caLILfornia

Here is the long awaited California Tour post. Since it's getting late, I will start with her beautiful wedding attire. All these photos were taken post-event, so I apologize for the low lighting and strange coloration. Still they're pretty pretty.

She put on some leggings at the end of the night. It was raining and pretty chilly.

awaiting room service

reaching for the remote

no one loves a king size hotel bed with lots of pillows more than lil

formal embrace

video tuesday- lil's first kiss

I was editing another video of Lil from our trip for today's post, but something extraordinary happened while she was eating. First, it happened when Papa was feeding her breakfast. Then it happened again when I was feeding her dinner.

Lil started doing air kisses.

At first I was too mesmerized to record them. But I soon recovered from the overload of cuteness, and uploaded this little clip.  

Ahhh, love.

(partial) mobile recap.

California drive-thru

I had a few images uploaded from my phone to my Flickr account, and so I'll just take a quick sec to post them here while I edit through several hundred photos from last week. I did try to get a mobile pic of Lil in her finery, but it was cold and rainy, and all I could manage was a pic of her fuzzy sweater. So here are a few that are ready to go, and many more to come!

This is actually from before we left. Lil spent a long day in her very hip bear pajamas, which fit both our west coast destination, and her current sleep schedule (of course, now that we're back, the jet lag hit her hard, and she's slept most of the day and night).

Here is Lil all dressed –and bundled– up on the way to Cousin Katie's wedding. The short drive gave her just enough time for a cat nap, and she behaved remarkably well throughout all the festivities. Lil loves her some princess dresses, and was definitely enamored with the stunning bride.

In our final moments in Santa Cruz, Lil got one last cuddle from the beautiful, talented Aunt Sarah. Lil definitely enjoyed the mountain climate, and dressing for the Doon. All that fresh mountain air does her good, adds a little color to her cheeks, and allows for more cozy-comfy styles. Lil was missing her lumberjack flannel, but lover of accessories that she is, she sported her lumberjack babylegs around the house. Next time Lil will be all about the warm flannel, a pair of Wellies, and a warm cardigan. Mama will make a country girl of her yet.

westward expansion continued

this gorgeous day in Northern Cali finds us heading to the Monterey Aquarium to visit some fishes and sea creatures with Cousin Josie and baby Liam. No one could be more excited than Papa, though! He's anxious to spy on some cephlopods. Lil and cousin Jos agreed to wear pretty dresses and leggings. Josie's dressed in a bold floral, while Lil is keeping her city girl vibe in a black and white frou-frou frock. These two girls are sure to get more attention that any of the aquatic beauties in the Seymour Center.

liamazing

Cousin Liam sports a specially styled coiff and demonstrates the essential northern California layered look- baby legs under short pants, and a polo shirt over a onesie. Anything else would be un-Californian.

lilLiam

Thanksgiving was lots of fun. We had babies, turkey, pie, and veg. And teething. But the fun in Santa Cruz continues, and while the babes are napping, I thought I would put up a mini post. For those of you who are not my facebook friends, here is a little gem from the Cali Cousins Convention. I believe Lil and Liam have picked up where the Super Committee left off, so fear not. Medicare and Social Security may be saved after all.

We will have lots more pictures once we have uploading capabilities. For now though, we're stuck with some crappy cell phone pics.

Enjoy your black Friday!

lil on the run- westward expansion pt 1

Going on an adventure requires a bit of rule breaking, a bit of freestyle, and a lot of flexibility. The first issue we had to tackle was getting Lil to the airport sans car seat. In NYC it is legal to take a baby in a taxi with no car seat (traveling by the seat of our pants, if you wish), but on the crazy drive to JFK this wasn't something Mama was comfortable with. So we were very happy to find a car service that provided a car seat for no extra charge! However, this seat was front facing, and Lil is still too small to experience the world out the windsheild. But this time it was the better of two evils, so Lil enjoyed the back of the driver's head for a change. I don't know how we'll convince her that the seat back is more interesting for the long drive ahead...

video tuesday- lil gabba gabba!

On occasion we have watched some of those preschool shows that are on cable TV. None may be as perplexing as Yo! Gabba Gabba! I can't even begin to explain it to someone who's never seen it. Basically, there's a man with an Afro who carries around these monsters in a boombox/ briefcase. And then he takes them out to show kids things, like saying "please," or the dangers of running with scissors, through frenetic song and dance. Lil seemed somewhat mesmerized, or maybe just confused, the few times we've seen it. Mama, on the other hand, can't get this stuff outta her head. I've spent the last couple months singing and dancing my own version of Yo! Gabba Gabba! for Lil's amusement. Finally, I think my hard work has paid off. Someone has learned the "Wiggle Go, Wiggle Stop" song!

