not a Christmas post...

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!

-G.

Merry Christmas!

my apologies if you're on our card list and I haven't mailed yours out yet... I'll leave the back a surprise for you :)

reading is FUNdamental

true things about december:

1. I have taken almost no pictures of Clara, and consequently haven't blogged much. new year's resolution fodder?

2. people keep coming over and reading to Clara, and she loves it! see?



with scott's dad



with my dad

with my friend pamela 



anyway, hope everyone is having a great Christmas weekend! promise more pics soon.

xoxo, G

busy, happy days

are my (non-family) readers still here?! sorry I have been so slack on posting.  some more quickie updates...

Clara and Dada have chik-fil-a every week after music class.  she loves her deconstructed grilled chicken sandwich :)

these little curls kill me. so precious.

my mom is including this pic with her Christmas cards. happy girl :)

being sneaky

I love the next two. these were Thanksgiving pics I forgot to include in my Thanksgiving post. so independent in the airport.

Clara has learned how to do SO MUCH in the last couple of weeks:

• stacking blocks
• nesting objects
• putting her cup back in the cupholder in the highchair tray
• sharing toys with us
• initiates peek-a-boo
• waves bye-bye reliably
• understands how to work (and loves) peek-a-boo books

other randoms:

party-planning is in full-swing for her retro rock-and-roll party in late January.

we got her a nice drum (Remo Kids) and some baby-safe art supplies for Christmas. surprisingly, she hasn't bothered our tree at all.

as soon as I post this, I'm going over to the Breastfeeding page to do an update, so check that out if you're interested.

have a great week!

Ginger



better late than never...

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 :)

-G