Almost Naked

Well she did it. She figured out how to get her jammies off. I walked in to get her this morning and there she was in all her glory (and diaper – thank goodness!) waiting for me. No pj’s or socks. They were on the floor outside the crib. She was so proud. I just hope she doesn’t start working on her diapers . . .

Snow Bear

It snowed again! Mike and I were talking and neither one of us really have many snowy memories as kids and especially not this much and twice in one winter. I’m sure our memories are failing to some extent but I still know this is not the norm – ice on the other hand is another story.

So first thing first – I got a pic of house before anyone walked through the yard!

And here she is, our little snow bear in the snow for the first time.

Taking a closer look or perhaps the snow is a little deep.

Taking advantage of Daddy’s helping hand.
So sweet!

Look at what I have.

Tastes funny.

Mommy and our little snow bear with the big hood.

Daddy and our little snow bear.

Hazel just loved the snow. She was so fast playing monster with Daddy. Claire thought Hazel was so funny running around in the snow.

Hazel trying to catch/eat more snowballs.

Claire enjoying some post snow play juice.

Socks . . . the new frontier

Claire has been working on mastering a few clothing skills. She can put on her hat, unzip anything, take off her jacket and get it half way back on and of course take off her shoes and socks in seconds flat. She is now trying really hard to get her socks on. 
 

Getting the sock ready.

Getting her toes in.

  Frustration sets in.

And she notices the camera.

Just call her Hoops Hassler

For Christmas, Cousin Thor got Claire a bathtub basketball hoop. Auntie Alison & Thor were over last night so we had the inaugural game.

Score!

No, Hazel doesn’t normally drink out of the duck tub, there were four humans and a dog in the bathroom and all the humans were watching the game.

Let’s see if the duck works.

Huh, two can’t go in at the same time . . .

Obviously pleased with her handiwork. Balancing a duck AND a ball on the rim isn’t easy.

Claire’s high score for the evening – she reset it a few times so she made a lot more baskets than this – she really loved this thing.

Things we learned that night -

- Claire can dunk.
- Claire rarely misses.
- Ducks are excellent rebounders.
- Dunking a duck counts as two points too.
- The dog takes liberties when company is around (alright, we already knew that).

The Goodie Boil

Round ‘em up and do-si-do where they’ll land, nobody knows . . .

Over the last year and a half, a new sport at our house happens a few times a week. It is known as “The Goodie Boil.”

First you have to hunt them down and capture them in their natural environment.

Then you have to callously throw them into a pot of boiling water for a at least ten minutes until they are good and done.

Then they must cool a MINIMUM of five minutes before they can be served.

Goodie Served.

Hope

We saw a glimmer of hope tonight after Claire’s bath . . .

 

More Curls!

Now she just needs to work on growing More Hair.

Oh the Things She Can Do

With the New Year I thought I should list the new things Claire has added to her repertoire.

She can –

Put on her hat.
Tries to put on her vest – can get one arm in.
Tries to put on her shoes and socks.

Says –
Mama
Daddy
Hi
Book
Block
Baby
Dolly
No (shakes her head no too)
Doggie for Hazel and anytime she hears dogs barking.
And tonight tried to say milk

Words she we think are probably there but sound like a chimpanzee –
Puzzle
Please
Grandma/Grammy
Grandpa/Gramps
Down/Out

Signs – more, eat/hungry, milk, and drink, goodie.

She is also learning to say Mama to get my attention and use words to ask for things.

Plays tea party and pours the tea and drinks from the cup. Tries to pour tea in any cup close by. Play eats the cakes.

For her babies she feeds them, gives them something to drink and her goodie all while making the sound effects. Oh, and wipes their faces and has them kiss each other.

Wipes her face.

Feeds herself with a spoon or fork (when filled by Mommy – tries on her own but usually unsuccessful)

Tries to open doors.

Takes things out of cabinets and can put them back where she got them.

Pets and loves on Hazel

Knows these body parts – head, ears, eyes, mouth, nose, teeth, belly, hands, fingers, feet, and toes.

Very good about bringing things to Mommy or Daddy when asked.

Stacks her blocks six high (that is all we have)

Put her entire 15 piece puzzle together last night in less than 5 minutes. I only helped very minimally with getting the pieces in the holes, no help with the matching.

Oh and this is her latest trick for attention . . .

Double fisted - and you don’t want to know what she does next . . .

Note to Claire – be a good girl or this one will go in you Senior yearbook.

These Boots Were Made for Walkin’ . . .

I took some pictures of Claire in her new boot slippers the other day to post so Auntie Lance and Uncle Beth could see. I’m afraid the “Daisy Duke’s” will have to wait for warmer days . . .

They seemed to be good for wranglin’ yarn . . .

And babies.

Today I took some more pictures because I was surprised how well the pink camo really went with her outfit.

Then I just took some shots of every day occurrences.

Wranglin’ the pillow.

Loving the pillow.

“Putting her little head down” on the pillow.
   

Haulin’ around the pillow some more.

Assuming the position.  

Being sweet.

Being even sweeter.

Too Cute Not to Share

This little number (outfit) is thanks to Uncle Gene. Many of you have a copy of this pic already but I thought it needed to be posted so it will be in her baby book (if I ever get it printed).

Fish Heads Fish Heads

Roly poly fish heads . . .

Ok, so Auntie Alison worked really hard and to make Claire and Thor fish hats. And Claire didn’t really appreciate the hard work – at first.

 

Until today . . . she actually asked to put it on and wore it around for quite a while.

Rearview

Side view with monkey sock feet.

 
Claire doing her fish impression.

Mommy even has a cute ear warmer that matches!

The fish eyes are coming soon.

Likes Beans

Mike has some concerns that there may have been a mix-up at the hospital . . .

because Claire appears to like beans

A LOT

For those of you who may not know, Mike does not like beans. AT ALL.

You Blockhead

Claire doing her Charlie Brown impression.

Hello In There

Claire likes to look through (and give it kisses) the sliding glass door at Auntie Alison’s house  that separates the kitchen from the dining room. She finally caught it on film.

 
Such a cutie!

Happy New Year’s!

Welcome 2010. We hope this year is a better than the last. We had our Christmas dinner on New Year’s because of the White Christmas. Roast beast was on the menu (prime rib) with potatoes, green beans, rolls and of course black eyed peas (for good luck).

After dinner we opened the BIG CRACKER Grammy got us. It was really big and had enough toys for six people!    

Here we are checking out our loot and putting on our crowns. (well, some of us, party poopers)  

The one shot Auntie Alison could get before Claire ripped off her crown for the umpteenth time.

Mommy tying the balloon. Who in this picture doesn’t like balloons? (and the kicker was, it just popped in mid air later on for no apparent reason, I guess the poltergeist in Alison’s house didn’t like it.)

Claire checking out Mommy’s horn.

And Daddy’s.

 
Enjoying the concert.

 
And Mommy’s always ends up leaning to one side or the other.

Gramps was in the other chair but didn’t make it into any of the pictures. He was tooting his own horn the whole time, providing entertainment. And Auntie Alison was gracious enough to take the pics!