graybeal's

Good Times and Hard Times

2010-11-05T13:27:00.006-04:00

Though it is soo sad to post a few pictures of Claire in the hospital, we are so thankful that the doctors were able to figure out what was wrong with our sweet girl. Most of the people reading our blog already know what went on with her a few weeks ago but for those that don't I'm doing to make a LONG story REALLY short; she had been extremely fussy and clingy from about the first week in October (we thought it was teething.) Next, we noticed that she was choking on her milk with every sip (after two doctors appointments about this we were told it was a throat infection.) The coking continued so we got a chest x-ray that came back fine. She was put on an antibiotic after two weeks of EXTREME fussiness (which is not like her at all, actually her entire personality had totally changed.) The antiobiotic didn't change anything and we finally became very concerned because she was seeming very clumsy and was unable to stand up on her own. We took her to the doctor again and they sent us to have a brain scan. THe scan came back fine but they admitted us to the hospital for more tests. After blood work, and MRI and a spinal tap she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, an incredibly rare illness. Her case was a mild one, thank goodness. She was in the hospital for 4 days while the monitored her to make sure the illness was not getting worse. She did not have to receive any treatment and she will be completely recovered in a few more weeks.

Needless to say, that was one of the most scary things Jon and I have ever been though. We are so grateful for the diagnosis and to have an answer to what was going on. Claire's funny, lovable and crazy personality is back in full force and Jon and I are loving being able to enjoy her again. We have received so much love and support from friends, family and people we have just recently met here in Charlotte . We know so many people were praying for our sweet girl, thank you!

We think that Claire got a bad reputation with the doctors and nurses during her stay :)
She would SCREAM every time someone new walked into the room to check on her.
Between the doctor and nurse visits she really was a great sport. She was spoiled and enjoyed treats of stickers, balloons and doughnut holes!

Our last day there. Can you tell she was feeling better? She loves putting "hats" on her head.

Claire will actually sit still for a few minutes at a time now!

All dressed up for the Halloween play date. We borrowed cousin Bradley's pjs because we didn't have a costume. I promise she will be something sweet next year, though it was actually appropriate after all that she had just been though!

We were still able to take our trip to PA for Jon's cousin's wedding!
We spent a night at my Aunt Merle's house and Claire loved seeing Andrew again!

Gramps took Claire for a ride on the lawnmower at Grandmother and Grandfather's house.

Looking pretty at Susan and Bj's wedding.

Dancing with GramE and Gramps!
I love this picture!
Notice Bradley running up to join the party and Jake groovin' on the side.
It is rare that I actually get a picture of Jake because he always runs away from the camera :)

Having fun with Daddy

So sweet. She loves snuggling on soft things now.

Her hair kind of reminds me of a 70's boy band 'do in this picture.

Claire and her favorite, lovie. Aka "luhlie"

Just woke up! Good morning.

2010-11-01T12:14:00.002-04:00

October

2010-10-09T09:23:00.004-04:00

We retired the diaper bag and replaced it with this cute owl backpack.
Can't you tell she loves it, ha ha.

Claire had fun fixing Grandy's hair.

Surfing on a container lid

Playing at the park

She is so good at going down slides!

In the tunnel with Daddy.

Climbing up to the BIG slide.

She can't go down this one alone.

We had such a fun visit with Evyn, Henry and the Stansell family.

Buddies!

Claire was really proud to be sitting on the couch with her big cousin Jake.
She loves her cousins so much, we are so excited to have them live right down the road from us now!

A Few from the Weekend

2010-09-13T09:36:00.002-04:00

She was hot stuff in Daddy's shirt.

We were about to leave for church and she looked so pretty and sweet.
I wanted to get a good picture. Instead I got this and......

...this. She would not still!
In the closet, of course.
We are hoping her enthusiasm for the vacuum stays for a few years :)

She found this sleeve from anew notebook on the floor and put this on her head. It was her idea and she did it all by herself.

Sitting Pretty

2010-09-08T14:47:00.005-04:00

Though Claire shows very little interest in playing with her toys, she does like climb in the basket to sit on them.

Watching tv in her big girl rocker.
She loves to climb in and out of this too.

Playdate with Landon. It is so fun to watch them begin to interact!

Poppy helping her at the playground at the mall

Enjoying a summer evening outside at Granny and Poppa's house.

