Holiday Fun!

Chad took Claire to see Santa.. ... Maybe next year will be better :)

We took some time to enjoy the holidays and went ice skating downtown and to The Children's Museum together as a family!

Fall and 2nd Birthday Pictures

Claire had a great 2nd birthday! She is now 23 lbs (8th %) and is 33.75 inches tall (49th %) so she has been busy growing. She is getting better at recognizing her colors and shapes and can count to 5.

The older she gets the more mischievous she is.

Notice all the child locks on the file cabinets in this picture

Claire's Aunts and Cousins

Claire loved to bounce with her cousin Lillie!

My first attempt at making Claire's Birthday Cake.

Elmo Cake take 2....

She could not wait to stick her fingers in the frosting

Finally she wore her costume to trick-or-treat without crying.

She was Mr. Potato Head

Dad was preparing for a rifle class and Claire decided to help organize bullets.

She thought that they were some pretty cool new toys.

Happy 2nd Birthday Claire!

Wow, you are two already! You have grown into such a beautiful little girl! You still continue to amaze us and your doctors! You make us proud "Smarty Pants"! Happy Birthday!

We love you very much! Mom and Dad

Claire in Colorado

We just got back from a trip to Estes Park with some family. It was great weather and we had a lot of fun! Claire was an excellent traveler thanks to the DVD player that constantly had her favorite "Baby Songs" DVD's on. She is getting really good at talking and forming sentences, just don't ask her to say socks. :) You might be surprised as what it comes out sounding like. She will say things like "get it mom" and "Daddy play oh oh" (Which is her favorite song). We are starting to focus more on potty training and transitioning to a toddler bed. Claire had great checkups from her annual Cardiologist and Neurologist visits in September and I can never get tired of them telling me how great she is developing!





Claire "rock climbing"

 We had to stop our walk for a juice break

 Wow look at Dad holding up that big rock!.......

Claire that is not so convincing.... :)

Apple Festival

We went down to Kimmel Orchard in Nebraska City for the Apple Jack Festival last weekend and had a good time!


Claire says,"How do you like these apples?"






















Claire and her friend Addy at The Children's Museum

Claire at the Dentist

Claire did great at her first dentist appointment this week! She is growing up so fast. She loves to sing along to her favorite songs and is an expert at puzzles.

















We took these pictures of her then and now to show how good she is doing for a Midwest Heart Connections Video.

First Amusement Park.....

Claire went to Adventureland with Chad, I, and her Great Aunt Mary Jane last Tuesday. It was hot, but we all had a blast! A big thanks to Mary Jane for coming up with us and for all the snacks she packed!


















The only thing that would make this more complete would be a little Von Dutch Trucker hat! But seriously this was one of her favorite rides!


























She also enjoys being outside and playing with Daddy on his new outdoor sectional!

Summer Fun!

Claire is now 21 months and is very fun and independent! She can sing her ABC's with you and some of her other favorites songs are Baa Baa Black Sheep, Row Row Row Your Boat, Twinkle Twinkle, and How Much is that Doggy in the Window. In the evenings we try to get out for family bike rides.

Claire enjoying a milkshake!

20 Months and growing.....

Claire has a 2 year old attitude already! She is very social and loves to make new friends. Claire and I joined a My Gym class last month and she has learned how to climb on and hang on everything. She is trying to learn how to do a forward roll independently. Claire has been doing really good with learning her colors and using the potty at bath time! She went to more College World Series games than I did this year and we all had a great 4th of July weekend despite the rain.


Claire with Dad at College World Series























Claire with friend Lexi having fun on a swing









Claire's future boyfriend Broden














Claire at the Zoo with her Henry Cousins

Almost 19 Months

We went to the Tulip Festival in Pella, IA again this year, unfortunately it was cold and rainy! Claire enjoyed seeing her Henry cousins and the parade. Claire just got a pool and crys every time she has to come inside! She is starting to gain more weight and loves watermelon. We are still completely healthy, happy, and don't have any more doctors appointments until around 2 years.


















Claire got a little scared by the loud bands so we had to give her the pacifier.









yah, finally her 1st pool!










She is somewhat daring!











Towards the end of swimming Claire decided to make it a topless pool.

18 Months!

Claire is now officially 18 months! She now weighs in at 21 lbs 4 oz! Her pediatrician says she is doing great! We are still trying to introduce potty training. Let me know if anyone has any tips! Claire just had her 18 month pictures taken by our friend Geoff. He did a great job and is very reasonable. His website is www.geoffjamiesonphotography.com