Look Ma, I've Got a New Trick

My baby girl started pulling up yesterday, and she is awfully proud of herself!

My Obsesseion

I have a little obsession and it's called photography. Ever since I started planning my wedding, I've been totally obsessed with photographers and photography. I've mentioned that I had Grant's pictures made every month for the 1st year and am heading down the same road with Claire. I've used several different photographers in this area for different types of things and site stalk most of them regularly. I even blog stalk photographers that aren't in this area. I just love beautiful pictures. In my ideal world, I would be one of them. It might not be so far out, but I don't really have the time to learn lots of new tricks right now! These are the photographers we've frequented in this area: Uchida Photography, Reflections by Tanya, Courtney Marler Photography, Tucker Photography, and Krista Lee Photography. The list could be lengthened with various JC Penney, Picture People, etc and even the occasional Holiday Themes at a studio here in town. I tell you I'm obsessed! I won't even go into the ones I stalk from other areas!

Claire just had her 6 month shots done and we also attempted to add big bro in a few. It wasn't quite what I'd hoped, but they're still cute. To see them, click on the Tucker Photography link above, go to Portfolio, and then to Customers. Our last name is the password.

Also, Grant had his 3 year pictures done a few weeks ago at Krista Lee Photography and I L-O-V-E the way they do things! I was wanting something more casual and bright with him this year instead of muted outdoor pics or black and white, and they delivered. I paid one price and got all of the images on a CD and I can print what I want. The only problem is there are a TON of good pictures, so choosing is a little overwhelming. Here are some of my favorites! I've reduced the image quality on these to speed the uploading, but I know some family members download/print these sometimes. If you are one of those, email me, and I'll send you the image at its original quality so it will be a better print.

Proud Mama!

I'm so many posts behind..but just had to share something really quick. Claire's picture was in the Sunday Living section of the Tennessean this past weekend. I entered her in a Cutest Kids contest a couple of months ago at The Plaid Rabbit out in Cool Springs, and guess what! She won!! They were on my machine Sunday morning when we came home from church telling us to make sure we got a paper because she was in it. We won a gift certificate to the store, which is great, because I can barely afford anything in there. I just go in there and drool over everything usually. I have bought her some sweet little Mary Jane's there and she's worn them like twice, but they're oh so cute!! Anyway, this should've been posted Sunday so everyone could check her out, but what can I say. Kroger usually still has Sunday Tennessean's all week long, so check it out if you can!

The BIG 3-0!

Today, I turned the big 3-0! It's not something I've looked forward to, but I've not really dreaded it either. I'd honestly say I've had far too much going on to really think about it! I just wanted to say thanks to all of the friends and family who have helped to make this a very special birthday! Last night, I went to what I thought was a party for someone else, but ended up being for both of us. This evening, our family celebrated together. It's been a lot of fun! I may add some pictures later, but tonight I'm just pooped and ready for bed....that's mean I'm old, huh?!! Tomorrow is a bit of a big day!

Happy 1/2 year Claire!

written yesterday 7/10/08

Claire is 6 months old today! I don't have all of her "stats" right now, but I did get on the scale with her yesterday and she's darn close to 17 lbs. I think she's slowing down her chubber ways, but I haven't had many agree with me yet! I love all of her rolls so I'm not complaining a bit. I'm not taking her to the dr. until 7/28 so it will be a few weeks on her official weight & length measurements.

Claire responds to her name now and also all of the silly little names we call her: Claire Belle, Claire Bear, Sissom, Sister, and so on. Grant started the sissom thing, that's what I call her most.

She started sitting up some time ago, but is really steady now...until she sees something she wants and literally dives for it. I kid you not, she has like 4 bruises on her forehead from doing this, and today is picture day..nice! She can also get to a sitting position from laying down now. I go into her room to pick her up and lots of times she's sitting there waiting for me.

She has started sticking her tongue out and blowing..I'm sure there's a name for it, but it escapes me..ya know kind of like a zerbert or something. I don't know if she just figured this out or if it's just now possible because she can actually move her tongue. Either way, it's funny!

She is also trying to drink out of a sippy cup. She gets so excited when she sees Grant's cups, so I bought her a little one with handles and she is actually getting a little water out of it. Her face when she gets too big of a gulp is priceless. She is still loving her baby food at dinner time. We've ventured into veggies now and she's yet to find one she doesn't like!

