Chair Pictures

7.8.08 - 3 Months (13 Weeks)

7.16.08 - 14 Weeks

Busy Two Weeks...

Sorry it's been so long since I've given an update (or what you all really check for - new pictures of Claire!). Things have been quickly progressing on our move. We went down to SA to house hunt last week and now have an official contract on a new house! We are so excited. It's a beautiful house with an amazing backyard, and it's definitely built for a family - with plenty of room for guests! The current owners just built it two years ago and are having to relocate to Dallas due to the AT&T move. Unlike most of the other two story houses we saw, this one has all of the bedrooms on the first floor which is so great with small children. The upstairs has a large gameroom and two smaller spaces that could be for crafts or a small media room, along with two huge closets and a full bathroom. The gameroom/playroom will be perfect for Claire when she gets bigger...and Robert is already researching pool tables. I'll add more pictures after the inspection - I'll try to take lots while we're there.

Monday was my last day of work. The plan had always been for me to return on the 7th, so I went in that day and officially gave notice. It just didn't make sense to really get going on projects when I would turn around and leave so quickly, and there is just so much to do with buying a new house, selling the current house, moving, and keeping up with a 3 month old. After speaking with a few people, we decided that I didn't need to give the typical 2-3 weeks notice, so I took a couple of days to clean out my office and my computer before leaving for good. It's kind of weird to be unemployed, but I'm planning to find something in SA, maybe at a small, local accounting firm. Besides, I have plenty to do right now to stay busy!

Claire just continues to get more entertaining as the days go by. We had to move up a size in pajamas - she's getting so long! She's really enjoying her swing lately (especially when she's tired).

She (finally) began taking naps in her crib. We figured out that if we swaddle her (thanks for the tip, Lindsay!), she'll sleep so good that sometimes we have to wake her up to eat. As of today, she's also learning how to hold her bottle. So cute!

Hill Country, Here We Come!

Last week Robert, Claire and I went to San Antonio. There were a couple of big "firsts" for Claire, including her first trip to Hut's Hamburgers in Austin. It's been so long since we visited Austin that we couldn't pass through without a stop at one of Robert's all-time favorite hamburger joints.



Claire also got to see the Alamo for the first time.


Unfortunately it was already closed, but we will have plenty of chances to take her there in the future since we are moving to San Antonio! Robert accepted a job with a small oil and gas company there and starts work in two weeks. We will all be back and forth between SA and Dallas for the next couple of months as we try to find a new house and sell our current place. We're planning to buy a big house in SA so that we will have plenty of room for visitors!

We would appreciate your prayers for a smooth transition for all of us. More details to come as we know them!

First Day of School

Claire had her first day of "school" yesterday. This was our trial run - we didn't have to be anywhere, so we could come pick her up if she had a hard day or if it was too hard on us. :) Everything went great - we dropped her off around 9 and picked her up around 4:30. The drop off went much better than I was expecting. We had visited about a week and a half prior to meet the teachers and ask some questions, which helped put my mind at ease. It is a really good place, and all of the babies seemed happy and content. It also made it easier to leave her knowing that I could come get her whenever I was ready! Robert and I had a nice day - I went to the gym, and afterwards Robert and I enjoyed lunch at Blue Mesa and went to a movie without having to worry about interrupting anyone with a crying baby. We saw "Hancock" - loved it.

After the movie, I was anxious to see Claire. When we arrived at school, she was getting a bottle and seemed happy as could be. They told us she had a great first day. She took a long nap when she got home - guess all the excitement wore her out! I'm so glad that we have a place to take her where we are confident that she is getting excellent care.

Exciting New Toy

We bought a new vibrating chair for Claire yesterday. Robert put it together today, and we were surprised by how much she's enjoying it. The toy bar is set to where the lights and music are activated when she hits the toys, so she gets very excited when it goes off. She seems particularly entranced by the bumble bee. I think I've figured out this video thing - her little noises just make me melt, and I had to share.

(Click on the image below to watch the video.)

7/1/08 - Twelve Weeks

Twelve weeks today!

Claire was looking pretty cute on Sunday, and I wanted to get a few pictures of her in this outfit before she grows out of it. Considering the growth spurt she's been going through lately (eating every two hours during the day instead of every three), I'm thinking that it's not going to fit her for much longer!

Her hair was a little crazy that day...probably because Mommy and Daddy were having fun with her hair after bathtime on Saturday night.

If we don't brush it right away, it tends to want to stick up, and apparently I missed a spot. I'm sure she will love these pictures in about 13 years. :)

6/24/08 - 11 Weeks

I'm finally posting Claire's 11 week birthday pics...