"My hands on my head"

So glad that Jon has a football partner in Claire. They were excited for the first Clemson game this season.

Landon and his beautiful Mama, Jenn.

She is really beginning to like looking at books.

Sitting in her toy box again!

The Past Two Months

2010-08-21T22:32:00.006-04:00

It has officially been forever since I have updated the blog. So sorry. I decided that instead of trying to play catch up from the past two months I will just post a few pics from the summer and move on from there. Unfortunately I am not a devoted blogger like some of my wonderful friends but I realized that I do like having a place to look at special pictures and little updates of our sweet sweet girl, so I am going to try to do a better job at keeping this up!

We were in Pawley's Island for her actual birthday. We went with my Mom's side of the family. We all had such a wodnerful time. She LOVED the beach and all of the attention, of course!

She really is this happy most of the time!

At home on the fourth of July watching the Nathan's hot dog eating contest for the second year in a row.

Playing in the rain at Jon's 10 year high school reunion.

Claire and I took a trip to Rhode Island and had a very relaxing stay. One of her favorite things there was this swing in the front yard.

Claire spent a whole weekend away with Grandy and Mimi while Jon and I had a vacation in Charleston! She did so well and had a great time.

Claire turned ONE!

2010-07-09T07:27:00.007-04:00

We had a small family party at our house at the end of June. Claire acted exactly how you would want your baby to act at her first birthday. She loved opening presents and eating her cupcake.

2010-06-07T10:42:00.002-04:00

2010-06-07T10:22:00.002-04:00

Eleven Months!

2010-06-07T07:47:00.007-04:00

It is becoming increasingly hard to believe how much Claire is growing and learning. She has such a vibrant personality and she rarely slows down. We are working on having cuddle practice everyday, maybe one day she will enjoy being still for a few minutes. She certainly keeps us on our toes and we love (almost) every minute of it.

We keep remembering this time last year. I was so pregnant. We were so excited and so scared. We could only imagine how wonderful she would be. The reality is even sweeter and more fun than the dream.

Long lost loves... Claire and LB!

Pool party in our backyard!

Like a hen sitting on her eggs.

She did this all by herself.

Bedtime story

Landon and Claire at Papas and Beer in Greenville.

She had so much fun at Granny and Poppa's house.

Being sooo sweet.

Claire and Olivia plan on making mischief of all kinds....

There she goes

Relaxing Saturday morning

Almost Walking!

2010-05-25T18:13:00.002-04:00

Marvelous May

2010-05-17T08:30:00.007-04:00

Alicia came to visit us and we took a trip to Ikea.
Claire REALLY fell in love with this tiger.
Of course we had to buy it for her.

Claire ADORES her cousins Jake and Bradley.
They move to Charlotte this week and we can't wait to spend lots of time with them.

We met our friends Jenn and Landon snow at Southpark mall for a quick visit.
Claire needed a paci fix and found a way to sneak a few sucks on Landon's.

Landon and his Mommy, Jenn.

I think Claire is trying to shout "my Mommy is #1"
On our first Mother's Day.
She picked out a very pretty and special necklace for me, a pearl pendant, her birthstone!
I know I am so blessed to be the mother of this adventurous, tough, funny and friendly little girl.

At a rest stop on our way to Hilton Head Island where she took her first steps (on Mother's Day)!!!
We bribed her to step with the Coke bottle.
Don't worry, we didn't let her drink any of it.
The girl has so much energy, I don't think she should EVER have any caffeine.

At the pool with Daddy.

She had so much fun floating and trying to blow bubbles in the water.

Walking to the beach with Daddy, GramE and Gramps.

This is my favorite beach picture.
Her first taste of sand.

Playing in the sand with Bradley and Uncle James.

We thought that one bite of sand would be enough to make her realize that she didn't want to eat it. It wasn't. She never stopped eating it the whole time we were there. Maybe she knows something we don't?

She loved swimming in the ocean with Daddy (which she can say really well now.)

We had a great vacation with the Graybeals and the Warmoths.

Full of Fun

2010-05-06T16:55:00.006-04:00

What up, Wallace?

Grandy refinished his old rocker for her!

Crawling in the yard with Mimi

In Florence visiting Grandy and Mimi

One of our favorite times; playing before bedtime

She loves playing in the yard

She is standing so well

Think she is enjoying the sing-a-long?