This could be the beginning of Lil actually complying with some of my instructions, as long they're delivered through song...

lil bigger

You may remember this romper Lil had when she was a wee thing. It was my single favorite item she wore throughout infancy. It was soft, and leopard print, and had a little tag that said "pretty girl" or something like that. I was crushed on the day I realized it no longer fit. Kinda felt like I was losing a little snugly kitten. I began searching for the same romper in a 12-month size for her to wear this winter, but it was not to be found.

You can imagine my excitement when I found the same fleece leopard print romper this fall... the only thing was that it wasn't gray leopard print it was a tan-and-pink leopard print. Hmm. A little disappointing, but when Lil put it on today, crawling around all over the place in her awe-inspiring cuteness, all my reservations melted away.

Kitten babies are really, really adorable. Much more so than baby kittens.

80's baby

With a milder stretch of weather lately, dressing in layers became ever more the necessity. Since Lil was traveling en carrier, the very best method is a pair of BabyLegs over or under some pants, a bodysuit (usually long-sleeved), and a sweater or jacket topped off with a little hat of some kind. This way she's not overdressed (Mama's body heat keeps her pretty toasty), and she still fits in the carrier. Maybe with the leggings and the burgundy legwarmers, and the denim jacket Lil looked a little 80's-inspired. 

she's a maniac on the floor

I guess that wild asymmetrical hairdo isn't doing anything to give her a modern edge, is it?

why did you dress like that, mama?

little lilly upchuck

We were all set to go down to Caribou today to see some friends at the big babies play group. Lil had on a great outfit, a little pink, a little sparkle, and just enough sass. Mama had her bunting from last year all set to keep Lil nice and bundled on the long walk. Lil seemed to be ready for a little snooze anyway, and the fresh air would do her some good. Then in mid-wail, Lil let loose a mouthful of carrots, salmon, and puffs all over her outfit, somehow missing Mama completely.

Here's what Lil was going to wear:

oh. i forgot the pink shoes

And this is how she ended up:

Pretty similar, I admit. The fuzzy sweater is a staple in Lil's cold weather gear. When she's all zipped into her bunting bag, nothing could be cozier. Whatever cold or tummy ache or teething problems she's dealing with finally melted away, and she rested that troubled little head for a good, long time (while Mama enjoyed a well-deserved snack and a beverage at Tuffet. Yay).

getting sleepy...

last of the strange green things

pretty as a princess, but no poison in that apple

Just like cold weather kills all green things, our CSA shares also came to an end this week. I can't say I'm sad about it. The wet summer was reportedly very bad for a lot of veg, especially tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, spinach, carrots, and pretty much everything else beside eggplants and sweet potato leaves. We didn't even get a single pumpkin! But enough complaining. We gathered up our few measly potatoes, a sad winter squash, and a dying bunch of parsley for a bookend to this photo shoot from back in June. At least something pictured has grown and flourished and thrived, and it's obvious I'm not talking about veggies.

russet, or yukon gold?

Lil's definitely the biggest and most beautiful piece of organic, locally grown deliciousness I lugged home all season. There's no way I'm complaining about that!

I think Lil will have enough organic sweet potatoes to get her thru college, but beside that, we need some new ways to get organic fruits and veggies this winter. Otherwise, I'm afraid it's gonna be nothing but oatmeal and bananas for Lil...

yipes stripes

Lil got a new sweater last week. It's a nice simple cotton pullover from Oshkosh B'gosh, and it's roomy enough to throw a layer or two underneath. Nothing too fancy, no crochet detail, no fancy embroidery, or buttons, or bell sleeves. Just play clothes, pure and simple. As cute as Lil looks in her little ruffles and pleats and all those lovely dresses, she's at the age now where she just wants to wear something comfy and secure.

Thankfully, this doesn't mean Lil has to dress all blahh. Nice, juicy fruit stripes on top and bottom, and some cute little punky socks will give her just enough edge while she explores her surroundings and perfects those new skills. I have a feeling that footwear will be playing a larger roll on the blog soon!

mobile vault

September 30th, in GranMary's favorite chapeau.

I know all thirteen Lil readers are getting anxious for new pictures. After all, it has been 5 days without a new Lil pic! That is a long time, to be sure. Please, just hold on a little bit longer! Saving daylight has us out of whack, plus with irritating colds and runny noses effecting both of us, Lil and Mama need just another day or two to get back on track. In the mean time, I've pulled a number of older photos off the mobile device and uploaded them to our Flickr photostream. There are even a few gems that go back to Lil at just 3 months old! I may never have those days again, but these pictures bring back all the sweetness and simplicity of days gone by.

this one's close to my heart.

