ALL ABOUT EVA

So after a little trial and error, I have determined that texture is highly important to Eva. Looks like I got the texture right with the prune puree I made. She loves it!

Eva does not like to eat avocado. She does like to spread it on herself though. She probably heard it does wonders for the skin.

Today Eva ate “solids” for the first time. I put solids in quotation marks because the rice cereal flakes (which look like fish food) combined with breast milk resulted in a pretty runny mess. After much debate between Eva’s Dad and myself about whether she was ready to eat solids or not, it has become pretty clear she is ready. Evidence she is ready: drooling significantly; sitting up; grabbing for food; imitating me when I chew (okay, this wasn’t on the list, but come on, this has to be a sign). The only sign she isn’t ready for foods is that she is lacking teeth. The most telling evidence that she is ready is the fact that she ate. And ate. And ate. And then sang a little song about how good it was.

Eva’s Dad feeds Eva first because there is a Vietnamese superstition that the baby will be the same type of eater as the first person to feed her. I am very picky, Eva’s Dad is a bit more adventurous. Guess who we want her to take after?

I apologize for the last three seconds. She was so cute, I became confused.

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.

At just a little over five months Eva is sitting up! For the past week or so, she has been sitting for short periods of time. Today she stepped it up and sat on her own, without her Mom holding her up, for what seems like an hour, maybe more! I am so very proud of her. This new development introduces a new way of playing for Eva, and a little more freedom for Mom so I can put on my jacket without struggling and fumbling and embarrassing myself when out and about.

Some other milestones Eva’s been meeting recently: rolling over both ways in both directions (although she is not one of those roly poly kids, yet); standing with minimal assistance from her parents; straight armed push-ups with her head twisting every which way; and, I promise I am telling you the truth, Eva’s Dad was there too, and we are not exaggerating, Eva made a “th” sound.

Social milestones: we were invited to our first birthday party; Eva had her hair pulled by another older little one (she did not like that at all! Looks like her long hair might be a liability in some situations); Eva also had her toys taken from her by older ones, but she was willing to share. Who knew Eva had all the cool toys? (Here’s a tip: When going places where there will be lots of other moving babies, bring easily washable toys. You will be very popular with other moms if you and your child are willing to share.)

Oh! I almost forgot! The adults in this household are still sleep-deprived almost to the point of insanity, but Eva has put herself to sleep three times this week! We weren’t even trying to get her to do it! Go Eva!

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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No. I am not pregnant. This is the very first photo of Eva taken 1 year ago today. You can already see her beauty. During this time last year, Eva’s name was Elvis in Utero. Actually, Eva isn’t too far off from Elvis.

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!

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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