Getting Ready for Halloween...

I'll wear it, but I really don't like this hood!

I can stand, all by myself (well, almost). Just this past Thursday, Leah started getting herself to sit up (from a lying down position), and now likes to do so over and over and over again! She is also perfecting her standing, and likes to cruise along the edge of the couch stealing the remotes. She is so much like her mommy!

Swimming is such serious work! This is us at our weekly swim class. Today, our instructor, Mike, told us that Leah is very advanced with her kicking - at 9 months she's swimming and kicking like a 15 month old! Now, I wish I could say she was skilled, but really she just flops around in the water. Splashing is a lot of fun too!

I don't know which she likes more, the pumpkin or the bib?

Leah's day on the farm!

We didn't ride this guy, but he was very interested in Leah... or at least she was interested in him.

There here...

So, yes. This day has finally arrived. Leah has not only one, but two new teeth on there way! All of these months of fussin' and crying are now paying off. I finally felt a sharp little tooth breaking through on 9/10/09. Though it's hard to get a peak, I did spot two little bottom teeth making there debut.

My girl has teeth!

My cousins and Mimi!

This is just a nice picture of when my California cousins came to visit. We all had a blast with the thunderstorms that night, and miss them terribly every time they go home! Soon, we'll have to go on a trip to visit everyone (including Auntie Lauren) out there.

First day at the beach!

For those of you not in NJ, this summer has been terrible! It rained for 23 days in June, adding up to 9 inches of rainfall (compared to our usual 3 inches). So, needless to say, we didn't get to the beach until well after 4th of July. However, we finally made it, and this is Leah's first day on Point Pleasant beach. Since then, she's been do the beach about 3 or 4 times. Though, initially she was pretty scared of the sound of the waves, she now is quite relaxed about it. It seems she really likes to watch the other kids go screaming up the shore when the waves come in. Since she really does enjoy being outdoors, she was able to take a nice long nap and relax in the sand!

this one is cute too!

Sears!

So, we went to get another set of portraits (because we can), and now at 7 months, Leah is finally sitting up on her own. This is one of her better shots - and we're doing all we can to not spend a fortune on these pics. Let me tell you, they really know how to guilt you into buying pictures of your kid!

Remarkable!

Me and Aunt Lauren on Mother's Day (in grandma's yard). I miss Aunt 'Wawen...'

Bath time on Mother's Day...

Oh so cute!

Oh the face! This is a pretty typical, and now that Leah is pretty much sitting up, she's in this chair a lot more.

New Toy!

This could literally go on for HOURS!

http://thelactivist.blogspot.com/
I can't seem to find the link to follow this blog - but, I'm a advocate and supporter of her cause (even if it's not coming straight from the tap anymore).

What can I say?

My poor child... Actually, on really bright days, these help her to fall asleep outside. Plus, we're avoiding those UVA/UVB rays - as I rationalize the torture of my child... :)

BumGenius

So, this is also not terribly recent, but I need to post about our diapers at some point... Here Leah is sporting her BumGenius diaper, and we are very proud to be cloth diapering. Given that Leah was born so big, she fit into these at 2 weeks old (around 9lbs or so) and they are the best we've tried so far. They tend to make her bum a bit round, making her all the more adorable. Because Jersey has no diapering services, we do wash these ourselves. Even Jim is on board with these and remarked that he loves that we never have to run to the store for more - they're always available and always fit! More to come, I'm sure.

Rutgers Gardens

This is just a nice photo from our afternoon at Rutgers Gardens. There wasn't much in bloom that day, since it was still in early April, but this tree was huge and blooming! Jim and I frequently came to the gardens back when we actually lived in New Brunswick, and love that we can now easily come to visit. Leah really loves being outdoors, and this was just the first of many days now that the weather is nicer...

3 months and then some...

So, this is overdue, but at 3 months old, Leah weighed in at 13lbs, 3oz. She's getting quite hefty, and certainly isn't a 'little' baby anymore. Aunt Lauren came to visit this weekend for our first Mother's Day, and we were all SO excited. I know that we have lots of new pics, so will get those posted as soon as we can!

We also survived Jim's second trip to California this last week. He was only gone for 3 nights, but we missed him terribly. Leah managed to sleep 8 hours straight, which we love! She did, however, wake up at 4:45 on Saturday morning. It's amazing how many people show up for McDonald's breakfast that early! Yum! Actually, it was a beautiful day out, and being up that early made for a nice, relaxing, long day. I don't want too many more of them THAT early, but it really was a pleasant morning.

