I still have over half of our holiday cards to send out! So, I'm nowhere near getting Christmas blog post(s) ready, but here are some photos from our wonderfully low-key Christmas Eve :-)
loving my blocks from nana
me and my namesake, Clara Stiff
dada is tall!
cozy family walk
(LOVE the Ergo we got recently)
I bought myself a flash for the camera for Christmas (just a low-level speedlite) and love it. Makes inside pics so much sharper.
Anyway, will be back soon with more. Happy New Year!
So it's taken me an inordinate amount of time to post about our whirlwind Thanksgiving trip to see Scott's family... Here's the skinny:
The plane ride there: We brought books, snacks, a small new toy, and a bottle in case Clara was too distracted to latch (supposed to nurse or give a bottle on the way up and down for their ears). It was easy as pie. We decided that we indeed have the perfect child, furthering our resolve to never risk it with another.
The plane ride back: In the first five minutes, Clara was screaming, arching, and turning purple. I was so averse to drugging her this time, but next time we may seriously consider Benadryl.
Clara met numerous aunts and uncles for the first time. She was generally scared of them. It appears that she doesn't mind crowds at all, but doesn't want any stranger up in her face, in any environment. I think this is fairly common for her age and developmental stage.
I was swabbed for explosives at both airports. Apparently they always swab parents who are carrying a baby on their lab. In Jackson, but not Orlando, they did the vapor test on the breastmilk we had with us. None of this was a big deal at all, thank goodness.
We used the Ergo carrier in the airport instead of a stroller and that was great (freed up our hands). Button-down shirts were ideal travel attire for the nursing mama.
Clara slept in a pack and play for the first time. She slept about 2 hours less per night than she does at home and her naps were generally shorter. We put the pack and play in a walk-in closet so it would be as dark and quiet as her room at home. Scott kept calling her "Clara Potter" (like Harry Potter in his cupboard).
heading out!
this lady is like "please don't let the baby be on my plane"
the first of many unhappy moments in the rental carseat
this doggie gave me kisses. loved it!
my cousins showed me the ropes on their old toys they gave me :)
mama's favorite picture EVER
sassy and proud
mmmmm Auntie Jane's Thanksgiving meal
meeting the fabled Auntie Jane!
thanks for the cool monkey Uncle Bob!
Happy extremely belated Thanksgiving to everyone! Will be back soon with some videos :)
Clara has music and swim lessons every week, and has been invited to birthday parties the last three weekends. At 9.5 months, her social calendar is much fuller than her parents'. Ha. Here are some pics from last weekend's adventures, and a couple more pics I'm just behind on posting.
heading out to vote with mama and dada. go dems!
(I kind of prefer this in b&w)
toys are boring.
taking mama's pj pants out of the drawer is awesome.
so independent in my new booster seat
at my buddy phoebe's party. this kitty?dog? bunny is huge!
just watch me phoebe. I have pets at home. I know what to do.
um this isn't soft and furry
George Clooney may think pot-bellied pigs are cool but I find them slightly creepy
cool babies have tattoos
chillin' in the dog-poop-free yard at grandpom's house
uncle jeremy.... when will you learn, even with super fun pine straw to distract me,
I will never let your tower of cups stand.
clara (and dada) received this hilarious report card from swimming a couple of weeks ago:
I love that the only two options are "yes" and "improving." ha ha.
things have been hectic and we're behind on picture taking. it's hard to get good pictures of an almost-toddler, as she's always in motion.
best photo op of the week - passed out in the car after music class (still clutching a drumstick)
some random updates:
she finally says mama! still doesn't know what mama or dada mean, though.
she is suddenly, totally obsessed with books. favorites include: little bee (a finger puppet book), squishy turtle and friends, clifford's first halloween, fuzzy bee and friends, and the very hungry caterpillar. she has a strange aversion to dr. seuss' ABCs (one of scott's childhood faves).
she loves the sound of fallen oak leaves crinkling underfoot.
she doesn't understand daylight saving's time and is therefore waking up at 5 am now (at least I get to spend more time with her before work?).
she's perfectly capable of holding her own bottle but would much rather you do it.
current nicknames include: miss booga, baby bizzle, little biscuit.
thanks for visiting our blog and we hope you have a great week :)
I didn't buy Clara a costume since she goes to bed so early - too early to trick or treat - and we didn't have any other Halloween plans. Of course this horrified everyone else, so my mom got her a pumpkin tracksuit (sorry mom, no pics, but it was cute!) and my friend Pamela got her some fairy wings and a pink tutu. Behold, our sassy fairy/kitty/princess:
Our sweet girl turned 9 months old today, and celebrated with kindermusik and chik-fil-a [deconstructed grilled chicken sandwich] with dada :)
She is such a blast these days. Eating everything in sight, even weird stuff like feta, pesto and balsamic vinegar. Very close to walking. Still only saying dada (all the time... see below). Playing independently, which makes me both proud and sad - my baby is almost a toddler.
She now loves to sit in your lap and read books, especially Baby Einstein "Violet Sees - Birds and Nests." Her favorite toys range from a silver rattle, which she drags all over the house, to the Wii controllers/TV remote, to her stuffed Clifford.
I can entertain myself now, Mommy
Her first two teeth came through (together) about a week ago. It was no big deal other than her having a bad runny nose. She goes to the doctor in a couple of weeks for her 9-month checkup and I'll update with her stats then. She's wearing 12-18 months in Carter's and size 3 Pampers.
check out my chompers
She's just figured out how to take off loose pants when she's tired of being in her crib (a hilarious rebellion), and won't tolerate socks. She's learning how to "pet not pull" the pets' fur, and reportedly is now "petting" other babies' hair in her music class.
Finally, Grandma Swafford has requested some videos of Clara's vocalizations, so here you go :)
Clara is about to turn 9 months old and is doing all kinds of awesome stuff (and has two teeth!)... I'll do a substantive update later this week. For now, hope you enjoy these recent pics :)
blocks, toy car? no thanks.
I'd rather play with my carrier's strap.
why don't you get lost Mommy so I can pull this lamp down?
who, me?
Daddy they are having some good sales on milk and toys today...
