Claire

This last month has been full of a lot of action and “firsts”. I will try to tell all about it through photos; seems to be what I usually do best.

First Eric and I went to Las Vegas for the International Home Builder’s Convention and left Claire at home with Grandma Sandy for three days. It was our first real trip without Claire. It went really well– Sandy said Claire did great, and I loved getting a nice break. Claire has been practicing with her own “spork” and getting pretty good at it. I don’t think she likes getting her hands messy so she is very motivated to use utensils.  Her fine motor skills are really developing fast, even if she is still having a hard time with the big motor skills. I’ve been trying to work on Claire’s sensory sensitivities. We got a bag of lentils out a few weeks ago and made a big mess. She actually liked it more than this photo illustrates. We’ve been taking lots of walks to the park and to Starbucks. I usually crave some kind of afternoon outing, and the park and a coffee works great for both of us. Claire has a special spot on the counter where she can sit and watch the barristas make all the drinks. This has been such a rainy, rainy month. We’ve had lots of couch time. I think we were watching more Curious George here before bed. Just playing around while I do house work. Morning bedhead. We still nurse a little in the mornings but I think it’s just for the comfort now than the nutrition. I love our cuddle time and the slow start to the morning. I won’t give it up totally until she wants to!Opening up a little Valentine’s Day gift from Grandma Laurie.Getting into trouble, but staying occupied so I can do my hair and makeup. A mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do. Ready for bed. Claire and Daddy both love the iPhone. I’ve taken Claire to story time at the library a couple times. It’s kinda fun. Claire is down to one nap a day! She usually sleeps from 1-3PM. She goes to bed around 8:30PM and sleeps until 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning. Pretty good! Aunt Kara came for a visit and we all got together for lunch. Claire loves playing with her cousins. Ready for nap time!

And she’s up! I was so excited to come into Claire’s room and find her sitting up! She has had a hard time figuring out how to get herself from a laying down position to a sitting up position without help. It’s a hard move  to make when you don’t like to put your hands on things!  She finally did it a couple weeks ago! It might finally be time to adjust the crib down to the toddler level. It’s funny how I get excited by “milestone” things like that. So proud!Playing her favorite game on the iPad, “Peek-a-boo Barn”. 

On the mobility front Claire has made big progress this month. A couple weeks ago she started a funny scoot/crawl that gets her around pretty well. I’ve been really excited about that. Though it’s not the greatest movement, I’m thrilled that she is exploring her world and gaining a little independence.  Just today however she started a real on-all-fours crawl at occupational therapy! I had to peak around the corner to see the action, but she was really doing it. I will have to help her in the next few weeks to keep up the progress.

When it comes to talking Claire is getting a few words down really well. She can say “mama”, “daddy”, “up”, “ruff ruff”, and “honey.” She loves talking, especially in the mornings when she jabbers in a strange Germanic dialect as I get her dressed.

Claire had a big breakthrough today at therapy– she crawled on all fours! She did it a bunch of times all over the place. (I had to take Tanya’s word for it as I had to hide most of the time in the waiting room.) I did catch this one moment paparazzi style. So excited for my baby!

Life with Claire is busy these days. And filled with lots of chatter. We talk back and forth all day long. I think she understands most of what I say but I am still learning her little language. She’s starting to figure out “mama” and it warms my heart to hear her say my new name.

Claire loves doggies. I will hear a little “ruff ruff” from the backseat every time we drive past a dog out on a walk or see one on tv. Her favorite book is Spots First Walk. She and honey are getting along better as Honey is learning to trust this little person that gives her treats all the time. Continuing her love of animals, Claire’s favorite tv show is Curious George. She makes a little monkey sound and bounces up and down whenever I put it on.

We are still going to physical therapy to help Claire get moving. We go to Kids at Play Therapy in puyallup. It’s a really nice place and Claire’s therapists are great. I think we are lucky to go there. Progress has been steady this last month, with Claire slowly putting the movements together that will build towards crawling and walking. She is really good at getting in a crawling position now and tolerating pressure on her hands. She pushes herself around quite a bit in a seated position and has got a taste for exploration. (Like the other day when she got into honeys food and ate a piece and threw up.) Her hips are getting stronger and she’s getting better and kneeling too. Everyone, including the therapists, is very happy with her progress and says she will be moving soon. Of course I don’t always see the progress and I worry a lot about her sometimes.