Just another day

New tricks

Leila has been trying and not liking many new foods. Well, I can't really tell if she likes the new foods because she is pushing EVERYTHING out of her mouth (already been chewed style).

My theory is that she just figured out she can do it, so she does. Or since her two bottom teeth are sticking up she runs her tongue across her teeth and accidentally pushes the food onto her chin. I've seen her do this without food in her mouth. Who knows... there is NO WAY she suddenly hates all foods!

This weekend Leila finally tried watermelon. I love watermelon (eating some as I write) but never buy it because it's too heavy to walk home with it. Driving to the grocery store = watermelon!

She was willing to try it. Go ahead, help yourself!


Check out the sweet pool set up we have for Leila over at Betsy's.


I think I will just chew on the rind.


It seems like she likes it. I just wish I knew why she thinks it is a good idea to spit it out!

Just like Mommy...

Leila sure loves her bed!

Lately when I go in and get her in the morning Leila does not want to actually get out of bed. She calls for me, but when I go get her she is perfectly content playing with the 800 pacifiers in her crib. She doesn't like it when I leave the room to fill up my coffee, but certainly doesn't want to come with me.



Today I crawled into her crib to hang out just for the fun of it. Pretty comfortable...I can see why she digs it!

11 months old

We really have such an amazing baby girl! At eleven months old Leila is curious, determined, independent, friendly, and happy. So far so good!

Leila is walking more than crawling now although she realizes crawling is much faster. Her little voice can make such big noises. She still squeals in delight when she sees Otis and her Aunt Val. (I am sure Val loves being equal to the cat!)

She eats 2-3 meals a day. We're working up to three meals and a snack by her birthday. Black beans, bananas, and cheese are her favorite. I have to wait to warm up the black beans or she will ignore every thing else on her tray.

It seems like we are always cleaning up after her! I laughed the other day when I thought, I will be cleaning up after her for the rest of my life. I know how you feel now Mom. Thanks!

It was difficult capturing Leila with Minnie again this month.









Happy eleven months Leila! It's been a fun ride seeing you grow into a toddler. I am still wrapping my head around the comment Val made to someone yesterday that I have a one year old! Guess I (almost) do!

Sand and saltwater

We are about two months deep into a great summer, BUT we hadn't been to the beach until yesterday.

What?!!? Yes, I know that I live at the beach. It still doesn't make it easy. And what a production it was! (I am still finding sand everywhere. Wet sand is the WORST!)

Between wrestling to put Leila's swim diaper on and keeping up with her constant need for movement I was able to enjoy watching her play in the water.



I knew she would love the beach! (Does this make it worse that I've never taken her?) We hung bay side at my favorite local park with a friend and her six year old son. Leila loves kids and Braxton had just as much energy as she did!



Leila could crawl, stand, and even walk in the calm bay water. She drank plenty of saltwater and ate at least a shovelful of sand.

I am really feeling comfortable at this park and frankly Leila is always a hit! She is so social and smiles at everyone. We seem to make new friends each time we visit.

Leila and I will definitely do this again. Good thing summer lasts until October here!

I'm a bag lady

I could be mistaken for a bag lady.

There a lot of homeless folks in San Diego. (Makes sense to me...San Diego has the most dependable weather in the U.S.) I totally fit in with the homeless crowd these days!

For example I packed FIVE bags for the three of us to spend the day at Poppy's place just 30 minutes away!



Bag 1: swim bag
Bag 2: other diaper bag for toys, camera, Leila's changes of clothes
Bag 3: food/drink bag
Bag 4: my diaper bag/purse
Bag 5: our change of clothes

Oh and I haven't even considered the Pack and Play or how I plan to bring her nap time stuff. This is ridiculous!

We had a great time and luckily had everything we could ever possibly need.





Help! Seriously...spill your secrets. What's your trick to not looking like a bag lady?

Family Day

Once a week we make a point to have some family time. Lately we've been doing summery stuff like going to the pool, hitting up the local farmers market, and of course...Sea World.

