Just Chillin'

Just a couple pictures of my girls relaxing at home. This is about the extent of the excitement we see at home during the day... evenings, however, are a different story. Just ask daddy about that! Claire seems to like to fuss a little in the evenings as do most babies, but last night mommy went to see Beauty & the Beast at the Schuster and daddy babysat. From what daddy says Claire had only a few brief moments of calmness. He tried everything, but nothing worked. I hate to say it, but as soon as I came home and held her she stopped crying and I mean immediately. Ben says it's my fault for holding her 23 hours a day. Hey, they're only little once!

Are you talking to me?

Claire is really starting to come alive. She is smiling & talking all the time! I can't believe how much she's changed in such a short amount of time. She's very interested in her surroundings and wants to be apart of the action. The newborn stage is definitely gone!

A Day With Cousin Lauren!

Today cousin Lauren came over to spend the day with us and have a slumber party. We are having so much fun. I really loved my tummy time with Lauren. She kept me very entertained! I love you Lauren!

(Lauren took the two pictures of Claire all by herself... I think we have a future photographer here!)

I'm Two Months!

On Saturday Claire turned 2 months old! Today we went for her 2 month check up. Claire weighs 12 lbs 9 oz and is 23.75 inches long. She is in the 90th percentile for length and 75th percentile for weight & head circumference! She is getting to be a chunk! I can't believe how big she's gotten! She has almost doubled her lowest weight of 7 pounds. Wow!!!

Love My Bumbo!

Today Claire sat in her Bumbo for the first time! She really liked it... for about 5 minutes! That was hard work holding up her huge noggin'!!!

Thumb Sucker?

Recently I found my hand and I love sucking on it.... today I found my thumb and I think I like that even better! Mommy is a little worried because she said thumbs are hard to take away and she doesn't want me sucking my thumb until I'm 10 years old. Don't worry mommy I just like it now!

Road Trip!!

Yesterday we drove to Akron for Ben's cousins wedding! Most of his extended family live in the Akron area so we were able to visit with them and introduce them to Claire! We had a great time and Miss Claire was excellent on the 3 plus hour trip!

This is a 4 generation picture... Ben's Grandpa, his mom (Grammy!), Ben & Claire! How neat!

Ben's Aunt Pat holding Claire at the reception!

Out for a Stroll!

Last week on Labor Day, Ben and I had our first date since Claire arrived! We went to a Reds game and ate dinner at the restaurant that overlooks the field! We had great seats right behind home plate!! Ben's mom & dad babysat with Claire and these are a couple pictures they took on their walk with Claire! She had a lot of fun with Grammy & Grandpa!

Getting SO Big!

Just a couple pics of Claire sitting up on the couch! She loves it when we sit her in the corner of the couch... I think she feels like a big girl! She just smiles and looks around. Where did my little baby go?
Notice the gut, cheeks & double chin!

Our Sweet Maddie!

Today marks 5 months since we lost our sweet Maddie. In some ways it seems like a lifetime ago and in other ways it seems like yesterday. We miss her so much. She was such a wonderful creature who taught us so much about love, selflessness, patience, and she taught us how to let go of something we loved so dearly. She taught us so many life lessons. She gave us more than we ever gave her! Who would've ever thought a "disposable dog" that wasn't making enough money at the racing track could come into our lives and change us so much for the better! We will always be grateful for our 6 years we had with Maddie, although I wish it were much more. She was the best dog ever and truly our first baby. I wish she could've met Claire and Claire could've met Maddie. I couldn't wait to take pictures of them together... for Claire to grow up with her. Life doesn't always take the path we want or expect. Maddie taught me that for sure. We will always love and miss you Maddie! You will forever hold a piece of our hearts....

GO BUCKS!

Today we dressed our girls up in their Ohio State get-ups to root on the Buckeyes (& cousin Ben... Go Ben!!!!!). As you can see Claire is very excited about the Bucks first game. She can't wait! Sophie wasn't so sure! Thank you Uncle Shawn for the OSU outfit... we love it. Notice Claire's Brutus slippers. When you squeeze Brutus' head he plays the Ohio State fight song! GO BUCKEYES!

Boppy Time!

Claire is really starting to enjoy spending a little bit of time in her Boppy. She likes it on her tummy and back! She is really getting to be a big girl... smiling and cooing all the time. She's 6 weeks now! Where has our time gone?

Dog Fest 2006

Today we took Sophie to the Xenia Dog Park for the 2006 Dog Fest! We left Claire with Ben's parents so we could give all our attention to Sophie. Today was Sophie's day and she loved it! As you can see they had the pool open to the dogs! Sophie loved the kiddie pool, the deep adult pool... well, not so much! We had a great time with her today and she was worn out from all the fun. When we got home Sophie slept for 10 straight hours and I'm not exaggerating!

Sophie met another Retired Racing Greyhound at the Dog Fest! He was very sweet (all Greyhound's are sweet)!

Out Of Town Family!

Ben's Aunt Mary, her husband Fayzel, and two boys Michael & Matthew came from Port Angeles, Washington to visit and meet baby Claire! We had a great time visiting with them and introducing the newest member of the family to them! We wish we could see them more often. Ben and I went to Washington to visit them two years ago and had a wonderful time. They live on the Pacific ocean.... literally their backyard is the Pacific! Absolutely beautiful! Hopefully we can make it back there with Claire so she can see the ocean!


Ben's sister Beth and Grandpa posing with Claire!

My Mommy's Birthday celebration!

Today we celebrated my Mommy's 29th birthday with Grammy & Grandpa Cutting. They brought over dinner and a birthday cake for Mommy! We had a great time!! Happy Birthday Mommy. I love you!

I'm One Month old!!!!

Today I am one month old. Wow... time flies! The first picture is my newborn picture. As you can see from the new pictures I am starting to smile a lot! I have gotten so big in one month. I'm about 9 pounds now. That's 2 pounds bigger than my lowest weight of 7 pounds. I love to eat. Mommy says I take after my daddy when it comes to eating! Every month mommy is going to take my picture on the quilt great grandma McDowell made for me so you can see how big I'm getting. Look at how much I've grown! Notice Sophie in the last picture. She doesn't want to be left out of anything!

Sleepy Time!

Here are just a couple pictures of Claire sleeping! I love the pictures where Ben is napping with Claire on his chest. They were both knocked out! I don't think there is anything sweeter than a daddy holding his little girl. I love it.... too cute!