Welcome weekend!

So, it's another new week, and Leah's had a lots to do! First off, I have to comment on her new photos. The middle one below (with her and Jim) is notable, only because she's wearing one of her hallmark 'boy' outfits! It's a pair of blue pj's with a robot that says "HugBot 2000" - and it's adorable! Except, she really does look like a cute ass boy in them. I guess she's bound to be a little gender confused...

Also, her new nanny started this Tuesday, Auntie Loris. She's a fun Jamaican woman, who is just terrific with her - and clearly knows more about infants than Jim and I. She has had some great suggestions (especially for her sleep schedule) that will hopefully bring some sanity to us all soon. She practically cleaned our whole house, did the dishes, laundry, and was such a relief to all of us!

So, on Friday Leah will be going for her 3 month pediatrician appointment. Surely we'll have lots of updates, and hopefully her vaccines won't ruin what is going to be a beautiful weekend. I'm really really really hoping it makes it into the 80's...

On a weird note, we just opened the windows up today - because it's 72 degrees out - and I can hear the birds calling outside through the baby monitor. I guess I didn't realize how loud the birds are here...

Just for fun!

My Review of Tike Tech Trax360 Pacific Blue Single Swivel Stroller

Toys R Us

With its relaxed smooth geometry and front swivel wheel the Tike TechTrax360 is a radically responsive stroller. The ultra light oval shaped aluminum frame makes for a snappy ride. With a generous interior, fully padded lowride seat with 5 point harness and removable, adjustable seat grab bar, this...

Tike Tech Trax360 Pacific Blue Single Swivel Stroller

Excellent value!

Katie West Windsor, NJ 4/14/2009

 

4 5

Pros: Smooth Ride, Durable, Easy To Maneuver, Adjustable

Cons: Bulky, Poor/No Cupholders, Few Features

Best Uses: Toddlers, Infants

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

I haven't run with this stroller yet, but it is working great! We've used it for the past 2 months and it has great shocks, and rolls smooth. I imagine running will be quite similar and pleasant.

Pros: I can roll across our very bumpy/hilly lawn with ease; rolls very smooth; easy to steer with swivel front wheel; color stands out making me feel safer on streets without sidewalks; Cons: the straps are hard to undo and figure out; it folds up pretty big, and I need to take wheels off to fit it in my car - but not unlike most jogger strollers; lots of things sold separately - cup holder; the bottom is really hard, so we will definately be getting the insert soon; wish they included or sold a tire pump - it took a while to find a pump that fit the tires and you do need one; customer service is very unresponsive - our front handlebar was broken on delivery and we really have had to chase them down to get a replacement (which we still don't have). Worth the money, and is a great stroller for the price - especially compared to more expensive brands.

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Drunken nighttime feedings

So, I also took this picture a few nights ago. Leah has been a pretty good sleeper, and usually only gets up once or twice a night to eat. Lately, she's been eating very little at these times, and we're hoping she'll be over them altogether quite soon. Anyway, she really struggles to stay up, and this is a particularly funny face she's got.

Smiley girl!

So, Leah's last Pediatrician visit when fine. She's gotten 2 new vaccines, and weighed in at 11lbs, 6 oz. We thought it would be more, but that's an impressive gain nonetheless. Today she's sporting the only sweater I could get done... called her Yoda sweater. It's not perfect, but a good start for me.

The story of Leah

Leah was born on 1/14/09 at 7:29 pm. Her labor was only about 9 hours or so, and remarkably, Mama did it all natural (that dissertation on pain management came in handy). At 8 pounds, 5 ounces, Leah was a "robust" child from the beginning, and already has grown to 9 pounds, 13 ounces (as of hir first month checkup). This Friday we'll be returning to Dr. Marcus, and are looking forward to this month's weigh-in!



Clearly, Leah is a big eater and we're working on a more convenient sleep schedule. We already have had a number of exciting outings... starting with the unfortunate funeral of her great grandfather, and more recently the 95th birthday party for her other great grandfather! She has met most of her extended family by now, including her aunt, uncle, grandparents (of course), and many of mom and dad's cousins. Her own cousins are down in Florida now, and hopefully they'll meet soon!

Leah Laughing!

So, I'm not such a blogger, but this one's for Aunt "Wawwen." Even though she's so far away, we're going to attempt to keep her (and anyone else) updated on baby Leah's exciting adventures! First things first...

Leah is now 8 weeks old, and officially is laughing! She thinks Daddy is very funny (or funny looking), and loves to giggle with him...