Weekend visitors!

Claire had a great weekend with all our visitors! She had her Grandmother, Nana (Anna), Strick's Susu (we both have a Susu so I have to specify) and Aunt Este! Here she is on the move!

Getting some snuggles from Nana! Claire loves to play with her Aunt Anna!

Strick's Susu got her this backpack full of wonderful books! They are so great! She is loving choosing one to read at bedtime.

Snuggles from Grandmother! Claire was putting on a show with all this attention.

Aunt Este is cracking up!

Now we are rolling the "wheels on the bus" for everyone! It sure is a crowd favorite!

More rolling! Definitely a crowd favorite!

We had such a nice weekend! We visited the museum here and ate lots of good food. The ladies got to see a little more of the city while Claire came home for a much needed nap. Then we got to celebrate the big #1 again! This girl is really stretching it out! She got some wonderful goodies and lots of attention. Thanks for the visit everyone! We had a blast!

Wagon time!

Claire is in love with wagons! She absolutely loves the one that she got for her b-day and when we were over at Jack's the other day she found that there are also smaller wagons. When she saw it she started fussing to be put in it!

So I put her in it and Jack wanted to pull her!

Can you get any more relaxed than this?

Lake weekend!

What a cutie pie! Sweetness! The girl loves some hats! She will leave them on forever! Makes it fun to dress her up!

This was our view from the deck. It started out as a pretty gloomy cold day, but it warmed up and the sun came out! I know the hat is overkill, but since we just got over the ear infection....thought it was wise not to have that cold wind in her ears. And, it was pretty chilly.

Such a happy little girl!

This is a little mean to take, but she kept exploring the room and getting stuck behind the couch and this little table. Here she is trying her best to get out!

We have a climber! I was really hoping she would not be, but here is the proof! There was a loft at the house this weekend and she was desperate to climb up! A little steep for her 1 year old self!

A little reading by the window. Claire loves to read and be read to! She will often mimic reading by making noises and turning the pages. Pretty funny!


She really started to walk this weekend! Here is a little video of the event. Please excuse my husband's comment at the end. I forgot how to stop the video and you get a nice view of my leg and a little of Strick's conversation. Let me just say that is was Saturday, it was technically "happy hour" time, and we were not driving anywhere!

Well, we were all set to get rid of the bottle today.....I even had a little depression last night after she had what I thought would be her last....and she woke up with a 102 degree fever! Called the nurse and she thinks it could be viral, reaction to shots, possibly ear infection returning....etc! We are going to treat with Motrin until it gets worse. So, anyway, with tears and a fever this morning I did not have it in me. Strick is out of town all day and won't be back until 9 or so tonight, so since I am alone in my quest....we will wait until we are fever free! If it is not one thing it is another! She has never been sick and it seems like we have been given a whammy these past 2 weeks! Hopefully it will end soon! It is torture to see your baby sick!

1 year doctor visit!

We just got back from Claire's 1 year visit with Dr. Hostetler! I really do love her! She is so awesome and calm.....I need calm! She just tells it like it is and that is so refreshing with all the opinions and studies out there! I welcome her "frank opinion" on all things to do with Claire.

Claire is saying 3 words now...Mama, Dada, and Bobo (for Bitzy). She has started pointing at things and has become such a terrific eater! We have tried whole milk and are saying good-bye to the bottle starting tomorrow! Wish us luck! I am a "cold turkey" kinda gal, and Miss C is smart enough to try and fuss until she gets her way...so no more bottles here! We were at the lake this weekend and she really started to walk. She is walking more than crawling now. Pretty funny to watch! She still loves all people, but is becoming much more concerned with me leaving the room. She might give a little protest, but is easily comforted. We are down to paci only while sleeping. Claire loves all her stuffed animals. She is really crazy about them and hugs them any chance she gets. She is also giving us hugs......I just want to stop time when it happens. I wouldn't say she is not affectionate, but she is so busy and rarely stops to do anything like that....so when I do get a little hug or kiss (mostly open mouth with a tongue sticking out) I just want to enjoy it for a little longer than it lasts.....about 2 seconds! I am not complaining....will take it any way I can get it! She is climbing on everything and is way more active than I ever imagined! What a great age this is! She is such a happy baby and is always smiling. She even held her hands out for the doctor the minute she walked in the door today. Claire has become so much more attached to Strick lately. When we talk about dada coming home she will look for him and always has a sweet smile when he walks in. She is really infatuated with him here lately and he is loving every minute of it! Me too!

