Playing with her toys

Week 8 Pics

Leila tells us to rock on.
Lissy and Leila get in a good cuddle

Leila offers her daddy advice on his dissertation

Daddy and daughter bonding... watching college basketball

Leila's First "Airplane" Ride

RIP, Bear

My little buddy, Euclid, left us today. He didn't always have the easiest life so we hope he's finally at peace, which he so much deserves. Cheers, Bear. I'll never forget you. --David

Nana's Visit with Leila --Week 7

With her Nana's visit, Leila went through a growth spurt of developmental change. In the previous week, she had begun to smile and she expanded her vocabulary of grunts and groans, squeaks and squeals, gurgles and whimpers and coos (her new nickname is Squeaky). But with the arrival of her grandmother (March 14-March 18), she grew leaps and bounds, namely she seemed to learn the parental gold treasure of self-soothing and slumber. Suddenly, Leila decided to take her pacifier and suck herself to long, peaceful sleeps. It's magical. After a spell of sweet dreams, she wakes up smiling, batting her eyelashes and cooing in delight (sometimes). She also loves playing with her tongue, lolling it around and sticking it out at anyone she can. And she's getting stronger and more coordinated by the day -- she discovered her hands last week and gnaws on them with slobbery enthusiasm, and her leg strength is astounding, seems she'll be walking in days.

I'd like to think that all of this is explained by her hitting the six-week mark and, as a result of her mother's love and devotion, she decided that this world outside the womb is actually pretty nice. Nana would like to believe it was her charm and wisdoms and patience as a doting grandmother (if that's the case, David, Leila and I just might be on a plane to Visalia, CA instead of a moving truck to Athens, GA). Needless to say, we're all very happy and enjoyed Nana's visit. Mommy even got to enjoy a "ladies night" out on the town.


Nana's first big cuddle with her first granddaughter.

Happy baby, happy Nana.

Mom savors the last sip of a Manhattan, mmm. I was positively giddy just ordering it.

Leila enjoying a bottle (sans bourbon)

Mommy feeding Leila

Daddy can be a human pacifier too (it's easier on the nipples)

Aha, enjoying a real pacifier

Getting Used to Bathtime... Kind Of

Splish splash, she's enjoying her bath...

She enjoyed her bath so much that she hated us for taking her out of the warm water

Beating on her Nana's shoulder, "Waaaaahhhhh...."

She's still screaming under that duck bill.
And still screaming...

Week Six Pics

Leila checks out her Uncle Kris.
Mommy's loving glance.

Her delicate features, her featherly eyelashes.

Daddy gives Leila an airplane ride.

One last hug between uncle and niece.

Leila and Uncle Kris Rap

Uncle Kris tries to wake up the sleeping beauty by teaching her to rap.

Leila Doing Her Thang -- Week 6

A compilation of videos taken on March 10 when Leila's Uncle Kris was in town visiting.

Naked Leila

Seems that Leila really likes to be naked. We can't wait for the summer! And it looks like she's an athlete already... hard at work pumping those leg muscles.

Week Five

Bundled up for a chilly, but sunny stroll.
Happy in her birthday suit.

Leila flashes her velour Cookie Monster outfit.
Calm and peaceful and oh so pretty.

Auntie Katy has fun being a human swing.

The little lady loungin' in the big chair.

Naked girl takes a minute on daddy's chest before taking the plunge in the bathtub.

Waking Up from a Nap