Back to Daycare

Leah spent the last couple of days with my mom since I had some after school activities that I wanted to attend. I always get nervous that her transition back is going to be a struggle. But, luckily everyone adapts quickly. Although she's been extra clingy this week (I think some more teeth are coming through) her days at daycare have been pleasant. The kids get excited to see her, and she loves all the extra attention!

I Love Fall

I LOVE fall! I wish my allergies were more cooperative, but nonetheless I love being outside during this season. I am also convinced that Leah sleeps better when she get to enjoy some fresh air. Therefore, we try and spend at least 30 minutes outside together after school. She usually gets to enjoy some outdoor time during daycare as well. She loves feeling the wind, and seeing the leaves blow. She lifts her head when she hears kids playing, and smiles at me as I talk to her about the things we are seeing. I have always loved fall, but sharing fall with Leah has been a whole new kind of enjoyment.

Shop 'til You Drop

Leah is in desperate need of a hat. Her head is too big to fit any of the hats that we were given as gifts...even the ones that go up through 12 months. So this weekend we went shopping with Nonna! We also have her 6 month photo shoot coming up, so she "needed" some new outfits. =) Here were some of our options of hats, well really they just looked cute!

End of a Busy Week

This was the first "typical" 5 day work week, and boy am I exhausted! Two weeks ago was labor day, so no school Monday. Last week was homecoming, that mean all kinds of weird events. So this 5 day work week was a killer. This was also the first work week that I didn't have my mom help with. And I'm feelin' it! Last night was a lovely girls night filled with complaining and laughter, much more laughter though! Tomorrow we pack up the van to head to my parents'. We are celebrating my brother's birthday, there is an alumni mass at Saint Zachary's, and my grandma's sister is here from Belgium. I haven't seen her in over 10 years, so it will be a fun weekend of visiting. Leah is obviously a go-with-the-flow kinda girl. As long as we bring some chew toys! HA! =)

Chew, Chew, Chew

Well, Leah now has a second tooth that has popped. Again, she has been a trooper. A little restless at night, but no crying and no fever, thank God. What we do have a lot of,...chewing and drool. EVERYTHING goes straight to her mouth with viciousness! Luckily, she still looks cute in pictures!

Fall has Arrived

I LOVE fall! It is my favorite season. I love the colors, the weather, the smells of fall. We are so lucky that Leah loves the outdoors. The summer was a bit difficult because it was SO hot to do anything but swim, and that, she was too little for. But, now that fall has arrived we are loving outdoor time! Whether it swinging, going for a walk, or just feeling the wind on our toes...we are loving it! =)

Church with Nonna

My mom has been able to keep a good rotation of visits. It's been nice to go to church together on Sundays. Leah did just as well this week as she did last, so I think we are definitely a go for "weekly" mass. Now, if only Nonna was here every Sunday! =)

Visit from the Kuhn's

Betsy, Evan and Farrell drove down and spent the afternoon with us. We went to lunch together and just caught up on life. Farrell loved Leah, she basically asked her mom if she could stay with me. HA! So sweet. It is so crazy to think that my relationship with Betsy started when I was Evan's babysitter in 2001. He is going to be 11 years old soon. I can not believe how quickly these years have gone. I'm sure Betsy feels the same considering she has seen me go from her student, to her babysitter, to now a mom. I am so blessed to have had all the experiences I had with this family. I definitely believe I am a better mom because of this family. Even though we are a 2 hour drive away, we will always be in each other's lives. Who knows, someday, maybe Farrell will be driving down to nanny for Leah.

Girl Time

Leah's favorite daycare buddy is Kayleigh. She is 10 months old so they usually hang together. They sit together in the stoller, play with the same toys, and Kayleigh loves to crawl over to Leah when she is sitting or laying. They are so sweet together, and obviously "girl time" starts early these days!

Play, Play, Play

Playing is now a constant in Leah's life. She is super content with life as long as she has something in her hands keeping her busy. With my past experiences with babies, I know this not always the case. How lucky we are!