Munchin' on grass

April Happenings

2010-04-22T20:20:00.004-04:00

Jon and I keep thinking about how far we've come as a family the in the past (almost) 10 months. We've gone from being strictly on survival mode where our old "normal" life seemed like a different life, to now....us barely being able to remember how hard the first few months were on us. Claire is an absolute joy. I definitely understand why people have more children now, I truly couldn't comprehend that for a while. She can talk a million miles an hour, always greeting people at the store with a friendly "hi." She can crawl faster than my eyes can keep up with. She is starting to stand up on her own and rapidly moves her arms up and down when she is upset or wants something. She is so wonderful and we are so proud. Of course, we all have our moments but overall we are a happy little family.

I cannot believe we will be planning her one year birthday party in a few months. Surely it is something to celebrate. We say that she got off to a rough start but boy, has it all been worth it.
She is making up for it now.

Snuggling with the blanket

Still think she's cute? I sure do.

It's impossible to keep her clean while eating sometimes.

High school friends at Lainie and Wilson's wedding.
See, we still kind of have a life :)

Looking pretty in her new hair clip

We loved seeing Evyn and meeting Henry.
Please, move home...

Claire enjoyed torturing him while he rested in the bouncy seat

Dance party

We loved our visit with Sara and James Thompson.
Come back soon!

Fun at Lunch

2010-04-19T15:22:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T14:14:00.002-04:00

Easter Basket!

Our family Easter portrait

Helping Mommy make a special and sweet breakfast

Claire at 9 Months!!!

2010-04-01T10:41:00.004-04:00

Thanks Granny and Poppa for the push toy!

Being silly at dinner.

Looking cute in her Matunuck onesie.
Shout out to Grandmamma and Jido!

Modeling Daddy's infamous hat.

She figured out how to get into the container of puffs!

Study session with Daddy on baby colors.

In her toy basket. After all, she is the best toy of all!

Tug of war. Poor ugly doll.

Our cat Wallace ran away. After 3.5 weeks of being gone someone found him 2 blocks from our house! Jon and Claire are especially happy he is home!

Claire Waving and Clapping!

2010-04-01T09:46:00.002-04:00

Swinging at the Park

2010-03-14T21:02:00.003-04:00

Though it doesn't look like it in the pictures, Spring is slowly showing it's face in North Carolina. We are lucky enough to live a couple of blocks away from a park so we took a stroll this afternoon to give the swings a try. I can't believe she is old enough to enjoy a real swing!

She was tired and skeptical at first...

Trying to recline. It looks like she has a baby mullet.

Weeee!

For Mom

2010-03-12T16:29:00.002-05:00

Sorry, I don't have many new ones right now. Will work on that this weekend :)

Teaching Claire how to roll the ball.

Trying to snuggle with Landon.

With Ashley and Gideon. She REALLY loved them.

Sweeter by the Day

2010-03-04T19:17:00.003-05:00

I feel as though every day I am saying that I can't believe how big she is getting, how quickly she is growing and how smart she is becoming. She has changed so much in 8 months. She is such a joy. We are having so much fun playing with her and watching her discover the world around her. She is happy most all the time now. She is FINALLY on a good nap schedule and our life seems very manageable. People said this time would come, it is just hard to believe that while going through the newborn stage.

Eating real food, toast with avacado. Most of it ends up in her lap.

She looks so tiny standing up. Exploring as usual.

We were trying to get a picture of her cuddling with Jon.
We captured this funny face instead.

Claire LOVES her cousins Jake and Bradley.
Admiring Bradley as he sips his milk.

Crawling under and through her exersaucer.

Presenting the Past Month...

2010-02-24T15:23:00.008-05:00

Claire is incredibly active. She is all over the place all of the time. She is a little explorer. She has sprouted two bottom teeth and it looks even cuter than I had imagined.

Climbing over travel bags is easy work for her!

Her feet really do stink sometimes.. hard to imagine!

Pulling up like a pro.

We moved to Charlotte.
We decided we would pack her up and bring her with us.

First time standing in her crib.

Best buddies... she chases him all over the house.

So good at standing!

Proud of herself

Crocodile

Having fun with baby Landon

We went to visit Grandy and Mimi in Florence!

Loved Grandy's airplane feedings.

