Baby or alien?

I don't think I mentioned this before, but Leila has a "trick" ear. For some reason, her left ear tends to fold in half, especially when she's been lying on her left side. The funny thing is that it sometimes gets stuck that way. It looks really crazy! 

It's tough to capture this oddity in a photo because I rarely have the camera handy when it happens. Plus, it's difficult to hold a baby and work a camera simultaneously. However, yesterday I managed to get a couple of pics. They're pretty unflattering because I didn't have much time or leeway for getting a good angle, but you at least get to see the ear. I'm sure she's going to HATE these photos when she's older, but oh well... We all know how cute she normally looks!

Fall in Helsinki

The classic signs of fall have appeared: kids going back to school, the leaves changing colors, days starting to get shorter and snowsuits. What? Yes, snowsuits. Apparently, when the temperature drops below 60 degrees (15C), many Finnish parents seem to think their kids are going to turn into popsicles if they are not bundled up like living Weebles (you know, they wobble, but they don't fall down!). 

Today, as I passed through the park next to our house, every kid on the playground was wearing a snow suit, snow boots, mittens and winter hats. I don't know how they weren't melting! As a point of reference, I was wearing capri pants, a t-shirt and a light, 3/4-length-sleeved, cotton sweater and Crocs (without socks). In my mind, at 15C, it was lovely early fall weather. What's more, the sun was still out so it seemed even warmer than the thermometer registered. 

I could swear that some of the parents were eye-balling me to figure out why I was not bundling Leila up similarly. She was wearing a long-sleeved, footed sleeper with a sweater over it and extra socks and a fleece hat. I thought that the hat might be overkill, but I figured it would keep her ears warm. Maybe I'm the weird one, but I thought that was sufficient, especially since she was in the baby carrier and therefore drawing heat from me as well.

If the kids are this bundled at 15C, what the heck do they wear when it's -15C?? I'm so curious to find out!

Leila's latest trick

In addition to talking to her little red monkey toy, Leila recently discovered her reflection in the mirror and talks to that, too. Furthermore, she has now figured out how to roll onto her stomach and prop herself up on her elbows. It's really adorable (see first photo). The only problem is that she has trouble rolling back to her back so she tends to get frustrated when she thinks she's stuck (see second and third photos). However, it won't be long before she has that mastered, too...

Leila is three months old!

She's now a few days past her 3 month birthday because I didn't get a chance to post these earlier in the week... She's been growing a lot and finally just had her first well-baby visit to the Finnish health center. 

As of her appointment, Leila was 5.25 kg (or about 11.5 lbs) and almost 60 cm (or about 23.5 inches). So she's still long and skinny, but everything is on track in terms of her development. She also got her vaccines started. We'll be going back in another month to see how she's progressing.

Leila has been a lot more alert during the day and sleeping more at night (although she's still waking up a couple times to nurse). She has gotten quite playful and is interested in many of her toys now. When she's really engaged, she "talks" to (coos at) them. It's quite cute. Check out the accompanying photos to see her interacting with a hanging toy monkey!

Who knew sitting could be so much fun?!

For those of you who are Leila fans, I'm putting up a few more photos. Now that she's able to hold her head up well, she's very excited about being able to sit up. She loves to sit on our laps either leaning back against us or facing us and holding onto our hands for balance. 

In the US, I had heard about this new baby seat called Bumbo that supports babies to enable them to sit up as long as they can hold up their heads. I bought one thinking that at some point it would be handy, but it seems that it is already getting some use! Leila is still not steady enough to sit in the seat for an extended period of time, but she does like the novelty of sitting in it for a bit each day. Here are some photos of her enjoying her seat and the new vantage point it allows her!

Forgot the "after" photos!

The funniest photos of Leila from the UK wedding are the "after" shots. Here's what she looked like when the party was over...and then the next day when she was still worn out. So sweet!!!

Wedding in the UK

On July 23rd, we attended a family friend's wedding in the UK in Manchester. My parents and honorary aunt and uncle were there, too, which was great! The journey itself was quite an adventure because Matt was at a training in Stockholm and couldn't travel over with me and Leila. So Leila and I flew from Helsinki on our own, and Matt met us there.

Although we had already taken a longer flight from the US, I was more hesitant about this one because I wouldn't have another pair of hands to help out. Plus, this time, Leila was a "lap child" and didn't have her own seat. I was not sure how comfortable I would be when I couldn't put her down for the duration of the flight.

That said, all went well once we got checked in. Check in was a bit challenging because of all the gear I had to juggle- suitcase, car seat, stroller, carryons, tickets, passports, etc. However, once I got rid of everything but the diaper bag and my purse (and Leila), it was manageable. I used the baby carrier (Baby Bjorn-type thing) so I'd have free hands, and it went well- AS LONG AS I WAS MOVING. The minute I stopped walking, bouncing or swaying, Leila would cry. So I just had to bounce my way through the airport and the line to board, etc. I looked a bit silly, but it worked!

On the bus to the plane, Leila actually fell asleep in the carrier, which was great. Then a really nice, older Scottish man carried the diaper bag and put it into the overhead compartment for me. He even came back to help me get off the plane in Manchester. That was a real help!

Leila slept in my lap for two-thirds of the flight, then nursed and was content and alert for the remainder of the time. She only had a meltdown once we got to baggage claim. However, as soon as I was able to get the stroller and start pushing her around, she went to sleep!

My parents picked us up at the airport, and we went along the curvy, English country roads to the hotel. After checking into the hotel, we went to meet the families of the bride and groom at the local pub. Luckily, Leila slept through all of this, including the rowdiness at the pub!

The wedding was in a quaint, little country church, and the reception was in our hotel. There was nothing out of the ordinary in terms of the celebrations, except that we had to keep popping out to tend to Leila. However, it was just nice to see our friends.

We spent Sunday hanging out with my parents and aunt and uncle before heading back to the airport. Luckily, for the flight home, Matt was with us so it was a little more relaxing for me knowing that I had backup when needed...

Attached are some photos of Leila in her wedding finery!