Clarie is into Everything!

Claire's new chair from Grandma Faye

Claire playing in the Tupperware cabinet

Claire unloading dirty dishes

I think this could be an ad for cord safety! I am telling her 'no' and this is the reaction I get.

I don't know if you can tell from the pictures, but Claire is a busy girl lately. She is into everything. She could care less about her toys. She just wants to explore and discover her little world. I try to let her do pretty much anything she wants, with supervision of course. We played here this morning. She really likes her new chair from Pottery Barn. Grandma Faye ordered it for her. It is really cute. After her nap, we ran in Wal-Mart and CVS. She had to help unpack boxes of drugs. Ironically, she liked the Vytorin bottle. I am sure that is a sign I need to be taking it since my cholesterol is high. Then, we went to the hospital to play with our friends. Claire was all over the place. She fell asleep in the car. Of course she woke up when I got her out. I tried to get her back to sleep with no success. That is when she explored the kitchen. Things got rough around 5:00 so I let her take a short nap before dinner. She was grumpy, as I thought she would be. Thankfully, sweet Daddy helped turn her attitude around and we had fun playing the rest of the night.

I am working tomorrow and then we are headed the Birmingham Saturday and Sunday. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Sunny Tuesday

Graham (and the trouble begins)

Claire and Graham meet in the tunnel

Natalie joins them

Natalie Claire and Elizabeth Claire

'Loving' her bunny

We moved to the shade

Natalie and Claire in Natalie's wagon

Doesn't she look big?

Claire and I enjoyed a play date at Hickory Dickery Park. We have to get out of the house at least once during the day, so it was a beautiful day to be outside. It actually got hot. We met everyone around 12 and swang first. Then, we moved up to the shade. Claire loves playing with her friends. She really likes all of their toys, juice, and bottles. She has become quite aggressive or fearless. She is really a mess! She had a great time and is sleeping now. Enjoy the pictures and the beautiful afternoon!

Work Weekend

We were both wearing pink

Claire and Grandma dancing

Shake it!

Well, I had to work Friday and Sunday this weekend which wasn't too bad. Bucky's parents came down Friday to help with Claire. She had a good day Friday with me in the morning, Ashley in the afternoon, and the Streets in the evening. Saturday morning she got up happy and ready to play. Mrs. Street and I stayed around here most of the morning playing with Claire and what not. Bucky and his dad went to the feed store. While Claire was asleep, we all got ready. We ate lunch here and then I helped Bucky some. Bucky has a HUGE shop (2600 sq ft). He just throws things in there and has honestly not done much in it since we moved here 2 years ago! It was in desperate need of some attention. We spent the afternoon organizing and going through stuff. It is like a store out there. He has the most random things and a lot of it! The only thing that kept him motivated was a burn pile. We started burning some stuff like an old swing so Bucky kept going through things to burn. He likes to keep the fire going. He is pretty much a pyromaniac. We almost got finished before Bucky and his dad went hunting out back. It was super frustrating to me that we didn't get all the way done. Oh well. It is much better. After no luck with the deer, we all went to eat at Good Ole Boys with the Harkins.

Sunday, we got up and ready. I went to work and the Streets went to church with Bucky and Claire. Claire had fun with her grandparents and Bucky while I was at work. She is really becoming more independent. She likes to feed herself and can entertain herself pretty well. She is a mess! We don't have much planned this week. Hopefully we can see some of our friends and run some errands. Hope everyone has a great week!

Whiny Wednesday

We have had a good week, so far. I worked Monday and Tuesday. They were rough! We have had people sick and what-not. I was glad for a day off with Claire. She gave me a hard time most of the day. She didn't want to take her morning nap so we missed Baby Gym. We will go tomorrow. Instead, we went to Wal-Mart because we were out of everything. She was an angel there, of course. She fell asleep in the car and slept for about an hour and a half. I was able to get a few things done, but not much. When she woke up, we went to our friend Lily and Kristi's house for playgroup. She was an angel, again. We ran by and got a pair of shoes I had ordered a long time ago. By the time we got home, Claire was tired but it was 4:45. I didn't want her to, but she took a short nap and woke up whiny. She gave me a hard time until Bucky came home. Then sweet Bucky watched Claire so I could go to Bunco. I had so much fun. Our very pregnant friend, Laura, hosted this month. I felt bad with her waiting on us and stuff. She is such a great hostess. I really hopes she rests like we have been telling her to. She will need it! Thankfully, Claire was good for Bucky and is asleep now.