Her best canine buddy (don't show Wallace, he might be jealous)

Eating puffs is a favorite hobby.

Food in her hair

Standing with Gramps

Our Little Firecracker...

2010-01-28T20:48:00.004-05:00

When Claire was tiny I had the sinking realization that maybe I'm just not a teeny baby type of person. Now that she is almost seven months old I know for certain that is the truth. It goes without question that I adored her but at the same time, those first few weeks and months it somehow seemed that those hard times would never end. It was almost impossible to imagine that so soon she would be crawling away from us, becoming more independent by the day.

The six month mark started a new chapter in her babyhood. She is less fussy and a better napper. She is overflowing with personality and so curious about everything. She bounces, dances and wiggles all the time. It is impossible to change her diaper and clothes without her rolling to grab the exciting things around her. She squeals, screams and makes spitting noises. She cannot stand to have her nose wiped. This has been a problem because her nose has been a constant fountain of snot.

Jon and I had the suspicion that she would be a firecracker, and it is now confirmed.

Now that she is crawling it is so fun to watch her explore our world. We also love that she can choose to crawl to us. Now she is working on crawling over us! I guess I slacked off on reading the baby books because I wasn't prepared for her new found mobility.

We finally feel like a real, normal functioning family. We are so thankful to not be on survival mode anymore.

We feel like we cannot possibly love her more, but we've thought that before. I can't even imagine what a lifetime of this love will look like. I know it is such a blessing. It will continue be wonderful, even when it is hard.

Claire's life as an almost 7 month old:

smiling

teething (still no teeth to show for it so far)

crawling

relaxing

A Lovely Day

2010-01-24T16:33:00.003-05:00

My beautiful sister on her wedding day.
We love you Callie and Alex Kurtz!

First Christmas

2010-01-17T19:44:00.008-05:00

Celebrating at the Graybeal's

Sweet reindeer cousins

Sorry it's sideways, I just like Claire's expression here.

At Granny and Poppa's Christmas day

With Grandy and Mimi. Claire was so wonderful all day until the end.

Granny and Poppa

She looks so small with Grandfather.

In Pennsylvania.

Pretty Aunt Crystal

We surprised Grandmama with a visit to Rhode Island

Propped up like a little princess

Snow in RI!

Crazy Times

2010-01-12T07:35:00.007-05:00

December 18 2009:

The day the madness began. Moving from our lovely home in Asheville, temporarily to Greenville with the hopes of making our more permanent move to Winston-Salem in February.

Claire and I left Asheville for our move to Greenville at 7:45 am hoping to dodge a snowstorm. Living in WNC we had grown accustomed to threatening winter weather forecasts that never quite seemed to hit the mark, little did we know that we would miss out on the biggest snowstorm in Asheville since '93 (don't worry, though we missed it we were not forgotten.) On the way to Greenville the snow was beautiful and persistent. Once we got on highway 25 the snow was completely covering the roads. I guess my little Pontiac Vibe sensed an opportunity for adventure (I guess our monster drive way in Aville wasn't enough for her.) She decided she wanted to go off the road, down a hill stopping just short of a ditch. I was stuck in the snow with my sweet 5 1/2 month old baby in the back and a car packed to the brim. After tearful phone calls to Jon and my father-in-law a good samaritan stopped to help and eventually towed us out.

We finally made it to Greenville safely. We settled in and celebrated Christmas with the Graybeals.

After our Christmas festivities Jon and I were off to the Hyatt to spend the night to enjoy our 4 year anniversary. An hour before leaving we received a phone call from the potential buyers of our house (on which we were supposed to close in four days, December 22.) They were informing us that a tree had fallen on our home. A few hours before I had been pouting because we missed the only big snow since we had been in Asheville now we were so grateful that we were not there. Needless to say, we could not close on the 22 (we are hoping for Jan 23) and there was a lot of damage, more water damage from the big hole in the roof. Repairs are currently in progress.

We were still able to have a wonderful anniversary, our first night together away from Claire. The buyers are still committed to the house and all is (sort of) well. We are hanging in there.

After the tree had been removed from the house. Funny thing... after seeing ice on the trees in Gville the night before, I joked about a tree falling on our house.

At least the snow was pretty.

