This is one of Claire's favorite things to do with Papa. She laughs so hard and begs for "more."
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas in Houston
We went to Houston to visit Mimi, Papa and LaLa. Claire had a blast. Mimi and Papa gave Claire an art table that I know we will put to good use! She loves to color and fingerpaint.
Claire and LaLa have a special bond. LaLa makes Claire giggle all the time, but she also loves and snuggles with Claire like no other. When LaLa is around, Claire wants no one else. Claire loved her baby doll from LaLa and plays with her all the time. 
The Nixes were troopers with us. They came with us to the mall so we could get our "dutiful" Santa picture. Since it was a two hour wait, they walked around with Claire while I stood in line. Claire wasn't too sure about Santa Claus, so we decided to make it a family picture. 
Santa (aka Claire's great uncle Razen) also came to visit Claire and Carter at the Nix house. He brought them cookies and singing snowmen stuffed animals. They LOVED it!! It was a very special treat.
As you can see, Christmas wore Claire out! She was exhausted!! 
The Nixes have taken in the cat who belongs to the old owner of the Nixes' new house. Claire fell in love immediately. Since Mommy is highly allergic, LaLa took charge on this one and Claire loved the "kitty cat."
Every time we spend time with the Nixes, Mimi takes beautiful pictures of Claire bear. This one is Mommy's favorite. It was a very special Christmas for all of us in Houston. We have much to be thankful for and Claire is the luckiest little girl I know to be loved so much by so many people. Needless to say, we had a special and fun Christmas with the Nix family.
Claire and LaLa have a special bond. LaLa makes Claire giggle all the time, but she also loves and snuggles with Claire like no other. When LaLa is around, Claire wants no one else. Claire loved her baby doll from LaLa and plays with her all the time. 
The Nixes were troopers with us. They came with us to the mall so we could get our "dutiful" Santa picture. Since it was a two hour wait, they walked around with Claire while I stood in line. Claire wasn't too sure about Santa Claus, so we decided to make it a family picture. 
Santa (aka Claire's great uncle Razen) also came to visit Claire and Carter at the Nix house. He brought them cookies and singing snowmen stuffed animals. They LOVED it!! It was a very special treat.
As you can see, Christmas wore Claire out! She was exhausted!! 
The Nixes have taken in the cat who belongs to the old owner of the Nixes' new house. Claire fell in love immediately. Since Mommy is highly allergic, LaLa took charge on this one and Claire loved the "kitty cat."
Every time we spend time with the Nixes, Mimi takes beautiful pictures of Claire bear. This one is Mommy's favorite. It was a very special Christmas for all of us in Houston. We have much to be thankful for and Claire is the luckiest little girl I know to be loved so much by so many people. Needless to say, we had a special and fun Christmas with the Nix family.
Our very own Christmas...
We began the Christmas season with Claire by going to the Trail of Lights. She loved the lights.
Then, we got dressed up in her Christmas dress for the trip to take pictures with Santa and to go to church. Don't worry. I changed out of my jeans.
Then we played with our presents from Mommy and Daddy and from Grandma and Pops before we headed to Houston to visit Mimi, Papa, and LaLa. Claire loved her "big girl chair", the random hairy pink ball and her kitchen! And, of course, she loved putting bows in Daddy's hair.
Then, we got dressed up in her Christmas dress for the trip to take pictures with Santa and to go to church. Don't worry. I changed out of my jeans.
Then we played with our presents from Mommy and Daddy and from Grandma and Pops before we headed to Houston to visit Mimi, Papa, and LaLa. Claire loved her "big girl chair", the random hairy pink ball and her kitchen! And, of course, she loved putting bows in Daddy's hair.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
She's doing funny things...
These are daycare funnies:
1. Claire couldn't keep her clothes on today at school. (Sidenote: She really likes to take her shirt off right now. This picture is an example of one of the many strange ways we find her wrapped up in her shirt in the mornings.)
2. Claire gave the photographer a hard time during pictures. She kept stealing her toys. I think she took great pics, though!
3. CLaire had a fun time wearing my pony tail like a toupee.
4. Claire had fun playing on the train with Wyatt. They were walking around the playground holding hands.
5. Claire was awake today during nap time, but she laid on her mat and was quiet and sweet. We count to 10 before they can get up. She counted with me. When I got to 10, she jumped up and shouted "TEN!!!" I guess she was tired of being quiet.
6. Claire and Eleanor spent all day putting boxes on their heads.
The best story...I picked Claire up today from school and walked out with Zahn and his Mommy. They held hands while we walked out. When I told Claire to tell Zahn goodbye, she leaned over and kissed him!!
