Say Cheese!

Claire looked especially cute the other day, so I decided to snap some shots! As you all can tell, we take many photos over here....and Claire has learned exactly what to do. I pick up the camera and she starts to smile. It is hilarious! I picked it up and said, "Cheese!". This is what she did....doesn't this look like it hurts?

This is a new thing. We stick one finger in our mouth! And, she has been spotted standing up on her own......only for a few seconds, and then she slowly lowers herself to the ground.

Bye-Bye Mimmy!

Mimmy left today after being here for a week! Claire and I are both having a hard time :(

At night before bath, I usually let her play in her diaper (or naked) on the landing outside the bathroom. She always loves climbing the stairs to our room. Here she is pushing Mimmy's hand out of the way. Miss Independent!

Coming for the camera!

Yeah! Made it to the top!

I could not resist this little tush shot!!! I really don't want to loose these rolls when she starts walking! They are too cute!

Our precious baby!

We miss you already, Mimmy!....especially me tomorrow at about 6:30 am!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helping Daddy A!

I love the help that comes when my parents are here! They help me get so many things done around the house!!!! This weekend they did some serious baby-proofing. We needed it! With 4 separate flights of stairs......we needed some gates and some hand rails too. Here is Claire helping Daddy A.

Ready with the tape measure....whenever you need me!

Music Class

Claire and I go to Music class every Tuesday at Gymboree. I (we) have made so many friends there! It has been a life saver for both of us! As you can see, she really enjoys it! Above she is shaking it up!

Claire playing with her sweet friend, Ethan.

This is Claire's friend, Kate, and her Grandmother. Claire kept crawling over to her and wanting this sweet woman to hold her. It was pretty funny! Kate was a little jealous and did not move while Claire climbed all over them! She was staying put!

Claire and Carter! The kids love this bench. It is the perfect height for them. They were playing and I just happened to catch them both looking our direction at the same time.....pretty funny!

CC joins the fun.

Maraca time!

Aren't I cute?

Where does the time go?

Claire is 10 months old today!!!!!!

I really feel like we just brought her home from the hospital yesterday! She has changed so much this month.....really the most change we have seen in her has been in the past 2 months. She is super mobile. All over the place! She climbs anything she can! She even reaches up on the table and almost pulls her little feet off of the floor! Such a strong little one. She has also become so independent. I know I have said this before, but she is seriously the most independent child I have ever seen! She is very social too! Yesterday in Music, she kept crawling to another mother and getting up in her lap! Would she ever do that with me.....no! She just loves other people! She immediately reaches for others and loves to be around a group! Claire is so much fun to be a parent to! She just talks and shows out anytime we are out in public. She is so much fun to take places. At some point, I do want her to be scared of some people, but until then, I am enjoying this time.

She is eating like a big girl now too! Yesterday we had no baby food all day! She loves all food and is such a terrific eater. Claire is also a great sleeper. She is still taking 2 naps and sleeping all night.....when her teeth are not bothering her. She only has 2 chompers, but I really think there are a few more on their way.

Claire loves the water and loves bath time!!!! She just splashes and laughs the whole time she is in there. We blew up the pool this weekend and tried it out! A big success!

When Kate and Chad were here they were so generous and gave us a membership to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art here in KC. We took Claire there on Sunday and had a great day! The grounds are terrific so we snapped a few pictures.

This is classic Claire....just smiling and laughing!

She loves to be on daddy's shoulders!!

Found a leaf............

What a wonderful baby we have! She is just the most wonderful thing on this Earth! We are so blessed to have her in our lives. I am so lucky and grateful that I get to take care of her everyday. If I could be or do anything in the world, I would want to be her mother! What a fantastic job I have!

Claire has a secret........

Maybe JJ just told her???????

Or, maybe she is running to She-She to hear the news......but either way.....Claire is going to have a brand new cousin!!!!!! Due to arrive on March 27, 2008!!!!!! I am so excited for these two.....and myself! As most of you know, I grew up with my cousins, James and Amy. We were soooooo close....too close at times ;) I love that we always had someone to play with. I am so happy that Claire will have a little cousin close to her age!!!!! We pray for a healthy baby and mama!!!! What fun we will have with this little one when he or she gets here!!!!!!

Here is Claire with the happy mommy to be!

Just the girls!

Claire had some more friends over on Friday! My aunt gave me the name of a friend of a friend's daughter that had recently moved to KC before we came for our house hunt back in March! Page has been so much help to us! She has lived here for a few years and it is great to have her advice. And, a total bonus, she has a daughter, Amelia, that is 2 weeks older than Claire! They have so much fun together! We played during the day with our other new friend, Georgia. Then, Strick and I went to dinner Friday night with Page and her husband! We had so much fun! Here are a few pictures of the day!

These 2 are hilarious! The way they interact is too funny. Claire will crawl really fast and then Amelia will do it too. Then Amelia will do something and Claire will follow! Almost like they are playing "top this"!

One of Claire's favorite spots! Perfect height and padded!!! Great combo!

Georgia joins the fun! Georgia is 7 1/2 months! Isn't she the cutest? She is sooooooo sweet and just a little petite thing! We have to watch Claire around her! She will sometimes just run her over. It is crazy how unaware they are of each other at times!

Page must have been doing something funny! They look a little dazed ;) Or, maybe it was the pizza we fed them! Page and I decided to order a pizza.....as soon as I got a little slice I had a small audience! I had to share! That was Claire's first junk food.....we normally have boring vegetables and a little fruit for lunch! She loved it!!! I guess almost 10 months and this is the first sign of junk is pretty good!!!! We made up for it and had some steamed squash for dinner! Thankfully she is a GREAT eater! Loves it all! Hope to stay that way :)

We are excited about having my parents here next week!!!! I am already looking forward to sleeping in! It is amazing......I wake up at 8:30 or so....ok, to be honest 9:30 or so and Claire is fed and playing downstairs...happy as she can be!!!!!! Love it!

Play date 8/1/07

We hosted our first play date with our new friends today! I finally felt like my house was together enough to invite 7 other kids to come play! Thank goodness for our playroom!

Playing tea with Ethan.

Drums with Jack

Sweet Norah! Isn't she precious?

Claire throwing a fit.....her newest trick ;) She is mad because I would not give her my camera.

I had the bright idea to take a group shot. Claire decided to give Sophie a little kiss.......

Then a little hair pull.........

A little more hair pull and maybe a little scratch too.....Sophie is still her friend! She even gave Claire a kiss on the forehead today :)

Jack is too silly!

Only 3 remain.

It was a fun and exhausting day!!!!! Nap time for everyone!