Well, there have been a lot of firsts since our last entry. It has bee a while simply because we have been busy keeping up with her. That said, she has been very easy on us as first time parents. She sleeps well, eats well, and loves to smile. Grandma Pat gets props for the first audible laugh. There is not a heart in the world that could not be melted by that laugh. The smiles come fast and furious in the morning.
Ella took her first camping trip in the beginning of April. We got some great spring weather in South West Colorado near Hovenweep. It is the site of some beautiful Anisazi ruins. Ella continued to be a trooper. We had a very nice tent set-up and she seemed to enjoy being outside all day.
Every day she seems more aware and interested in her environment. She stares intently at objects and colors. She has started to grab things as well. Ella has had her first day at work with Mom in the gallery. I think she will do a great job selling art. We had a Skol Studio & Design onesie printed up just for work. It is a nice setup for us to have her at work with us.
I took my first long hike with Ella without Mom today and that was the longest Mom had been away from her baby since she was born. Ella and I went up a trail called Old Twin Peaks. It is a very steep trail that leaves from just outside of town and rises 3000 feet in three miles. Ella spent almost the whole time asleep and I worked a lot harder than I remember working to get up the trail before. We had a lot of fun looking at evidence of spring pushing its way through the ground. Flowers were starting to bloom in some of the lower meadows while the higher peaks are still covered in lots of snow. She took a bottle of mom’s milk in one of those meadows and gave me the usual looks like I was trying to poison her before she started sucking away. I had taken a small camp stove to warm the milk for her and the dogs looked on with some curiosity. We had planned on going higher but the wind was relentless and I thought it would be better for another day. On the way down I thought again that maybe the longer I wait the heavier she will be. The next calm sunny day I might not make it to the top either.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Big Day
Well it was a very big day for Ella. This 1st day of April, and I might say a bit of a shock to her parents. She began the day by sitting bolt upright in her bassinet and requesting waffles and thick cut bacon for breakfast. As shocked as I was, I could hardly refuse her considering It is also one of my favorite breakfasts and I would hardly want to discourage her new found language skills. We did draw the line when she requested a stiff cup of cowboy coffee. I would have hated to change that diaper.
After the breakfast disheswere cleaned Ella decided that she wanted to go and see where the grandparents lived. She thought it a bit odd that as much as they doted over her the first few days that she had not seen them since. We tried to tell her that that would be difficult and somewhat expensive. Ella had a hard time understanding the concept of currency and travel, still believing that love was the currency of the day (thank goodness). So she kindly asked us what we would like to do. Nicole immediately responded, "We just want to make you happy".
"How about that coffee?" came the response.
We settled on a trip to the park. Between sudden spring snow storms and gale force winds, Ella wanted to know what the winter recreation fuss was about. Since we had no ski boots or climbing boots that would fit her, we decided that experiencing it all from the Baby Bjorn would have to do. Skiing she found to be smooth, exciting, and scenic. Ice climbing she found to be a bit slow and sweaty.
We thought for sure that after all that she would be ready for a big steak dinner and bed time, but to our continuing surprise she asked if she could borrow the car and go to Ridgway because she had heard that was where all the boys were being born. Once again we had to draw the line.
After the breakfast disheswere cleaned Ella decided that she wanted to go and see where the grandparents lived. She thought it a bit odd that as much as they doted over her the first few days that she had not seen them since. We tried to tell her that that would be difficult and somewhat expensive. Ella had a hard time understanding the concept of currency and travel, still believing that love was the currency of the day (thank goodness). So she kindly asked us what we would like to do. Nicole immediately responded, "We just want to make you happy".
"How about that coffee?" came the response.
We settled on a trip to the park. Between sudden spring snow storms and gale force winds, Ella wanted to know what the winter recreation fuss was about. Since we had no ski boots or climbing boots that would fit her, we decided that experiencing it all from the Baby Bjorn would have to do. Skiing she found to be smooth, exciting, and scenic. Ice climbing she found to be a bit slow and sweaty.
We thought for sure that after all that she would be ready for a big steak dinner and bed time, but to our continuing surprise she asked if she could borrow the car and go to Ridgway because she had heard that was where all the boys were being born. Once again we had to draw the line.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Baby Bliss
Well I write this as I contemplate the fact that Ella has now officially out grown her first outfit. People tell you how fast it goes and you believe them but you apparently don't understand them completely. Ella has reshaped our lives quietly and gracefully. She has provided joy and entertainment while keeping stress and anxiety to a minimum. Our Friends and family have been a big part of that. Our families were in town for the first couple of weeks of her life. They all took turns bonding with and loving her. They helped us with the everyday parts of life and made it all relaxing and enjoyable. Those present were my parents, Gretchen and David, and Nicole's family, Pat, Micheal, and her Grandmother Jenny (aka Nan). They all cooked and cleaned and loved Ella up, while helping Nicole and I ease into our new rolls as parents. Our friends would visit and bring meals and gifts. The flow of visitors was impressive but respectful. People we know in town but have little contact with were by with gifts and congratulations. This small community has received her very warmly. I am touched and looking forward to her growing up here.