We are going to Baby Gym and our Breastfeeding group tomorrow. Hopefully, I can go thru my HUGE stack of mail and pay some bills. Maybe they won't cut the power off....

9 Months Old

Claire is 9 months old today. It is very hard to believe. The time has flown by! I truly cherish every minute I have with her. She is an amazing gift in my life.

Claire's Accomplishments:

~Crawling

~Going from sitting, to knees, to feet

~Getting down from standing without hurting herself

~Dancing to any music

~Clapping (mostly for herself)

~Feeding herself table-type food

~Sleeping thru the night (sometimes)

~Smiling and laughing at Daddy

~Saying 'bye-bye' to me when our babysitter comes

~Saying Mama and Dada to the appropriate people

~Recognizing that you are telling her 'no' and choosing to ignore it

~and probably my favorite, reaching for you and hugging you when you pick her up

I am sure I am forgetting some things, but I know she did all of these today.

Weekend with the Stanfields

At the field trial

My hands were cold

Selah (2 & 1/2)

Levi (1)

Bucky, Claire, and Doc

I think she likes it

After bath, we cleaned out the toy basket and replaced with our baby dolls!

We had another great weekend. It is so much fun to see the world thru a child's eyes. Claire has become a great crawler very fast. She never really creeped or scooted, she just woke up and crawled. She is into everything! She is also pulling up which has caused a few spills. She seems fearless! I can just sit her down now and see her eyes light up as she spots something new to discover. A lot of times, she wants things that might hurt her (tables, heaters, etc). I have been working with her on 'no'. Her two reactions are to smile and keep doing it or cry like you really hurt her feelings. It is pretty funny.

Anyways, Friday, Claire and I got ready for our company. We stayed around here and got the house clean. After Claire's morning nap, we went to help one of our friends who is moving. I had gotten a bunch of boxes for her. We took those and stayed a couple of hours. She has a lot of packing to do. Then, we ran by Wal-Mart and came home. Bucky watched Claire while I finished my housework. I left them for bath and bed and I went to meet some of my friends. We were going to see 'Bride Wars' at 7:30. I got there at 7:20 and there were at least 100 people standing in line in 25 degree weathers. Needless to say, by the time we got to the front of the line, everything we wanted to see was sold out. We went to Ruby Tuesdays instead and had drinks and dessert. It was much more fun. We were able to talk and laugh.

Saturday morning, our friends the Stanfields came in from Blairsville, GA. They have two precious children, Selah and Levi. Brian and Bucky left to go the field trial about 40 mins from our house. Jenny and I stayed here and played with the kids. After everyone napped, got dressed, and ate, we all got in the car to go to the field trial. We went for lunch and to get out of the house. Selah really enjoyed the horses. It was pretty cold so we only stayed a little while. Just long enough for Bucky to show off his little girl. She really likes getting out and seeing the animals too. I am pretty sure she is going to end up liking the same things her Dad does. That would be okay with me. We came home and all 3 kids took a nap. I got dinner ready for us, the Stanfields, and the Harkins. We ate a lot and enjoyed our company. The kids played and took a bath together. The kids went to bed and I got to get in bed early too. It was nice.

Bucky let me sleep in a little this morning (6:45). That used to be early to me, but I would take that any day of the week now. Bucky and Brian piddled around outside and hunted. We played with the kids. Levi and Claire took a nap and everyone got ready and packed up. Bucky went back to the field trial and the Stanfields left a little before lunch. Claire has been helping me clean/wash. She played hard for about 3 hours and is napping now. I am trying to get everything finished up before our weeks starts over again. Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as we did!

Busy Bee

Just getting up from napClaire is always fired up after her bath!

