Memorial Day weekend is here! We always look so forward to long weekends! An extra day home together is always great. We plan to go to the pool, maybe the beach and hopefully the Pungo Strawberry festival (around naps, of course!)
Claire is really becoming a big girl! She is a mover and a shaker. Her latest adventure is crawling up the stairs. She has only gone up one so far and mom makes sure that she doesn't get too far out of sight! Claire is a big eater-she isn't picky at all and loves to eat what we eat. She is getting so good at signing...she can say 'more', 'all done', 'thank you' and we are working on others. Mom is also introduing Spanish...just the basics though.
On Wednesday, May 24, Claire said 'da-da'! I know she misses her daddy. Everytime she sees his picture she gets a sweet smile on her face and she gets excited when we say da-da.
Claire loves to stand up in her crib. Sometimes all the new things Claire can do become a distraction from nap time...being in the crib is so much fun now...even without toys!
As hard as it is to believe, Claire is 10 months! She is crawling around like crazy and loves the independence! She is also pulling herself up on everything. We can't take our eyes off of her. She loves the outdoors and on sunny, warm days enjoys taking a dip in her little pool! :) One of these days, we will make her first trip to the beach.
It has been one week without David. The time has gone fast for him, slow for mom and Claire is continuing to adjust well. We try to keep busy and enjoy every day. Claire is growing before our eyes.
Grandma Diane has gone back to Iowa...Aunt Leah is on her own now!! Claire is really enjoying her time with Leah and they are getting along great. Claire is adjusting to being home all day, taking naps in her own bed and loves to go for walks and play in her pool. The first couple of nights that David were gone were rough. It seemed as though Claire sensed something was different and was very fearful. Hearing David's voice on the phone helps to calm her down...a daddy's protection!
What a wonderful weekend, and Mother's Day! On Saturday, grandma Diane, Aunt Leah, Claire and I went to the Norfolk Zoo for a picnic. Claire saw the tiger (when he waved his tail), the zebra running and the giraffes. She got a kick out of the giraffes long necks, we watched them eat apples and sweet potatoes. It was a beautiful day-perfect for the zoo. We celebrated Mother's Day by going to brunch at The Painted Lady, a wonderful tea room in Norfolk, VA. We enjoyed tea, waffles and french toast. Claire had her first waffle and LOVED it!
We got Claire's ears pierced. It was the plan to wait until she was old enough to tell us she wanted them...that was until women at the insurance company called her a boy!! I guess I won't be dressing her in neutral colors again, either. They do look so pretty, and she hasn't bothered them one bit.
I can't believe it...my mom and Leah come in tonight around 11:00 p.m. and David leaves at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. I am sure the next 24 hours will be a bit of a blur. Claire is getting in some quality time with her dad today, I am sure he will treasure the time he has had with her this past week...while she has kept him moving, I know he has enjoyed every moment. David will be gone for only 10 weeks...but I am sure there will be long days. We are grateful that Leah will be here taking care of Claire.
Sadly, the days that dad are home with us are numbered. This weeked will be our last weekend together until July 12. Claire has been enjoying her time home with dad, definitely wearing him out! It seems as though dad needs a nap when she does. This is hard work!
For my birthday, David got me the best present ever! He called my boss and asked her if I could have the afternoon off to spend with him and Claire. It was a beautiful day and we had a wonderful afternoon. We played on the patio outside while dad worked on the garden area, went to the park and walked, played on the swing and waded in the water. Most importantly, Claire got both of our undivided attention--no books or studying to do, cleaning or laundry. It was the greatest birthday!
Wednesday, May 3: after getting up on her hands and knees and rocking for what seems like such a long time (over a month), Claire is CRAWLING! It is such a neat thing to see--she is so happy now that she is mobile. I am sure we will spend a lot of time chasing after her and introducing her to the meaning of 'no'!
Claire is home with her dad from Tuesday, May 2-Tuesday, May 9. She will surely keep her dad on her toes...especially if she starts crawling! We are hoping that she will crawl before her dad leaves for the summer. Then again, we just might regret it! :)
Tomorrow (May 1) is Claire's last day at Miss Shelley's. We are really going to miss her, and Claire's first friend/playmate Caleb. Shelley & Grayson will be moving to Tennesee in the next couple of weeks. Daddy will take care of Claire until May 9 when Aunt Leah arrives to be the 'live-in' nanny for the summer. We are looking forward to her staying with us. Grandma Diane is going to visit for a week, too.
We are getting closer and closer to crawling! If only Claire could coordinate the movements of the hands and feet together a little better. She is getting there, and is definitely persistant! We really hope that she is crawling before daddy leaves for Iowa!
Claire had her 9 month appointment, she is still growing like a weed. She is in the 90th percentile for her height (28 7/8 inches) and 50-75th percentile for weight (19 lbs. 7 oz.) She already has long legs like her dad!
Claire is getting a third tooth...this one is up top!! There have been a couple of rough nights, but she is a tough girl. She is trying more and more table food now and isn't picky at all--she even eats her veggies.
We had to move Claire's mattress down. She has been trying to pull herself up on the rails, she also can sit up in her crib now! It is a wonderful way to start the day going into her room and seeing her peek through the slats. She gets very excited when it is time to get up!
Claire has started wrinkling her nose when she smiles! It is adorable and funny. She has the flash on the camera timed...she can blink right when we take the picture. This definitely makes for some interesting shots!
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