In Daddy’s Arms

Caught Ya!

Dan stealing kisses in an attempt to distract Claire from her reading:

Daddy's Boots

Do you like my new shoes?

Daddy Kisses

Claire is just beginning to get the idea that there is more to books then potential chew toys. We've been snuggling with her at night reading before bed and during they day when she seems interested (and not too squirmy). Claire seems to appreciate the pictures and especially the textures in her books, maybe one day soon we'll move onto those awesome popup books I bought ages ago while pregnant!

You might have noticed the new widget featuring some of the books we're reading on the right side of the blog. I snagged the code from www.librarything.com, a cool site where you can share books with friends and even review them - sort of like a flixster for the written word! Sign up and look for us (k7rlgina).

Here's a video of Claire "reading" on her own and a sweet photo of Dan snuggling with Claire during tonight's bedtime story - take note of the title.

Milestones

I forgot to post that our little munchkin is finally saying "Mom" and "Dad." It sounds like a "muhmuhmamama" when she wants me and Dan is known as "duh-dy (spoken quickly and repeated at least three times). Claire looks right at us when she says our names (oh God, we're Mommy & Daddy to someone).

Here are the upright pictures I promised earlier today. What a big girl!

Our hydrangeas are in full bloom so of course I had to use one as a prop. I just wish I could get Claire to smile while examining the flowers. After trying all kinds of noises and frantic arm waving motions (which I'm sure cracked up my neighbors), I gave up and settled on a serious faced portrait instead. Oh well. I did manage to get ONE outside where she smiling. As always, I took waaay more photos than can fit in one blog entry. You can find the others here in my online album, or watch the slide show below.

Baby's First Brew?

Here are the previously mentioned photos from the company picnic. Did Claire enjoy her first brew? You'll have to ask Daddy and the photographer, Mommy wasn't around for this one.

8 Months Old!

What - a new banner doesn't count as an update?!

The internet has been down a few days so I've been busying myself with Apple's iMovie.
I promise it's worth the wait! This video showcases some of Claire's newest accomplishments - crawling, solids and being cute while playing :-)

There's also a little montage at the end for father's day. The video itself doesn't have sound so I put some music in. I'm hoping it's not too large for web viewing, most everyone is on broadband, right?

Dan and I were marveling at just how BIG Claire has gotten last night. I bet you'll think so too after watching the ending of this video. I hope ya'll enjoy it!

Swinging With Daddy!

Today Claire spent the day with us at a friend's shop and was soooo amazingly good. We took her to the park afterwards for some time on the swings (and for Mommy & Daddy to get some walking time in). I was so glad Claire managed to stay awake for the ride to the park. I've tried to get to there a few times this week and she falls asleep in the car, never wake a sleeping baby right? :-)

Claire also amazed us with her monkey strength. Just check out this kid swinging across the hand holds! Go baby go! Ok, maybe she had a little help :-)


Original photos and a few cute extras can be found in my online picasa album here. I've included the full size images of Claire on the monkey bars too! Enjoy!

Zzzzz...

Gina tries to absorb some of the baby's heat after taking a shower...perhaps a hair dryer would do the trick, right Nanny? :-) Check out Claire's new stuffed pony - thanks Joan!



Here's Dan with his three loves: baby, Gecko and that teal recliner.

The cats have been great with the baby. We were a little worried about Raymond (just because of his size) but they seem to ignore Claire for the most part. Gecko does like to "prarie dog" next to the swing when the baby is in it. He is so curious!

Happy Fall!

With the unseasonably warm weather we took the baby out for her first walk in the neighborhood for some "leaf peeping." Dan had to defend her little head from all the falling acorns, good thing she was in the bjorn!





James and Cat came up Sunday for a visit and we took the baby to a nearby state park for a BBQ and a quick hike. Quote of the weekend? "I'll pass the baby back to Mommy," says James as he hands Claire to Cat. Hahaha.


Oh...and there's also Cat's quote, "is this a changing station thing?" while looking at the electric griddle on the kitchen counter. I know Cat, I HAVE to mention it was in the dark, but it was still pretty hilarious.

Give Me A Turn Daddy!

Dan tries working on his laptop...



but baby wants a turn too!