1. Claire couldn't keep her clothes on today at school. (Sidenote: She really likes to take her shirt off right now. This picture is an example of one of the many strange ways we find her wrapped up in her shirt in the mornings.)
2. Claire gave the photographer a hard time during pictures. She kept stealing her toys. I think she took great pics, though!
3. CLaire had a fun time wearing my pony tail like a toupee.
4. Claire had fun playing on the train with Wyatt. They were walking around the playground holding hands.
5. Claire was awake today during nap time, but she laid on her mat and was quiet and sweet. We count to 10 before they can get up. She counted with me. When I got to 10, she jumped up and shouted "TEN!!!" I guess she was tired of being quiet.
6. Claire and Eleanor spent all day putting boxes on their heads.
The best story...I picked Claire up today from school and walked out with Zahn and his Mommy. They held hands while we walked out. When I told Claire to tell Zahn goodbye, she leaned over and kissed him!!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
It takes a village...
A few nights ago, I posted a sad, pathetic entry about how bad I was feeling about not having decorated for Christmas yet, for not having mailed my cards, for not finishing the final exam I needed to write, for not doing the laundry, for not grading essays, and the list goes on. I felt so overwhelmed. I felt like a bad teacher, a bad wife, a bad housekeeper, a bad Mom, and the list goes on... I decided to quit moping and GET IT TOGETHER!!!!!!!!
Here's the good news:
1. I mailed the Christmas cards. (with Daren's help)
2. I did all the laundry.
3. I decorated the house and the tree. (with a little help from Claire)
4. I wrote my final exam. (with Stacy's help)
5. I graded about 120 of the 150 essays I need to grade. (Thanks to Daddy and Claire's trip to the zoo)
6. I went to the grocery store. I cooked dinner. (with Claire's help)
7. I spent good time with Claire and with Daren.
8. I even went out on Saturday night on a date with Daren to attend an old friend's wedding. (with Grandma and Pops' help)
Lesson learned- Ask for help when you need it.
What didn't I do? SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!
But, I am so happy that I alleviated big portions of my burdens. Thanks to Daddy, Grandma and Pops for helping me so I could grade and take care of things around the house. It takes a village...but I did it. Now, I can breathe.
Here's the good news:
1. I mailed the Christmas cards. (with Daren's help)
2. I did all the laundry.
3. I decorated the house and the tree. (with a little help from Claire)
4. I wrote my final exam. (with Stacy's help)
5. I graded about 120 of the 150 essays I need to grade. (Thanks to Daddy and Claire's trip to the zoo)
6. I went to the grocery store. I cooked dinner. (with Claire's help)
7. I spent good time with Claire and with Daren.
8. I even went out on Saturday night on a date with Daren to attend an old friend's wedding. (with Grandma and Pops' help)
Lesson learned- Ask for help when you need it.
What didn't I do? SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!
But, I am so happy that I alleviated big portions of my burdens. Thanks to Daddy, Grandma and Pops for helping me so I could grade and take care of things around the house. It takes a village...but I did it. Now, I can breathe.
A date with Daddy to the Austin Zoo
It's not San Diego. It's not San Antonio. But, Daddy says she loved it. She liked the pigs the best. Daddy liked the tiger. She now has a monkey stuffed animal that gives hugs. It has velcro hands and Claire loves to wrap it around our necks for hugs. Mommy had to drive around today with monkey wrapped around her neck. It is extra special since Claire's favorite book right now is one we read multiple times a day called "Hug" about a little baby monkey who wants a hug from his Mommy. So, we might not have the fanciest zoo in the world, but Claire had a special day with her Daddy.
"Ho Ho Ho and Crackers"
I am not sure if Claire really understands the true concept of Santa, but she does know what Santa says. She has also learned to say "Crackers" for Mommy's collection of nutcrackers.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
A little stress never hurt anyone...
