this morning

Keely is starting to get a few more pictures of Oona and I, which is fun since I've already taken about 400 of the two of them in the last week. This morning Oona and I slept in while Mama had her morning tea and stole some shots.

getting to know each other

happy baby

After watching "The Happiest Baby on the Block" video last night we decided to try a few of the techniques, which are not terribly different from things we already do such as wrap Oona up, jiggle her when she's upset, croon in her ear. But this video takes it all another step. So, we swaddled her much tighter than we have in the past. Much more womb-like. And she loves it. She slept an extra hour last night between feedings and seems more content.

The theory is that humans babies are born very early developmentally because of our large brains. Horses, cats, dogs, etc. can get up and run around a day or two or even immediately after birth. We can't because we are actually born "earlier". The reason for this is that if we were born more fully developed, our heads would be too big to pass through the mother's pelvis. So, the first few months after birth are really the fourth trimester of development. Therefore, the theory goes, the more womb like you make her fourth trimester, the more relaxed and "happy" she will be. How exactly you make her first few months womb-like is obviously the trick. And this particular pediatrician has his tricks down. So far Oona is a fan.






We've moved out of the nursery/guest room and back up to our attic bedroom loft which is much more comfortable for mama and poppa. In bed we all get to look out the skylight at the big red maple tree above our heads.

sleep

Click to play sleep video. You may notice a bit of "Catch 22" in the background.

takin' walks

Grandma Taylor sewed the flannel bundle bag underneath. Jack and Shannon wove the wool blanket. Josh donated the wool hat. Grandpa and Nana Nelson gave Oona the stroller.

Keely sewed her hat.

I like all this baby stuff.

one week old today!

photo op

quiet and alert.

proud poppa!

proud grandpa too.

visits

There nothing much more fun than showing off our new daughter. We've already had quite a few visitors. Mostly friends and family dropping off food so I don't have to worry about cooking on top of the other duties. Which by the way is the greatest gift. Charmaine, Weston, Jimmy, and Ava first dropped off homemade multi-grain cinnamon rolls, then tonight brought by a wonderful barley chicken soup. Polly and John showed up the night of the birth with a car load of groceries then two nights ago brought us sushi take-out from the city (yum!). Mika brought us more groceries and our neighbor Rene stayed with Keel while Mike and I ran to the drugstore for a couple needed items. Jack, Shannon, Sedge and Ojiah stopped over yesterday with a big dish of Jack's famous spinach lasagna and an organic cotton blanket hand woven on the loom in their living room! With a community this good it's no wonder we are growing such a healthy baby. I might start growing a little too!

Ojiah is only 7 weeks old but already 16 lbs. Is Oona really going to blimp out like this? I hope so. Keely is feeding her as much as she'll hold and we are going for puffy baby. I'm not sure anyone can compete with Ojiah though. It must be that Stone Barns food.

No really, I can't believe the size of this kid!

Grandpa and Nana Nelson visit on Day Zero.

Taking our first walk with Mika.

christmas in february

I don't get to see my good friend Andrea (one of my best friends during grad school) very often. We met up for coffee two days before Oona was born and I came home with a mountain of Oona gifts. I've been meaning to post an update on the wonderful holiday gifts Oona received which basically met all our needs. Thank you to everyone! We received many hand sewn blankets, a car seat, toys, dolls, books, clothes, etc. We haven't been short of anything this first week with Oona. And then Andrea gave us a whole new holiday. Thanks for everything A!

The little mermaid is perfect since Oona is a water baby, born underwater in the big tub. Notice also Keel's newest quilt on the couch.

The little mermaid occupies a coveted position in the co-sleeper next to Oona all night.

I can't wait until this baby mug is actually used. For now it's a kitchen display of piggies.

And let's not forget the all important diaper bag. I think I'm going to pack it tomorrow since the move from upstairs to down is starting to require 21 too many trips.

oona plum mcphearson: day 3 update

you always know a mcphearson baby by the full head of hair.

big little hands

We took our first walk outside today (very slowly) since we had that strange but wonderful 47 degree super sunny day in February. Keely finally had the moment she has been dreaming of, pushing her new baby around Campwoods in the Chameleon (better known as the stroller).

Our midwife, Anne, made another home visit today (she's the greatest) and Oona has already gained weight. She of course lost half a pound since birth, but Keely's milk has come in quickly which means Oona will start putting on that baby fat. I can't wait to take macro photos of baby fat rolls.

day 2

snug as a bug.

All is well in our little home. Oona is getting better and better at breastfeeding, and we both got a little more sleep last night. We haven't taken many photos yet as we are still taking care of the other priorities (feeding and sleeping mostly).

She's Here!!!

Well, Oona has the punctuality thing down already. She came right on her due date. Oona Plum McPhearson was born yesterday at 3pm. She weighs 7lbs, is 19 inches long, and has all her fingers and toes and whatnot. She is already nursing like a pro and slept most of the night last night (thank you god). Keely was amazing! We spent the day laboring at home until Oona was finally ready for her grand entrance. We tried to make it as gentle as possible. So when the midwives arrived, Keely got into the tub and Oona was out an hour later (labor from start to finish was just 10 hours). The doula and midwives all said Keely labored like a second time mom. She's a natural. Oona was born into warm water where we held her for a half hour just letting her and mom adjust. She is a very healthy baby. Keely is doing great too. No complications and feeling pretty good all things considered.

I'll post more photos a bit later and try to make a few phone calls later today. We are going to have a quiet day at home today to catch up on our rest.