31 flavors

I promised a special outfit for Lil's 31st appearance on Everyday Lil.  I pulled out a special diaper, her sparkliest dress, and even some additional flare.  It was nearly 6pm when we started, and I soon realized Lil was not at her best.  After a long day out and about meeting new mamas and babies, and visiting friends in the neighborhood and getting tons of fresh air, Lil was just tuckered out.  There would be no perfect picture, no special ensemble to mark day 31.

 

Her good side (the one that wasn't crying)

It didn't take long for me to give in.  Lil changed into a sleepy gown, and I wrapped her up in her favorite blanket.  So the special look for day 31 is the genuine Everyday Lil.

Everyday Lil

Has that much changed in 31 days?

 

Day 31

Day 1

you better work (covergirl)...

Lil knows when she's having her picture taken.  Although she may still be too uncoordinated to give face, she can still give eye.  When I put her in the trendiest outfit yet- an impressionist-inspired peasant blouse and a knit wool soaker from Sustainablebabyish (purchased second-hand)- it became obvious that this baby knows how to work it-- and she can't even sit up yet.

She even threw a hissy fit when I handed her a bow and said, "here, put this on." She flat out refused, and then she spit her pacifier at me (the nerve...)!  But once the camera is on her, it's all light and love and smiles.  She is captivated by the click, click, click of the shutter.  And though I don't use the word diva because I believe it's wholly inappropriate for a tiny child, there is something going on in this baby brain that I can't quite describe.  I shouldn't have to.  You can see it on her face.

a strife aquatic

diaper from green sprout baby. crib sandals from robeez.

It seems as though we are at a stage in Lil's development when she starts experiencing major changes. Sleeping habits, eating habits, digestive upsets... teething.  Yes.  There's a very good chance Lil  is sprouting a tooth somewhere in that fleshy pink mouth of hers.  All these things add up to make for a very quick photo session.  Don't be surprised if tomorrow's edition features sleepwear. 

this giraffe was made for chewin'

This outfit is all about the diaper.  Papa has a thing for cephalopods, so anything with jellyfish or octopi (and especially cuttlefish, those are his favorite) is a must-have for Lil.  The jellyfish diaper is made of organic cotton knit with a bamboo velour interior.  The adjustable sizing justifies this luxurious little bum cover.  Unfortunately, all that heavenly fuzz didn't have the soothing effect I hope for.

the calm before the storm

Woolie-Boolie

 

Lil doesn't wear many pants because she's got those fluffy cloth diapers padding her backside.  She can't fit into most pants her size with that big bum.  I am fine with her wearing dresses all the time, but there are a couple staples every girl needs in her wardrobe.  For one thing, I can't live without a good pair of white pants for the spring and summer.  The ones Lil is wearing are actually wool interlock diaper covers. Yup, that's right.  It's like taking long johns to the next level: ugly underwear transformed into cute outwear.  These are from Green Sprout Baby, a mother-daughter diaper crafting team in Long Island.  I know, we're going into summer, she's a growing baby, blah blah blah.  But when you consider all of the good things about covering your baby in little lambs, you'll understand why I'm turning Lil into Lil Bo-Peep: 

• Wool is an all-natural, renewable material.
• It's soft and breathable
• It's super absorbent, anti-microbial, and
• Wool helps regulate body temperature, so it's good any time of year.

So there you have it.  And like everything Lil wears, when it's done right, it looks good.  I'm sure these are just the first in a "longie" line of woolies for Lil.

smocked embroidered top from Baby Gap

lambskin booties from Kina

vintage-inspired, or just old-fashioned?

I am surprised they still make baby clothes with the Peter Pan collar.  I first encountered it on a few of Lil's hand-me-downs, and I just figured those were items from several years ago.  But as I was shopping some trendy baby shops I noticed girls' and boys' layette still featured this frivolous, dated style.  I know that every so often designers will show the Peter Pan in women's wear, and when they do I ridicule it and make jokes about Popeye's Olive Oil.  On baby wear, I usually have a different reaction: I flashback to the days before Polio vaccinations, when it was preferred that children be seen and not heard.  

Alright, that may be taking it too far.  Instead I'll say that this look is vintage-inspired, it's classic baby girl fashion.  The soft pink rosebuds are really sweet with the drop waist, and I can't deny that the Peter Pan is not just darling, it really is the perfect detail for a simple silhouette.  And besides, it functions like a mini bib!

I won't grow up

She did look pretty sweet, even walking around the hipster capital.  We were hanging out at the coffee shop sippin' iced coffee, and all those cool chicks took one look at Lil and started to coo.  It just goes to show that classic baby is a sure thing, no matter the crowd.

dress by Ralph Lauren

Every infant's favorite friend, Sophie Giraffe!

waiting for spring

'Tisn't the season, apparently.  Another gray day, another day with nothing better to do than laundry.  Lil's closet has several spring dresses just waiting for sunny weather.  But at the rate she's growing, she'll be too big by the time they're wearable.  So I pulled out this sunny little t-shirt dress and bathed Lil in some natural light.  At least cloudy days are good for something.

another lazy afternoon