More November Goodness

2009-12-02T09:14:00.003-05:00

Well, I believe my mom was right (they almost always are, true?) She told me at the very beginning, " as soon as you think you have them figured out, they change." Just last week I was feeling so proud that after 4 months I finally had a grip on Claire's schedule and things seemed to be going so so well. This week she decided to change her schedule, or lack thereof. Her 45 minute morning naps have turned into 30 minutes or less (she is in her crib making noise right now while I'm hoping she falls back asleep.) Her eating schedule seems thrown off and it has us both frustrated and confused. I know now though to just take it day by day, sometimes hour by hour and to not expect the same things, good or bad, to happen every day.

She is so strong now. She can support herself so well on her stomach and she is remembering that she can roll back to her back after some time fussing on her stomach. She is doing a great job holding onto toys. It's crazy to think that just a few weeks ago she didn't even know that she could hold things on purpose. Her skinny little bottom even fits into size 2 diapers now. She still loves to kick like crazy. This morning her sleeper was completely undone on the bottom half and both of her legs were freed. The morning before I went in to get her up and both her sleeper and sleep sack were on backwards, with all limbs in the proper slots. I am perplexed by this. I almost wonder if Jon or I did it on our sleep.

As Claire is growing and changing we love her more each day, I can only imagine what this love will look like in time. Some days she is easier to love than others, but I guess that is how it goes with all of us.

We have had a lot going on with the holidays starting and Lauren's wedding. It has all been wonderful so far. We are here in Asheville for only a few more weeks until our move to Greenville then to Winston Salem. I have so many mixed feelings about all of it. It breaks my heart to think our home and life here will soon only be a memory to us.

Claire was finally able to meet my Aunt Merle and cousin Andrew!

Five month beauty

Family portrait at Thanksgiving. We were thankful for the sun in our faces.
ps: like Jon's shirt???

My dear and beautiful (inside and out!) friend Lauren on her wedding day.

Love the eyes here.

Cousins at Thanksgiving

2009-11-30T13:13:00.002-05:00

We spent Thanksgiving in Greenville with GramE, Gramps, Aunt Carol, Crystal, James, Jake and Bradley. We ate a lot and laughed a lot. Claire seemed to enjoy watching her cousins play around her. It won't be long until she can join them! Gramps and Uncle James worked hard building an awesome tree house for the grand kids to play in!

Bradley prefers leaves over turkey

Claire admiring Bradley's ability to crawl

It was impossible to get them to smile at the same time.

Bradley is thinking about giving Claire a new hairdo

Lots of Pictures

2009-11-18T10:14:00.000-05:00

We put a bow in her hair and laughed a lot.

She loves to explore faces!

Twins!

Playtime on the floor

She is doing a great job rolling to her stomach.
If only she would do as good of a job rolling back over.

Meeting her new friend James!

She likes her babydoll!

With friends Jacq and Benjamin

Sweet squishy face

Good morning!

2009-11-10T17:22:00.000-05:00

2009-11-05T17:07:00.000-05:00

Claire had her four month check up yesterday. She weighs 11lbs. 11oz. and is 25 inches long now. She is in the tenth percentile for weight and the seventy-fifth for height. She's still a small squirt but she seems so much bigger to us.

Just being a sweetie.

Reading with Grandy.
She seems to be enjoying being read to lately!

Claire tried rice cereal for the first time today.
She did well, much better than I expected.

Hmmmm... what is this stuff?

Tastes kinda funny, but I think I will learn to like it!

So Far...WOW!

2009-11-01T20:47:00.001-05:00

Just born

One month

Two months

Three months

Four months

A Few Pictures

2009-10-23T09:46:00.000-04:00

Jon and I are shocked at how quickly she is growing and developing.

Smiles, giggles and sometime cackles are coming quite often these days. She has started to grab at and pick things up. Her taggie, bunny and bear lovie are her favorite toys so far. Usually they go in her mouth, a constant and overflowing fountain of drool.

We are sleeping sooo much more. PRAISE THE LORD! It seemed as though this time would never come, now it all seems like a sweet memory. She has completely dropped her nighttime feedings but we still have to get up multiple times a night to put her pacifier back in her mouth. We are awakened in the morning by sweet coos and excited shrieks.

I am coming to terms with the fact that she is not an award winning napper. a 45 min nap a few times a day is about all we get.

I am so proud of her. We are so encouraged and excited by her new tricks but it also breaks our hearts to see how quickly she is changing. Everyone has been so right about that already.

