Dinner and a Show

Louisa sat down to a typical meal around 6:45. Tonight was some cereal mixed with formula, some peaches and a few spoonfuls of the green beans and carrots "vegetable medley."

She's got the beginnings of two little teeth coming in on the bottom in the middle, and she likes chewing the spoon when dinner is done. She prefers metal spoons if out with family, but the plastic one here is just fine.

Then Mommy came home and before her bath, Louisa opened up her new toy and--in a surprise to Mommy and Daddy--could stand up and lean against it and hold herself up!

How cool is that?!

8 Months

Drink Until You Pass Out!

Now come on... What did you think I meant by that title?

Dada! Dada!

I think we're there now!

Dadadadada

Louisa is practicing her "dada" sounds. We took a number of videos in which--surprisingly--Louisa was camera shy. She'd stop speaking on cue, then resume when the video turned off.

Finally, we got a decent take:

She was even better after her evening bath:

Tonight, KJ finished putting Louisa down, but Louisa continued to cry for a long time. It's like we're starting the Ferber method all over again. It's probably not an ear infection (we took her to the doctor's a few days ago to check on that). It could be teething, but that's been a "crying wolf" situation for several months now, so it's hard to believe that she's teething. I think she just wants to practice saying, "Dada! Dada!"

Shhh, Louisa. There will be plenty of time tomorrow...

On the Verge of Dada

Well she's certainly getting close. She can flip over from back to front and front to back. She can push herself up and slide backwards. Vocally, she's great at making noise. She likes to hear herself vocalize (or cry in many cases). And the new cry sound she's developed is quite piercing. But mostly we're interested in her first words. Not that she'll know what it is she's saying.

Our friend Jen Pascucci is in the background talking with KJ. And you can hear KJ trying to get Louisa to say "Mama." Fool. She's on the verge of "Dada." Which makes "Dada" pleased to no end.

Oh, I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Lizzy visited this weekend. Of course Louisa was super excited to see the aunt who lived here and who had taken care of her so long. As with every visit from relatives (and really ever new week for us too), Louisa is constantly looking different--older, more like KJ as a baby--and we are always excited to see her doing and seeming to learn new things. Her hands, for example, are able to grab things much better. She's been finding and putting the pacifier in her mouth with ease for a long time already, but Lizzy let Louisa hold her iPhone. Louisa is the video and picture star of the family, so she's used to being in front of the phone/camera. She's always reaching for it, but her parents are worried about her drooling on it and throwing it. But Lizzy was very nice to let Louisa hold the phone. When Lizzy's alarm went off, Louisa was thrilled and, with a little help from Lizzy and Mom, she was able to dance to the music!

Once everyone was out of bed, we went to breakfast at Effie's, then Greg was dropped off so so he could work on an essay and the girls went out. The pièce de résistance from their afternoon of shopping was a baby xylophone. Louisa holds the stick in her hand, then bangs her fist on the keys. It's an unorthodox way of playing (she's such a genius!). She's also very intense when the xylophone is in front of her. And she does not like when either parent or her aunt tries to take a turn playing. Though no one thinks it's just for the baby. Louisa's mother and father kept taking turns stealing the instrument from each other to practice Chopsticks, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Happy Birthday, and all those other super hard, highly technical, incredibly complicated musical classics.

Lizzy left late last night, but as always it was great to see her again. Louisa submitted a formal request to see her again soon.

This morning, Louisa is in the middle of what is so far an hour-long nap. Finally, Daddy can take a shower and upload this blog! When she wakes up--yogurt and some fruit!

Louisa's First (Tandem) Outdoor Swing

It's been too long since we've posted, but we'll try to fight busy schedules and general laziness and get back on the ball again.

Louisa went for a ride to see KJ getting her hair done today, and after that she went for a ride in a swing at the park at the end of the block. Here's the super cheesy video:

7 Months

Seven months today, so we dressed up her onesie with the seven-month sticker. She likes the camera...and the camera likes her.

Ashley's and Steven's Wedding

We went to San Juan April 11-15. That meant Louisa's first four airplane flights. She did well, although after we boarded the last flight (from Miami), we had to wait over an hour for the co-pilot who was being flown in on a flight from Dallas that was delayed because of mechanical difficulties. Fine, but why board us without telling us--KNOWING that we'll have to wait in our seats for over an hour! Silly American Airlines.

Here are some photos from the wedding:

Typical Saturday Night

A typical Saturday night...

Louisa Flips Herself Over!

This is a pretty cool moment for a first-time parent. Louisa wondered why the world suddenly flipped upside down.

Special thanks to Aunt Lizzy for the words of encouragement and setting up the scene. This was actually the second time she flipped herself. She did it a third time, but then had enough. Still, what a wonderful accomplishment for the little girl! Or, as KJ would say, speaking for Louisa, "Yeah, I can flip over. No big deal."

4 Months Today

Here is a shot from our monthly photo shoot. Louisa is getting harder to capture as her little legs and arms are so active these days!

Lulu reads

She is starting to LOVE books!
Stay tuned for 4 month pictures today.

Another Cute Picture (a.k.a. "The Being Benni")

The "Blue Steel" photo was the far away favorite for the "Cute AND Funny" category. But this one may be the new winner. Oh, it's so hard to choose. Every picture of Louisa is a winner. But seriously--this one's a gem:

The cute ears on the hat, the tongue sticking out: she's doing her impression of Benni.
And for those who didn't see the Christmas card, here's the "Blue Steel" shot, taken 12/12/11:

Kisses

I love my Daddy!

Bright Eyes

Bath time!

I'm starting to like the bath! (just not getting out!)

Reading

While mom makes dinner I'm reading a book. I like the cows!

Just another day at the office

Important meeting yesterday with Sophie and Peacock.