Ursula at 9 and 10 months- enjoy!
To return to Ursula's current pictures click on the bear.


Ursula tried her best to call Gramma Kay to wish her well, but ran into difficulties with the equipment. She has made good friends with the "if-you'd-like-to-make-a-call" lady - this is likely the reason, by the way, if you get a busy signal when you call us.

Chopsticks with Grampa Wolsborn

Update, July 18th., Everyone wish Gramma Kay a good thought and speedy recovery! Ursula ventured up north to see Grampa Jerry and Nani Wolsborn at the Inn. She really enjoyed chasing the dog around the house. On the way home we took a leisurely Route 1 trip along the ocean. We viewed some cute Pelicans, Ibexes and Sea Lions in the lagoon. In a frightening moment, a large Turkey Vulture came over a cliff and scared us with his 6' wing span.

Kahlua and the Innkeepers

She is unaware of the incredible espresso milkshakes and a wall of cute unique plates at the Pinecone Cafe in Port Reyes.


Getting sleepy up on the Muir look-out (famous Marin County WWII bunker site)

Cooling off on Bob and Martha's yacht (great uncle and aunt) after mom and dad discover the 40 degree just difference driving from San Francisco to Stockton...from 60 to 100 degrees.

July 17th., Ursula could care less about walking practice these days. Pick her up by her armpits and she’ll just adamantly swing her legs forward. But she can certainly crawl up and over a suitcase to get to a glowing surge protector. Watching her go over a pillow blockade is like watching a bulldozer.

It's not cool enough for a wool hat! We're just trying this on for size. Mom knitted this hat for Ursula and is concerned she may have chosen the wrong color of yarn at the top ...

Dad pauses for a kiss while tending the deck garden.


The weather is different every day...just can't get used to seeing a fog river stroll down the bay...

Entering her new room with her super-duper babylegs that protect her from rug burn


There is a beautiful puff of fog and Ursula stares at the rock with bird poop

July 13th., We were tourists today...looking around at the baby boutique stores in Cow Hollow, driving along the Marina to the Presidio. We found the cutest shirt for Ursula, but didn't purchase after seeing the price tag of $96! Maybe in our next lifetimes, we'll get our degrees in something more lucrative.


Walk this way

July 11th., Ursula likes to steal Dad's cookies...well, he showed her the bad habit and it turned up after dinner tonight...watch the theft <here>

Finger Food Festival...Cooked Apricots, Egg Yolks, Carrots, Cottage Cheese, Bananas and Avocado!


"I likes eggs"


"Hmm, not into this"

"I didn't want to use a tray anyhow"


Leftovers?

July 8th., Ursula is now officially a San Franciscan! Well, not really since we have only been here for a week. There are some swimming classes that we are trying to get Ursula enrolled in. Don't worry, they are indoors. Her newest words are 'bach bach' which apparently is the sound a chicken makes...


Bananarama!



Dang! We waited so patiently for the fireworks only to be disapointed by a building to our left that blocked our view. (note: breastfeading baby and cool kitschy light-up wine glasses filled with non-booze beverage)


Enjoying the companionship at a food establishment in Noe Valley

July 4th., Happy American Day! Ursula is excited to be done with her regiment of anti-biotics...the side-effects were very tough on her digestive system and we wonder if there is a single good bacteria left in her gullet!? We are trying our best to re-introduce the good bacteria through mild yogurts and other vegetables. She loved the (non-crust) focaccia at dinner last night with Nani and Aunt Erin Wolsborn. There was also a suprise visit from Great Aunt Nancy and Uncle David Howell. Supposedly we can see the fireworks show from our porch...hope the fog clears...

Aunt Erin gives the choice of Fish or Pork for dinner...Ursula chose the bacon


That look of sadness...thinking we will walk away down the hall

July 2nd., She has separation anxiety...bigtime. We can't leave a room or go around the car to get to the other door fast enough...and poor mom is up every couple hours at night. The baby books say this lasts 'til month 10-18th...good grief. We bought a dwarf meyer lemon tree for our 'porch' today...c'mon over for some lemonade.


We love Craig's list...replantable chunks off a generous disrepute jade plant for free...


