Lickin' Lips Good...

Laela just started this yesterday and I thought it was so funny! Just watch her tongue...

When Daddy's away, the girls are....shopping!

I decided to go golfing with my dad this afternoon since it was so nice out.. (Ok Ok, it was 50, cold, windy, etc). But as long as it wasn't a lightning storm, we were going! Well, Kelli and Laela decided to roam the mall " browsing" for new clothes and baby stuff. Kelli and I knew that Laela's current hat was getting slightly tight on her head (Thus, the reason her head size is like in the 94th percentile), and since the weather here is so crazy, she really needed one that fit for days like today. Well, Kelli found two: 1 normal, and 1 that looks like an "Ushanka" (It mean's ear-flap hats in Russian). Take a look.

Spiky Smile...

Laela got a little off on her feedings today, so she just woke up to drink her last bottle. Here she is...

Up-do's and finger foods!

Today Laela had her first "up-do"! YEA for long hairs!

Also, today Laela tried her first finger foods. She is so CRAZY! Lately, Laela will put anything in her mouth. This evening I gave her some little fruit, wheat puffs and she did great using her little pinchers to pick them up. Funny part....she did not put them in her mouth. What a nut!!!

Please excuse her "end of the day hair-do." :)

8 months

We made it to 8 months. YEA! This is not as hard as I thought it would be and I have to say...I love the whole "mommy thing." Laela truly makes my day, every day! She is so funny! Laela grabs things in both hands, bangs them together and laughs. She will put absolutely everything in her mouth, make motor-boat noises, and loves to converse with herself. Sometimes it can even get a little intense. Cracks me up! Also, Laela is working on waving bye-bye...she does it with us about half the time.

Laela is doing very well sitting up. When she is laying on her belly,she has learned to swivel around to get what she wants. Maybe she will be crawling some day soon. HA! That is going to be another adventure. She may need to lose a little bit of belly before that happens. If she continues to eat the way she does, we will have a 24 month crawler. AH!

Here is Laela with her dinner tonight! Macaroni and cheese, peas, apple-blueberry and the bottle. We hope to soon start some small "people" bites. Oh man...she may eat everything we own!

By the way...Allie is still hanging around. She always wants to know what Laela is doing (even though she is not supposed to be in her room). Tonight, Allie snuck around the corner and went in for the kiss! YIKES! Allie Mae is definitely a fan of Laela!

Tooth...or Teeth!

This tooth has been trying to make an appearance for the last 3 weeks. Well...it is finally here, but we just can't seem to get a picture of it. Laela makes funny faces or bites you or sticks her tongue out.....until today! I think I clicked at just the right time. I had the camera practically in her face when I clicked...

Isn't that funny! There may even be two in there!

So, my dorky engineer husband packs Laela TWO toys in the diaper bag today...One red triangle and one blue circle. Of course she is such a great baby that she made due with what she had! Laela Grace, you are so wonderful....mommy and daddy love you!

I think I can....

...shove this entire teether in my mouth!

Pre-Valentine's Day fun...

Laela had her first school Valentine's Day (aka "Friendship Day"). This morning we put her in a pink shirt and pink socks with a cute pair of jeans. Then off we went to school for her first Valentine's fun! Here were some of fantastic goodies that Laela got from her friends...

What sweet little friends and I think it is so funny that the majority of the cards are home-made (can you tell that we are all teachers???) Also, the moms and dads came up with such great ideas for babies. Laela got a new pair of socks, a rubber ducky, and a snack holder with name labels inside. Too cute! (Yes...I made something for Laela's friends. I decorated a picture frame with fun ribbon and a little silver embellishment. Then I added a note for the parent to put in a picture of their "little sweetheart". They turned out awesome!)

I thought this class picture was hilarious! The teacher said it took about 20 shots to get everyone in a half-calm state. Don't you love 8 babies all at once!

Of course Ro did not forget about me. He surprised me with flowers today. Here they are...beautiful as always!

Rainy days...

Here it is! Our latest cute piece of Laela clothing....
Okay, okay. YES...Laela is wearing her diaper and a raincoat but I have good reason. When I heard that it was supposed to rain yesterday, I was so excited! The first thing I said to Ro was "YEA! Laela gets to wear her new raincoat!" He looked at me like I was absolutely CRAZY! Problem was...Laela was acting like Griselda all day yesterday, so we didn't get a picture. Today, it rained again. PERFECT, so you think. She fell asleep in the car and did not have on her coat. When we got home, I gave her a bath and she was so happy. Well...of course that is a great time to put her raincoat on and take a few pics!

Friends...

Laela and Maddie just hanging out! Aren't they going to be such cute little buddies? Maddie is getting a little sleepy and Laela was such a good friend to let her borrow her shoulder to lay on...