We traveled to Cancun, Mexico this November for Uncle Ryan and Reyna's wedding. Claire's first trip to another country--and it was certainly an eventful trip. Claire was sick with the flu right before, mom was sick on the way there and none of us were feeling 100% the whole time. The weather in Mexico wasn't very pleasant...a lot of rain. But, we made the most of the little sunshine we had and enjoyed the time with family and got some good pictures anyway!
Unfortunately, we waited too late to get Claire's Halloween costume, so there wasn't much to choose from. Claire decided on the pink poodle...and she sure was a cute one! We didn't venture out to trick-or-treat this year; it is a little too late for Claire, maybe next year. Claire did have a fun day at the babysitter's though and brought home all kinds of goodies!
Mom and Claire traveled back to Iowa in October. Claire went to her first Iowa game...although we made it through the beginning of the tailgate and went into the stadium for the last 5 minutes of the game. Claire needed a nap in between. While mom traveled up to Minnesota for work, Claire spent time with Grandma Diane & Grandpa Gary--everyone had a great time.
We're back! It's been awhile, but we're back on the website, new and improved! Time really can slip away from you. Claire is now 15 months old and is full of energy--definitely a toddler through and through! She loves to climb, dance, sing, read books and be the center of attention at ALL times. She is our little princess.
Since the last time we wrote, much has happened! After our trip back to Iowa to see Daddy, and celebrate Claire's first birthday, aunt Leah went home, grandma spent a week with us and then Claire and her dad had a month to catch up on lost time! During that time, she started to walk and hasn't stopped since. Shortly after that, she discovered the stairs; we have quickly learned that all eyes much be on her constantly!
Claire started a new in-home daycare in August (after the month of being at home with dad) and has made many friends. There are four other children to play with everyday. One of the little boys is just 5 days younger than Claire. Each day, she comes home with beautiful arts & crafts, new tricks or words, she gets a lot of outside time everyday and even gets to go on field trips. This month, they went to the pumpkin patch! She is definitely enjoying the socialization and we can tell she is thriving.
We can hardly believe how Claire is becoming more and more independent...this past year has gone by so quickly! We promise to keep you up to date better in this next year...so please keep checking back!
Claire is trying every day to walk. She hasn't taken that first step yet, but it getting closer and closer! She is standing on her own and balancing very well, just a little unsure of what to do next. Two weeks from today we head back to Iowa--we are definitely looking forward to seeing dad again!
On Tuesday morning, Claire woke up with her left eye mattered shut! It was not a fun thing for mom to see. Claire was happy as could be when she woke up, wasn't phased at all. We went to the doctor and discovered she had pink eye. Aunt Leah picked up eye drops at the pharmacy and now we are back to normal!
We made our first trip to the beach on Saturday, June 24, 2006. It was a partly sunny day, a little windy, but a great beach day. Claire LOVED the waves! She wasn't timid at all, but wanted to take off right in to the water. She wasn't too sure about the sand at first, but got used to it. We will have to make more trips to the beach throughout the rest of the summer!
Beach bound....Leah has been here 6 weeks and we have not yet been to the beach! That is our goal for the weekend. Now that I have more energy and it is not expected to rain...the only thing we have to work around is the nap schedule! :)
Claire is definitely spoiled rotten...Aunt Leah bought Claire some new wheels! She got her a Jeep all-weather, all-terrain stroller. It is great, much lighter weight and grandma & grandpa will be glad to hear that it is Hawkeye colors-black & gold!
Last week was a rough week...I came down with a sinus infection on Friday evening (June 16) and was at the clinic on Saturday morning. Needless to say, mom did a lot of sleeping while Claire was sleeping. Just when I though it was better, it went into my ear. All week has been spent trying to get back to health! Yuck!
Things will be changing soon...I was given a promotion to 'Admissions Counselor' at work. My hours will be much more flexible and I am most of all anxious to have more time in the evenings with Claire (& David). I will likely work 8-4 or 7:30-3:30. I am certainly looking forward to this. It will also provide a change of pace, which will be a blessing! It is not 100% official, but the move is expected to happen July 1, if all goes smoothly. There will be a lot of training involved (for the person taking my place and for me), but it is time to move into something different.
This weekend was a wonderful weekend. Claire and I spent Saturday walking around Mount Trashmore city park-we had lovely weather. Saturday afternoon we went with Claire's godmother, Lisa Marie to Harbor Fest on the waterside in Norfolk. It was a busy place-Claire loved people watching and seeing the boats. She also enjoyed the soft pretzel and orange-cream smoothie-what a treat!
Claire started walking behind her toy car today! She pulls herself right up and pushes it along in front of her. She is getting her balance, it won't belong before she will be walking on her own and we will be chasing her around.
We had a picnic at the University this week. The weather was perfect-we packed a lunch and spent part of the afternoon outdoors. Claire loves her aunt Leah.
Claire is a little fish. We go to the pool a couple of times a week and she has really learned to splash. Just seeing the water she gets all excited-it is so sweet. We hope to enroll in parent-child swimming lessons for the end of the summer.
All is going well in VA! Claire continues to grow like a weed--it is so fun to watch her explore and see the joy on her face when she discovers something new! She has learned to climb up the stairs and can't get enough of it. Everyday she gets faster and has even attempted to dive back down the stairs. Of course, we are right there next to her, but she still tries.
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