Lazy Weekends

Aren't they the best?

Adventures

Clara has enjoyed some new adventures the last few weekends. Last week, she stayed the night at Grandma & Grandpa Daniels' for the first time! Brad and I had to work at an event Friday night and I thought that since it was going to be late before we picked her up, maybe Clara should just stay the night! When I mentioned it to Brad, I think his exact quote was "Don't tease me" as he gets up with her the most for pacifier replacement in the middle of the night.

She looks really upset we are leaving..

We enjoyed a date night and even stayed out late (midnight for us these days!). Grandma is too nice and refused to complain about any middle of the night wake-ups. We slept through the night for the first time in 7 months and woke up refreshed and excited to go pick her up! I think there will be more sleepovers in Clara's future..

This past weekend, Clara joined me on a girls weekend road trip to Missouri! For the most part, she did great in the car for the 10 hours total. Played, took some naps and even ate on the go!

She let us know she was DONE WITH HER CARSEAT about the last hour on the way home (sorry Emmie!). She enjoyed meeting all the Meyerkorth kiddos and watching the action from my lap most of the weekend. She was excited to be the only little one that got to go with us out to eat on Saturday night :-) 

We've learned a bunch of time already that when we are worried about taking Clara somewhere or stretching her patience she usually does great. She's a pretty flexible little baby!

Six almost Seven

I've been meaning to write a post celebrating Clara's 6 month birthday for a few weeks..long enough she is almost 7 months old already! She's been up to all sorts of fun and new things. She's a happy girl and a pretty darn easy baby.

She's started eating a few solids. Avocado and sweet potato are her favorites so far. 

She's also talking/yelling all the time. In fact, her daycare ladies tell us almost every day how much she "sings". For a little girl, she's got some lungs. 

She's gotten really social, and we spend our evenings playing on the floor playing with toys, reading books and her favorite daddy/Clara activity - looking in the mirror. 

She's starting to roll a lot more and enjoys sitting in her Bumbo chair. She loves any toy we give her - she'll grab it, examine it seriously and then try and eat it! It's amazing how big of toys she thinks should fit in her mouth!

It feels like she is changing really quickly right now. Starting to get a mind of her own and let's us know when we do something (like take something away) that is not acceptable to her. You can tell she's trying to figure out how to get moving - there are too many fun things to go get! She also gets excited when one of us walks in the room - it sure makes a mom or dad feel good :-)

This is such a fun stage!

Ladies' Night

Not what you were thinking?

Christmas 2011

We had a busy, fun filled Christmas. Clara was the star of the show as expected! It was great to have a couple extra days off of work and time to celebrate and be with family. We started Friday with a "Girls Day". While the guys worked, Clara and I hung out at my parents and helped cook a little bit. Clara got lots of quality time with her aunt Amy. Later that night we had our traditional Elf viewing for the season - Clara likes it already :)

Showing off her Christmas socks (thanks Sage!)

Christmas Eve morning we got up and had our little family Christmas. We made some pancakes and opened a few gifts. Clara got her own little nativity set to play with in future years.

Showing off her big girl skills in the high chair

We spent Christmas Eve with Brad's family. It was fun to see Clara with her cousin who is a few months older and think about how much fun they'll have in future years. Clara kept us on our toes at church (we were those parents) and did a great staying up late to open presents. 

Happy in her Christmas sweater

They love their aunt Stephanie

Christmas morning we got up and went over to the Daniels' house. We opened gifts, had a delicious prime rib lunch and a few relaxing naps. 

Look at these amazing spoons!

Grandpa is the best!

Clara has all sorts of new fun toys to play with and we are so thankful for our generous family. It's amazing how having a baby really helps mark the passage of time. You start to think about what they'll be like next Christmas and how fast the year will go! 

We ended our celebrations with a visit from grandpa Jerry from Texas. He and Steph watched Clara for a few days while her daycare was closed after Christmas. They sure seem like they had fun!

Christmas Card Outtakes

We had good intentions to send out a Christmas card this year. They are way more fun when you have a cute baby to include rather than another Brad and Mollie picture. However, after a few attempts, I'm not sure Clara agrees. I thought these were too funny not to share!

I like to talk too much to stop to smile.

Daddy is way more fun to look at then the camera.

Bad angle mommy.

Happy but won't hold still..

Alright guys..I'm really done.

Our best attempt!

We will see if we actually get a card sent out this year!!

Four Months

I know we'll be saying this the rest of our lives, but I can't believe how fast Clara's first four months have gone. She is such a happy baby and we say a lot that this parenting thing is even better than we expected.

We took Clara to her four month check-up on Monday and her doctor said she looks great. She's still a tiny one at just under 10 pounds, but healthy and thriving.

She looks a little concerned here.

 

At four months, Clara loves to play on her playmat and have someone talk to her. I often catch her looking up at me smiling if I get distracted and look a way. She is starting to grab at toys hanging in front of her and when we put them near her.  

Just the last few days, she has started to roll from side to side looking for things. Not quite rolling over yet, but you can tell she's trying to figure out how to get everything coordinated. Clara is still not a snuggler - unless its bedtime, she likes to be spread out on the floor playing. She is starting to like sit on our laps and read books or just hang out for a little bit.

We love her little curl on the top of her head!

She had her first cold last week, and quickly got used to sleeping in her swing so she could breathe better upright. We need to find a night where we don't care if we get any sleep to break her of that habit :-)

We are all adjusting fairly well to me being back at work. The days go so fast, but I always feel like I could use a little more time with her in the evenings. I'm already looking forward to a couple days off over the holidays!