Solid Foods & Hiking!!

Uh oh! Will she be a thumb sucker?
Or is she just goofing around?

What tastes better: her bib or her baby food?

Open wide for some yummy food!

Playing with Daddy!

Such a little smiler!

Daddy's little snuggle bug!

Kyra officially started solid foods about a week and a half ago, and so far she's doing great! She's currently having squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, and she started green beans today. We'll add more greens, then move on to fruits, then eventually meats. Kyra seems to be enjoying the foods, particularly the sweet potatoes! She's already got me thinking ahead and looking forward to feasting on all the yumminess of Thanksgiving! She hasn't had any allergic reactions to the food, although we did deal with a diaper rash over the weekend. Before solid foods, a typical day might've included one, maybe two poops for Miss Kiki. Well, solid foods has changed that quite a bit! Things seem to be settling down somewhat, but last week there were multiple days averaging 5 poops a day! Her poor little bottom couldn't keep up with the extra load(s)! But the rash is gone and she's doing much better, thanks to frequent applications of "Boudreaux's Butt Paste." It worked like a charm!

In our effort to make her a mobile baby, we got her a portable booster seat so that she can have meals while we're out and about. The photos above are from a spontaneous picnic in Marina del Rey last week. Kyra really enjoys being outside and looking around at all the interesting goings on! She's also been getting some practice with sitting in restaurant high chairs.

When she eats at home in her high chair, she loves to play "peek a boo" with Mommy and Daddy. We hide under her high chair, she leans forward to look for us, then we pop up and surprise her, followed by a stream of her adorable giggles and smiles! I don't know who enjoys this game more - her or her parents! We'll have to get a video of this entertaining exchange!

Hiking up to the top of the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Phew! We made it to the top! Now, let's quench that thirst with a bottle!

Great views - nearly a 360 degree view of LA!

Heading back down the hill

Kyra was definitely the youngest person on the trail!

We also recently discovered a new park (Culver City Park) and hiking area (Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook) near our house. We tried out the hike to the top of the park and neighboring scenic overlook, and Kyra did great in her Ergo baby carrier. I have a feeling that Kyra and I will be walking up to that park on a regular basis, since Mommy is getting pretty tired of walking around our neighborhood everyday. I'll have to take some pictures of the trail to the park next time we go, but the above shots are from our hike up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. The roundtrip walk/hike is around 2.5 miles, so it's definitely great exercise, especially when you're carrying a 17 pound baby on your chest!

We hope you're all enjoying your summer! We're definitely making the most of ours!