Sunday Play

Leila discovered a new toy on Sunday, and she seemed to enjoy it more than I've seen her enjoy any other toy so far.Luckily, it was cheap and fairly easy to come by.

She kept trying to put it in her mouth, so she had to be closely monitored with it, but it was still fun to watch. Here's a quick video.

She spent a little time in the bumbo playing with another toy. She dropped it on her foot, and kept trying to lift her foot to get it back.

That afternoon, we went to Babies R Us and decided to try out a few of the big items we think we're close to being able to use.We haven't totally determined whether we are going to get an exersaucer or a jumper, so we tried both.First, the exersaucer...

It made her look tiny!

She didn't seem too interested, other than trying to eat it.

(Don't worry. We didn't let her.)

Next, came a walker (which we don't plan on buying, but thought was super cute).

She tried to eat this one, too, but also seemed to like it a bit better.

And, it fit her perfectly.
Here's a video.

And now, the jumper...

We had originally planned on getting a doorway jumper, but, after seeing how interested she was in this one, it has us considering getting this type of jumper instead.

She really seemed to enjoy it.
Check it out on this video and this video.

Lastly, we tried a stroller.

Leila quickly gets tired of being stuck in her carseat, and the only stroller we have right now only works with her carseat, so we tried out a big-girl stroller to see how it went over. I think, if we'd had her strapped in, it would have gone really well. As it was, she kept scooting herself down in the seat and would've scooted herself straight out of it if we would've let her.

Here she is, before the scooting...

If we use the harness, I think we're ready to move up!

Happy Birthday Aunt Danielle!

Friday night was spent at Nan and Poppy's house, celebrating at Aunt Danielle's hamburger-bar birthday party. First, we'll say a big Happy Birthday to Aunt Danielle! We love you!

When we arrived to the party, Nan gave Leila the new book she bought. Since everything is currently ending up in Leila's mouth, Nan bought her her first book specifically made to get wet. She seemed to really enjoy it - looking at it AND tasting it.

 What an exciting book!

Posing with Aunt Danielle and her new book

Making a new friend 

Davin is the son of one of Aunt Danielle's good friends from high school. He's a big 7 months old, and he is such a cutie patootie. He and Leila even happened to have on matching outfits.

She seemed more interested in eating her fists than making friends.

Hanging out with Poppy.

Nan knew just how to handle a tired Leila.

Looking at Nan's new bedroom furniture and bedding. We think it's so pretty, and it looks like Pico does, too.

Meeting more of Aunt Danielle's good friends... 

This is Mary Garcia...

...and this is Scott Harrison.

Leila was a very wiggly worm with Scott, but he tried not to take it personally.

Balancing with daddy, again. It's the official new sideshow to entertain all guests.

It scares Nan so much that she tries to catch Leila, even when she doesn't need catching!

****

I was finally able to get in to get my hair cut, yesterday, and Leila came with me to meet the girls at the salon. Then, Aunt Rebecca took her to shop while I got my hair done (it was the first time anyone has actually taken Leila somewhere without me and it made me quite nervous - of course Aunt Rebecca took good care of her). Here she is in the lobby, talking and having a great time. I think she liked all the hustle and bustle.

Aunt Rebecca took a picture of Leila on the way home, talking to her Olivia.

Yesterday afternoon, Leila decided to show off the new yelling abilities that she discovered this week. She was really putting on a show, until we pulled out the video camera. I think there may be one yell on this video, but I'm sure there's plenty to come.

Then, Leila spent some time on her tummy mat. She still hates it, but she came very close to rolling over again today (would've been the third tummy session she's done it), but she ended up scooting across the mat instead. Here's a video of the end of that.

Growing

On Thursday, Leila met another new friend. Her name is Ashley and she is one of Aunt Danielle's very best friends.

That night, Leila finally got those crazy feet into her mouth! She's done it before, but she's always been sitting up and leaning over onto her feet. This time, she did it the traditional way.

Here are videos of her achievement.
Video 1
Video 2

I also took pictures, trying to capture her "praying" with her feet. She puts both feet together, just like praying hands! This is the best I could do.

That girl uses those feet like little hands. My arm has received several hugs from those little things.

Here we are, having a bath-time conversation. Not to mention, a bath-time snack.

Mmmm-Mmmm

Not quite sure what sounds was being made by this face!

Yu-mmy!

Our air conditioner hasn't been working well since it's been so hot outside, so we've had fans going during the day and at night, but it still hasn't quite gotten cool, especially in our room. But, recently, we had the air looked at and found out it needs quite a bit of work, but that there were also some holes in the ducts in the attic that were allowing super-hot attic air to get in. Ryan went up into the attic and covered those holes this week, and we've been able to tell a little bit of a difference, especially at night. So, Leila has gone from wearing onesies and socks to wearing pants to bed the last few days. I thought her ensemble Thursday night was picture-worthy.

See our new boppy cover here? It's a pretty green and blue. We love it!

Leila wakes up most mornings, now, and just hangs out in her hushamok, talking to herself. She has recently discovered that she can get her feet out of it, and this is how Ryan found her hanging out Friday morning.

    Since Leila's 4-month birthday is quickly approaching, we've noticed some differences in her. She no longer naps on me as well as she used to. In fact, after about an hour, she usually wakes up. She also seems to be getting sleepy earlier at night. So, I've started a little early with the sleep training. We've been putting her to bed when she seems tired at night (9:30 on Tuesday night, 8:20 on Wednesday - as opposed to the 10:30/11 it used to be) and I think it's going to get earlier still, because she still seems a bit tired during the day. 

    I've also started putting her into her hushamok to take her naps. There have been some tears with that, but it usually doesn't last very long. I've been doing it for the last 3 days, and yesterday has been the best so far. She's sleeping in her hushamok now, and napping well. Now, we're just trying to get her naps on a schedule. Every day I feel successful as we make progress. 

    We have plans to move her to her big girl bed at 4 months. (It makes me sad just thinking about it!) I think that schedule is right on time. Check out this video.

Everything is going straight into the mouth these days!

Daddy has already started the balancing act.

Leila seems to enjoy it, too. Take a look at the video.

She seems to enjoy bumbo time, too.

I finally got a picture of that beautiful kissy face she used to make every time she was hungry. I never thought to take a picture until I realized she didn't make the face anymore. I don't know why she was making it here, but I'm glad she did!

Such a cute face! I could just eat it!