Eight Months

Claire turned eight-months-old today. It's hard to believe she's that big, and yet we can't imagine our lives without her.

She has perfected crawling and is quite speedy. She can pull herself up and seems to want to stand more than sit these days. She can walk holding onto our fingers. She has also learned to clap her hands, give kisses and give high-fives.

Claire does not yet have any teeth, and we're not seeing any real signs of teething just yet. (I've heard that the longer they stay in the gums, the healthier they are. I'm not sure if it's true, but if it is, then I like it!)

Claire has tried several new foods, including Hawaiian Delight, Mango, Apples and Cherries and Pears with Wild Blueberries. All of which she loves. She has also tried Vegetable Beef, Apples and Chicken, Vegetable Chicken, Peas and Green Beans; all of which she hates. Except for the green beans, the common ingredient is peas. So we're pretty sure that anything with peas is out. She has also tried the Gerber Puffs, but she spits them out. I'm guessing she's just not ready for the texture yet. So to sum up Claire's eating habits, she loves rice, she loves fruits, the only vegetables she's eating right now are carrots, sweet potatoes and corn. She loves squash, but it has certain side affects that no one else likes. We're trying new foods every week, so we'll see what else we can find for her to enjoy.

I haven't weighed her or measured her this month, but she's still wearing 6 month and 6-9 month clothes. I put a 3-6 month outfit on her one day this week, and it still fit. She's just really long and skinny...and beautiful!

Claire's personality is becoming more evident everyday. She's a very happy little girl. She loves to smile and to laugh. She loves to play and loves to cuddle. She loves people. She's an absolute joy!

Daddy's Girl!

"Happy Girl!" - The Movie

At last! Claire's second movie has finally been released. And once again, Claire's movie has received rave reviews.

- "A true delight!" shouts Claire's Mommy

- "A crowd favorite that we'll watch again and again," proclaims Claire's Daddy

And now, for your viewing pleasure, "Happy Girl!"



Please share your "reviews" in the comments section. Enjoy!

Just Pics

Our Weekend in Oregon

We spent the weekend in Oregon with Aunt Lori and Uncle Clay. We had SO much fun! We shopped, watched movies, played cards and had a great time!

Claire enjoying breakfast with Aunt Lori

Playtime
Claire loves Aunt Lori

Ready to eat some Mexican food at Chevy's - yummo!

Chillin' at Chevy's with Aunt Lori and Uncle Clay

Thanks for a wonderful weekend, Aunt Lori and Uncle Clay! We had a fabulous time and are looking forward to another visit soon. We love you!!!

Seven Months Old

sporting her Minnie Mouse sweatsuit that she got for Christmas from MiMi and PopPop

Claire is seven-months-old, almost seven and a half months. She had a doctor's appointment on Monday to complete her last round of vaccinations. However, the doctor's office was very busy with sick children; so we just saw the nurse. We were in and out in about five minutes, without taking any measurements. So, once again, I measured her myself. This could be way off, but it seems reasonable. I measured her height to be 26 3/4". She was 26" according to the doctor last month. I think a 3/4" growth in a month sounds about right. We don't have scales at home, so we have no clue what she weighs. She will go back to the doctor in February for her nine-month checkup, so I'll have good numbers then.

She's outgrown most of her 3-6 month clothes and is now wearing 6 month and some 6-9 month clothes. 9 month clothes are still big on her.

Claire is a great sleeper, always has been. She goes to bed at 6:00 p.m. and wakes around 7:30 a.m. She takes two to four naps a day, depending on our schedule.

She loves to eat. I wasn't sure if we were ever going to find something she didn't like, but this week we did. She HATES peas. She gags on them. It was hilarious to watch! We also tried green beans and spring vegetables. She hates both of those too. She doesn't really care for turkey either. I guess we'll wait a while and try them again later. We have yet to find a fruit she doesn't like, and she loves carrots and sweet potatoes.

She can sit up on her own. (Previously when I mentioned this, I meant that she would sit up when placed in a seated position. Now she will set herself up if she's been lying down.) She crawls with great form now, and she's very fast.

She babbles almost non-stop. She says "DaDa," "Mama" and "baba." Steve says that when she says "baba" she's asking for a little brother. Funny, but I don't think so - not yet.

She laughs a lot and squeals a lot. She likes to watch people and will interact with almost anyone as long as I'm holding her. She's very clingy these days and won't let too many people hold her.

She is perfect and healthy and beautiful! How blessed we are!

Now for the pics:

Claire playing with her pink cell phone that she got for Christmas from MiMi and PopPop.

Steve has a fabulous schedule this month. He flew in and out of Waco on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so we went with him. They have an indoor pool at the hotel, so we went swimming.

Steve and his princess, who is modeling her new swimsuit

checking out the water testing the temp with a little splashing

swimming with Daddy

She loves to be thrown. A "hip-hip-hooray" gets her giggling every time.

kicking

Steve's girls

jumping to Daddy

chillin' out after her swim