The Nursery

Leif's nursery - still a work in progress.

Rather than going the route of pastels, kitschy clowns, boy symbols (like fire trucks or cowboys), or matching monotone fabric - we threw the conventional nursery design out the door, and opted for our favorite art pieces, warm woods, organic fabrics, shades of green, brown, and creams, and touches of nature.

Let us know if you have any ideas - Gretchen still needs to construct a mobile from objects found in nature (good luck finding the twigs and support branches from trees in Los Angeles) and she is still looking for an rug that resembles green grass (without being too shaggy 70's disco).

Flashbulbs and Smiles - Leif's First Photoshoot

Leif had his first professional photo shoot this last weekend. The photographer, Amber Jordan is southern California's premier baby and child photographer; she was looking to expand her portfolio with new material and we agreed to have her shoot some photos of Leif.

Amber specializes in fine art b/w and color maternity, newborn, baby, child, and family photography in the Ventura, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. We love her work and encourage you to visit her website (which will hopefully feature Leif) and her blog (which already features Leif).

Stats on Leif

• Weight:  18 pounds, 3 ounces (average)
• Height: 27 3/4 inches (75th percentile)
• Circumference of Head: A lot! (95th percentile)
  
• First Tooth: 6 months old (Leif has his two bottom, front teeth)
  
• First Food: Pumpkin (followed by carrots)
  
• Number of Hours of Sleep at Night: 8 (Kris and Gretchen are very thankful)
  
• Number of Smiles in one day: too many to count
• Preference for Mama or Pappa: whomever is nearby
• Favorite Object: whatever fits in his mouth (his Organic stuffed Monkey, Jeffe the Rubber Giraffe, a lime, Gretchen's driver's license, your cell phone, etc.)
• Favorite expressive gesture: razzberries and laughter
• "Wonderous" Moments: bubbles floating in the air, Anouk doing anything, and discovering the doorstop in his nursery that  goes"BOING"

Leif and Jim

This is one of Gretchen's favorite photo sequences of Leif and his Grandpa Jim looking out into the garden in San Diego - as usual, Leif is wide-eyed and fascinated by everything.

Having A Bad Day?

If you find yourself in a bad or sour mood, you might find yourself smiling after viewing this slide show...Leif's smile is contagious!

Gooey Glutinous Goulash

Leif is now exploring the wonderful world of solid foods. 

Question: If Leif eats 3/4 of a bowl of rice cereal, where is the remaining food? Answer: under Leif's chin, up Leif's nose, on Leif's cheeks, between Leif's toes....and all over Kris and Gretchen. 

Those endearing, cute razzberries that Leif likes to blow....NOT so endearing and cute while feeding him...We look like someone sprayed us with sticky gooey glutinous goulash!

Next week, we will give Leif his first "real" food.  Any guesses as to what the mashed vegetable will be?  Hint: It's Gretchen's favorite food.