Yep, she lost her sock. I thought she looked super cute with just one, so I didn’t put it back on until after our photo shoot.

Can’t stop kissing and tickling those cute toes! xoxo

Tummy time earlier this morning. She’s recovering from a busy weekend and has been super tired today. Can you tell?

Miss Leyba has discovered the joy of propelling herself backwards up her changing table. She uses her feet to push herself up into a bridge (excluding the hands/head part) and then scoots herself up. It’s made diaper changes that much more interesting.

She also has discovered how to move around in a circle in bed or on the floor. When we move the towel wedges and give her free reign in bed, she’ll move herself from lying parallel between us and to suddenly being perpendicular.

David was walking by 8 months (most babies are crawling around then and move on to walking around 12 months!). Looks like she’s taking after him!

I think we’re in trouble.

She’s also very pleased with herself about these accomplishments, as she should be. Her smile says, “I am hot shit,” and she is.

I think we are almost recovered from last weeks inadvertent dairy introduction extravaganza and the corresponding Cry Fest 2008. As if my vegan milk now tastes SO MUCH BETTER, Miss Leyba has been indulging in LONG hourly breastfeeding sessions during the day and night until last night when she decided that she’s simply had enough, Mama, and decided to sleep in long stretches. Hallelujah! David and I feel less strung out this morning. This is so good. May the sleeping at night trend continue.

Passover begins today and that means very little in our house, because for us it’s PASSOVER EVERY DAY! I mean, who eats leavened products nowadays? REALLY. It’s gotten really easy to celebrate this holiday since I stopped eating gluten two years ago. Mom, are you proud?

We’re doing a simple meal tonight and we’re going to try reintroducing… white fish! May Miss Leyba tolerate it. I’ve got to get my protein levels up. Next up: nut butters, eggs, and then soy.

In other exciting news, my Audrey Hepburn blog is now #4 on Google’s search for “Audrey Hepburn!” (AGAIN! Finally. I cried when my main site got knocked to the second page two years ago.) I’m officially done with my maternity leave over there too, so be sure to check out my Tribute to Audrey Hepburn for all sorts of Audrey Hepburn related news and goodness. It will be slow going for a while, but it’s nice having a personal project that is entirely separate from my daughter. (Gasp!) Of course, she may grow up to love Audrey Hepburn too.

I finally cut out all butter and eggs (already stopped eating all other “fuss-culprits” — dairy, nuts, gluten, soy, onions, garlic, tomatoes, corn, etc.) and suddenly our little girl is back to her smiley self. No more crying sessions, no more spit up, no more tummy troubles. We are all feeling so much better. Now we just need to catch up on our sleep (ha!). Slowly we will reintroduce foods into my diet and we’ll see what she tolerates. Luckily, most babies have similar reactions to these foods, so she may tolerate some or all of them in the future. (knock on wood)

Here is our sweetie pie yesterday, well-rested, fed, and full of smiles:

Smiles from Carrie on Vimeo.

Our beautiful friends soaking up the summer weather and doing headstands at the farmer’s market.

I loved being outdoors with my family, introducing our daughter to our friends, coasting around the farmer’s market, listening to music, and getting caught up with recent happenings while sprawling out on blankets, picnic style. Social time is so important. And I’ve missed it so much.

It was an impromptu gathering — such a nice surprise and wonderful treat.

We had such a great time being out with friends. I cried on the way home.

Gearing up for a social week: I’m having friends over nearly every day and I’m hoping to bring Miss Leyba to the mamas and babies yoga class tomorrow next Tuesday. Wish me luck! (OMG, she hates riding in the car! We’ve been out driving every day trying to acclimate her. I’m trying to get used to the idea that she may cry the whole way, especially without one of us back there to distract and comfort her. And that we’ll both recover and be okay.)

Look who found her thumb this morning:

Think of it as a late birthday present.

She’s currently very into:

+ Chewing on her fist and

+ Rolling from her back to her side (left side only so far both sides evidently; someone wasn’t paying proper attention!):

+ Pulling up her shirt:

+ Smiling and splashing in the bath (and startling herself in the process)

+ Reading (i.e. vocalizing) along with me during story time:

You’re so fun to hang out with. I love you, sweetie pie!