Lyla Gets a Pony...ride.

Last week, at cousin Nathan's 1st birthday party, a few friendly animals came to join the party.  Two of them being little ponies.  All of the bigger kids got to ride them, but LL just got to sit on one for some pictures.   She was clueless as to what was going on.  All she knew was that all the adults were yelling her name, jumping up and down and clapping trying to get her attention. 

Starting Solids



Learning to "chomp" from daddy.



And the milestones just keep on coming!

After the weight check, we stocked up on our very first baby foods.  Doctors orders were to start with the greens, move to oranges, and then start fruits.  We decided this adventure required us to break out the high chair and do away with the Bumbo.  So far, LL has been doing really well with this new taste sensation.  She seems to be pretty indifferent to anything we've given her.  In just two short weeks, she's learned to grunt if we aren't shoveling it in fast enough and has mastered the art of saying, "aaaaahhhh" and then chomping down on the spoon! 

So little in her big chair!





High chair also doubles as an entertainment center!



I think I have found it most difficult to add this new stage.  I still can't seem to get a good schedule down for the solids.  I try to give them to her in between bottles, otherwise she just spits up terribly.  Sometimes naps get in the way of that and if you don't get her fed in time, she wants nothing to do with the solids.  She only wants the bottle.  It will be a learning experience and I know we'll figure it out.  I just never imagined how this would rock our world like it has.  I liked my routine that we established, but I guess that will be ever-changing from now on. 

Not paying any attention to her dad.

The Dirty Thirty

Yep, I never thought it would happen, but it finally got me.  The Dirty Thirty.   It came and went like any other day.  Work.  Home.  Bed. 

The day before the big day we went to dinner with my parents and had cupcakes back at our house.  We didn't really plan much else because we had so many other obligations.  A few weeks later we called a few friends and family and headed to the Music in the Park in Tinley to watch an 80's band.  Of course, we didn't pay much attention to the band, but it was nice to just sit outside with a couple cocktails and good friends. From there we headed to Bailey's down the street.  We walked in and were the youngest people there by about 30 years.  We decided one drink and we were gone, but once the band started we had a change of heart.  We danced the night away and the band even sang Happy Birthday to me!  Mortifying...but fun.








Weight Check

At five months, when we would normally skip a doctor visit, we had to go anyways for our weight check.  With fingers crossed, I set her on the scale hoping for big numbers.  I found myself thinking "BIG NUMBERS, BIG NUMBERS", much like a contestant on Wheel of Fortune.  The final number would be 12lbs, 3 oz.  This is up from 11lbs, 7 oz.  I was happy with that.  I mean, it was almost a pound in less than a month.  The doctor was pleased, but still wanted more.  And so begins the solid foods...

Splish, Splash

Being one of the hottest summers I can remember, we had to take advatange of Becky and Tony's pool.  This would be Lyla's first time and we assumed since she loves her baths, that she would  love this too.   WRONG!  We think it must have been because the water was cold.  We hope so anyways.

At first it was only OK.

Then it turned into this.

Decided she'd rather be a sun bunny anyways.

Bathing Beauty.

Wedding Season

June was a busy month.  We had two weddings to attend, as well as the festivites that go along with them.  It was nice to get out and bust a move on the dance floor!

Crazy girls in the photobooth!

Here comes the bride!

Finally we take a good picture!

Me and G'Mama

Me and my daddycakes.

Showing off our fancy dresses.

Uncle John...I think!

The G'rents

Gram was a dancin' machine!

Family YMCA

Me and Wendy at Tami's Wedding

Double fisted, per usual.  

I just have no idea.

Must have been a great song!

Again....no idea.

Introducing....The Spoon

After the doctor said LL needed to gain more weight, we promptly started rice cereal.  We had to add it to every bottle and spoon feed her once a day.  Of course, this was a huge milestone!  We had both cameras charged and ready to go.  At first she was a little unsure and just licked the spoon but after two days or so, she was a pro!

All ready for the first try.

Not too sure about all this.

Some days are better than others.

One week in and she is already trying to do it herself.