And of course, there was the early First Tooth...

Perhaps we forgot to upload a special pic of Lil at 9 months. Well, we didn't, but here is another for good measure.

And here she is in her new "Lil" pajamas from Oshkosh B'gosh. They are all covered in unicorns and rainbows, how whimsical! And that aqua blue is so pretty on her.

Now, if you're still feeling sore that we haven't shown any new photos from the past 5 days, you may go amuse yourself with over 2 dozen videos on our YouTube Channel, where we've just fished out some ridiculously sweet footage of an itty bitty baby Lil that will turn you into a little puddle of mush!

I can't say for certain when this was captured, but it was definitely earlier than three months, and there's some even earlier than that! Go- see for yourselves! I know you won't be disappointed.

video tuesday- shake it, baby

We know we have been absent lately. Both Mama and Lil are run down with colds, and no one wants to see another snot-covered baby in her pj's. Today was a glorious November day, complete with sun, and dried-up noses. Mama and Lil went for a little stroll, and ended up at our favorite spot. Since we were the only ones there, Lil let loose on the (dance) floor, while Mama caught the whole thing on her phone-camera. One thing is for sure, Lil is working on some major moves.

If all goes well, there will be a couple entries posted "from the vault," with new posts resuming tomorrow. We do, after all, have to chronicle our final CSA pick-up (hooray!)!

happily Everett after

It is definitely November.  Leaves are down, wind is whippy, and scarves are wrapped around necks. That doesn't mean we are finished with late afternoons in McCarren park though. We layered up and headed out, strolled down the Ave in the sun. The combination of brisk, fresh air and warm sunlight lulled Lil to sleep, so I kept walking. We arrived at the park with the time to spare before our playdate, so I took the opportunity to capture a few priceless sleeping baby photos.

That gorgeous hat was crocheted by our friend Melanie at Crayon Jungle. She helped us choose a beautiful cotton yarn, and Lil now has a one-of-a-kind creation! Thank you so much, Melanie!!

sampling a homemade shaker

When our friends Kelley and Everett arrived, we took to the grass and let the babes have at it.  We first met Everett when he was just a wee thing, and now he's such a little man!  This afternoon he was looking quite lovable with a fuzzy monkey hat and a chunky zip-up sweater. Perfect combination of little man and cuddly baby.

Everett tastes nature

With her batteries recharged, Lil set to work exploring Everett's toys, while Everett was off exploring dead leaves (with his mouth). The babes did come face to face at some point, but were most interested in the world around them. No matter. The longer Lil shows no interest in boys, the happier her papa will be.

what have you got there, little Lil?

After a little while, some more friends showed up, and soon we had a baby pile-up on our hands. Little Sully was very fond of Lil's hat, and Lil was very fond of crawling away as fast as she could! Poor little Lil ended up in tears –a little too cold, a little bumped, and plenty worn out. We strolled home as the sun began to set over Williamsburg, a little chilly, but thankful we found such a great group of mamas and babes in our 'hood.

right here in Brooklyn, the place where we dwell

peaches and creamy

pure as the driven soap

I dress my baby in beige and white. Yup. I am that person. I even occasionally take her outside in beige or white (and yes, after Labor Day). So why do I think I can get away with something so daring? Well, I do own a large container of Oxy Clean, and often do 24-hour pre-soaks. But beside my amazing skills as a laundress and stain-fighter, I am just reminded of fuzzy little bunnies, or fluffy kittens, or anything soft and downy. And I want my baby to be that sweet and innocent and cuddly for just a few more months. I know there's not much time left. Soon she'll be fully mobile, and we'll be in the park covered with dirt. Or she'll find Papa's charcoals, or Mama's nail polish. But for a few more weeks, she'll just be a little dusty, perhaps spilling some sweet potato or peaches on her collar. And I can have my polar bear baby as clean as pure as ever with the help of a Tide stain stick, and nothing more.

still mama's smitten kitten

video explosion

Since we are a little late with today's video, here are a few shorts of Lil that were found on Mama's phone (this phone has a habit of hiding photos and videos). Maybe it's a good thing these little snippets were lost, because now it's like a Lil treasure trove. Yay!

Here's Lil on October 20th on the way home from her doctor's appointment...

... and here Lil feeds herself with a spoon, and I chat with our neighbor Erin and then we cheer for Lil...

... and this is Lil making a mess of her food (I know, a lot of videos of her eating, right?)...

... and finally here is a very jittery video of Lil and Papa chasing Mama before bedtime. This is one of Lil's all-time favorite activities. I will warn that the quality is shoddy, so if you are easily nauseated or prone to seizures, you may want to skip this one.