I have a final exam to write. I have 150 essays to grade. (Did I mention that I actually have 2 sets of these...300 total!) I have at least 5 loads of laundry to do. I have a Christmas tree with lights on it but no ornaments. I did manage to put out the Santas that I collect and I put out my Nutcrackers. It is beginning to look a little like Christmas. I have a stack of beautiful Christmas cards waiting to be addressed, stamped, sealed and delivered. I have plenty of Christmas shopping left to do. And, I just can't seem to find the time or the energy to finish any of these things. I have a sick baby girl. She is not terribly ill. She only has a cold, according to the doctor. But she has a snotty nose at all times, a low fever, and a cough that keeps her up all night long which means Mommy is up all night long too. But, don't get me wrong. I love my snuggle time with Claire bear and I love being a comfort to her. It is an amazing thing to feel how quickly just a snuggle with Mommy can soothe her and that is enough for me. I just feel overwhelmed. I have so much to do and I think I am running on 3 hours of sleep each night for the past week and my child is NOT a newborn! :-) But I took this picture of Claire and it makes me happy. No matter how stressed, tired or overwhelmed I feel, she always slows me down. She puts things in perspective for me. What I love the most about watching and being with Claire is that everything is exciting and new. I had this experience with her just when I needed it. All I did was put a flower behind her ear and it was the greatest thing that ever happened to her, and I forgot for a moment about all my stress.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Happy Birthday to me!
Well, here it is...another birthday. 31. Pretty unimportant number. Prime number. It was a special weekend, though. It started with a hot date with my husband to Eddie V's and included a 3 hour trip to the spa...manicure, pedicure and facial. It was a lovely getaway! It was very relaxing for Mommy and now I am all beautified! Daren really does work hard to make all of my birthdays special and he did it again. I am a lucky girl. We ate our way through Eddie V's (and drank a bit too.) It was delicious. 
We then celebrated my birthday at Grandma's house with the Ferina family too! Mom always makes whatever homemade meal you want. So, I put her to work...chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad, and chocolate cake. Heart attack in one meal BUT possibly the BEST meal you will ever put in your mouth!! Grandma does it better than anyone I know!! Here is Claire bear and Grandma making my birthday cake. I think Claire is eating more than she is actually helping. Ha!!
And, a birthday wouldn't be complete without the fabulous birthday song! I love this because you can see my sweet nephews singing it up to me! Claire even tries a word or two. My personal favorite part, though, is when Grandma says "Who wants a piece of cake?" and Charlie answers in the background "Charlie!" and Chris answers "ME!" Love it...boys after their Aunt Camille's heart. They know a good chocolate cake when they see one.
We then celebrated my birthday at Grandma's house with the Ferina family too! Mom always makes whatever homemade meal you want. So, I put her to work...chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad, and chocolate cake. Heart attack in one meal BUT possibly the BEST meal you will ever put in your mouth!! Grandma does it better than anyone I know!! Here is Claire bear and Grandma making my birthday cake. I think Claire is eating more than she is actually helping. Ha!!
And, a birthday wouldn't be complete without the fabulous birthday song! I love this because you can see my sweet nephews singing it up to me! Claire even tries a word or two. My personal favorite part, though, is when Grandma says "Who wants a piece of cake?" and Charlie answers in the background "Charlie!" and Chris answers "ME!" Love it...boys after their Aunt Camille's heart. They know a good chocolate cake when they see one.Sunday, November 30, 2008
Turkey Day Top Ten List
We are very blessed. We ate a lot of turkey. We took a lot of pictures. We had a lot of fun playing outside and dancing to music inside. We love to spend time together as a family. In spite of all the struggles in the world, we have much to be thankful for in our lives. The picture of us below is not a good one of Mommy but I LOVE it of Claire! 
Top Ten List of 2008 T-DAY memories:
1. A friend of Pops' sent the grandkids a CD of classic children's songs. The catch is that each CD sang songs personalized to each grandkid. (Ex: "Chris, if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.") The kids held hands, danced and sang enjoying this special gift. Charlie squealed each time he heard his name, Chris stopped and froze when he heard his, and Claire clapped.
2. We went to the UT Co-Op for the big T-Day sale. Charlie got to be Colt McCoy and Claire loved the UT beanie hat. Chris had a lot of fun but spent most of the time snuggling up to his Daddy.
3. Claire and Mommy called Mimi, Papa and LaLa on T-Day. We practiced "What does a turkey say?" a thousand times before we called in hopes that she would say "Gobble, gobble." She did and we laughed.
4. We made what feels like 45 trips to the grocery store. Each time, we went with Pops. This last time, we pulled in to the parking lot of the store (without Pops) and Claire said repeatedly "Pops." This lasted a good 10-15 minutes until...SURPRISE!! Pops was at the store!!
5. Claire started saying "Catherine" but pronounces it a bit more like "Caffrin."
6. Grandma and Camille playing airplane with each of the grandkids while the ones waiting shout "more, more."
7. The kids putting stickers on their noses, laughing hysterically at themselves.
8. Claire's singing, even in her sleep. LOVE IT!
9. NO WORK!!!!!!!
10. UT beat A&M!!!!!!
Top Ten List of 2008 T-DAY memories:
1. A friend of Pops' sent the grandkids a CD of classic children's songs. The catch is that each CD sang songs personalized to each grandkid. (Ex: "Chris, if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.") The kids held hands, danced and sang enjoying this special gift. Charlie squealed each time he heard his name, Chris stopped and froze when he heard his, and Claire clapped.