That night she fell asleep as she was drinking her bottle before bed. We got a laugh out of her hands - she was obviously showing us how full her tummy was. Such a cutie!

A&M Girls' Weekend

I have a group of friends from A&M that has stayed in touch since graduation. There are 8 of us - Lindsay, Courtney, Anne, Angi, Melissa, Jill, Megan, and me. Seven of us all moved to Dallas after we graduated, and six of us started together at the same accounting firm. As the years went on, it became more difficult to spend time together and it seemed like the only time more than a few of us got together was for a wedding or baby shower. About a year ago, Lindsay took the initiative to pull together something we'd been talking about for years - a girls' weekend. Since a few of us have new babies, and there is one currently on the way, we decided to get together here in the DFW area at Lindsay's house. I'm pleased to say that we were able to get 5 of the 8 here - pretty good with our busy schedules!

On Friday night, Lindsay, Courtney, Melissa and I met at Maggiano's in Plano for dinner. Courtney went home afterwards (her son is a few days younger than Claire), and Jill arrived in town later that evening from Arkansas. The four of us stayed up until a little past midnight - not an easy feat for two brand new mommies and a pregnant lady with less than two months to go! I had brought one of my scrapbooks from college which provided a few laughs and "where are they now" conversations. It was so fun to reminisce and catch up.

On Saturday, we slept in (first time for me in almost 3 months!) and then met Courtney for pedicures, lunch, shopping, and the Sex and the City movie. I came home after the movie - two nights away from Baby Claire would have been a little too much at this point, and I wanted to be home for bath and bedtime. I missed that sweet face! Here she is that evening getting ready for her bath:



You can read Lindsay's take on our weekend here. :) We had such a wonderful time together - I thought Lindsay put it well when she said that with the amount of time we usually have together, it's difficult to get past "what are you doing" to address "how are you doing." No matter how much time goes between visits, we always fall into easy conversation and it feels like barely any time has passed at all. I can't believe I've know those girls for over 10 years now. Thanks, Friends, for a wonderful weekend!

Also, thank you so much to my sweet husband who did not hesitate to keep Claire by himself for two days so that I could enjoy time with the girls. Although, I can't say that I was thrilled with what I found when I arrived home...


Claire has some A&M booties...anyone have an A&M onesie that I could borrow??? I need to nip this in the bud! :)

6/17/08 - Ten Weeks

The chair pictures are getting easier, but sometimes we still have to do things to get her attention - she was intently watching Daddy...

...then hiding behind Elephant...

...before we got some good ones!

She decided on that day to wear her bib like a cape…

…and I finally got out from behind the camera!

Then she decided that the Tivo remote was a really fun toy - she's already taking after me! :)

Babies and Their Moods

It cracks me up how Claire can go from smiling to pouting to crying so quickly. I took these on Saturday over a span of under 5 minutes...

At this point I picked her up - and everything was immediately okay again. Silly girl! :)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my two favorite men - my husband and my father. Claire and I are so blessed to have both of you in our lives!

Two Month Appointment

Claire had her two-month check up with the doctor today. Her current stats are:

Height - 22 inches (30th percentile)
Weight - 9 lbs., 11.5 oz. (25th percentile)
Head - 38.4 cm (48th percentile)

She's little but healthy! The cold doesn't seem to be bothering her too much - she only seems congested when she first gets up in the morning. The two-month appointment brings with it several vaccinations - she received vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hepatitis B, rotavirus and Prevnar. One oral dose and 5 shots is a lot for a little baby, but fortunately we had a good nurse who was really quick. I felt so sorry for Claire - she turned red and screamed at the top of her lungs, but calmed down pretty quickly once it was over. At least I managed not to cry this time. :) She fell asleep as soon as we got in the car and continued to nap in the carrier for about two hours:

She took another long nap this afternoon while I held her in the sling, so Robert and I decided that we just need to be available for extra cuddling at her next appointment - I'll plan on taking the afternoon off from work. She should be back to herself by tomorrow!

6/10/08 - Nine Weeks

Claire hasn't been feeling great because of her cold, but she's been a trooper. Her 9 week chair picture is a pretty accurate depiction of how she's been feeling the past few days.

