New words, new illnesses

Claire is saying "no-no" alot -- really about anything. She is also saying "mo-mo' for elmo and has said "maw-maw" once or twice. I have heard her start to say "ma-ma" but not as much as I would like. Her left top front tooth is all the way in (#3) and her other top front tooth is working its way in.

Claire woke in Monday night with a fever and she and I stayed up a few hours and watched TV. There are really weird kids shows on after midnight. Her fever only got worse though the night and a rash broke out over her body. I took her to the doctor and she was tested for the flu, which was negative. The cause of neither the fever nor the rash was ever determined, but she it all got better relatively quickly.

Claire really likes to hold hands and lead us around the house. She is so awesome. She learns new things everyday. She also likes to get inside a small box with some of her treasures (books, Big Bird, a fork) and sit there and read. She knows where her milk is (refrigerator) and she will stand at the fridge and talk about it. She likes to brush her teeth herself, she is pretty good with that. When she gets bored Claire shakes the handles on the kitchen drawers, which are baby-proofed! She does not have any new favorite foods, but if you are eating she wants to at least try it.

Atlanta

We went to Altanta last weekend to visit family. Uncle Drew has signed up to be a chaplain in the military and the visit was mostly to say "bye" to him. He was to report to basic training in SC on Saturday. Once he graduates in December, he has 2 weeks to get himself, Sarah and Alex to Alaska!! Maybe we can visit them in Alaska! Another great thing about our visit was that we got to celebrate Sheffield's 7th birthday. We went to Funopolis, which has arcade games, putt-putt, bumper cars, go-karts, etc. Claire, Alex and Susan play in the inflatables, and they had a great time! We got to visit with Bobo, Papa, Sheffield, Susan, Kay, Shane, Alex, Sarah and Drew.

Sheffield loves Claire and he is so great with her. Claire was so tired after the birthday party, long night and long day with family that she slept from the moment she got in the car at Mimi's Cafe at 6:30 until 6:30 am when she woke up in her own bed!

Communicating and lots of other stuff!

So far, Claire can say "da-ya" for "daddy", "oh-oh" for "uh-oh", "dog", "ni-ni" for "night night" (she does this as she takes you by the hand directly to her crib). She is still signing, too. When she gets tired at night she will take me by the hand, walk me to the changing table, lay down for her change, and take me by the hand and walk me to her crib. It is so cute.

Sam and I took Claire to Pinkerton Park today. She climbed the baby slide and went down by herself. She loved it. She saw a baby and went right over to it and patted its head. The mom said that Claire was very gentle. I, on the otherhand, have been able to watch her interact with Pippin. She pets her very hard and tries to pick her up. She also lays her head on Pippin and "loves" on her.

Yesterday we went to Portrait Innovations for our first professional photo shoot. We got a family photo and several great photos of Claire.

Claire still has a cough and is on antibiotics again. She had her first chest x-ray last Friday. She was a trooper!

Claire seems to really like her new "school" and teacher. Last week she learned about faces. She is making some beautiful art, too.

Claire loves to ride in her "Pooh car" that Mamaw and Papaw got her for her birthday. She can ride in that forever! She also likes to climb on the chairs that Bobo and Papa got her for her birthday. Unfortunately she likes to stand in the chairs. When we were at the doctor's office last week a mom who was watching Claire turned to me and said " you know you have a climber when you have one." She is so right. So far, Claire loves to climb. The higher the better!

A few weeks ago Claire had her first real bleed. She was getting a bath and her dad was watching her. She stood up and her lower teeth bit into her upper gums. I have never seen her bleed so much. At first I had no idea what had happened and I have never been so scared.

Claire likes to hold the phone to her ears and "talks" to it. She actually rolls her tongue when she is pretending to talk on the phone or when she is talking to her dolls.

Claire has eaten hotdogs and so far seems to like them. She really likes sorbet and Nutella. She loves her milk, her "ding-ding." She also tried fruit tea and really liked that. Claire and her daddy like to eat hamburger helper on nights when I have to work late. She eats pancakes in the morning and, of course, loves her "nana." She does not like cream corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, sausage.

New School, Baby Dolls and Signs

This week Claire started her new daycare. She is enrolled at PB&J Day School, but because the building is new and not ready we are going to the owner's home. Her teacher is Mrs. Jennifer. On day one, however,she started coughing in the car and threw up everywhere! Claire and I had to go home and clean up. Once I got her in the bathtub, she pooped! It was a messy morning!!

This week at school she learned about balls. She made art by rolling ping pong balls dipped in paint on paper and by throwing balls with paint on them on paper. For snack this week she ate green peas (balls). Claire played in the water but one day she apparently was not done playing in the water and when she was brought in she threw a fit! Mrs. Jennifer said that Claire lets you know when she does not like something. Mrs. Jennifer also wanted to let us know that Claire has a little temper:) Claire seems to really like Mrs. Jennifer.

This week Claire has also started signing. She signs for "eat", "more" and "milk."

Claire also plays with her dolls like a real baby. She has a stuffed bottle that she puts to the mouth of her baby doll. It is so cute. I can't believe how the maternal side kicks in so early.

New Words and New Park

Last night Claire slept through the night for the first time in weeks. Her too teeth are really trying to come in and on has broken through. I hope they come in soon. She has been suffering with them for weeks!

Claire is saying "ca" for cat, "da" for daddy, and "mama" for mommy. She has said "clap" but only once and says "ging" for drink. She can hand-sign for "more" and of course has no problem communicating "no"!!!

She loves to pretend that she is going to give you her food and then jerk it away and put it in her mouth. She cracks me up!

We went to a new church today, Christ Community Church. Claire seemed to have fun in the nursery. We went to Liberty Park today to play Disc Golf. Claire was a trooper! We let her play on the playground after the golf and she loved that!

I hope that tomorrow goes well when she starts her new school!

Using a Spoon!!!

Claire used a spoon for the first time today. I had to put food on the spoon but she would take it and put it in her mouth! I am so proud of her!

Last day at Pembroke!

Today was Claire's last day at her first daycare, Pembroke Preparatory School. I know that Claire will miss Ms. Laura and Ms. Alison, but it is time to move on. She starts PB&J Dayschool on Monday. The school is not open yet, so she will be in a private class taught by the owners. I hope she likes it!