three weeks already!

It's hard to believe she is already three weeks old - but life keeps moving forward, spring is here, everything is in motion. Flowers are pushing up and out, the crocuses and daffodils are blooming. And so the babe grows. I trim her nails (sure proof that growth is happening) and notice that her hair is getting longer (it's a dark blond/light brown, although almost red in some light) and the long pieces are starting to curl. Her eyes are slowly changing to a brown/hazel color. It's harder to notice the overall growing though - she certainly feels bigger/heavier, but looks the same. It doesn't help that I look at her every two to four hours - hard to see change over such short intervals.

She loves to take showers. She still impersonates squeak toys and seagulls, although only during her puppy dreams. She likes to look out the window while nursing, at the trees in the backyard. When we change her diaper she is mesmerized by the Nikki McClure print hanging over the table. She turns into a howler monkey every once in a while - something isn't right in her universe, although we rarely figure out what it is... we play with sleep, trying to find the balance between total exhaustion, her 4am "awake time" and our REM state... She has had lots of visitors, most recently her grandma and her great-grandma, and her cousin and great-aunt.

Fiona and her grandma and her great-grandma:


Fiona and her great-grandma:


Fiona and her great-aunt:


Life is amazing, and watching hers open up and develop and become is pretty fantastic.

in memoriam

G's euology, from this morning -

"I remember the eerie twilight call of the pheasant, the mist that unfurled in the valley with the rising sun.

I remember the squeal of the new born piglet, the bleating of woolly lamb, the whinny of the galloping horses and the taste of raw honey in the comb,

I remember the awe of births, the green glimmer of elodea from the pond, the joy of watching it all grow, and the reverence you had for life even in the slaughter.

I remember the magic glimmer of foxfire from the sweat lodge thatch while watered poured over the steaming rocks.

I remember the inspiration of your sophists ways, your attempts to seek the better path, the way you lived in the possibility, even probability, that a miracle would indeed match your efforts.

I remember your lofty goals for society, your desire to find a sustainable balance and in the creative chaos that shapes our well made plans.

You opened my eyes to a way of being that I will never forget, a way I hope to pass down to future Whitesides."

From my brother in law, D:
GMWIII held a strong belief that a soul making the journey from this world to the next is greatly helped on its way when the loved ones left behind keep a conscious vigil for about three days. In respect for that belief, we would ask you to please take some time to hold him in the light, and maintain him somewhere in your thoughts throughout these days.

I wish his spirit safe passage to the other side. He will be truly missed.

day 18

So sorry to all that it has been a week without pictures! This week has certainly been full. Last week G's sister A visited, then we had Fiona's second doctor's visit... she gained a pound and a half in nine days! (This girl is certainly one of the family, a hearty eater! She was in the 50th percentile for weight at birth, but is now in the 75th percentile... that's my girl!)


Then G's father's passing became imminent - so G hopped on a plane back East on Thursday. Friday evening, GIII passed away. March is a month of birth and death, a constant reminder that there are supernatural forces at work, that change is the most reliable constant, and that love truly holds the universe together. So tell your loved ones that you love them - it's something that can't be said enough.

And finally, some more photos of my newest love - my little grunting milk monster that she is:




Yep, we've got sunshine this morning. It's going to be a beautiful day. Big hugs to all!!

Love,
E.

more of the lovely Fiona

Hanging out in the living room...


The tiniest fingers ever!


Mama, Papa, Baby.


Yeah, we're settling in nicely. We're a family now! This time to relax and eat and sleep and change diapers is amazingly fantastic - such a blessing. And I feel like I am living a fantasy - we've had a seemingly endless parade of well-wishers and food-bringers and baby-greeters coming through our doors... our friends and family are so generous and lovely and I can't wait to return the favor one of these days... but for today, and the next set of days, I will swim in gratitude for the life that we live... you people are a dream come true, a real community. THANK YOU!!!

Tia and Fiona

Just found this photo - love it!!

already one week has passed...

Happy one week birthday, sweet baby girl!



And here is a shot of what we do all day long... well, this and taking naps.


We had her one week check-up today... and she already weighs 8 pounds. This means that she surpassed her birth weight within 6 days of birth (they like to see babies surpass their birth weight within 14 days of birth - we already have an overachiever on our hands!).

sunday quick pic...

Absolutely awesome. Smile captured on film...