We're having to use the nasal aspirator frequently, which she hates, but not nearly as much as she hates having saline drops shot up her nose. I feel bad giving them to her, but they really help with her congestion. She's been sleeping a little more than usual during the day, which will hopefully help her heal faster. She took a 3 hour nap today while I held her in the Maya Wrap sling. It is a lifesaver sometimes - I'm able to hold and comfort her while still having at least one hand free. I even managed to make and eat my lunch today while she slept! She's snuggling with me in it right now. :)

My mom came in town Monday and just left this morning. Robert and I celebrated Claire's 9 week birthday with dinner out at Hibiscus while Mom enjoyed some time with her granddaughter. The food was delicious, and it was nice to have some time to focus on each other.

Claire's 2 month check-up is tomorrow - not looking forward to those shots!

Cute baby stuff

It's a good thing this didn't come out while I was pregnant. So cute, yet so expensive...it would've been hard for me to resist!

First Sick Visit :(

Sunday morning, Claire began coughing and sneezing, and she sounded kind of congested. It got worse throughout the day, so we consulted our handy copy of Baby 411 (thanks for the recommendation, Lindsay!). Her symptoms fell into the "Needs appointment the next day" category rather than the "Needs immediate attention" or "Watch and wait" categories. We got an appointment with our pediatrician Monday morning, and I was reassured to find out that it's just a common cold. Unfortunately at this age there's not much you can do except wait it out - she's too young to take any medication that would help relieve the symptoms. The doctor told me that it probably bothers us more than it does her, and that seems to be true - she's still eating and sleeping well, and isn't too much fussier than normal. Hopefully it will run it's course quickly!

Eight Weeks

Yesterday Claire turned 8 weeks old. She can sit up with support and is holding her head up really well. She likes to watch us, and follows people and objects with her eyes easily. She also keeps trying to "talk," making little sounds whenever she's excited.



We had our weekly photo session, then Claire enjoyed some play time with Daddy. It's nice having him at home!



To celebrate Claire's 8 week birthday, we took her for her first trip to Harry's (the first of many!). She tried to steal our custard...someday you can have some, Claire!

Family Reunion

Claire had a great time at the family reunion in Broken Bow, OK this past weekend. More details to come soon!

Orange Cup

Claire and I had lunch at Royal Thai today with one of my friends. Claire looked super cute in her Janie and Jack bubble outfit that was a gift from a friend. Afterwards we went to Northpark Mall. Claire gave me a special James Avery charm for Mothers' Day, so I wanted to get it put on my bracelet. I love it!

While we were waiting, I realized it was the perfect opportunity for me to try Orange Cup. A few weeks ago I noticed a new place by Neiman's, and since then there's been a real buzz about the place. Curious, I ordered a light Zum with strawberries, and wow - I'm hooked! When they take your order, they print out a little sticker with your name and order on it. Not only does this help the staff keep your order straight, but it includes nutrition facts especially tailored for your order. I don't remember all of it, but was impressed that mine only had 105 calories and contained almost twice the daily Vitamin C requirement. Tasty AND surprisingly healthy! I'm so happy to find a guilt-free treat that still feels like an indulgence.

We also did a little shopping, and I found a pair of jeans on the clearance rack of Ann Taylor Loft that I liked - finally, a pair of jeans I can wear that don't have an elastic band! Hopefully Baby Boot Camp and the walks to the coffee shop will start paying off soon so that I can begin wearing some of my old clothes before too long...

Busy Day

Claire and I had a full day yesterday. The day started out with Robert and I greeted by this cute face:

Claire and I went to breakfast at Legal Grounds in Lakewood. I LOVE their "Prom Cakes" - pancake with oatmeal and bananas baked in, topped with granola and pecan praline sauce. Yum! They have free wi-fi, so I was able to catch up on some e-mails while Claire napped. We came home for a little while, and then met two of my co-workers for lunch at Chuy's. It was nice to catch up with them, and introduce them to Claire. Afterwards we made a trip to Babies R Us to pick up a few supplies and a gift for an upcoming baby shower. Claire was snoozing, so I stopped by a baby resale shop to return a swing we purchased last week - too squeaky. When we got home, Claire was ready for another feeding, and then she was ready for a story ("One Fish, Two Fish...") and some playtime on her play mat. It was a good chance for me to practice with my new camera lens (50 mm f/1.8).

That tuckered her out, so her naptime gave me a chance to get a few things done around the house. Later after Claire went to bed, Robert and I enjoyed watching the LOST season finale. I won't say too much about it in case someone is saving it to watch later, but I was glad to see how only 6 of them were rescued, and finally finding out who was in the coffin. Definitely some really weird parts too, though. What did you think?

We're heading to Oklahoma later today for a family reunion - hope everyone has a great weekend!