Giving Thanks!

     We have so so much to be Thankful for this year! I'm most thankful for the addition to our family, Claire Elizabeth! We could not be more blessed to share our world with our healthy, happy baby girl! I am tremendously thankful for our precious families that are all so close to us. We could not be more fortunate to have three sets of parents within fifteen minutes of us! Clay and I are blessed with amazing friends that offer so much love and support! I am also overwhelmingly grateful for my husband! What an amazing man and father!
     Thanksgiving this year wasn't just one day of family and food, it was three! We actually had five "Thanksgivings" in three days! Claire made the rounds from Clay's grandmother's, my parent's, and Clay's dad's on Thursday, Clay's mom's on Friday, and our "Friends Thanksgiving" at the Worthington's on Saturday! We had such a fun weekend and are looking forward to the rest of the holidays with our new addition!
     Happy Thanksgiving!

Loaded up and Ready to Make the Rounds!

So Thankful for Little Tooter!

Clay's Dad...Claire's Big Daddy!

Clay's Nana

Clay's Mimi

My Dad and Brother...Papa and Uncle Bennett!



Tuckered Out from all the Festivities!

Meet Tia Monica!

Friday, November 12th, my best friend from growing up, Monica, came to meet Claire! She lives in Houston and made a special trip to spend some time with the girls. Monica and I both got so emotional when she first met Claire, it was surreal to be introducing my childhood friend to my daughter. Monica and I have been through so much together and I loved sharing this new chapter of my life with her!

One Month Check Up

This morning we had Claire's one month check up! Little Tooter did great at her appointment! Such a happy, easy going baby that didn't mind getting naked, poked and prodded, weighed and measured, until... she got her shot! This she was not okay with and let me know right away! Once back in Mommy's arms she calmed down immediately and slept all the way home.

Here are some updates on Baby Claire...
-Height: 22 inches (80 percentile)
-Weight: 9 pounds 10 ounces (62 percentile)
-Head: 36.5 centimeters (32 percentile, she definitely got her daddy's head!)
-Size 1 Diapers (as of yesterday)
- 0 to 3 Month PJs and Clothes (Still fits some Newborn Clothes/Separates, PJs too small!)
-Exclusively Breastfeeding
 (We stopped supplementing formula once she gained weight and got FULL after breastfeeding)
-Will take a Bottle and is starting to like her Pacifier more
-Sleeps on her back (with her hands above her head no matter how tight I swaddle her!)
-Has one 4 to 6 hour stretch of sleep at night paired with a 3 to 4 hour stretch
-Loves her Ocean Bouncer and Rainforest Gym (lights and music are fascinating)
-Smiles at us!
-Does NOT like going down to sleep at night! (wants to be held, who can blame her!)
-Out like a light when we go on car rides
-Beautiful brown hair and dark blue/gray eyes (won't know they're true color until 6 months)
-Has a best friend and doesn't even know it (our dog Ella is obsessed with Claire!)
-Will cuddle with anyone!
-Not a huge fan of tummy time, but we are working on it
-Can lift her head and move from side to side when on her tummy
-Has a ball in the bath!
-Makes the sweetest of noises when she is eating and dreaming
-Is completely Loved and Adored by her Mommy and Daddy!

Uncle Bennett

Claire met her uncle Bennett for the first time October 22, the Friday we got home from the hospital. I know this post is a little late, but I just love these pictures of baby Claire with my brother. I can't believe how small she looks with her 6'1" uncle! Such a sweet moment introducing my daughter to my brother!



Claire's Bestie, our dog Ella! Always by her side!



The Fastest Four Weeks of My Life!

     Who would have thought spending my days at home with sweet Claire could fly by so FAST! Her first four weeks of eating, sleeping, pooping, and cuddling with her mama have gone by in the blink of an eye and I cannot believe I can now say I have a one month old! This has been the most special time of our lives and we have treasured every moment of being Claire's parents!
     Our ONE month old...

Claire Elizabeth Crudup



LOVE LOVE LOVE that Double Chin!!!!



Holding up one finger...ONE month old! Ha!

A Sneak Peek...

Claire had her newborn portraits done on Tuesday, 11/2/10. Hill House Photography did an amazing job at capturing our sweet pea! Here is the preview our photographer sent today, I love all of them so far and can't wait to see more...

Two Weeks Too Soon!

     Claire is two weeks old today! I cannot believe how fast time has flown! Clay and I took Claire back to the hospital today to complete her newborn screening. I was dreading this trip and just knew it was going to be traumatic for all of us, but Claire is such a trooper! She barely whimpered when the nurse pricked her heel, and I only teared up a little bit. I have LOVED every minute of being a new mommy and just can't get over how fast our first two weeks together has gone!

     We are still working on getting on more of a set schedule. Right now Claire usually eats every two hours during the day starting around 8:00 am or 9:00 am, with lots of napping in between and usually less than a couple hours total of awake time. She has some tummy time when she is awake, and I've started putting Claire in her bouncer with blankets to prop up her little head. She loves the bouncer and is mesmerized by the lights and music! Claire has her last "day" feeding around 10:00 pm and then sleeps until about 2:00 am, has another feeding and sleeps until around 6:00, eats again and gets up for her day around 8:00 or 9:00! We have been amazed at our little girl's great sleeping and hope she continues this habit! Claire is sleeping in her nursery, which I never thought we would do! Her bassinet/pack-n-play is set up in our bedroom and I told Clay she'd be sleeping with us for at least a few months! She started in her nursery when we got home from the hospital because my mom stayed with us the first three nights and she convinced me we would sleep better if Claire was in her own room, well Mother knows best! My wonderful mom slept within earshot of Claire's room (and with the video monitor) brought her to me to nurse, changed her diaper, and put her back down. Thank you Mama!

     Happy Two Weeks Little Tooter!

Our Little Ghoul!

Claire was a little too small for a Halloween costume this year so we made due with a few Halloween outfits! We can't wait to take our little one Trick or Treating next year! Here is one of her Halloween outfits...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!