I find it so beautiful that I am already looking back on those incredibly hard first weeks(that I thought would never end) with fond memories and a little aching in my heart.

Our house was freezing last weekend. We out Claire in a warm bundle.
It reminded us of when she was a tiny baby.

SMILING!

Claire's First Hike

2009-10-02T11:34:00.000-04:00

Max Patch

Family Hike

Flower child

3 Months Old!

2009-10-02T11:14:00.000-04:00

Three has been the magic number!
Our Claire has really started to light up with personality. It seems like it happened overnight. She smiles, giggles, coos and squeals. She rolls over (front to back), sucks on her hands and is having a hard time learning to nap. We think she forgot that she knew how to sleep through the night. She must just always want to be up with us since we are so much fun. Sometimes when we go check on her while she is crying in her crib, she will give us the biggest grin as soon as she sees our face peek over . What a stinker. Sometimes I still can't believe that she is ours.
We are so so blessed.

Excited to eat some breakfast!

Her most favorite hobby, chewing on her hands.
It keeps her from napping because she gets so wound up doing it.

I love her position in this picture and the next.

Tiny daughter hand, big Daddy hand.

Grandy came for a quick visit!

He was surprised and glad to see how responsive she is now!

2009-09-28T15:40:00.000-04:00

Lately

2009-09-28T15:34:00.000-04:00

Little bath bunny.

Gramps and GramE came to visit last week.
We were so happy to be able to spend some good time with them!

Holding her head up so well!

My two sweeties.

Claire and LB

2009-09-23T10:41:00.000-04:00

Our friends Ben and Jacq kept Claire last weekend so Jon and I could go on a date!
Though Claire can't officially date until she is 25, they decided to have a practice round with their sweet son Benjamin. It looks like he is being a gentleman, just chillin' on the Pooh-ton. Of course the date was chaperoned!

http://benandjacq.tumblr.com/post/191789172/lb-and-claire-on-their-first-date-note-how-he-is#disqus_thread

The Sweetest Pea

2009-09-14T08:23:00.001-04:00

I am positive that Claire is getting sweeter with each passing day. Her smiles and coos are coming more frequently. It just melts our hearts. She smiles at kissy sounds and also when she can tell that it is time for her to receive her next meal.

Yesterday we spent some time lounging in the front yard, enjoying the fall weather. I took pictures as she was kicking around on her blanket.

Wide eyed beauty

She's not camera shy.

Ready to fight

Another crazy Claire expression.

She's getting a few more rolls on those skinny legs.

Claire and Wallace

2009-09-10T14:30:00.000-04:00

Happy girl, until....

She was forced to get along with Wallace.
Not quite sure what to think

Think she is enjoying her feline brother?

Decided she would take him for a test drive.
He's not so bad.

Sorry Claire, these aren't the most flattering pictures but they sure did make us laugh really hard last night.

2 Months

2009-09-07T20:53:00.001-04:00

Claire is two months old! Time seems so strange. In a way it feels as though we just had her, but at the same time it is very hard to remember life without her in it. She went to the doctor on Thursday and they told us that she is doing great. She weighed 9 lbs 11oz and was 22 inches long. She is in the 25th percentile for weight and 50th for height. She's a little squirt.

She got her shots at that appointment as well. She didn't cry for too long until that evening when Jon was watching her. She DID sleep though the night that night though! We were soo excited and thankful. She hasn't done it again but we believe and pray that she is getting there. She wakes up once a night between 3 and 4 to eat and goes right back down again. We are so proud of her.

She is so smiley and fun these days. I am so glad she is finally becoming responsive. She is working on imitating sounds that we make. She sticks out her tongue a lot as she is learning to make new sounds. She loves kicking her legs and moving her arms while she lays on the floor. She is not much of a napper, but we sure are working on it!

Daddy's Little Tiger

2009-09-07T20:48:00.001-04:00

Jon has been looking forward to football season for a long time. I am not much of a game watching companion but he is hoping he will have one in Claire. She sported her Clemson gear on Saturday in support of her Daddy.

Rivals... uh oh!

Weekend in Greenville

2009-09-07T20:40:00.000-04:00

Celebrating Granny's 75th birthday!

Grandy and Mimi came for the weekend to spend time with Claire.

