eyelashes 

video montage

I was visiting the blog of Baby Violet and copied her papa's video montage idea. What fun! This is all done with my trusty little camera,but anyone who wants to donate a camcorder to the Uma fund- feel free!!!!
Enjoy!
((sorry for the cheesey song, I couldn't help myself))

Create your own video for free at www.onetruemedia.com

lots of tongue 

sundance

This last week, baby Uma was on her first camping trip to a traditional Lakota Sundance ceremony. She was there last year in utero (and for years before that in my prayers), but this year she was a dancing and singing participant.
What a trooper she was!
She spent about 10-12 hours a day in the shade arbor to support the dancers. Although the evenings are usually the chattiest hours for Uma (our little nightingale), at the dance she babbled incessantly throughout the day.
DADADA DADADAAAAAA badabalala and tons of rapberries, farting noises, and dolphin squeals.

She loved the singing and the drums- she would nap as we all danced and sang the rounds but as soon as a round was over and it was prayerful and peaceful, she would begin the Uma show. She is such a ham.
It was a riot. Her timing is impeccable.
If she wasn't so damn cute, I would have been really embarrassed. I was a bit worried that her din might distract the dancers, but apparently they loved hearing her joyful noises.

She was the belle of the ball, she was showered in attention there, it was ridiculus. Her fan club is now in the hundreds at least. I swear it's part of her destiny to spead love, joy, and beauty.

I brought her into the sweat lodge for a "brush-off" cleanse and she greeted each woman as they entered with a dadaaddaadaaa.We were in stitches. When we closed the doors and began the sweat, I just shoved her on the boob so that the elder pouring the water could be heard.

On the last day, a native grandma was holding her and Uma was pounding away on her drum. It was such a sight- she was literally singing and drumming at 5 and a half months.

In camp she was a rolling wonder.
She mastered the skill several months back but now she's doing 360s and really going for it. As soon as she's put on her back, she'll start and in a minute she'll be across the floor from rolling and scooting. She is really ready to crawl as well. On her tummy she's wiggling her butt in the air and trying to get her knees under her. As she is a MAJOR wiggle worm and crazy bouncer, I imagine we will both be quite busy very soon.

Next week we get weighed in at the naturopath for her 6 month appointment. I'm guessing she's a good 22-23 pounds after carrying her this last week for huge stretches of time. She has just passed a threshhold where she is a bit uncomfortable to carry for very long periods.However, I know I will always cherish these days when I can just tote her along and smoosh on her all day so I'm not complaining.

The blur in these pics is our beautiful bouncing baby, Uma AKA Chunky Monkey, Boo, Boobie, Boom Boom, Nuk Nuk, Muffin, Pudding Pie, Mija....

Here are some random pics of us at the Oregon Country Fair. It's an amazing event, and Uma was having a ball with all the freaks in the woods.

Uma is now, at five months, taking great delight in other babies. She squeals, smiles, and totally engages with other wee ones. Here is Uma with Ollyn, after a full day of trekking around town together.

Uma and Malcolm swimming with dolphins and whales. 

This here is Uma's first trip to the river.  

Here's Miss Uma at the Zoo at one of her first big concerts- THE INDIGO GIRLS!!! It was an awesome show, and the dykes LOVED Uma. She really knows how to win friends and influence people. This was actually her third concert- the first being Amadou and Miriam, the second was Baba Maal.