, I petted a tiger. A huge tiger.  Near this waterfall.

Free zoo days are definitely the place to be for moms and kids. I caught a glimpse into the future.

More pictures from the zoo…

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Today the most important man in Eva’s life turned 30. I know what you are thinking. I am a cougar! Eva adores her Dad like no other and they definitely complete each other. He, of course, thinks she is the most perfect thing on the planet.

For this important birthday, I decided to take Eva’s Dad to the dump. We went to the Albany Bulb, which used to be a dump, then a homeless camp and place for artists to create art using found objects, and now a park. We had a great time and saw a lot of interesting things. We did not make it to the hobo hot tub however.

I must also remember and thank Grammie, who, 30 years ago today, gave birth (which, as previously stated, is really hard!) to an amazing and wonderful man.

Eva’s Dad in his birthday suit and other pictures after the jump…. Read the rest of this entry »

This weekend Eva went on her first flight to visit her Southern California grandparents. I was so incredibly nervous, but all in all, things went pretty smoothly. She cried at the beginning of the first flight and at the end of the last flight, but slept the rest of the time. There must be something about the landing/take-off strip in Oakland.

For some weird reason I am really self-conscious of what other people think of Eva when we are flying. I think it’s a new parent thing. Babies on planes have never bothered me. I was expecting dirty looks and mean comments, but everyone was actually pretty nice. Someone even said she was really good. (But I think he was flirting with our friend who, coincidentally, was flying on the same plane.)

Here is a scary thought: Not all airlines have changing tables in their bathrooms.

Going on a trip with Eva is so much more complicated than before Eva. Packing all of her stuff is incredibly time consuming and stressful. You don’t want to forget any key things because if you do, I don’t know what happens, but I know it’s bad. Plus, all of her stuff takes up pretty much the entire car. This past weekend we took a trip to Calistoga. I was consumed with worry at the last minute. We would forget something. She wouldn’t sleep in a new place. She would cry the whole time. She would get bitten by something. Turns out we did forget two key things: birthing ball and thermometer. We didn’t need to use either! Eva fell asleep easily, and stayed asleep for the most part. She didn’t get sick either. She had a great time! Turns out she is a traveler. Next trip: Papua New Guinea.

We also had dinner at this fantastic new restaurant in Napa: Ubuntu. It has received rave reviews and is rated as one of the best new restaurants in the country. We had a six course meal filled with things I had never heard of or imagined combining together! It was an amazing experience and I wholeheartedly recommend eating there at least once in your life.

Today Eva’s Mama turns 30. My Mom sometimes says that on my birthday I should be celebrating her. I know she is being facetious (right?), but she is also remembering that wild journey between the first small pains to the first hours of your child’s life on the outside, which can be pretty hard on a mama. Birth is no picnic for the little one either. She has to struggle to get out while being squashed and smooshed by contractions and then be greeted by lights, sounds, people, and numerous other things she didn’t experience on the warm, cozy, safe inside.

Growing up isn’t easy either. These past 5 months (and 30 years) have been fraught with challenges, tears, and pain only to be countered by joy, love, and wonderment. Sometimes you have to deal with the hard stuff before you get to the good stuff. For example, Eva hasn’t been sleeping well. After thinking it could be a million things (teething, 4-5 month sleep regression, crib position, bedtime, etc.) we now believe she has made great developmental strides and is working these out in her sleep. She is working so hard on sitting and rolling over, she is doing them in her sleep, thus waking herself up. Last night we found her on her belly at the corner of her crib (not where we put her). This hard work will all culminate in a bright independent child who is able to move around and get what she wants by herself. And then on to the next milestone.

Turning 30 is strange. I guess I never thought I would be this age. But this is definitely not as big a deal as having a child. And having a child will make my 30’s the best years of my life thus far. 30 is the new 11!

Some things Eva and I had in common at our births: Kaiser Oakland, having to maneuver around that pesky tailbone we eventually broke, challenging ourselves by travelling out facing up rather than down, having supportive, loving and involved Dads at the birth, having supportive and knowledgeable doulas.
So Mom, on this great day, I salute you. And I also salute me.

Eva’s Mama in her birthday suit…

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Okay, this isn’t really her first shower. When Eva was colicky, we tried everything to get her to stop crying, including sticking her under the shower (it didn’t work). In the interest of saving time, we decided to give Eva a shower yesterday. She seemed to like it, but our bathroom floor was soaked (Dad held, Mom washed). Now that Eva is older (almost 5 months!) she is so much more open to trying new things! Also, we didn’t make the party we were rushing to attend because we got a flat tire. On the 880 right before the Bay Bridge! Fortunately Eva’s Dad is an expert driver. Eva’s first flat tire!

Eva loves trees. I often put her under a tree in the park so she can look up at the branches and leaves and feel the wind in her hair. She has such a good time. She loves to look up at trees when in her stroller or in the car. Driving through the forest near her northern California grandparents’ house is a favorite activity for her. She also likes to sit in the glider with us and watch the tops of trees blowing in the wind. It calms both her and I when either of us is feeling out of sorts.

It was ridiculously hot this weekend! Apparently it has something to do with winds coming from the east, over lands, rather than from the Pacific Ocean. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to raise a baby in a hot climate and I got a taste of it this weekend. It is hard! We debated about whether to take her outside, stay inside, what to dress her in, sunblock, blankets covering her, etc. On Saturday night we had to all sleep downstairs. At 11:00pm it was 75 degrees outside and 85 degrees in our bedroom! Eva slept in a diaper. And she liked it! I think we have been dressing her too warmly for bed.

Yesterday, Eva’s Dad took the day off from work. We all went on a walk in San Francisco using our Memorable Walks in San Francisco book. Since getting real jobs and having real obligations, Eva’s dad and I have not been able to travel like we used to, so we do little walks in San Francisco and learn new things about the city. For example, the elevator in the St. Francis is like an amusement park ride (not for the faint of heart), there is a mural in the mission of a jalapeno sticking up a taco (okay it’s not a mural but it’s cute, see below), and there is a giant rabbit statue in front of a house on Nob Hill (frightening). Yesterday we walked from Fisherman’s Wharf to Fort Point under the Golden Gate Bridge. We spent about 7 hours walking. We picnicked at Fort Mason with food from Greens (my absolute all time favorite restaurant). It really was a perfect day. Eva had a fantastic time. She really enjoyed watching everything and having the wind blow through her hair. It doesn’t hurt that it was super warm! For a second I thought I was in Panama City.

Photo: Eva watching a pigeon.

Eva exhibited her first interest in animals. She has been introduced to horses, dogs, cats and a hairless one-eyed cat (he falls into the cat category, but deserves special mention). She has shown zero interest. Yesterday, she was very interested in a pigeon. I know, how very exotic. She followed him (with her eyes) and watched him pester us (I hate pigeons). She was later mesmerized by ducks and swans.

Eva’s Dad coined a new term. Pinger. This is a finger with poo on it. I can’t believe I just wrote that. We changed a lot of diapers yesterday. And today. And everyday.
We love spending the day with Dad!

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On the first Tuesday of every month, several museums in San Francisco are free. Yesterday, Eva and I went to the De Young museum and then walked around Golden Gate Park. We had a great time. Everybody loves her. She stops people in their tracks. She stops traffic. So many people come up to her to just look at her and talk to her. They smile and talk about her and stare at her. And she loves it. She just giggles and smiles. It warms my heart to see how much love she gets not only from her family and friends but from strangers in the street. I swear we must have met 100 people yesterday. She is a charmer.

Also…

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