Claire and I had a great day together, as we do most Thursdays. For some reason, I am off every Thursday. We always try to get out and do stuff together. This week, Claire didn't leave the house from Sunday to Thursday. She was very ready to get out and see the world! After a quick morning nap, we went to Baby Gym. It was a little different/smaller group than we are used to. Claire still had fun. It was definitely different now that she is crawling. She didn't get into as much stuff as I thought she would. After that, we went to the hospital to our breastfeeding group. We haven't been in almost a month so I was anxious to see what Claire weighed. She gained a pound in 1 month! She is 19lb 4oz. She definitely got our appetites. We played and ate lunch there. Claire took a few spills that really upset her. No permanent damage though. We ran by CVS and then headed home. Claire took a good afternoon nap while I did some piddling around the house. She got up and played until dinner. We ate, bathed, and now are winding down.

Tomorrow, we are going to help one of our friends who is moving. Maybe I can be a little distraction while they pack. I am going to see Bride Wars tomorrow night with some friends. I am super excited about that. Our friends, the Stanfields, are coming for the weekend. They have 2 really sweet children so that will be fun for everyone! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Claire Crawling

Trip to Panama City

The only horse Claire can get on

Mr. and Mrs. Harkins, Walker and Kelly Davidsons, and Bucky and Claire

At the field trial

Riding in Kate's Barbie Jeep

This video is of Claire playing the other morning. It is not the one I meant to upload, but it took like 10 minutes so I left it. She had pulled all the toys out of her basket. You can see the little spot she was sitting. I put her in the basket, however, I have no doubt she could get in it herself!

Well, we have had a great time since I last updated. I worked Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Then the three of us headed down to Florida. Every year on this weekend is a big Field Trial in Ebro, FL. It is about 45 minutes from my sister's house. We haven't been in a couple of years, so we decided to go. Claire did great in the car. She watched her new DVD player most of the way down there. She couldn't take her eyes off of it! She doesn't watch much TV when I am with her, so this was a nice distraction from the long car ride. We stopped and ate in Dothan and Claire was fired up at the resturant. Claire and I dropped Bucky off at the field trial. I was really tired but did manage to drive the rest of the way to my sisters'. Once we got there, it took me a little while to get Claire to bed, but she was definately tired. Thankfully, my sister let us stay in Kate's room so Claire was able to sleep in a crib. She doesn't do well in pack-n-plays.

Saturday, we got up early. Will and Kate enjoy the early mornings like Claire. She was excited to have someone up to play with. Claire really enjoyed playing with her cousins and especially all their toys. Amanda and I cleaned out her closet. She got rid of a ton of clothes that she doesn't wear anymore. Amanda went to school. She is going back to get her teaching certificate. She already has her Bachelors from Auburn and MBA from Florida State. She is definitely the most educated person in our family. Jason and I hung out with the kids around the house. Once Amanda got home from school, we all headed to the field trial for dinner. The kids had a great time. Everyone really needed to get out of the house. We saw some friends and Bucky got to show Claire off to his buddies. They didn't believe Claire and I exist because we don't go with him ever. Kate had a big time dancing to the band.

Sunday, Amanda and I ran some errands while Claire took a nap. Then Claire and I left a little after lunch to go get Bucky. We took our time getting home. We came home and unpacked the car and all the animals.

I worked M,T,W. I am tired but done until Monday. Claire and I are going to BabyGym tomorrow and probably to run a few errands. I am trying to post a video so hopefully it works!

HELP!

I am trying to download a video of Claire crawling. I can't figure it out. It is on my regular, Kodak camera. I can't get it from my camera to my computer. Any suggestions? It is really cute and exciting. I think if I can get it on my computer, I could figure out how to post it. Normally, I am really good with technology....

Claire is getting brave...

Claire in her headband.

Claire likes to pull up on her toy basket.

Claire and I have had a lot of fun the past couple of days. She is really starting to have a cute personality. I wouldn't say she is crawling, but she is mobile. She can go from her stomach back to a seated position which I think is pretty impressive. She really likes to pull up on things to her knees. This has caused a few falls and tears, but that is part of it.

We had a great weekend with the Street's. I have been very productive recently. I organized all of Claire's clothes. I put all of her pictures in albums. And I have a clean house with food in the refrigerator. I am feeling good about my accomplishments this week!

I am working today and tomorrow. We are going to try to go to Panama City this weekend if everything works out. Hope you all have a great week!