The Life Aquatic

It has been coming for awhile, but today was the day that Mom finally gave up on the baby bathtub. Oona is just too big to fit anymore, she was starting to look like Gulliver in the land of Lilliput, her limbs were sticking out and there was no way to get enough water in to even come close to covering her great big, great big belly.

So we made the move to the big person tub. Mom got in too. Oona took to the water and was splashing around like a baby beluga in no time.  Dad brought in the tub toys he had picked out for Oona before she was even born - it was very fun to finally get to use them. And Mom couldn't believe how clean Oona came!

Heather comes for a visit, Lady Elaine is back, Oona tries cereal

Our friend Heather was finally able to make it over for a visit. She brought Oona an extremely cool t-shirt featuring Godzilla on the side of the road trying to hitch a ride to Tokyo. Unfortunately  a picture of Oona modeling the shirt is not yet available (she spit up on it almost as soon as it was on) but you can see a picture of a t-shirt just like it by clicking here.  

Heather also started Mom on a trip down memory lane by remembering the name of that monstrous puppet of Mr Rogers, Lady Elaine Fairchilde. Mom can't wait to introduce Oona to the Lady; after all what would childhood be without some pop-culture induced trauma? You can watch a beautiful tribute to the she-devil here.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the day was when Oona tried her first solid food! Mom and Dad couldn't take the guilt of watching Oona move her mouth like a little bird waiting to be fed every time we ate. Oona had organic brown rice cereal mixed with Mom's milk, about 9 parts milk to 1 part cereal.

Dad's 1st Birthday (with Oona)

Today was Dad's birthday. Oona helped Mom make a double layer chocolate cake (which was very kind of her considering she wasn't able to eat any). She also helped Dad blow out the candles (from a safe distance, of course. There were quite a lot of them).

In honour of Dad's birthday we have made a list of some of Oona's favourite things about Dad:

• His muppet-like hairstyle is funny
  
• His beard is good for pulling (or licking)
  
• His nose is good for biting
  
• Dad is great at carrying us around
  
• Dad is really great at comforting and making us feel safe
  
• Dad is funny
  
• Dad does whatever we tell him to do
  
• Dad is a fantastic entertainer
  
• Dad makes duck noises
  

Oona stands on her own two feet

This past week Oona has been practicing rolling and standing up. She seems to really enjoy the view from the standing position. Today she even supported her full weight all by herself (no small feat considering the size of her). Dad has been calling her the "Standy-Up-y Girl".

Peek-a-boo

Exciting new trick - Oona plays peek-a-boo. The idea seems to have started fermenting in her little mind a few days ago. Today, Dad and I were certain that she was, in fact, covering and then uncovering her face to see our surprised reaction. The giggling gave it away (and the increasingly rapid face covers / uncovers).

Growin' stuff with the Grow With Me group

Today the Grow With Me parent-tot group prepared seeds for our garden plot. Our plot is part of the North End Community Garden project  and we are planting tomatoes, marigolds and mint.

Oona was dressed for gardening in her Osh Gosh denim overalls and strawberry shirt, but she wasn't really in the mood for it. Mom had to spend time soothing  instead of helping to plant the seeds, but no worry we will have lots of time to garden this summer. Also, we brought home a pot with mint seeds to keep in our window until they are ready to go into the ground. 

Happy Easter Oona!

What an exciting day. It is Easter Sunday and Oona had many visitors: her Nine (pronounced Nine-y, Welsh for Nanny) Roberts, Grand-Dad and Nanny Oakes and cousins Catie and Noah. At times it seemed a bit overwhelming for her, but overall she basked in the attention.

Grand-Dad and Nanny just returned from a trip to Cuba. They brought back a beautiful sun dress that will be just perfect for Oona this summer. They also gave Oona a stuffed bunny for Easter. They haven't seen Oona since Christmas, so they were surprised to see how big she has gotten.

Even though she is still pretty little for presents, Mom and Dad gave Oona two books for Easter, The Runaway Bunny and Pat the Bunny, two classics of children's literature (Mom couldn't help herself).

Oona passes a toy from one hand to the other!

It has been a busy day. Oona has reached a new milestone - she can now pass an object from one hand to the other hand. Dad and I witnessed this remarkable feat completed five times in a row. It is amazing how quickly her hand - eye coordination is improving, but not as quickly as her foot - eye coordination. She has developed fine motor skills in her toes and has been putting them to good use manipulating the buttons on her Ocean Wonders toy (most often between 3am and 4am). She is getting to be a regular chimp.

Oona visits the playground

Today is Good Friday. Dad took the day off of work and we all went to the playground on the Halifax Commons. This was Oona's second expedition to the PG, Dad took her on her first visit last week. Oona seemed thrilled to be amongst her people - there were small ones everywhere. While we were there Oona tried some rope and rock climbing (with a little assistance). She also provided a running commentary on everything we were seeing and doing.

We also checked out near by public art sculpture. The origins of this piece have been obscured in HRM history. Maybe when Oona is a little older, we can make a family research project of finding out more about this sculpture. I don't think she is really up to it just yet.

A visit to the doctor, and later Oona attends a reception

Oona went for her 4 month check-up today. The highlight of these visits is the weigh-in and today Oona did not disappoint - tipping the scales at a whopping 17lbs 6 oz. This places Oona firmly off the growth charts, above the 97% (as high as it goes).

Sadly (at least for Mom) it was also an immunization visit. Dad held Oona while she got her needle, and they were both very brave. Luckily Oona has been doing well with her immunizations and has shown no signs of discomfort afterwards.

Dr. O'Neill confirmed that Oona is very healthy and doing everything a 4 month old should do (and even a little more).

Later in the day, Oona attended a reception at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The reception was hosted by the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative as part of the Halifax Independent Film Festival. Everyone commented on how serious Oona looks. For Oona, the best part of the excursion seemed to be leaving her  tongue hanging out to taste the air to and from the event.