They loved keeping her with Granny and Poppy on Saturday while Jon and I enjoyed time with friends.

Trip to Rhode Island

2009-09-01T13:54:00.000-04:00

First ride on an airplane. She did so well!

First time on the beach. She slept right through it!

Zonked out with Jidu

With her Rhode Island "cousins".
Samantha.

Faith

Mark

She's posing.

With Big Ernie and Mary.

Enjoying the porch with Jidu and Grandmama.

Alicia and Ryan

2009-09-01T13:50:00.000-04:00

Claire was able to meet Aunt Alicia and Uncle Ryan when they came to visit a few weeks ago.
We wish we could see them more often!

GramE and Gramps came also!

Our Happy Girl

2009-08-19T16:25:00.000-04:00

Claire has been working on smiling. I think she is finally figuring out that she might like us!

She Has Rolls!

2009-08-17T11:39:00.000-04:00

Video- 6 weeks old

2009-08-12T12:06:00.000-04:00

Expressions

2009-08-12T11:56:00.000-04:00

First Night Away

2009-08-12T11:10:00.000-04:00

We decided to brave a night out of town. We stayed with our lovely friends Jonathan and Bonnie. Claire did amazingly well. It was a good trial run for our vacation at the end of the month. On Saturday morning we went to introduce Claire to her another set of her great grandparents, Nannie and Bb (my mother's parents). She also got to meet her great-uncle William, his soon to be wife Terry, and my cousin Katie. We are so glad that they were able to come to see her!

We also went to a pool party on Saturday at our Shaun and Katie's house. We had a great time. Claire took a super long nap and I was able to be out at the pool with everyone else!

Cuddlin' on Jonathan

With Miss Bonnie and Barley

Claire is looking wide-eyed with Nannie.

Content with Bb. She looked sooo tiny in his huge hands.

With William

Katie and Terry

Hanging with Justin

Boys with their sweet girls.

More Friends and the Poo-Poo Face.

2009-08-04T08:50:00.000-04:00

The famous poo-poo face. Jon finally captured it at the perfect time.
We even have a special song for this face.
We sing Lady Gaga's Pokerface but substitute pokerface for poo-poo face.
It's pretty fun. We kind of hope she never grows out of it.

So excited that Annabelle came for a visit to meet Claire!

Ben, Jacq and Benjamin are finally home! Excited for our playdates. Hopefully LB won't tackle Claire!

One Month Photo Shoot

2009-07-31T10:26:00.001-04:00

Claire had her one month appointment yesterday.

Weight: 8 lbs. 5oz. (she is getting some little rolls on her thighs!)
Height: 20 3/4 inches (already too long for a few of her newborn sleepers)
Head: 14 1/2 inches

She looks so much bigger to me but people are always commenting on how small she is.

The doctor said she looks great, we already knew that though! He also gave us the okay to bring her on a plane to visit Grandmama and Jidu for a fabulous vacation to Rhode Island at the end of August.

We are still having some success with sleeping longer stretches at night and are hoping for more consistency in the following weeks. It sure is hard to figure out a good schedule for her sleeping.
We are seeing little smiles (melts my heart) here and there but I am not sure they are necessarily in response to us. We are assuming and look forward to seeing real ones pretty soon.

We took one month pictures last night. Claire is wearing a day gown that was mine.

The "smile". I think I just caught her moving in a way that looks like a smile. Either way, it's darn cute.

Happy girl

Mad girl

Just lookin' pretty

July 30

2009-07-31T10:03:00.000-04:00

Little sweet Tootsie.

Mama trying to wake her up. She was so cozy in any position.

Going to the doctor

yo yo yo. What up friends?
Enjoying a nice long walk.
Sometimes she likes to only open one eye.

More Pics

2009-07-27T09:18:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow Claire will be 4 weeks old.
It is hard to believe that a month ago we didn't have her with us, but at the same time it seems like we have had her for so much longer. With every new day she is becoming more alert. We have loved seeing her with opened eyes! She is staying awake for longer periods of time during the day and is sometimes going longer between feedings.

We have started to bring her out into the world some. She has slept through grocery and Target trips and dinner out on the town. Haven't had to deal with her screaming in a store... yet.

Jon and I doing really well. We are working on our new roles as parents as well as trying to remember each other as husband and wife. I know we will figure it out in time and with practice!

All stretched out.

