At the library

After more than a year living in DC, we finally made a trip to the public library. Leila liked to hear her voice echo in the big rooms, and she helped us find a book to check out.

Whee!

This is Leila flying around in the National Portrait Gallery courtyard.

bouncer

This is Leila's first ride in a doorway bouncer we are borrowing. She keeps spinning it in circles. Probably not on purpose.

Picnic at zoo

Here's the group at a jazz concert at the zoo.

Sleeping accomplishments

As you know, Leila is a champion sleeper, usually 10-11 hours at night, but we have to swaddle her up nice and tight to keep her calm. Last night marked the first night she slept in her sleeper without the swaddler...and she slept from 10:30-8am!! It must have been all the fun yesterday playing with Lily and going to the baseball game. Way to go Leila!!!

Taji, how you've grown

Leila and I met Mike, Andi, & Lily on the Mall for a tour of the monuments. We walked a looooooong way (almost 10 miles today!), but Leila was a good sport about it. By the Jefferson Memorial, we met some cops on horseback. Leila thought the horse looked a little bit like Taji, but she decided it was too big to be her puppy after all. Lily (hiding in the background) slept through the whole thing.

Cheering on the Nats

We went to a Nats game today with Etienne and Viraj. Besides being pretty hot, we had great seats and a fun time. The LeBaillys leave for Mozambique tomorrow so this was their last taste of good old fashioned American culture for awhile. We are all going to miss you!!!!!

Playing on the National Mall

After lunch, we wandered down to the national mall to play Bocci ball and have some ice cream and popsicles. Overall, fantastic day!

Out for Lunch

Here we all are enjoying lunch and beers at Chef Geoff's after the Aquarium. The girls liked lunch more than the fish. Chris found the place, and they have fantastic burgers here.

National Aquarium Visit

Mike, Andi, and Lily came to visit yesterday for the week. Saturday we went to the National Aquarium with them. It was pretty small, but had decent fish. The girls (Leila and Lily) were barely entertained.

Leila's big girl chair

Leila is now strong enough to sit in her chair and play with her toys. She is having a great time putting everything within reach into her mouth. Mmmm

Leila in the grass

We took Leila for a picnic and for some reason, she was really interesed in rolling around in the grass. But, as you can see from the picture, she was also very serious about the expedition. Until Erica picked her up, that is. Then she cut loose with a big grin.

Leila and Ashley

Here are some pictures of Leila with her friend Ashley. It looks like Leila was intruding on Ashley's personal space, but she didn't seem to mind.

Telling secrets

Leila tries to show Ashley how to find her feet.

Beautiful day for an outing

It is finally back to perfect weather in DC: sunny, high 70's, slight breeze. Leila and I went to meet my colleague, Crystal, and her 2-month-old baby, Ashley, for a walk and a picnic. Pictures of Leila and Ashley are coming, but in the meantime, here is Leila riding the Metro:

Leila is having a grand time on the blanket. She was showing off how she rolls over and squeals.
Here is her Granddaddy Johnson's favorite look. He calls it "the lip."

Hold on tight!

Leila fell asleep at the dinner table tonight in her Dad's arms. If you look carefully, you can see that she doesn't fully trust him....she has a death grip on the back of the chair!

Happy Father's Day

We had a very low-key Father's Day today. We all went for a run/walk along the Mall this morning, followed by a delicious omelet for breakfast and chocolate cake with strawberries for dessert. After getting some things done around the house this afternoon, Leila spent some quality time with her Dad reading some books.

Leila and Alex

This is Leila's new friend Alex Monster. He is 5 weeks old so Leila thinks she is older and wiser, but we are pretty sure Alex can hold his own. We had a nice walk while the dogs romped through the woods. Leila and Alex will be in daycare together starting in the fall. We're sure they're going to be good pals. Their dogs even get along with each other, too!

Baby's first globe

This is Leila's first globe. She can't wait to see it all. Or, so she says. She also can't wait to eat it all.

Leila rolling from her back...again and again.

So, like Erica said, Leila just started rolling from her back to her stomach yesterday. We caught it on camera, but she moved really fast, so it took a couple of takes. Also, she seems to have forgotten how to roll from her stomach onto her back now...so she just screams until we do it for her, then IMMEDIATELY rolls back onto her stomach. Splendid trick!

I can flip!

Developmental update: Yesterday afternoon, Leila decided it was time to start rolling over from her back to her tummy. She did it once, then twice, and now every time we put her on her back, she immediately flips over to her stomach. Of course she seems to have forgotten that she already learned how to flip from her tummy to her back because once she is on her stomach, she starts crying and hasn't turned herself back over yet. We'll get it on video for you and post soon!

We're stuck!

Here's the view out the back and front of the car. Notice how there is a fire engine in front and a fire engine behind us and only one lane. Also, neither of them are moving. We were stuck here for about ten minutes (luckily), but I was afraid it would be all night the way firemen and women were pouring out of the trucks and into the building.

Leila's new friends

Today is Mom's first day back at work. here is Leila looking content with her new nanny Consuelo, 5 year old Jacqueline and 8 month old Isabelle.

An afternoon at the pool

Leila had her first outing to the swimming pool this weekend. It was in the 90's so it was the perfect day for a dip in the cool water. Leila didn't seem to mind the experience at all!

Here she is before we got in the water.


She and Jason went in first. She gasped a little but didn't cry.


Here are some family shots. She liked to bob up and down and be pulled through the water. We also helped her splash her arms and legs around. Since the sun was so strong, we only stayed in the water for less than 10 minutes. We have to protect that beautiful baby skin!

Happy Birthday!!

Leila just wants to wish her Uncle Ian a happy 29th birthday. She says to say sorry we're a day late posting the b-day wishes, but since she doesn't know how to blog by herself yet, she has to rely on her sometimes procrastinating parents. We all hope you conquer your 14-er!!

Sculpture Garden

We went to the Sculpture Garden last night to hear the jazz concert and see our friends Pete, Regina & Samuel. Samuel tried to teach Leila that it is fun to run and play, but she was only interested in wiggling and smiling. Maybe next week she'll be up for it??

Smiling for the camera

We caught Leila on camera giving us some smiles. She usually waits until after we put the camera away to be at her cutest. Here she is looking suspicious. Now she's about to break into her full-out grin.
Here's a cute little face that you'd be crazy not to love!
This is Daddy's favorite of the bunch.

An afternoon at the dog park

We took Taji to the dog park today to meet the LeBaillys and Vasco. The dogs loved playing in the puppy-sized pool, complete with waterfalls which they were afraid to go near. Leila just enjoyed the view and the sunshine.


Viraj and Leila are styling in their fine summer sun hats.

Happy 100 days!

Today was Leila's 100th birthday (if you are counting the days!) So, to celebrate Erica baked cupcakes.

Leila and dad at baseball game

Leila and I went to see the Nationals play today. It was blazing hot and I was afraid she would melt so we didn't stay long.