I like Sea World more and more each time we go. Today I really noticed the people (maybe I'm taking Leila's cues!) and watched how much fun everyone was having. It's different living in a vacation destination because so many people are out and about just enjoying themselves and their families. Sure puts a smile on my face.

Leila and Mommy about to get going...


Danger Dad doing dangerous things around dangerous animals...


Our favorite adventure at Sea World today was The Bay of Play. Yep, no sea creatures or Shamu show could top watching Leila interact with the other kids and adults in the baby/toddler play area.

Making friends...


Look at me! Look at me!


Leila tried walking on the soft surface and made it a few steps. She's been walking more and more these past three days. She still chooses to crawl 50% of the time but I guess you could say WE HAVE A WALKER!!!

Teeth and walking all in the same month! No wonder she takes such wonderfully long naps. Busy girl!

V-A-L

When I was visiting home for two weeks, it was the longest Aunt Val and Leila had gone without seeing each other. At one point in my trip Valerie asked me to sing her V-A-L song to Leila, just so she wouldn't forget her.

Not that THAT could ever happen!!!

I swear Leila's favorite person is her Aunt Val. (I think Val knows it too.) It is pretty obvious by the way Leila squeals with delight when Aunt Val says hello (or anything!) to her.

Last night Aunt Val came over after work, just to hang out. Leila practically laughed the entire evening. Jeff and I kept giving each other side glances wondering what was so funny!



Leila is lucky to be so loved.

For pure entertainment

Turning ONE next month!

My baby is growing up. She has a BIG personality and lives for attention. Her smile makes my day, but it takes a face like this to really see into her soul.



At 10 1/2 months she weighs 19 lbs and 6 oz and stands 27.75 inches tall. She's in the 50th percentile for weight AND height! Big changes from her four month appointment stats.

LIKES: Bananas, other children, the park, balls, climbing on everything, My Pal Violet, jumping, and music.
DISLIKES: Getting her face washed, being tired, being spoon-fed, to be told "no", Otis running away from her, and dogs licking her.

We are in the planning stages for her first birthday party. We have a date, a location, and a theme. Yes, I did decide to go with a theme..."birthday party" just didn't cut it with the folks (Aunt Val!) around here.

Leila's future boyfriends

Dylan, 3 1/2 months old, cried when Leila grabbed his face.


Logan, 12 weeks old, made her jealous with all of his hair.


Noah, 10 1/2 months, clearly fighting for her love.


Redmond, 2 years old, seemed to understand her babbling.


Young love is simply adorable!

Summer adventure time

Adventure time: Leila's exciting mid-afternoon experience. This phrase was originally coined by the one and only, Leila's daddy.

I just love that Jeff calls it something that sounds better than it really is. Most days adventure time starts as a walk and ends at the local park. Some days it really about us, like a trip to the grocery store.

Today we went back to Sea World! We found the best FREE parking to go with our FREE pass and to top it off my friend showed me a secret exit that is waaaay closer to our car. All around, Sea World was a success today!



Too bad I still failed.

In the midst of packing the diaper bag and shoveling food in my mouth before heading out the door, I forgot to feed the baby.

Yep. Leila's bottle was awaiting us in the fridge after our lovely adventure time.

Luckily she hardly missed it with the other kiddos around!



Shelby and Kenzie were great with Leila! They each wanted to push her and hold her. The girls enjoyed watching her as much as I do. Maybe they need a new baby in the family! (Hahahaha, kidding Wendy!)

Leila's signature look

This yellow hat has been in countless photos these past ten months. My mother and I picked it out and I just love the bright color in photos.

While we were visiting family I realized that my poor baby was being forced to wear a hat that was just a tad too small for her melon. Luckily she has a cousin that was willing to trade hats with her.

The yellow hat will still be worn as an accessory! Now Peyton is sporting the look.



And this my friends, is the hat you should expect to see for the rest of the summer.