Bumbo Fun

Leah has really come to love sitting in the bumbo. I'm sure the fact that she uses it at daycare has helped her get adjusted to it. She loves being able to control the things that she touches now, and the bumbo allows her to sit like a "big kid". She looks like such a big girl in it.

Leah's First Sunday at Church

So although I have been going to church weekly, and had Leah baptized in July, I have been holding off on having Leah attend a weekend mass with me. All summer I was concerned about germs, and on top of that a little freaked out that she would have a tantrum and I would be "that" parent that everyone stares at and huffs towards. HA! However, my mom was down visiting this weekend, so I knew that I'd have reinforcements if needed. We got her dressed, packed the diaper bag and went off. She spent the first 10 minutes staring and everything and everyone. Then, without paci, fell fast asleep for about 20 minutes. I could not believe it! She woke up right before communion and so we walked her up with us, she got her blessing, and watched as mass came to a close. Unbelievable! I was such a proud mother! And, no longer afraid of being "that" parent someday, as there were many of "those" this day. =)

Now That I Have a Tooth...

...time for afruit popcicle! Okay, so before you jugde me for giving my 5 month old sugar...know that all she got was a 5 second lick of this...HA! The last few days Leah has been staring at our mouths as we eat or drink. She follows up the stare by licking her lips and making a sucking motion with her mouth. Although this makes me laugh, it also makes me feel like I am torturing her by feeding her the same tasteless cereal twice a day, while we eat all sorts of flavorful foods. So tonight, Trevor and I had enough guilt built up that we broke. We let her taste what we were eating. Of course, she loved it! I am looking forward to seeing her reactions to more foods as they slowly get introduced.

Daddy's Day with Leah

Daddy stayed home with Leah today just to give her 1 more day of rest and TLC before daycare. I had to go to work though, so luckily he kept me posted through pictures of their day.

Labor Day

Well, Leah is still "under the weather" so we are glad that we are back home to take care of her. We were supposed to see Grandma and Grandpa Chapman today, but they decided to stay out on their motorcycle another day. There is definitely a tooth coming up, luckily Leah is handling it well aside from her cold-like symptoms. Daddy has been great at caring for Leah since this is her first actual sickness. However, I should still probably be the one to get her dressed in the morning! HA! Socks are a challenge sometimes. Leah's been sleeping a lot these last few days too and has a quite interesting sleeping comfort...completely covering her face. Trevor and I laugh so hard when she does this! I guess as long as I can see her stomach rise, I'll let it be...whatever works for her. I get evaluated at work this week, so Trevor is going to take the day off tomorrow to stay with Leah one more day before returning to daycare.

Maria SS Lauretana 2011

We left our house early Saturday morning for the burbs...daddy had Leah all packed up and ready to go! Yesterday afternoon we went to the annual Italian fest in Berwyn. I have been going to this EVERY year since I was born, and was way excited to bring Leah. However, the weather was not cooperative. It poured and never really warmed back up. So this is a picture of Leah, Nonna and Uncle Joe trying to wait out the rain. Leah's also continued to be congested and snotty. Luckily, her personality hasn't changed. But, my mom actually felt a little tooth poking through her lower gums. So this might be an explanation for the sick symptoms. Hopefully, next year will be more successful!

Labor Day Weekend

So glad it is finally the weekend...and a 3 day weekend at that! I got home today and it was time to prepare for the weekend in the suburbs. We are spending Saturday and Sunday there, and then Monday in Clinton. I have a ton of laundry to do...shock! Leah was such a sport as I packed. I put her in her exersaucer and she bounced and play for about 20 minutes! Trevor picked up pizza for dinner thankfully! We noticed that Leah was a little congested and sneezing more than usual tonight, so hopefully she can sleep off any issue that might be on the way. I love the crazy of preparations for a long weekend...let's just hope it actually feels like a long weekend.