a postcard for the lactating.

Thanks to Auntie Val for this one. I laughed myself silly.

thankful.

Every day there is something new. A little giggle or sound that she didn't make before. Sitting up a few seconds longer on her own. Last week, a tooth. She's going to be begging us for car keys in no time. I want to freeze frame her just like this, smell her baby smell and say thank you.

5 month old mini-maid

Dear Claire,
You are sleeping like a champ right now and sometimes while you sleep, I start to miss you. The past week you have been a trooper as you followed Auntie Julie around while we prepped for her wedding. You attended multiple showers, bachelorette parties, dinners and even an overnight girls' trip to the coast before the big day. You didn't tire of our goofy gifts and silly advice. You didn't even scream when you saw mama in loads of makeup and fancy hair. For me, the biggest treat of Julie and Niel's wedding day was looking out into the audience and seeing my little family. You were strapped to daddy in the baby bjorn, relaxed and sleeping. Of course, he did a wonderful job of caring for you while I did my 'maidly duties, but I was happy to have you back in my arms as soon as Niel kissed his bride.
I love you, pooper.
Love, Mama
PS. I love this picture of you two, your new thing is putting your little arm around people. Also, wedding photos to come when our "Denver Correspondent" checks in :)

to roll or not to roll

This is my first attempt at uploading a little video footage taken by Nate a few weeks ago. You can hear me laughing in the background and talking about tomatoes with my mom. Not exactly thrilling footage, but it makes me smile.

thoughtful, with drool

sick girl.

Last night Claire got her first little cold. At the moment she is resting with her head on my chest and somehow I'm managing to type this with all 15 lbs of her draped across me. She's been moaning in her sleep, which is sort of cute, if a little sad. Last night, we let her sleep between us in the big bed. She woke every couple of hours to 1) kick me in the c-section scar 2)nurse, clearly for comfort, rather than hunger or 3)scream like we were the ones kicking her in her c-section scar. It was a long night. Thankfully, my job right now is to take care of this little one, so I didn't have to scrape myself off of the bed and into the shower this morning. Instead, I changed her diaper, draped Claire across my chest and let us both sleep it off.

how to make friends.

Bring chai cookies
Combine:
1 box white cake mix
1 stick of butter, melted
3 T instant chai tea powder
3 T milk

Shape into balls and cook on an ungreased cookie sheet for 9-11 minutes at 350.
Drizzle:
Combine
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 t. cinnamon
3 T water

Let the cookies cool slightly (I never do this), and drizzle.
Eat. This is what Claire and I did yesterday. Also there was a long walk, some singing, some stories, a bridal shower, a bath, some tears and lots of diapers.

meet the tiniest member of KISS

Last week, Claire discovered her tongue. She's been trying new sounds, giggles and squeals. To quote our favorite lady in Albania, "she rocks."