Claire's First Solids!

I can hardly believe it, but Claire is almost 6 months old so we just introduced her to the exciting world of solid foods! She loves her rice cereal and whines in between bites because I'm not quite quick enough with the next spoon full for her. She started this funny thing with her tongue since she began eating solids where she thrusts it in & out of her mouth like a little lizard. I think she just realized she has a tongue! It's so neat to see her discover and explore things for the first time!

Needless to say, Sophie is VERY interested in Claire's food! She is really good though and as tempting as it probably is for her to lick Claire's messy face she responds well to my "NO LICKS" command. Sophie's a good girl!

Claire is trying to grab the camera in this picture. She wants everything, especially electronics like the remote, the phone, the camera!

Here is the funny tongue picture!

GO BUCKEYES!

Go BUCKS... beat those Gators! We can't wait to watch the big game tonight for the National Championship! We really want our cousin Ben to win a Nat'l Championship ring so we can see it up close & personal! (Thanks Grammy & Grandpa for the OSU outfit & blanket!!!).

Go Bucks and Go #63!!!

A Mixture????

My grandma brought this picture with her to our New Year's celebration because she thought Claire looked so much like me. I was 3 months old in the picture. We got the other picture from Ben's mom, he is around 7 months old. I am comparing it to one of Claire's 3 month pics. I think she is a mixture of us, but more Ben than me! What do you think?????

A couple more pictures of me (in yellow) & Ben (in red) as babies!

Generation Pictures

We took some generation pictures on New Year's Eve. The four generation pictures are with my Grandma McDowell, my dad, me and Claire.

Cousin Lauren & Claire cuddling! (To all my NICU friends... Lauren was a 28 weeker in the MVH NICU 8 years ago. You'd never be able to tell!!). Claire loves her older cousins. Lauren & Jillian are the only ones that have been successful at making Claire giggle non-stop for about ten minutes. They were the cutest belly laughs. I try all the time, but I guess mommies just aren't that funny. She just looks at me like I am crazy. I'm sure those looks have only just begun!!

Claire getting a big smooch from her Nuna!

My mom and dad with their 5 grandchildren!

Grandma McDowell, my dad, Shawn with his 3 children (Connor, Lauren & Jillian), Scott with Caroline and myself with Claire.

The 4 Generation picture!

Claire's Sleigh Ride

Here are a few pics of Claire's sleigh ride! She liked being in the sleigh!!

Happy New Year!

The McDowell's took family pictures in front of my mom's fire place with her adorable sleigh she made! We got some great pictures of the grandchildren!!

Connor, Lauren & Jillian with their puppy Oliver! Oliver joined the McDowell family this summer! Ollie is a Springer Spaniel puppy that they rescued from the pound! He is absolutley a beautiful dog and fits in wonderfully with their family!!!

A picture with all five grandkids!

Can you believe that BOTH Claire & Caroline fell asleep in the sleigh? We thought it was so sweet with the girls sleeping together in the sleigh. When we took Claire out so we could get some pictures of Caroline alone, Caroline started crying. They were so comfy cozy together in there and Caroline did not appreciate us taking her warm cousin away!

So precious!!

NEW YEAR'S 2007

We had a very busy New Year's Eve. We went to church in the morning, then went to my mom's for brunch and spent the afternoon with my side of the family, and then spent the evening/night with the Ben's family. Claire was so good and very happy despite our busy day. She even woke up about 15 minutes before midnight so she was with us when the ball dropped! Hope everyone had a wonderful 2006 and wishing you an even better 2007! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It was such a mild night and very pleasant when the rain stopped so the family took a walk around the block! Claire loved looking at the Christmas lights!!!! Here she is getting geared up for the big walk!

Grammy & Aunt Beth playing with Claire!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

5 Month Picture

On December 16th Claire turned 5 months old. With all the craziness from Christmas I forgot to get her quilt picture until today! She is getting so big. It's hard to believe she is already 5 months old. She is sitting up by herself really well and grabbing for everything which in turn immediately goes into her mouth! She is a funny girl and we are truly enjoying every day with her!!

This picture of Claire reminds me of this Marilyn Monroe picture...

Stocking Stuffer

What a cute little Stocking Stuffer Claire makes!!! She seemed to like it, but as you can tell by the last picture she got a little bored and started playing with the Christmas tree and ornaments!!

Phil's in Town!

Ben's best friend, Phil, came in from Seattle for the Holidays. We are glad to have him here to visit and see Claire! Ben and Phil always have a lot of fun together and have been friends since they were little boys! They have some pretty funny stories from their "youth", most of which I'm not sure I ever want Claire to hear!!

Camo Girl

Grammy & Grandpa bought matching camo outfits for Ben & Claire. Here are a couple pictures of them! Look at those chubby legs... too cute!!