Family trip to Gig Harbor. Sola's first overnight trip!

Pete and Maria's wedding (Sola's first!)

Hitting the boob too hard...

Sola has an incredible appetite but sometimes she goes a little overboard.

Family and smiles

The "fam" got out to a barbecue at the beach last week but it was all yawns for the little one.

Sola's testing out her new crib here but the family bed is her preferred point of departure to dreamland.

Shiny baby!

Back to the womb for this lil' lady. Warm water and a light sway brings back memories of the wonders of the womb for Sola and helping her sleep through her first bath.

Another little lefty in the world

Go 'Bama!!!

Stevie Wonder concert 7/11

That's right, five days after birth our first trip out of the house was to a Stevie Wonder show. We figured it is important to imprint good music onto her early.

She slept solid the whole time except during Visions In My Mind. Stevie spends half the song talking to the crowd about making the world a better place. Sola seemed to be actively listening. I have never seen her eyes so bright.

Stevie's daughter Aisha is a back up singer in the band and was also the inspriation for his song Isn't She Lovely. Stevie called his daughter to come sit on hit piano bench and he sang the song to her. Julia, Sola, and I were totally elated; dancing, crying, and hugging the whole song. Oh Stevie, the things your music makes us do.

First day out at the park

Talking loud and saying nothing (or is she?)

Ever so pensive.

Having fun in her birthday suit. Oh the glorious days of socially approved nudity.

Grandmas gazing at the amazing

More napping

Mom has been working hard and needs lots of naps. Sola has a verocious appetite and spends most of her time asleep.

I highly recommend going back and looking at the "progression" post now that the progression is complete

Solene is in mixed company

Other July 6th birthdays:
Dalai Lama
Frida Kahlo
50 Cent
George W. Bush
Sylvester Stallone
Merv Griffin
Nancy Reagan
Ned Beatty

Day of naps

Papa's birthday slumber and Sola's after-birthday snooze

Birth

Proud parents of Solene "Sola" Rachele Curren

7/6/08 at 7:27 p.m.

6 lbs. 13 oz.

20.25"



Just one snip

Mom is on quite a high

Labor was wonderful. Julia's water broke right as we woke up Sunday morning. We collected ourselves, made a plan, and worked together to prepare for the day. Our friend Meredith came over at around 10:30 to take our dog and help set up the pool (thank you Mer!) At noon we took a walk around the block to collect some flowers but the contractions were stopping Julia in her tracks. We met some new cool neighbors when Julia had to drop to her hands in knees in their front yard for a contraction (that was surreal and a bizarre first impression). The contractions progressed quickly but Julia found her rhythm early and kept it all the way through; deep breathing, swaying, moaning. It was incredible to witness and support her. I have never been prouder of anybody in my life. Her labor was so natural, transformative, and even transcendent. We moved around the house a bit but mostly she labored in the pool which is where Sola was born. We had a wonderful support team who kept us safe the whole time. They let us have an hour after the birth to be by ourselves and begin getting used to having a family of three. What a high! Now we are adjusting our sleep patterns and exploring what this whole parenting thing is about.

Labor

Final shots at Golden Gardens 7/4