First Pony-Tail

She has just enough hair to put a little clip in the top. Not a rubberband but just a clip. It makes her look so much older to me.

Eight months old

Ain't she sweet.

To Eat or Not to Eat

This is the face she makes when she eats. You can see why it's hard to tell if she likes it or not. She seems to like it because she grabs at it and continues to put it in her mouth. But then there's this face that makes me think she doesn't like it. This cracker is huge progress though. At least she eats crackers now!

Claire has teeth! and allergies...

Claire's first two teeth poked through. The bottom two came in at the same time. I'm not sure I can get a good picture 'til they come in more so this is just a text post. She has been fussy. So now we can attribute it to the teeth. So maybe now she will eat?... We are having quite the time with this actually. She got tested for allergies because I told the doctor she got a rash on her face when she ate cereal. And so we found out she is allergic to milk and eggs. And, because she won't take a bottle and is still nursing I have had to cut out all milk and eggs from my diet. However, there is a good posibility she will outgrow it. So having said that, her eating issues could have stemmed from food being assosiated with stomach aches/pains. She has been very resistant to everything we have tried. And yes I have tried everything! I guess we will just wait until she is ready and hope she outgrows the allergies. She is still a beautiful, healthy, happy baby! We are very blessed to have such a wonderful baby!

Claire has begun crawling this week. Army-style. It's a whole new level of independence. She can crawl after a toy or brother or Mom. However, she also can get herself stuck. Poor Claire, and Mom just thinks it's funny and pauses to take a picture. Needless to say, anything that she is getting into is being packed first.
I was trying to post a video (because action shots are so much fun), but it's not working so I'll try again later.

Spring Break Late Night Party

Andrew should be a party planner. For spring break he planned a Late Night Party. He made invitations and planned the activites, cleaned the house and set up the blankets. We had 11 kids and it actually was not as crazy at it could have been. We watched Enchanted (very cute movie) and ate lots of snacks! All the kids had a great time. I think this will be a fun memory for all of them.

Crazy Hair Day

It was crazy hair day at school so we spiked Andrew's hair.

THAT'S a SNOW Storm

Next time you want to complain about an Indiana snow storm, just think about what they get in Canada! This is at my Grandpa's house. That is my Uncle Dale by the snow bank. I wonder how long it takes for all of that to melt?!....

Bedtime Stories

Spring Dress

Look at how cute her little lips look. Andrew is a proud brother. They love dressing her up just as much as I do.

New Hair Cut

I chopped all my hair off! I went with the messy look. Can you tell I really want it to be spring?

Matching Mommy

I probably get this from my mom. She always made us matching dresses. So here is Claire and I in our matching outfits for you Mom. :0) Ok, I had fun too.

pre-crawler

She's getting ready to crawl. Uh-oh. I better baby proof the house!

Claire moments

She loves being on her belly lately. I think it's because she has a better view of what's going on.

This is the first time she sat on her own. Yes, it looks awkward I know. But she's doing it!

This is Ethan in that cute dragon costume that he wouldn't wear for Halloween because it was "fat." So I took out the stuffing and now he will wear it, sometimes. These two are good buddies. When we were all sick there was a strict "no touching Claire" policy. (it worked, she didn't get sick!!) And when we were all better Ethan and Claire were both just so giddy to be able to touch each other again.

Claire's first snow "experience." We really just stood there and watched Andrew play. He didn't want to be outside alone.

No Claire, you're not supposed to eat your toe jam! :0)

Snow Castle

The snow was perfect for building so the boys and I built this snow castle. Andrew set the foundation then I built the walls all in about a half an hour before I had to come in to cook dinner. The following day we tried to work on it again but it was too cold and the snow wouldn't pack. Now we need the weather to co-operate (last night it rained on the snow) so we can finish it.

I remeber when I was a kid, growing up in Colorado, playing in the snow. I remember one snow fort in particular that we made. We rolled huge snowballs for the sides and put boards and a tarp on the top. Then if I remember correctly we even tried lighting a little fire in it!? We were probably borderline pyros. Also, I remember one time we made a snow stegosorous complete with blood dripping from its mouth and everything. (too bad they are herbivors :0)

It seemed like the snow was so frequently perfect for building in Colorado and could often get away without wearing a coat. We had so much fun. Now I get to make those memories with my kids!

Pledge of Allegiance

I was amazed when I heard Ethan say the pledge of allegiance the other day. They say it in preschool but I didn't know he knew it so well. Now I need to start having him memorize scriptures!

Family Photo

Here is my family! My three brothers are in the back row, and their wives in front of them. This is the first time we were all together in years! And we are all married now!

Giggles

Here is my first video post. Claire is always in such a good mood whenever I change her.

eyebrows

This is Claire's classic look. She inherited Mike's ability to raise her eyebrows just in the middle. And she does it alot.

First Food

Here we go...
Not quite sure about this....
Ethan has to get in on the action..... He sure loves his baby sister!
By the end she was liking it. Mostly.