A Photo Essay of Leila's Latest Antics

If you needed a Leila dose, here's a triple shot. This photo essay tries to capture the many moods and expressions that define Leila Raine. [Click on any image below to view the enlarged photo.]

Below, she's still not into the pool, but she delights in playing with the pool water from a safe distance.




Leila has recently developed an affinity for hugging the ground. Displaying early signs of being a warrior for the environment? Tired? Goofy? Whatever it is, it's really quite funny. And she seems to understand that, fueling more earth-hugging.


And here she is frolicking in the sprinklers. It's just amazing to me how much she adores playing in the water, yet how vehemently she hates the pool.


And ah, the intoxicating bliss of the swing...


Truly intoxicating. It's so weird. After about 5 minutes in the swing, it's as if she is actually stoned into ultra-mellow mode. She defines Relaxation (yes, with a capital R) in the swing. And on the right, a little game of peek-a-boo for the camera.


Serious about pushing buttons (glad they're the calculator's buttons and not mine... hee, hee. She's been pretty good at pushing my buttons lately. The strength of her toddler conviction is really developing, forcing me to quickly adapt to new standards. Despite some of these early displays of tantrums, I know that her intentions are good, and that is always how I must approach her growing cognition of this wacky world.)


By the way, it wasn't just ONE molar that cracked the surface, but THREE, simultaneously. Poor thing...

First '09 Trip to the Pool

Yesterday, I took Leila to the pool for her first summer-of-2009 dip. She was NOT havin' it, much to my dismay. Temperatures this weekend have hit the triple digits (YIKES!), so I was anticipating the water for a real reprieve, not to mention, to begin swim lessons and the subsequent water-loving indoctrination of Leila. Nearby, people were setting up for a BBQ and likely wondering why I was torturing my poor little girl. Now, I wouldn't say it was torture. I'd call it patience. Dedication. We took our time, played with the water from the poolside, and made frequent, brief attempts to get beyond the steps, only to be greeted by ear-piercing shrieks. Oh, it was sad. She finally relaxed enough to tolerate a solid 5 minutes of gentle swaying in the water. And I called it a success. She's up from her nap now, so we're about to head over and make another attempt at "Mission Leila Love Water."


And in other Leila news: She cut her first molar!!! So, that's what she's been all grumpy and drooly about!

A Couple More Videos

Here's Leila loving her new swing...


Below, Leila delves into her books in her new, fancy reading chair, compliments of Daddy. It took her about a week to realize the comforts and joys of this chair, but now she can't get enough of it. I actually had to pry her from the chair for bedtime tonight.


(Note: This is the 100th post to "Small Hands," but who's counting?)

Mother's Day Kaweah Cruise

Mother's Day weekend was a real treat. My good friend, Adrienne, came down to visit from Oregon and we carved out some great, new memories while reminiscing of old ones. On Saturday morning, we joined my parents for a narrated brunch cruise of Lake Kaweah. It was a beautiful morning on the water, and full of interesting facts about the lake and local history. For the most part, Leila also enjoyed the day out on the water. She got more comfortable the further we traveled. Truly, a wonderful day. And to my dear mother, Happy Mother's Day. I am increasingly grateful for everything you've done for me and continue to do for me. Your remarkably keen sense of creativity and thoughtfulness always astound me. I love you! And a very Happy Mother's Day to Leila's loving grandma and David's caring mom, Karen. Hope you had a very special day, as you very much deserve.

Below, Leila revels in the wind blowing through her hair and the gentle tickle of lake mist.
Popo points out some birds swooping in to say hello.
Nana and Popo, looking good in orange.
Me, my baby girl, a lake breeze and a beautiful view.
Leila really took to her new swing from Nana and Popo. Usually a fickle friend to her toys, she shocked us all by her persistent swingin' bliss (video to come). Nana and Leila put their creative caps on and got me this wonderful gift for Mother's Day.

Picking Flowers

Find a flower, pick it up, all day long, you'll have good luck. If that's the case, Leila is a very lucky girl. She still loves rocks of course, but her appreciation of outdoor delights is expanding. She's also quite fond of trampling my beds of lettuce. Between her and the snails (and all the other unidentified garden "pests"), there will be no harvest to speak of. It's the journey, right?