2. We went to the UT Co-Op for the big T-Day sale. Charlie got to be Colt McCoy and Claire loved the UT beanie hat. Chris had a lot of fun but spent most of the time snuggling up to his Daddy.
3. Claire and Mommy called Mimi, Papa and LaLa on T-Day. We practiced "What does a turkey say?" a thousand times before we called in hopes that she would say "Gobble, gobble." She did and we laughed.
4. We made what feels like 45 trips to the grocery store. Each time, we went with Pops. This last time, we pulled in to the parking lot of the store (without Pops) and Claire said repeatedly "Pops." This lasted a good 10-15 minutes until...SURPRISE!! Pops was at the store!!
5. Claire started saying "Catherine" but pronounces it a bit more like "Caffrin."
6. Grandma and Camille playing airplane with each of the grandkids while the ones waiting shout "more, more."
7. The kids putting stickers on their noses, laughing hysterically at themselves.
8. Claire's singing, even in her sleep. LOVE IT!
9. NO WORK!!!!!!!
10. UT beat A&M!!!!!!
Claire's "ABC" Debut
PS- Don't worry...We don't let her out in public wearing that bow. It is from a perfume bottle, believe or not. But, Claire loves it!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Row row row your boat
She sings now! Here is the "Claire breakdown" of 'Row, row, row your boat':
Claire: Row, row, row...stream
Merr-ee, merr-ee, merr-ee...dream!
And, she repeats the song again! She loves to sing 'Row, row, row your boat.'
Monday, November 17, 2008
Babyspeak
This is Claire-speak at the beginning of her morning nap:
Puppy...eyes, nose, eyes, ears...CHIN!! (she screams CHIN!)
Happy, happy (We draw happy faces on her hands because she loves them so I assume she is looking at them)
Puppy
Ah-play (airplane)
Puppy...ah...puppy
Tis-tee (Christi. Claire and I had just gone to the store with Christi so I guess she was missing Tistee)
Eyes, nose
And then I start to hear the thumbsucking noises that I love so much and a quiet, whispered "puppy."
And the afternoon nap:
Ashes, ashes...DOWN!
Ashes, ashes...DOWN! (each time she says down, I hear a ker-plop...you get the idea)
Bay-bee, bay-bee
MMMMmmmm (kissing someone?! a puppy probably!)
Mommy, moooommmy (not wanting me...just talking about me)
Ashes, ashes...down! (whispers it this time)
Silence...
Puppy...eyes, nose, eyes, ears...CHIN!! (she screams CHIN!)
Happy, happy (We draw happy faces on her hands because she loves them so I assume she is looking at them)
Puppy
Ah-play (airplane)
Puppy...ah...puppy
Tis-tee (Christi. Claire and I had just gone to the store with Christi so I guess she was missing Tistee)
Eyes, nose
And then I start to hear the thumbsucking noises that I love so much and a quiet, whispered "puppy."
And the afternoon nap:
Ashes, ashes...DOWN!
Ashes, ashes...DOWN! (each time she says down, I hear a ker-plop...you get the idea)
Bay-bee, bay-bee
MMMMmmmm (kissing someone?! a puppy probably!)
Mommy, moooommmy (not wanting me...just talking about me)
Ashes, ashes...down! (whispers it this time)
Silence...
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Puppy love with Mommy
Claire loves her puppies. She sleeps with her puppies every night. We have to be sure to tell the puppies "ni-ni" and Claire has learned to tuck them in to bed with her. This has become part of our night routine...loving on the puppies and her baby, tucking them in to bed. They always end up on the floor by morning, but they are REALLY important at night. Sneak a peek at her telling Mommy about puppy's face and giving Mommy kisses. Aaaah...sweetest baby girl.
Sidenote: If you are wondering why she is sitting next to me rather than in my lap, it is because her independent streak kicked in. She wanted to sit like a bi-goo (big girl). Ha! Wonder where she gets that from?
Sunday, November 9, 2008
LOVES her friend
At school, there is a boy who Claire has been friends with since she was 6 months old. She lights up when she sees him and she talks about him at home. She LOVES him!!! His Mommy and I laugh about it all the time. On Friday, Claire's teacher told us that they kissed on the playground. Uh-oh...
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