Starting to make her famous "poo-poo face" We know what to do when we see that!

I think we need to start buckling her in!

Grandy came for the weekend! He was great at calming Claire!

Surprised face.

Stephanie, Reece and baby boy Johnson came to visit.

Evyn (and baby deKay) came to visit!

Having some fussy time

2009-07-20T18:44:00.000-04:00

First Three Weeks

2009-07-20T17:42:00.001-04:00

Well, we made it though the first few weeks. They have been a mixture of extreme joy and frustration. You always hear how hard it is to have a baby. Everyone was right. I don't even think there is a proper word to describe the first two weeks. Both of our mothers came to help us and I don't know what we would have done without them! So, the first two weeks were crazy as we tried to begin adjusting to our new life as parents to our beautiful baby girl.

Claire will be three weeks old tomorrow and the past week has been getting progressively "easier" (ha ha). I can't believe how she has changed already. She was weighed today at the lactation consult and she has gained a pound since her birth weight. She is now 7 pounds 10 ounces. I think our feeding issues are finally sorted out now. I am so proud of her (and me!) for sticking it out.

The pictures are organized newest to oldest as you scroll down.
I hope to update this often to keep our family and friends in the know.

Spending time together after work.

Playing on her mat. She seems to really enjoy kicking around.
She was even kicking the hanging toys, though I don't think it was intentional.

Sunday trip to the park. Claire slept the entire time.

Big hands, tiny hands.

She seems to enjoy baths!

First tub bath. Her cord fell off right at two weeks!

GramE and Gramps came to help us the second week. Claire was sad they were leaving.

Granny and Poppy came to visit again!

More crazy arms!

Cousins- Jake and Bradley with Aunt Crystal and Uncle James

Aunt Crystal

Found her like this one morning.

She always kicks her covers off.

Alicia and Ben came to visit!

In the mesh hat Jon bought for his future child at a Goodwill 7 years ago!

Chillin' with Grandmama

Cuddlin' with Callie

So sweet

Our first family walk.

Shaun, Jon and their girls!

Watching the Nathan's hot dog eating contest (a family tradition)

on her due date!

Tiny baby drinking from a tiny bottle.

Pain relief

Ashley and Gideon

Lauren and Kevin!

Sleeping through a diaper change

Swinging and doing some of her famous arm movements.

Tired snugglers

Homecoming!

2009-07-20T12:09:00.001-04:00

What we have been waiting for!

Grandmama came from Rhode Island to help us.

Boy, did we need it!
I had no clue that a tiny baby would keep us all so busy.

Seeing Claire for the first time.

Leaving Mission Hospital.

Jon dressing Claire in her homecoming dress.

In the Hospital

2009-07-12T18:44:00.001-04:00

Little smurf with her doctor.

Cuddly.

Sarah and Matt Rideout.

Miss Jenn and Landon (in her belly).

Crazy (in a good way) Miss Bonnie.

Grandy and Mimi.

Aunt Callie was here from Australia to meet her!

Great Poppy.

Great-Granny. Gigi.

Shortly after Claire was born. With our great friend, Elaine!

Claire has lots of people that love her. We had a lot of visitors.
With Gramps and GramE.

Our new and improved family. So Proud.

Our beauty.

Thank the Lord
Cut the cord
Take her home
Help her grow
And Complete the circle of...
Loooooove

Our Little Cupcake

2009-07-12T09:26:00.000-04:00

To our delight and surprise our little girl arrived 4 days before her due date! Claire Louise came screaming into this world on June 30 at 2:53 pm. She weighed 7lbs 1oz and was 20 inches long! I was blessed with a speedy, easy and almost enjoyable labor (after the epidural) and delivery! She is healthy, happy and an incredibly sweet little lady.

Now, almost two weeks after her birth we are starting to feel a little settled in. We think we might be figuring out her cries and fusses and are becoming more aware of things she enjoys. She seems to love kicking around without her diaper and also going through at least 2-3 diapers per changing. She is very calm while she is cuddling with her daddy and is great at making grumpy faces (expressive brow line). We are constantly entertained by the way she moves her arms and where places her hands while she sleeps.

We feel more love for her every time we look at her and we can't wait to get to know her better with each day that passes.

Our new life is certainly different and harder than I imagined, but I also know it is going to be even so much better than I ever could dream.