The Best Thing About Daughters....

Matching outfits!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've Been Tagged

My sister Jennifer tagged me on her blog. Apparently I'm supposed to tell seven things about myself and tag seven other people. I'm game for telling seven things about myself (I've always loved to talk about myself!), but I don't think there are seven people who read my blog! Ha!!! So, if you read this, consider yourself tagged! Hee!!!! Just let me know you participated in the comments.

* I love to dance...couples dance, not "shake your groove thing" dance. I especially love the country dance the two-step. I may have been influenced by my time in Nashville and Houston. Fortunately I married a sweet man who either enjoys it as well or loves me enough to pretend to enjoy it. He actually agreed to dance lessons before our wedding and didn't fight going back after our instructor made him pretend to sway like a tree in the wind during our first lesson. (an exercise to feel your body moving) Ha!!! I laugh just thinking about it!!!

*I feel very blessed to be able to stay at home with my children although it's only recently that I came to value motherhood as a worthy occupation....no pun intended. After I finished graduate school I seriously considered pursuing either medical school or a PhD in order to have a more glamorous career. I'm so glad that I listened to God's whisperings that those pursuits were not His plan for me. I doubt I would have felt free to abandon a career after investing so many more years (and debt). I do hope to return to work one day, but no time soon.

*I love to snow ski. It's the only sport at which I'm not completely pitiful. In my ideal world, I would take a December and March ski trip to CO, UT, etc every year.

*I'm currently praying for God to bless me with deeper, more intimate friendships. I've struggled with knowing how to balance friends and family ever since I got married, but I know that female friendships are extremely valuable.

*It's yet to be decided if Claire will be our youngest child or our middle child.

*There was a time in my childhood when I collected toe nails. I kept them in a clear plastic rectangular box. One of my aunts actually saved hers and brought them to me to add to the collection. Gross!!!!!!!!! I'm happy to report that my toe nail collection was somehow lost through the years, and I now feel completely free to promptly dispose of my trimmings!

*A cold glass of Coca-Cola fizzing over ice is a little slice of heaven.

Two Months Old

Claire's growing, changing, and learning every day. Oh the difference a month can make. She's much more social and interactive. Here are a few of her milestones for the month:

She found her hands...(didn't know they were ever lost!)

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Inconsitently sleeping through the night...YAHOO!!

Smiles socially and coos in response to interaction.

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Raises her head and chest off the floor when she's on her tummy and elbows.

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Looks for voices that she hears.

Family Dinners

With each passing day, Claire becomes a little more integrated into our family life. (At first, she seemed to be more of a shocking interuption to it!!!) Tonight she joined us at the table for dinner instead of sitting in the corner in her bouncy seat. It was adorable. Claire stared at Lydia through most of dinner, and Lydia oriented Claire to the meal, e.g. holding hands during the blessing. It was so cute to see Claire looking around at her family and giving us the occasional smile. She didn't seem to be such a big fan of the casserole though.

Elephant Stampede

Thankfully the elephants in the circus animal walk were very well behaved today! Lydia really enjoyed seeing them, but she was also a bit intimated. I have to admit, I had a brief moment of thinking that standing that close to animals that large was really not a great idea.
Lydia waited very patiently for the elephants and horses. She also thought she was going to see lions going down the street. Personally, I was glad the lions did not participate in today's parade.
This picture of Claire was actually taken four days ago. She rode with us to see the parade this morning, but she prefered to stay in the van while Lydia and I got out for the festivities!!!

Pilates for Preschoolers

I feel like a real mom today. First, I adventured out into the world of grocery shopping with multiple children. Yes, I used the HUGE car-looking grocery cart that is so long it's impossible to maneuver a u-turn in the grocery aisle. Lydia "drove" the car, and Claire sat in her infant carrier as it balanced across the top of the basket...probably not a position endorsed by Safe Kids. Lydia whined and cried through most of the grocery store because I bought yogurt. "No yogurt Mommy. Yogurt back." She loves yogurt, so please feel free to explain why it's so repulsive today. When it was time to check out, I pretty much had to stand on my head to twist around the cart to get the groceries out from under Claire. I have turned into the lady everyone avoids getting in line behind!!!

This afternoon my children have taken turns napping. Why consolidate efforts and have everyone nap at once??? That would be far too peaceful! So, Lydia was already awake when I decided to try my Pilates exercise video. I don't think I got the full benefit of the routine with Lydia sitting on my stomach and Sallie biting my hands and licking my face. There's probably a lot of money to be made on exercise videos that incorporate little helpers. Any ideas?

Crazy Life

While I was on the computer, I looked over to see Lydia putting the stethoscope on Claire so that Claire could listen to her heartbeat. A good mother would probably rescue her baby from her preschooler. I chose to take a picture.

The days are getting a little more predictable around here. Claire has been sleeping for 5 and 6 hour stretches at night and has a fairly predictable routine in the mornings. The late afternoon is still a difficult time for Claire, but we're surviving. All in all, we have a lot to be thankful for.