Update your calendars because Leina’s 6 months old now and getting big! Here’s the latest update to her growth chart. Check out that smile

click on her Growth Chart to see all the months.

Suzy wanted to see Leina laughing so we decided to try an experiment with putting the video online. Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a 20 second video of Leina laughing while watching Artie. There’s 3 versions – small, medium, and large. The largest file is the highest quality. Let us know what you think and how well this worked.

– The Pooka Management

They came and took down the tree. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. This one dude put on these spike boots, walked up the tree and began chainsawing with one hand. It was amazing. So much so that I snuck out and snapped this picture.

Amazing, no?

Even more unbelievable is that Leina took a two hour nap during the tree removal. She even slept through the sound of the men grinding out the stump. This kid is so unpredictable. Who knew that the sound of power tools could be so soothing?

Many thanks to Kat & Josh who gave me an official Starbucks “picture” mug. In this mug you can put a picture of whatever you want so I made up a Leina collage. It was so cute JT wanted one for herself too. So I humbly submit my two creations for your mutual admiration:

For Jt…

Big day in our house. Today, Leina had her first bite of real food. Yes, that’s right, we started her on the old reliable, rice cereal.

I decided since she now has teeth, we ought to start using them. I had the spoon while my mom grabbed the camera and together we watching Leina take her first bite. Or slurp really and she did great!

I’ve been feeding her with an empty spoon for a while for she opened right up when she saw it coming. Only this time, it left something behind! She seemed a bit concerned but didn’t spit it out. No sireee, she plowed right through her first official helping of big people food. You can see the whole sequence here on Ofoto. I can hardly wait until tomorrow when we get to do it all again. I don’t think Leina can wait either because tonight, as we sat down for dinner, she watched us eating for a while and then started reaching for Tutu’s food and whining!

I’m thinking she’s going to be a great eater. Go baby!

I am so addicted to Leina’s tooth.

Every chance I get, I find myself trying to sneak my finger in her mouth to feel the little sharp tooth bud. This is getting rather difficult because Leina is constantly gnawing on things – plastic rings, toys, or her own fingers.

She’s also been horribly grumpy. Lots of fussing, whining, and crying. She’s never been a good napper but now this whole tooth thing has destroyed all semblence of a schedule and I find myself back at square one holding her through her naps.

I’d heard that after the tooth pops through the gum line it doesn’t hurt so much and the baby gets back to normal. So I thought we were free and clear on Sat when that little tooth burst all the way through. I was quite stumped, however, when my baby girl’s disposition didn’t improve. Instead, it seemed to be getting worse! Then, on one of my many tooth touching, I saw something else. Next to her first new tooth was a large, white, blister. My first thought was, “oh no, I’ve stuck my finger in her mouth so much I’ve given her a cold sore!” But after further examination, Kevin and I realized it wasn’t a cold sore but another tooth trying to poke through!

Yup, that’s right, her second tooth is on the way. Looks like she’s going to get her two bottom teeth in at the same time. No wonder she’s so miserable! It’s just begining to break through as of today so I assume we have a few more miserable days left.

To top it all of, I’ve pulled a rather empty-headed trick. Way back when in August I “organized” Leina’s room. I remember putting all the neat teething stuff people had given us together and packing it away thinking “we don’t need this yet.” Of course, now that it’s time to pull out all the cool teething supplies I have no idea where I put them! Grrrr. So I’m running to the store tonight to get my baby girl something soothing to munch on.

Man, and to think she has only two down and a dozen or so more to go. The growing up stuff sure is tough!