Ella has been awake a lot more during the day and is very alert. She is looking around absorbing her environment. She loves music and being read to. Ella loves to move. She is happy to go for walks and trips to Montrose in the car. She is not all to happy getting into the car seat but as soon as the truck starts to move she settles down. The dogs have adjusted well to Ella. They love to be close to her and are concerned when she cries. They get excited when Nicole puts the front carrier on because they know it means a walk. When ever Nicole asks Ella if she wants to eat JoJo thinks it is for him and runs to his food bowl.
The most amazing part of her new development to me has been the eye contact. She will hold your stare for 10 to 20 seconds at times. It feels like she is investigating who you are. There have been a couple times at 3 AM when I am changing her and concentrating on the task as best I can and I look at her face and she is staring at me. Her eyes are alert and playful, suddenly I am wide awake.
Ella has been awake a lot more during the day and is very alert. She is looking around absorbing her environment. She loves music and being read to. Ella loves to move. She is happy to go for walks and trips to Montrose in the car. She is not all to happy getting into the car seat but as soon as the truck starts to move she settles down. The dogs have adjusted well to Ella. They love to be close to her and are concerned when she cries. They get excited when Nicole puts the front carrier on because they know it means a walk. When ever Nicole asks Ella if she wants to eat JoJo thinks it is for him and runs to his food bowl.
The most amazing part of her new development to me has been the eye contact. She will hold your stare for 10 to 20 seconds at times. It feels like she is investigating who you are. There have been a couple times at 3 AM when I am changing her and concentrating on the task as best I can and I look at her face and she is staring at me. Her eyes are alert and playful, suddenly I am wide awake.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Presenting Ella Jennifer Skoloda
Hello Family and Friends. We will be sharing photos and stories about our new addition to the family. Ella Jennifer was born at home in Ouray, CO on March 1st, 2008 at 10:28 AM MST. She weighed in at 7lbs 4oz and was 21 inches long. Nicole and I were assisted by midwife Bill Dwelley and apprentice Marlene Bergman. Nicole went into labor on the leap year at 9:30 PM just as grandparents-to-be Gretchen and David Skoloda were arriving from WI. The labor was fast and furious over the next 13 hours with few breaks longer than 2 minutes for Nicole. She labored through the night with only a little help from me in the form of a gentle touch on her lower back while bouncing softly on an exercise ball. Some of the lighter moments of the night were when I decided to make vanilla pudding to calm myself (the pudding was never touched) and when I woke up with my hand on her back where she had placed it for comfort after I fell asleep on her. At 7:00 AM, after talking at two other times with the midwife during the night, we decided it was time for them to come and also time for our dogs Jo-Jo and Penelope to go to a friend's house for the delivery. When I set the dogs things out at the top of the stairs for our friend Mary, Jo-Jo sat with his things telling us he was ready to go. Bill and Marlene showed up at about 8:15, after delivering a baby the day before, with energy, soothing words, and support. As soon and Bill and Marlene saw Nicole, they knew she was close to her transition phase. On her first check she was in fact almost 10cm. Time to get into the tub. We got her down the stairs and into the tub. The next 45 min I will not even attempt to describe except for that they were the most incredible and intense moments of my life. Bill and Marlene's skill and compassion were truly inspiring. After the birth we helped Nicole to a bed/window seat where she and Ella spent their first hours together and Ella began to nurse. The sun flooded the room and the feeling of warmth and euphoria were strong. A new life was among us and dreams of the future and the magic of the moment were overwhelming.
Here is a poem my father David Skoloda wrote soon after her birth.
Ella
Ella, 48 hours old, gives a quick sigh
Her tiny heart beating against mine
As she sleeps on my chest
I rock again in the steel bronze wood
Rocker her father made just for the occasion
Of her birth
Modeled after his great grandparents’ rocker
Which rocked him when he was young.
Ella will ride it, too, as she sleeps and sighs
Or feeds at her mother’s breast
In her mountain home
Ella, 48 hours old, what sighs
Will you sigh as you live through
This 21st century?
Sighs of contentment, satisfaction, enchantment
And sighs of sadness, frustration, forgiveness
Slower exhalations than the brief burst that startles me now
From my reverie about your great great grandmother
A midwife
Such as delivered you just 48 hours ago
My grandmother with the soft hands
I hold you
For her, and I sigh
On behalf of all the generations
Who have waited
For you
Here is a poem my father David Skoloda wrote soon after her birth.
Ella
Ella, 48 hours old, gives a quick sigh
Her tiny heart beating against mine
As she sleeps on my chest
I rock again in the steel bronze wood
Rocker her father made just for the occasion
Of her birth
Modeled after his great grandparents’ rocker
Which rocked him when he was young.
Ella will ride it, too, as she sleeps and sighs
Or feeds at her mother’s breast
In her mountain home
Ella, 48 hours old, what sighs
Will you sigh as you live through
This 21st century?
Sighs of contentment, satisfaction, enchantment
And sighs of sadness, frustration, forgiveness
Slower exhalations than the brief burst that startles me now
From my reverie about your great great grandmother
A midwife
Such as delivered you just 48 hours ago
My grandmother with the soft hands
I hold you
For her, and I sigh
On behalf of all the generations
Who have waited
For you
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