Fun in our Cribs

Claire really loves having Anna in her crib and likes it even better when she and Anna are in Anna's crib (I will post pictures of Anna's nursery soon). It's so sweet to see them interacting already. Claire LOVES, loves, loves her baby sister. She kisses and hugs her all the time. She continues to talk to Anna in a high pitched voice and calls her "baby Nanna". Not sure why she adds the "N" to the beginning of Anna's name, but it's pretty cute! Anna truly does respond to Claire's voice. She whips her head around when Claire starts talking and really smiles a ton at Claire.

Having fun in Anna's crib!

Anna is so alert... here she is watching her mobile!

Claire & Anna were both interested in the mobile!

Anna looking pretty comfortable in her crib. This was one of the few times she has actually been in her crib!

"Yea, Mom... playing in Claire's crib is FUN!"

Claire now always asks for "baby" when she gets into her crib. I guess I started a bad precedent!

A Visit from Friends

Recently my friend Cynetta and her son Noah came to see us and meet Anna. It was so nice to have some visitors! Claire and Noah had fun playing and Cynetta and I had a good time chatting and catching up. Cynetta later told me that Noah asked her if "little Claire" could be his sister. He is such a sweet boy and we enjoyed having you guys over. Can't wait till it warms up so we can go out for play dates!! Cynetta holding Anna!

Anna smiled at Cynetta the whole time!

Claire pouting about something... who knows. The terrible two's have begun!

Claire & Noah playing. (She really did enjoy playing with Noah!)

Claire wasn't always so sure about sharing her toys with Noah. She better start getting used to it!

Professional Pictures

A few weeks ago I took the girls to Mark Garber Photography for Anna's newborn pictures and Claire's 18 month pictures. If you want to look at the proofs, click on the link below and type in the session ID, which is Cutting (case sensitive). I am really happy with them and will be using the pictures for Anna's announcements!

www.markgarber.com/sessions.html

I also recently took the girls to the doctor for Anna's one month well check and Claire's 18 month well check. Anna weighed in at 8 lbs 12 oz (50th percentile) and 21 inches long (75th percentile). Unlike her big sis, she has a small head measuring in the 30th percentile! The doctor said she looked great and was shocked at how quickly she had gained weight. She was just under 7 pounds when we brought her home and gained almost 2 pounds in 3 weeks. The girl can eat!!

Claire weighed 26 lbs (75th percentile), with a height of 33 inches (90th percentile). Her head continues to measure in the 90th percentile. She has pretty much always had a big noggin. She has been in, or around, the 90th percentile for head and length since she was a little baby! Her weight is always between 75-90th percentile. She is pretty consistent and well proportioned! She is just a big girl!

We are truly thankful for two beautiful, healthy little girls. We couldn't ask for anything more!

Library Adventures

Over the last several weeks Grammy has taken Claire to three different libraries in the area for story time and a puppet show. They stopped for awhile during the Holidays and have recently resumed the activities. Claire just really enjoys her outings to the library with Grammy and Grammy has reported that Claire behaves perfectly!

Grammy & Claire

Playing with a puzzle!

Claire doing a craft at story time. She was SUPPOSE to use food to decorate her snowman, but instead Claire ate all the food!

Here she is eating the raisins that were meant to be the eyes on the snowman!

Eating the Froot Loops that were suppose to be buttons! I don't have a picture, but Claire also enjoyed the tasty pretzel sticks intended for the snowman's arms!

What? A girl can't have a snack??????????

Reading books she picked out with Grammy after story time.

Claire loves seeing "Ginger" the Guinea Pig when she goes to the library!

Sitting like a good girl while she watched the puppet show!

Church Outing!

This past Sunday Anna made her first trip to church. It was fun to show her off and I dressed the girls in their matching Big Sister, Little Sister outfits. That was a huge hit and they looked adorable!

Our smiley little girl. She really does smile ALL the time. It is just so sweet. She is the best baby!!

A very proud BIG sister!!

I definitely have my hands full, but I wouldn't want it any other way!

Cincy Zoo

Yesterday Grammy & Grandpa (Papa as Claire calls him) took Claire to the Cincinnati Zoo. It was good for Claire to get out of the house. We are all kind of getting cabin fever. Since it was cold they mostly did all the indoor exhibits, but she got to see a lot and Grammy said she really liked the Peacock, Penguins and butterflies in the insect exhibit! Thanks Grammy & Papa for taking me on a field trip... I had so much fun!!

Claire was very interested in the Peacock!

I love this picture of Claire looking up in wonderment!


Grammy, Grandpa & Claire (notice Claire touching Papa's face... she loves to touch faces. I think it's a form of affection for her.) What a sweetie!!

Future Buckeye Cheerleaders

Grammy & Grandpa bought these adorable matching OSU cheerleading outfits for the girls for Christmas. I dressed them up in their outfits for the BCS Nat'l Championship game last week. Unfortunately our Bucks were not victorious, but we are still very proud of them and hope for a Championship next year! GO BUCKS!!!!

Claire loves to hold her baby sister, but we have to be very careful because when Claire decides she's done holding Anna she pushes her away. She enjoys it for about 10 seconds!! It's pretty cute while it lasts though!

GO BUCKS! We LOVE you!!!!

Anna Comes Home

We brought Anna home on December 22. I was fortunate enough to be able to come home the day after I delivered. I wanted to get home to Claire and get settled in before all the Christmas festivities! It was a beautiful day... in the low 60's when we came home. I actually had Ben turn the air on briefly because I was so hot (all those hormones!). I think Claire was surprised to see the baby in our home! She kept saying "baby, baby" and pointing to Anna. It was pretty cute!

I had matching outfits made for the girls. Claire has a dress that says "I'm Anna's big sister" with a little princess embroidered on the dress with Claire's name underneath and Anna's onesie says "I'm Claire's little sister" with a baby embroidered and Anna's name under the baby! Anna's onesie has a matching skirt and headband and Claire has a matching bow. I LOVE the way this turned out!!

Anna's first picture in her home! We just brought her in from the car!!

Sophie was not very interested in our new addition. She only showed some interest when Anna started making little squeaky noises. She probably thought it sounded like a baby bunny!