Big Jammies

 Granddad Rice ordered Claire some blueberry jammies, but I think the blueberries are bigger than Claire.

 She definitely has growing room in these. 

 She doesn't mind though, they keep her warm and cozy for playtime. Thanks granddad :)

Look at that smile, I think all Claire's weight is in her cheeks!

9 month stats

12lbs 8oz

23.5 inches long

40.7 head circumference

Claire loved playing with the paper and looking herself in the mirror at the doctor today.  She kept touching the mirror and looking back at me smiling.  I hope they don't mind all the tiny fingerprints. 
The doctor says Claire is doing well, but wants us to fatten her up.  She currently drinks about 4 oz every 3 hours and eats a half jar of baby food for dinner.  We've tried to get Claire to drink more, but when she's done she's done and gags and spits out the bottle.  I am going to work on feeding her baby food for breakfast and lunch. 

The doctor also said Claire could try out a sippy cup of water and eat puffs and Cheerios.  Now the drinking is something Claire picked up on this very quickly, but the eating didn't go so well.  I gave her a tiny piece of puff and she proceeded to gag and then puke all over the quilt Aunt Katie made for her Baptism (luckily it washes up very nicely).

Not in a picture mood

 Thanks for my new bib Grandma Rice. 

9 months old

 Claire turned 9 months old last Saturday, can you believe it?!  She's really acting like such a big girl lately.  I'd say her skill of the month is rolling, rolling, rolling.  Previously if you put Claire on her tummy, she'd flip over immediately onto her back.  She'd do it 10 times in a row if you kept putting her back on her tummy.  Now she keeps going and can roll all over the room (this is good and bad).  I used to lay her on a towel when I got a shower, not anymore. . . last time I tried, I found her halfway to the toilet.  Claire sleeps in her crib now (in our room) at night and we are working on her sleeping in there for naps.  She loves playing with toys and is getting good at hitting the buttons and understanding cause and effect.  Her feet finally touch the floor in her jumper and now she loves to jump and jump and jump.  She wants to touch EVERYTHING and bursts into tears if you don't let her or if you take something away from her.  She is getting better at eating and can now consume a half jar of fruit and cereal for dinner.  We got to the doctor Tuesday to see how much our big girl weighs.  I'm guessing 12.5 pounds. 

Please Sign

Remember how little and tiny I was and  how sick my mommy was. . .

I was very lucky that the doctors caught my mommy's preeclampsia early, so she could get the steroid shots for my lungs.  There needs to be more education on this topic, so other babies can be as lucky as me.  Oh and I like that they are trying to make May preeclampsia awareness month since that is when I was supposed to arrive.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/preeclampsiaawarenessmonth/     (when you get to the part they are asking for money you are done you don't have to pay anything for your signature to be recorded)

We're doing much better now :)

Gobble Gobble

Claire wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.   Her daddy has to work so we aren't doing anything this year.  We wish we weren't so far away from all our families.  We did have some very sweet friends invite Claire and I to join them, but I've been sick all week so we are just going to hang out at home and wait for her daddy. 
What Claire is Thankful for. . .

Pacifiers
Milk
apple blueberry baby food
tv remotes and mommy's cellphone (she gets very excited when she gets her hands on these and then  bursts into tears when we take them away)
her snuggie
wubby
Jack
anything she can put in her mouth
her talking baby
hair bows (well maybe that's her mommy)
tutus
her carebear cd
and what I think Claire is most thankful for today. . .

Her toes!!! 

She has finally figured out how to contort her body to get her little piggies in her mouth.  Let's just say she's not pleased when we put on her footie pajamas.

Claire goes national !

Claire and Mommy were on a nationally syndicated show yesterday, here is their story.
http://www.americanownews.com/story/16103978/lack-of-sleep-could-have-serious-consequences

JUMP

Cheap toys

Claire thought cleaning out her closet was really fun.  I was really sad to be putting so many clothes that don't fit into storage boxes. I can't believe how we've already had to say goodbye to preemie, newborn and 0-3 month clothes. 

If you ever wondered what Troy would look like as a girl. . .

Scary isn't it!

I'm not a baby anymore. . .

I'm a big girl now!

Not on the Menu

Friday brought another lunch out and we thought it was time for Claire to try a big girl highchair and her highchair cover.   Who needs to order from the menu when you can just eat very tasty straps. 

 She liked to stick her arm through Aunt Linda's scarf.

 Thanks for all the GREAT food Grandma Bowlby and Aunt Linda!!!!!

Baptism Weekend Post Begin

Claire's Baptism weekend began with the arrival of Troy's Grandma Bowlby and Aunt Linda.  We were very excited they made the trip from Vermont to be present for Claire's special day.  Claire took a special liking to her great grandma right away.  She wasn't sure about Aunt Linda at first. . .

but then Aunt Linda started playing with her and Claire lit up and realized she had a new friend!

These are pictures after our trip to South Park mall.  We had a great time eating at The Cheesecake Factory (oh it was sooooooo good), and then Claire was treated to a shopping spree at Baby Gap.  Thanks to her Vermont relatives Claire got some VERY cute clothes ( stay tuned for pictures of the pretty dresses).  It was very sunny on the ride home and it was shining right in baby Claire's eyes.  Her great Grandma Bowlby was so sweet and held her purse in front of Claire's eyes so that she could take her nap. 

Naughty or Nice

 Tomorrow Claire is getting her picture taken with Santa!.  I told her to get a good nights sleep so she can be on Santa's good list. . . we'll see if she listens. 

 Thanks Aunt Angie for my pretty Christmas outfit!