My little booger is pretty much crawling. It's not a fluid, on all 4's, motion yet, but she can get wherever she wants to go. She's kind of like an inch worm. She gets on all 4's, and then propels her self forward and then starts over. She also rolls all over the place. We're going to be in trouble very very soon. This child is into everything!! See the pics below for a step by step just this morning. She is also obsessed with tags! Notice on the last picture, she got to the toy and all she's looking at is the tag.


I see something I want!

On her way!

Got it!

Now, let me see that tag.

Claire is very attached to her momma. When I'm at home at night and trying to accomplish things around the house, she cries every time I walk into the room or by her and don't pick her up. She is really reaching for me now and she will turn away from most anyone that tries to take her from me. After our trip last week and being with her several days, my left arm felt like it was going to fall off from holding her so much!

She is starting to look more and more like Grant I think. I only wish she had all the little curls he had when his hair started getting longer. She and big brother still aren't getting along all that great. Just last night, he told me he was mad at her all of the time....what to do?! I'm sure it will all pass eventually, when he realizes she really is here to stay!

Finally..she is sleeping through the night most nights. I have actually had to get up the past 3 nights with her, but this was the first time in several weeks.

Claire Belle, you are a sweetie. I can already see your strong personality shining through. We can all tell that you'll never be afraid to tell someone what you want..kind of like your momma! I can't believe 6 months has already come and gone, but I also struggle to remember our house without you in it. We can't wait to see what the next 6 months has in store for you!!

Fun in Louisville

Last Wednesday we set out for Louisville for a few days. My mom is from there and most of our family on her side is all there still. The whole reason for the trip was for a family get together on the 4th and to see my cousin and his family who are leaving tomorrow for Germany, where he'll be stationed (in the army) for the next 3 to 4 years. Since we don't have a real vacation planned, we made a mini trip out of Louisville. Here are some pictures from the trip.

On Wednesday, we drove straight to Churchill Downs and spent the day at the races. Most of us were ready to leave after about 5 races, but someone really wanted to see all 9, so we were there for the entire day! It was fun, but winning would've made it a lot better!

Thursday, Pookie and I took Grant to Kentucky Kingdom. The skies were overcast and the high ended up being only about 75 or so. For the amusement park, it was perfect! For the water park...not so much. Grant loved all of the kiddie rides. The pic of him on the ride above was the only one he got a little freaked out about. I was so glad he got on with this little girl. He ended up getting scared and she was so sweet to him. She was holding his hand and telling him it was ok. We saw all of the Looney Tunes characters while we were there too.

Splashwater Kingdom, which is inside 'Tucky Kingdom' (as Grant says) would've been so much fun if the weather had been warmer..at least for me! Grant loved it. They had a great little kiddie area and some slides that he did like a hundred times. He wanted to do some of the bigger ones, but they told him he was too little. Daddy did a few slides by himself, but after one kiddie slide I was done. That water was freezing and it was not hot outside. The breeze just made it too cold for me so I did my best to avoid all of the water that was being squirted everywhere in the kiddie area just so I didn't freeze! I'd love to go back again soon. Grant loved the lazy river. He and Pookie went around 3 times together.

This picture sums up the 4th of July...RAIN! Grant played in the rain for awhile and we ventured outside in between showers, but finally just gave up and went in. We had hoped to go see fireworks, but after the big downpour decided not to. We watched them on TV instead.

This is me and my cousin Chesley. Yes, she has the same name. I'm actually named after her grandmother (my mom's sister) who died before I was born. Their family is the one moving to Germany. She has an identical twin sister whose back you can also see in the picture.. This is one of 3 sets of twins on this side of my family....the reason I think I'm done with babies, I'd probably end up with 2 more instead of just 1!

After coming home on Saturday, we headed to Nana and Papa's on Sunday for mine and Pookie's birthday party. My birthday isn't until Sunday, but we celebrated in between the two. Papa borrowed this slide from Uncle Michael and the kids loved it! They barely touched the pool Sunday..which is whole 'nother story! Grant had an absolute blast sliding on this thing! I want one!!
Sunday night, our across the street neighbors who we don't even know were outside shooting off some leftover fireworks. Since we didn't really get to see any on Friday, Grant and I went outside to watch their little show. They ended up coming over and offering Grant some sparklers, which he loved!! We will definitely plan to get him some of his own next year.

Claire did go on the trip with us, but didn't make it into many pictures. I just had to add this sweet picture from just after bathtime about a week ago. My baby will be 6 months old on Thursday!! I absolutely cannot believe how quickly she is growing up...more on that later!