The beach was very cold today...all of the back-up clothing was put on her...she looks like Punky Brewster


Rolling around on her first night in San Fran

July 1st., And so much for our view...we awoke in a cold (50 degree) fog that allows us to see about twenty feet. Of course, not having humidity is worth everything in the world...dad is especially happy with a Starbucks down the street. We will miss our sub-urban treats: Sam's Club, Target, Cracker Barrel (kidding)


Afternoon view from our balcony

June 30th., We're home and didn't try very hard to stop and pie taste along the way across America... accidentally found some great Strawberry Rhubarb Pie at The Griddle in Winnemucca, Nevada.

We can't tell you how relieved we are to be out of the car! Thanks to Ursula's Aunt Erin we have a fabulous view of San Francisco, the Bay, and the Coastal Range from our new apartment. Hoping the car's transmission can handle our exploration of a ridiculously hilly city. On our first venture out of the apartment our ears popped driving down the hill ... no kidding. And then we got lost.

Nice view (note fog is obscuring the Coastal Range).

Unforgetable diaper contents discovered at Donner Pass.

Staying cool in the Utah heat

Walking the line in her new shoes at Vail Pass, Colorado (elevation approx. 10,000 feet)
Watch her practicing in this <video> and here is an older clip from the confines of a not baby safe apartment <video>


We found a mommy replacement at nap time.

Sunset in Kansas

Very mad in Kansas

Happy in Kansas

Behind the grass eater


"Hey, where's my crib?"

June 22nd., We are on the road westward- pie tasting across either route 70, route 80 or route 90... See you in a week with new pictures and some road poetry.

The last blueberry yogurt smoothie before the blender gets packed.

Sporting a bandage from her 9 month vaccinations, Ursula is teething, has an ear infection, weighs 17 lbs 15 oz, is 27 1/2 inches tall.

We finish up packing while Ursula unpacks.

What's so interesting in the corner of the one open space left in the apartment? Tthat's where we stacked her books.

June 20th., We have a crawling, curious, climbing (pulling-up) baby in an apartment full of moving boxes and disarray, which means we are very stressed out. She can even sit up on her knees (starting yesterday) to contemplate how to scale the latest barrier - one level of pillows or a (parent) leg is no longer enough of an obstacle. Ursula spent the weekend at the Scheffer's visiting with Hongisto relations. Brendon is fascinating (hope he didn't mind all the baby-staring) and Lauren's dance recital was riveting - perhaps this means Ursula could sit through a movie (dare we hope)?! Happy belated Father's Day to all of you out there!


Good leg work, poor arm movement


Mimi-made matching dresses for Father's Day


Saying goodbye to her little-bear


Ursula's cousin Lauren practicing her mind-meld


The tongue is back for a reunion with Aunt Rachel

Update June 16th., Ursula is crawling and getting into everything, while we are exhausted from packing. This was our lunchtime conversation:

*rustle ... rustle*

S: Can you see her from where you're sitting?
E: Um yeah
S: What's she getting into?
E: A book.

*rustle ... rustle*

S: What was that?
E: She's under the coffee table now.
S: What's under there?
E: She's going for the hand saw.

Whack-a-mole group lunch with service by mom and Karla for Andy, Maddie and Ursula. This table is so cool.

June 15th., No more daycare, no more books...well, more books, but Ursula has graduated from Lawrenceville Daycare and will be starting with a new group of toddlers this summer in SF. We will miss the cuties- Andy, Maddie and Tommy. But not the toy-nabbing (when do they learn sharing?) and mobile toddlers walking on the little one's fingers. Much appreciation to Karla, Nancy and Amy for all the tender care they have given Ursula this past 8 months.



"Let go already..."



Two maracas are better than one.


"Do you like my blueberry Van Dyke?"

June 13th., Please oh please. Will the humidity go away...We have let Ursula sleep in our bedroom lately with the Jersey humidity beginning its terrible surge. Packing boxes and throwing away crap all day is not rewarding- and then we drive for 6 days to San Fran with a skiddish kitty in the car. Ursula has begun to pick out and eat the cheerios from the bananas, pears and apples...junkfood is a priori. We found that she really likes bubbles, bouncy balls, and blueberry yogurt smoothies.


All fun and games until a soap bubble lands in your eye


Ursula is sad after Aidan told her they'll have to break up. Long distance relationships are tough on everyone.

