Beach Baby

Claire: Each day during our vacation, Mimi Karen has sat with me under a big umbrella on the pool deck while Mommy enjoys the sun. Anyone who knows my Grandma must understand she loves me VERY much to stay out of the sun for entire days to babysit. Since Daddy didn't get to join us on our beach vacation, I thought he'd like to see me in all my cute beach ensembles. Hi Daddy! We miss you!

Adventures with Shamu

Claire: Mommy took Kaden and her friends to Sea World on Friday. Can you believe she had the nerve to leave me at home? Oh well, she and Kaden did bring home my new friend Shamu. He's pretty cool.

Just One of the Big Girls

This week in Daytona, Claire and cousin Kaden made some new friends. Mimi Karen's friend Cassie was also visiting with her grandaughter Jadde and Jadde's friend Samantha. Spending the week with three middle-school girls gave me a glimpse into my future with a daughter, complete with press-on fingernails and slumber-parties. So much fun! Below are some pictures of Claire, Kaden and their new friends (including some pictures I took of the girls on the beach in their matching outfits.)

Daytona Beach Bound

Claire: After an interesting day of travel, including airport security that likened Mommy's Medela breast pump to a WMD, I finally arrived in Florida. My first flight was wonderful. Very fun! I didn't cry at all, which Mommy says is VERY important because she didn't want to be the person on the plane with the crying baby. Mommy, Mimi Karen, cousin Kaden and I are spending some time in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida at Mimi Karen's condo. My Grandma's nice friend Joan picked us up at the airport because our friend Lulu is not feeling well. (Get better soon Lulu!)


This is me and my Mimi Karen as we prepare to board the plane!

I'll take a window seat please!
Check back for more photos of my first vacation.

Happy Father's Day!

This What Happens When...

we foolishly attempt to put baby in the corner.

Let's Do Lunch

I've been looking for reasons to dress Claire up in all the cute outfits she has before she outgrows them. Today the excuse was Claire's first lunch at the Southern Inn, our favorite Lexington restaurant. While Claire admired Mommy's yummy Portabello Sandwich, she held out for 4 ounces of milk (Not on the menu).

Mommy's Green Thumb

Claire: This morning Mommy and I cut hydrangeas from the bushes in our front yard to decorate our house. Mommy planted these bushes four years ago after she used the plants at her wedding shower. It's amazing how much something can grow in four years. Just imagine how different I'll look four years from now!

Guess Who

I'm FINALLY having the chance to put the finishing touches on Claire's nursery. These picture show Claire's four grandparents (Bill, Karen, Irene & John) as babies. Can you guess who's who?

Just Because...

she's berry cute. Here's another photo of Claire in her strawberry outfit.

Fun in the Sun

Claire and I have been spending lots of time this summer at my parents' pool. This past weekend Claire spent some time with her friend S. (my friend Amber's daughter). Claire decided to pass on the swimming this time and relax under her strawberry hat. S. (six months older and a bit more adventurous) decided to test if her hat was waterproof.

Welcome Back North Mimi Karen!

Yesterday Claire and I picked Grandma Karen up at the Roanoke Airport. After two weeks in Florida, my mom is back north visiting for a few weeks. Clearly from Claire's expression in these photos, she's happy to see her Grandma again!
Claire has been smiling lots lately, and with purpose. It's easy to get excited when she flashes us one of these "social smiles." However, she's often just as friendly with the ceiling fan in our living room. It REALLY makes her smile. :)

Lazy Sundays

This morning, after her 7:00 am breakfast, baby Claire and Daddy slept in. (Of course sleeping in is all relative when you have a 5 week old)

When I went to dress Claire for our walk, I found her like this...
Daddy was making sure the binkies were easily accessible.

Then we took Zuko for a walk around Lexington. Aside from a brief trip to mommy's office, this was Claire's first trip to W&L and VMI. She thought the surroundings were beautiful, however, things looked suprisingly like the the inside of her eyelids.