Ready For Her Close-up

Claire and I had an impromptu photo-session after a diaper change this morning. These are a few of my favorites.

It's All Fun and Games Until...

Claire had a great time this morning on her play mat from Uncle Geoff and Aunt Melissa. It was all well and good until that mean sun started to fight back.


After all the excitement, it turns out the play mat makes a nice place to nap.

I'm a Big(ger) Kid Now!

This morning Claire visited Dr. Ellis for her one month checkup. She now weighs 9 pounds 8 ounces and is 22 inches long. She is in the 50th percentile for weight and the 75th percentile for height. The doctor assures us she is perfectly healthy. We agree that she's pretty perfect.

Just Another Day on the Job

After a lunch with the girls (Shannon and Melissa), Claire made her first trip to Mommy's office at Washington and Lee.
Being very technologically advanced, Claire decided to add this post to her blog.

A Visit from Auntie Cheryl

My college roommate from University of Kentucky visited this past weekend. Most people would not see the appeal of visiting friends with a month old baby. Cheryl, however, saw it as a welcome break from her three toddlers. (A 3 year old and 2 year old twin) She's a brave woman! Check out the adventures of the Brothers Elam on her blog.
Cheryl was a huge help! She came with lots of helpful advice about parenting a newborn. Thanks for all the help Auntie Cheryl!

My Daughter in the Water

This past Memorial Day weekend we took advantage of the nice weather and my parents' heated pool. Claire had a quick dip, mostly for the photo op. She LOVED it! She is already a huge fan of bath time and must have thought she had gone to bath time heaven. I think we may have a beach baby on our hands. Look out Grandma! We'll be knocking on your door at Oceans Seven really soon!

Pretty in Pink

When Claire cries and we can't figure out why, David will often say, "maybe she hates pink." I try my best to break away from stereotypical "girl colors." I just can't resist it. Adding to Claire's pink collection is her new monogrammed fleece blanket from my Aunt Cindy and cousin Erica. They made it. How cute!



I had to share these pictures of Claire with her pink blankie, in her pink onesie, with her pink pacifier. Have I mentioned she's obsessed with her "binky?"


This is what happens when I try to remove it for pictures. :(

Tummy-Time

For those of you not immersed in the world of child rearing, you may be interested to know about tummy-time. Pediatricians now recommend babies sleep on their backs ( the opposite of what our parents were told). To avoid that flat-head look and practice raising their heads and strengthen their neck muscles, pediatricians recommend daily tummy-time. Claire has mastered this. As David likes to say... "She's very advanced for her age."


She just bores easily.

Doctor Mommy

Claire & Haley following the hooding ceremony. Claire was very proud of her mommy! She found the ceremony so exciting, she slept through the whole thing.

A fuzzy picture of Haley's hooding with Dean Pianta and her co-chairs, Steve Plaskon and Jane Hansen.

Following the ceremony we headed to Plaskon's beautiful home in Ivy, VA to celebrate...

and play bocce ball..

and eat cake.

Toasting Haley! (aka: Haley's first drink in 9 months!) Cheers!

A gift from Professor Plaskon and his wife Sue.

Claire gets cozy in her white fleece for the party.


Claire and cousin T. tuckered out from all the celebrating!

Doctoral Celebration

Today the Sigler and Wright Families will descend upon Charlottesville to celebrate Haley's graduation from UVA. At 3pm, Haley will officially be "hooded" and we will all call her "doctor". Of course, Claire will still call her "Mommy".

Today is also exciting because Claire will meet her Cousin T for the first time, along with Uncle Geoff and Aunt Melissa. We can only hope that Cousin T is polite and respectful towards the lady.

Claire's First Playdates

For the past few days our family has been visiting my family and friends in West Virginia. Claire had a great time meeting the daughters of my two high school friends Karrah & Amber.

Look Grandma Karen! I'm a Rock Star

Yesterday our glider rocker for the nursery FINALLY arrived. My mother ordered it as a gift weeks ago. It looks great and matches the nursery perfectly. We've already used it to rock her to sleep several times. It certainly made the 4 AM feeding a little less painful.

Thanks Grandma!

Voguing

Claire's favorite sleeping position... before and after birth.

Thank You Cousin T.

Today Claire spent time on her play mat from her Aunt Melissa, Uncle Geoff and cousin T. She loved it! Just like her big cousin. She will continue to take recommendations for fun toys. Thanks!

Mommy's Day (3 hours) Out

Yesterday Baby Claire stayed home with her grandma Karen while mommy stepped out for a glamorous day (lunch with Jessica and a trip to Wal-mart). Today I'm venturing out for a long over-due haircut with everyone's favorite Lexington stylist, Jamie. After nearly two weeks of not leaving the house, I'm feeling like a new woman. Who knew Wal-mart could provide such therapy?

Grandma enjoyed playing dress up and taking pictures of baby Claire in her crib.

Chillin' at the Crib

Claire has spent the last two nights in her own crib. (The first few nights she slept in her cousin T's hand-me-down cosleeper in Mommy & Daddy's room). She slept fine, however, Mommy woke every hour to do breathing checks. Claire is very excited to finally have some alone time.
P.S. The picture is merely to commemorate the occasion. No worries. All pillows & stuffed animals were removed for actual sleeping.