Four generations

Leila, Me, Baba, my dad

This was the first time I can remember being with four generations. I am glad Leila and her Great-Baba finally got to meet while we were back home! Leila had fun crawling from room to room checking out everything.

Baba has picture of Leila all over the place that I've sent her. Around Christmas time Baba made a poster using a bunch of Leila's newborn pictures. Too cute!

Too bad no one got a picture of Leila spiting up half her bottle ON MY FACE. *Reminder to self: Do not lift a baby over your head after they eat.*

Total. rookie. mistake. I thought it was an urban legend or something. Gross.

Wordless Wednesday

I think these pictures tell the story for themselves...

364 Days

We spent Sunday at Sea World. It had been a while since just the three of us did something together. Leila, of course, was more into the people than animals.

Last summer Jeff and I went while I was pregnant with Leila. I remember looking at all the babies, guessing their age to see if that would be what Leila was doing next year.

This past vacation I had the chance to glimpse into the future, kinda. Ameila is 364 days older than Leila. Sunday at Sea World I again found myself thinking about what she will be like next summer.

She is growing so fast, and with all of these new milestones right around the corner, I can't help but wish I could slow it down.


Ameila (22 months) and Leila (10 months)

Soooo big!

The latest and greatest in Leila news...teething! I say it is great now, but who knows how she'll really handle it.

After missing her nap at the pool yesterday I suspected teething. (Why? Because it's about time for my 10 month old to get a toothy grin.) And because she's been drooling buckets AND because I actually felt some rough bumps peeking through her lower gum!

I have heard each side of the coin on teething from friends and family. I told Leila a few months ago, "No teeth until summer!" so that I can be sleep deprived or whatever with no work. I am hoping for the best, but am prepared for the worst.

Leila has also been standing unassisted for a few seconds. She has even taken two steps toward me before diving into my arms.

I love how she points to everything too! Jeff and I just have to guess what she is asking about. Today I heard him telling her about a photograph from our honeymoon and a street sign. I wonder if that was what she was curious about?!?

It's crazy how amazing she is. This is all happening so fast!

So Sweet

One of my favorite things about being home was seeing Leila interact with all of her cousins.



Technically Thomas, Amelia, and Peyton are Leila's second cousins (and my first cousins once removed). But who cares, family is family!



Leila was really most interested in the older two kiddos. Amelia was so sweet with her. Thomas played with her by crawling around just like her. I can tell she misses them! Yesterday at our local park Leila crawled to an area with a bunch of trucks and two kids and just sat there hanging out. It was too cute.



Peyton, the youngest, was born in January which makes them about three months apart. She was inspired by Leila's ability to sit and move. On the first day they met she started sitting up. By the end of the trip she was army crawling her way around the room!


I can't decide if Peyton was going for a hug here or just needed some support.

HOPEFULLY the cousins will be able to make it out to SD this year!

A shout out to my baby girl...
10 MONTHS OLD TODAY! xoxoxox

I love...

That my "back to reality" still feels like a vacation

How Leila was able to score her own seat on BOTH legs of our trip

The thought of editing 250 photos of family and friends

That I can have the windows open in this beautiful San Diego weather





It feels good to be home!

Doctor's orders

For the most part, Jeff and I have different personalities. You would never expect him to be super anal when it comes to Leila's meal times...sounds a little more like my style.

I can happily say that I am not the freak this time!

Jeff wipes Leila's mouth AND hands after each bite he gives her with a spoon. I have never seen him give her finger foods. Poor Leila.

I called the Doctor's office to ask some questions about our airplane ride and asked a few questions about foods for Leila. Now that she is almost refusing to be spoon fed, minus prunes...thank goodness, I am struggling with finger food ideas.

I was told to lay down a shower curtain under her highchair, give her a spoon, and bowl, and let her go to town. So today I tried it. Twenty percent of the potatoes went in or near her mouth, twenty percent were on the floor, and sixty percent were left somewhere on her highchair.

For the record: I used to judge moms with dirty highchairs. So sorry! I'm learning and already judging much much less!

On Vacation

Leila is on vacation, which means so am I. We are into our second week of Chicagoland adventures; meeting cousins, future boyfriends, shopping, eating, and of course enjoying time with Auntie Kim and Grandma and Grandpa.


Cousin Ameila and Leila...born 364 days apart

See you next week with a hundred million photos and stories!

It was IN-DE-PEN-DENCE Da-yyyyyyyy!!!

Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. Summer, sun, friends, and fireworks. And this year did not disappoint!

It's great to have Leila around! She's into everything...the plants, watering can, cabinets, the stairs, the dogs (until they lick her), and especially people. So good to have a friendly baby.



As for the fireworks, I am fine with missing them this year, we'll catch them next time around. I was not willing to mess with Leila's (perfectly awesome) schedule...our upcoming trip will provide plenty of opportunities to do that.



Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe extra long weekend!

40 Weeks (not pregnant!)

On Wednesday of this week Leila turned 40 weeks old. That is hard to believe because that's how long I was pregnant with her. Actually it was 40 weeks and 26 minutes.

And why on earth is thebump.com still counting her age in weeks?!!?

We've been enjoying our first week of summer vacation together. Daily walks, trips to the park, and trying new foods. I really love this age!



Leila is showing us that she is curious, friendly, and a bit of a thrill seeker. She's a good sleeper, probably since she does not sit still for very long. I felt so special the other day when she sat on my lap and I was able to read her THREE WHOLE PAGES of her favorite book.

Leila dances to music (with one hand up in the air), loves to be chased, and is beginning to be more vocal. Just today she and I cracked up at each other for no reason at all. Or maybe I am just funny looking.

I expected summer vacation to be wonderful. I have been looking forward to it since spring break came to a close.

Time for me to enjoy my baby!