June 12th., Saying goodbye to old friends is so tough. Luckily we had babies there to break the ice. We suggest lots of cross-country visits. Mom and Dad got to see Crysta Lunsford, former roomate Darlene Farris and her daughter, Annalise. She is a super energy no nap cutie. We were also charmed by the hottie Aidan Mcgee Wagner, who is sporting wavy hair, big dish blue eyes and dimples. If you are on the look out for other cute baby pictures, take look at the Flora Files! (she is the daughter of a friend of a friend and has a hat collection that is priceless- we apologize for Ursula stealing Flora's shirt)


Most eligible bachelor of East Stroudsburg


Someone is just confused...is this love? we think weaning her is going to be tough


We broke down after being inspired from Aiden''s Eames Rocker. Just had to get one of our own- using the excuse that Ursula will inherit our objects...

June 9th., We finally noticed that 'Brawny Man' has shaved off his mustache. Supposedly this happened back in 2003, but his new resemblance to 'Mr. Clean' didn't warrant any special attention. Ursula slept in this morning, causing us to wake up around 8 with that panic that should never happen to new parents. Crawling has fully emerged and she can truck along for a few feet. It usually is the result of trying to find a piece of paper. Do all babies like paper?


Grumpy after daddy took the seashell out of her mouth. Rotting clams aren't yet on the menu.

June 6th., Ursula loves a good book - as long as she gets to turn the pages (3.86 mb, this video will take awhile to download). Unfortunately her technique has left a few paper cuts on her thumb :(! She made some crawling progress today - moving forward using her knees for the first time, but only about 6 inches and then she'll sit back down to rest. We spent our anniversary mixing up a batch of devil's food cupcakes (in honor of the date) and visiting the Jersey Shore - Island Beach State Park.


No hypodermic needles- but we did see Dunkin' Donuts, Cup O' Noodles, and a bandaide.


Ursula insists she can help us drive cross-country.


Doesn't she look a little like this <painter>?


Working on her psychology

June 2nd., Yesterday Ursula managed to get from her stomach to a sitting position on her own for the first time. Today she made sure we knew it wasn't a fluke. She also started saying "Mom" and "Mama" in order to get mom to stop and pay attention. Don't expect Ursula to be using this in a sentence anytime soon. We're not even sure if it's language or just an entertaining sound. Today Ursula started pulling up - using her wobbly bouncer *yipes*. Although she hasn't managed to fully stand up on her own this way we are not pleased with the prospect of mobility in an apartment full of disorganized boxes. Her heals haven't yet touched the ground, so either she's still far from any "cruising" or she really wants that pair of Manolo Blahniks for her first birthday.


Analyzing her bananas and cheerios


No teeth yet!

May 30th., Back to work for four more days and then Mom and Dad have undevoted time to pack the remaining belongings and teach Ursula to fly. We've taught her to talk back like a parrot (inspired by a great DVD called "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill")- listen to her attempts at bird mockery <here>


Dreaming of jugs with fresh milk


Silly ants keeping her up into the wee hours of the evening

"What's down there?"

May 28th., Memorial Day was early for us this year and we are home after putting in our American quota of gasoline and toll booths. We had a great visit from Gramma Kay and we all piled into the Subaru Forester and drove down to Virginia to see the Wolsborn family. Ava Rose (Ursula's first cousin) is crawling up a storm and made carpet tracks around a motionless Ursula. Zachary and Annabelle made us all laugh with their funny noises and antics (one of which involved a tv and someone dropping their pants ;)


Sharing the electric guitar and drumkit


All of Gramma Kay's Grandkids!


Playing nice-nice and not grabbing Gramma Kay's glasses at dinner


Sporting her new Zutano shirt (Dad is jealous that he didn't design this!)

Although successful at picking up the cheerios, not so nimble getting them in the mouth.


This photo is an excuse to brag about our new Hubbard topographical map


"Yay, this must be against all sorts of child safety laws"


She can't stop watching the other kids swing back and forth


Doing her part to save the environment


Learning to pet the lawn (nice-nice)


There's a monster in the grass


If Ursula doesn't become a scientist, doctor or lawyer- we are giving her training for the Cirque De Soleil

Did you miss the last couple weeks of pictures?