Take Your Daughter to Work Day!

Today Claire and I swung by Clay's office for a quick visit. Baby girl was a little overwhelmed meeting all of her admirers at once and it took a bit to warm up to everyone. Claire ended up making some new friends and we can't wait to go back soon!

Hillary E. showed Claire all the office equipment!



Baby girl was fascinated!



Who knew a printer could be so fun!



Loves her Daddy!





Reaching for Mommy!



Kisses for Aunt Hill!

Five Months!

     I do not know where the time has gone and I cannot believe it has been a month since my last post! I knew it was time to update the blog when I got an email from my grandma wondering if everything was ok!
     Everything has been going wonderful and not much has changed in our routine since last month! We have been loving every single second with our precious baby girl and I feel so incredibly blessed to have my little family of three!
     Claire has been very busy! Although our routine is the same, we have seen huge changes in our baby girl over the last month! Clay and I can't get over how much she is learning and doing...

-Rolling anywhere and everywhere she wants to go
-Almost sitting up on her own
-Holding our hands and standing up
-Found her feet!
-Talking (squeeling, making sounds)
-Loves being outside
-Watches the dogs constantly, talks to them, and loves touching their fur!
-Blowing raspberries
-Leaning towards whatever she wants and grabbing for it (keys, phone, remote, my cup, me, etc.)
-Grabbing my cup with both hands and putting her mouth on the rim
-BELLY LAUGHING (my favorite sound in the world!)
-Sleeping on her stomach
-Loving her bouncer even more now that she can touch the floor, spin, and reach all the exciting toys!

     Our beautiful baby girl, FIVE months old...

I couldn't love anything more!



Playing with all the fun toys!



She cracks herself up!

Caught her crossing her eyes! Talk about focused!

Viva Las Vegas!

Clay and I recently took a little weekend trip to Las Vegas with our dear friends Matt and Ryan. We had an absolute blast and although I missed Claire terribly, it was a treat to have a weekend away with my amazing husband! We ate delicious food, gambled, spent time at the spa, shopped, and saw the Garth Brooks show. What a fun weekend!

Sake tasting at Okada in the Wynn.

Loved the concert!

Four Months!

Really?!?! I have a four month old??? To say these last four months have gone by in the blink of an eye just doesn't do it justice. Time with my precious baby girl goes by way too fast! Clay and I have gotten into the swing of things raising a baby girl (i.e. accepted the fact that we don't have a clue and we learn as we go!) and I honestly don't really remember our life without her. We are on a great schedule for the time being and although I get sad thinking about how fast time has gone, every day seems to be more and more fun! Claire is discovering the world around her and learning new things all the time. Her big bright eyes and sweet smiles melt our hearts and bring so much joy to our lives!

Claire's four month well check was today and the pediatrician said everything was perfect! She got two shots, one in each chunky little thigh and one oral vaccine. I was so proud of my sweet baby who was all smiles and laughter, until the shots of course!

Here are her latest stats:
-Weight: 13 lbs 8 oz (~50th percentile)
-Height: 25 inches (~75th percentile)
-Head: 39 cm (~10th percentile)

And here is what she has been up to lately:
-Most days, but not all:
     -Eats 5 times a day (8:00. 11:00. 2:00. 5:00. 7:30.)
     -Takes 3 naps (9:30. 12:30. 3:30.)
     -Sleeps from 8:00PM to 8:00AM

A little side note: I think being on a schedule is super beneficial for mom and baby, but I also want Claire to be flexible and able to adapt to different environments. We try to get out and about at least once a day and nap time might just be in the car seat or in someone's arms! And meal time might be 30 minutes early/late!

-Eats breast milk only
-Rolls from stomach to back
-Grabs her knees
-Does a pike (raising her legs straight up) and rolls from side to side
-Turns on her side from her back
-Reaches for and grabs rattles and toys with both hands
-Puts everything in her mouth!
-Loves the bouncer and standing up
-Holds our hands and pulls herself from sitting to standing
-Does great in the bumbo but wants to stand up
-Talking lots (laughing, cooing, gurgling, screaming)
-Getting very attached to her mommy
-Loves looking at us and touching our faces

Our 4 Month Old!
Admiring her outfit...

So sweet and so happy...

This was right before we left for the Dr.'s office.
She has no idea what's in store!

Mia Marie's Baby Shower

Last weekend Clay and I, with four other couples, hosted a baby shower at our home for Kelsey and Andrew DeLaTorre. It was such a special night and so fun to celebrate the upcoming arrival of baby Mia! Kelsey and Andrew are such lovely people and they are going to be the most amazing parents! We just can't wait to meet baby Mia Marie!

I looked up how to make a diaper cake online.
This was the finished product, and so easy by the way.

I used the shower invitation (from TinyPrints.com)
with some coordinating paper as decoration.

Goodies for Mia Marie hung from the staircase!

Shower hosts, Austin and Kari are also soon to be parents!
We can't wait to meet baby Aiden in July!

Matt and Ryan hosted the shower as well.

Adorable burp clothes monogrammed with Mia's name.
Some one asked Andrew what he thought these were for..."pot holders???" Ha!

Watching Andrew and Kelsey open gifts.

A wreath with baby bottles and ribbon decorated the front door.

Floral arrangement at the front entry greeted guests when they arrived.

BE MINE!

     Happy Valentine's Day! I have always loved this holiday! I still remember Valentine's Day parties in elementary school and how much fun I had decorating my little paper sack for Valentines and passing out all the Valentines cards I had so carefully signed the night before. I love all the pink and red, and the thought of a whole day dedicated to romance and love, and all the cookies, cupcakes, and candy of course!
     Last year was a very special Valentine's Day. I found out I was pregnant on February 13th last year and some how kept the news from Clay until the next day, Valentine's Day! I surprised him early that morning, after taking another test to be sure! He didn't understand why he had to open his gift at 8:00 AM. When he did, he discovered his favorite candy and a baby's outfit that said "Daddy and Me." That moment and his face is something I will never forget!
     Now, a year later, our precious baby girl is here and our greatest blessing. When I surprised Clay with the news of our baby to be, I knew he was going to be an amazing father, but what I didn't expect was that our relationship, and my love for him, would grow so much. I am so incredibly grateful to have such a devoted and loving man as my husband and Claire's father!

My Beautiful Valentine!

Thank you Momu (Clay's Mom) for my Valentine outfit!

BRRRRRR!!!

I don't think I've ever been so cold! I have been happily snuggled up by the fire at home for the past three days, except when I have to take the dogs out! Our Scottie dog, Sadie, hates going outside in any inclement weather and would much prefer to hide her business in the house. So, I have been accompanying her outside in the ice and freezing temperatures (20 degrees!) to make sure we don't have to clean up any accidents inside! Our other dog, Ella, seems to love the ice and snow and cannot get enough. Ella runs around like a wild woman having a blast while Sadie slides around like a hockey puck and can't make it back inside fast enough. Needless to say, Sadie is warm and cozy by the fire with me and Ella is waiting by the door ready for her next adventure!

Loving the ice and snow!

Running laps around the yard!

Watching her crazy friend and
wondering when we get to go back inside!