capturing Lil

Lil, in captivity

Oh Lil watchers, you have been very patient.  We promise this post is well worth the wait! This weekend was full of ups and downs, mostly ups for Lil, and downs for Mama.  (Don't worry, just a little under the weather, that's all.)  Mama had a mission to get some good pics of Lil's remarkable new teeth- the vampire fangs she's apparently sprouted in time for Halloween.  It was quite a challenge getting the right smile at the right angle with enough lighting.  Any wildlife photographer will tell you all the perseverance pays off when you get that one shot at the end.  Once she was in her leopard print romper (with kitten-eared hood) Lil bared her fangs for the camera.  Mama was very still, so as not to spook the critter, and just as the sun peeked through the clouds, Lil's lips parted and the shutter clicked at the right moment! 

All of the photos that led up to that perfect shot should not be overlooked.  So here is the collection of the weekend's best Lil pics.  Check out the captions to see what she was up to at the time.

morning nap. She fell asleep while trying to escape

wakey wakey, Lil! saturday morning means cartoons!

• • •

getting ready for swim class on a bright sunday morning

practicing her wave with a sweet smile

• • •

the elusive baby leopard approaches her mother...

Lil carnivore!

it tastes as good as it looks

kitty wonders if it's really that tasty

Lil loves accessories.  Not only do they often complete a look, they can provide her with endless entertainment.  Lately though, she's been using everything from shoes to hats for teething relief.  This hand-knit headband was no different.  Mama's been trying to get Lil to eat her greens, but she was thinking more along the lines of broccoli.

even chewed, hand knits still look good

purple pie-man eater

It was a big day for Lil.  She mastered the back-to-tummy roll, passed objects back and forth between both hands, she even held her bottle- all by herself! There was even a little teething action going on, though no sign of any new teeth yet.  This is where Pie-Man enters.  He's Lil's squeaky little teething toy.  A cousin of Sofie the Giraffe, Pie-Man is also made of natural rubber and is completely non-toxic.  Besides being perfectly gnawable, he also happened to match the little green birdie on Lil's tunic. All that purple needs a little electric green to keep it current, and a few little touches- a birdie appliqué, a pair of socks, and a teething toy- are all it takes.

(peace and) love child

first smile in days

Who thought teething would call for some bling?  I found these amber teething necklaces at Caribou Baby, and learned that the amber can actually help with inflammation and pain associated with teething when worn around the neck (it would also help with arthritis in the hands when worn as a bracelet).  While we're waiting to see if there's a change for the better, I thought it could double as a fashion accessory.  Since healing crystals are associated with all that New Age Hippy Love, I put Lil in this sweet organic cotton baby tunic from Two Owls (it has real pockets!), and a bamboo diaper from Kiwi Pie.  The dress is still a little big, and kind of looks like a caftan.  That works even better for this look, I think.

Peace, baby.

peace be upon you.

ohm

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