Halloween

Claire was a fairy for Halloween. She wore her costume well. She was most excited to see other kids who rang our doorbell. She could not believe that kids were coming to her house dressed up! She had a blast!

Miami and the Keys: Oct 17-26

I had a conference to attend in Miami, and Claire and Sam went with me. The plan was to go down the the Keys after the conference for the rest of the week. We left Nashville on Saturday the 17th. Saturday was mostly a travel day, but we did eat lunch in South Beach and ate dinner at Bubba Gump with the Corns. Sunday we went to the zoo with Kristen, John Michael, Addie, and Landon Corn. The zoo was awesome! They had more animals than I have ever seen at one zoo. Sunday night Claire got sick and felt yucky all Monday. On Monday, Scott (Sam's good friend) drove down from Ft. Lauderdale to hang out. We ate dinner together at this Italian restaurant (with a Roman soldier). It was by far the best Italian I have had in a long time. Claire felt a lot better on Tuesday so Sam and I (along with the Corns) went to South Beach to walk on the beach. Wednesday Claire got sick again, so we took our time checking out after my conference ended. We also took our time getting to the Keys. Claire got sick in the car on the way down to the Keys, so we stopped at Marathon Key and got a motel. The motel was old-school keys. We ate a a nice beachy restaurant and walked a little that night. On Thursday we drove down to Key West. Claire seemed to feel better so we walked around the town and watched the sunset. I received sad news that a co-worker and firefighter died in a car accident while transporting a patient on Thursday night. It was tragic. I chose the hotel in Key West and it was awesome. It was called the Southernmost Hotel on the Beach. It had a private beach (apparently tops were not required) and great rooms! We left Friday afternoon to travel back to Ft. Lauderdale so we would have an easier time Saturday getting to the airport. We stayed in one of those week long suites and our room was bigger than my first apartment. Claire started eating again. The whole week we had been giving her water by the dropper and crackers. On Friday night she actually ate a meal and kept it down. The plane ride was rough at first. She wailed the first 30 minutes, bu then she slept pretty much the rest of the way!

Sunday Claire broke out in a rash all over her body, so I took her to the doctor. We talked about how sick she was over the past week. The doctor recommended no milk products and benedryl. Sam left for California Monday morning. Claire had her 15 month check-up on Tuesday. She weighed 21 pounds. Dr. Couden took blood (that was horrible to watch-they took it out of her arm and she was in so much pain) to check for allergies. The test came back stating she was not allergic to anything. She has continued to break out in hives, but the Dr believes it is probably due to the stomach virus she had.

Hot Dog!!!

We visited Johnson City this past weekend. Claire played with Taylor and Andrew and this time she was able to keep up! While visiting Scharee, Nanny and Pa we were discussing what Claire eats and I was telling them that she loves hotdogs when out of now where Claire says "hotdog." It was awesome! We all just looked at each other and asked "did she just say 'hotdog'?" Mom kept Claire while Sam and I golfed, which was nice. Claire liked to show everyone where her nose, eyes and ears are. That was cute.

I forgot to post that my Mom and Dad sent Claire a rocking chair that is so cute. Claire likes to sit in it, but she likes to push it even more. Thanks Mom and Dad!

On the way back home we stopped at Sheena's for a Welcome Home Party for Joey. We had a great time visiting and Claire was a trooper.

Unfortunately, on Monday morning, Claire's breakfast did not sit well with her and she got sick in the car. Once that happened, though, she was great for the rest of the day. Her teacher told us that there is a song that they sing at school that tells you what to do during the song and that Claire listens to it, does the moves and just dances along! She said it is adorable. I can't wait to see that!

Claire is teething again. She has two new teeth coming in up top and one on the bottom. She is biting kids at school and she is biting me and Sam. She even bit my BlackBerry tonight. I hope those teeth come in soon!

Claire is doing well with her crayons and with coloring. She still sometimes likes to eat them, but she is learning.

I love her a little more everyday. I am not sure how that works because I think that I love her as much and I can, but somehow I find a way to love her just a little more!

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.