Our stats at 1 year!
Weight: 23lbs 13oz (75%)
Length: 28 5/8 inches (45%)
Head Circumference: 181/2 in (90%)

I will post pictures of the lake trip soon! We had such a great getaway....just the 3 of us!

More fun in Nac!

These are hard to see, but this is Miss C on the plane!


We got a quick snuggle from Nicole!

Some fun being pushed in her new toy.

Unkie came in town and flew her around the house!

Playtime with the Jones clan! Doesn't Jenny look great with a little girl?

Nonnie and Pop!

We had such a nice trip! It is so great to come and have enough time to see everyone!

Monday, October 8!!!!

We had such a fun weekend and a great day on Monday!

Claire got pulled around in the wagon by pretty much anyone and everyone!

Tried to stand up in the wagon.........

Decided that sitting was a better option!

The queen on her throne!

A quick picture with Nonnie and Pop.

A little swinging......

4 generations! We took a picture just like this in the hospital last year.

The bakery made a mistake on her little smash cake so they gave us one free! Lucky Claire! She got one at her party on and one on Monday.

Silly girl!

Straight to the tub!

Ready to dig into all these presents!

A quick bedtime story from Mimmy.

Our sweet little birthday girl! Don't you just want to kiss those sweet cheeks?

This is a funny video of her and the cake! She was so silly after she got done! This girl is such a ham! As soon as she really had every one's attention she was ready to put on a show!

Claire is 1!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I am a little late with this one, but we have been busy with guests and Claire's many, many celebrations! She had such a wonderful weekend! We had her little party on Saturday and then got to celebrate again on Monday which was her actual b-day. My parents were here along with Nonnie and Pop and my brother flew in also. It was just fantastic that they came all this way for her party!!!

I seriously cannot believe that we have a 1 year old! It seems like just yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital. When I think about this last year all I can think about is what a gift Claire is to us. We are truly the lucky ones that we have been chosen to raise such a wonderful little lady! She is just amazing! Claire tries new things and learns new things every day! I am so grateful that I get to be at home with her and see her every move. She is so super spunky and such a fun kid to have around. She is truly the light of our lives! I know our love for her will continue to grow, but right now I cannot imagine loving anything more than I do this little baby girl! Claire is for sure the absolute best thing that has ever happened to us. She is a gift from God and we thank him so much for trusting us to raise her! What an awesome blessing she is!!!!!

Now, I need to dry it up and get on to the photos from the party..............I was not nearly as good as I wanted to be...I really only caught her with a few of her friends.


The back of our house.................

All decorated and ready for kids!

The birthday girl...all dressed up!

My parents gave her this wagon and it is seriously the biggest hit yet! Claire cannot get enough of it! She cries when you try and take her out! She was nice and shared with friends at her party ;)

They also got her this great outdoor table. She loves it and sits at it like a big girl! She is playing with her friends, Ella and Sophie.

Rinding with Amelia!

Yummy cake! She really dove in!

Happy birthday sweet angel! Mommy and Daddy love you more than life!

More fun in Texas!

Claire got a big squeeze from our friend Shannon...the new Mrs. Reilly!!!!!! She was so sweet to stop by after work on Friday to spend some time with us!!!!

Claire is still predicting a little girl for She-She and JJ! We will see soon!!!! Only about 6 more weeks and we will know for sure!

We had a fun lunch with Em and Vaughn. That Vaughn is something precious! So sweet!!!!

I met my friend Elizabeth for coffee....that is how busy we were...we had coffee dates, lunch dates, and then afternoon playtime! So great to see everyone! This is Claire with Will (Eliz's son) I used to baby sit him when he was younger than Claire!!! Such a precious smile!

April and John stopped by for some fun! This John is so sweet!!!! He let me hold him and snuggle! I loved every minute of it! Miss Independent was running all over the place and I just got to sit and enjoy this precious little boy! Really made my day!

John thought about pulling this tie....Aren't you proud Tate???

This cracked me up because it looks like Claire is about to tell him something serious.

Then Claire started her screaming and laughing routine.........and........

It scared the crap out of John! I know that taking a picture might seem cruel, but April gave me permission! I think John might need a lady that is a bit calmer!

I forgot to take my camera in to see Alexine...we saw her on Thursday, but missed Arden since she was sleeping. And, I had a camera malfunction on Saturday morning when we visited Strick's mom and sister! Sorry about that...we will just make sure and get some good ones when you all are here in a few weeks.

Then we were off to Nac........