My daughter, Ramona

Thursday, August 8, 2013

My wife Heidi and I are excited to announce the birth of our daughter. Ramona Mira Cavalier was born on August 5, 2013 at 4:36 a.m., weighing 8 lbs. 8 oz. and measuring 19.5 inches.

Ramona on August 5, 2013

It was a 37-hour labor, but in the end she was born after only eight pushes over eight minutes. Ramona held out in the womb long enough to share astronaut Neil Armstrong‘s birthday. We are thrilled to be parents and to welcome Ramona into this world.

Ramona on August 5, 2013Ramona on August 5, 2013

Ramona’s name

Ramona means “wise protector” (Spanish). The Hebrew name Rimona means “pomegranate.” As for her middle name, Mira means “sea, ocean” (Sanskrit), “peace” (Slavic) and “wonder” (Latin). Mira is also the name of a red giant star in the constellation Cetus.

Songs about Ramona

Ramona has been the subject of many excellent songs, including “Ramona” by Louie Armstrong, “Ramona” by Beck, “Ramona” by Guster and “To Ramona” by Bob Dylan (and the Dylan cover by Sinéad Lohan).

Ramona’s conception

The ultrasound machine dated Ramona’s conception to our wedding night, November 11, 2012, which was less than two days after Heidi and I returned from 40 days in Europe. We had our extended “honeymoon” before getting married on 11/11. However, there is the chance that Ramona was conceived on our last night in Paris on Thursday, November 8. We were staying in a hotel in Montmartre. So, she might be a French baby. Maybe she can be Amélie.

Ramona’s recent past

This was Ramona as a fetus, about seven and five months ago – with a raised fist each time:

Ramona at 12-week ultrasoundRamona at 19-week ultrasound

This was Ramona at home earlier today, at three days old:

Ramona on August 8, 2013Ramona on August 8, 2013

Ramona’s imagined future

This is how I imagine my daughter at age 3 (little girl from a Borealis Press greeting card):

Borealis Press greeting card

This is how I imagine her at age 5 (Ramona Quimby in the book Ramona the Pest):

Ramona the Pest coverRamona the Pest illustration

This is how I imagine her at age 6 (Flora Guiet as Amélie Poulain in Amélie):

Audrey Tautou as Amélie Poulain

This is how I imagine her at age 8 (Sarah Polley as Ramona Quimby in the 1988 TV series Ramona):

Sarah Polley as Ramona Quimby

This is how I imagine her at age 9, minus being orphaned (Judith Vittette as Miette in City of Lost Children):

Judith Vittette as Miette

This is how I imagine her at age 16, minus the pregnancy (Ellen Page as Juno MacGuff in Juno):

Ellen Page as Juno MacGuff

This is how I imagine her at age 23 (Audrey Tautou as Amélie Poulain in Amélie):

Audrey Tautou as Amélie Poulain

This is how I imagine her at age 24, minus the seven evil exes (Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World):

Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers

I am fascinated by our daughter and eager to watch her grow and reveal her personality. What kind of person will she become? What will she do with her life?

I am so grateful for her existence. ♥

My wife and I will surely post more photos of Ramona to Flickr, since we are each taking dozens of shots per day right now.

Similar posts that may be of interest: