Heeby Jeebies

Claire has a case of the heebie jeebies otherwise known as hives! We went to the doc on Friday and I took some pics of her on the way their and in the room. Such a happy girl even when she's so itchy. The doc ruled out the antibiotics she had been taking as the cause so it must have been her sunshine costume and new t-shirt she wore to school Thursday. Poor Sweetie.

Halloween Kickoff

Today we kicked off Halloween with our first party of the week. We had such a great time. Claire chose to be the ladybug today. She also has a sunshine costume that may see the light of day if she's in the mood! Claire liked getting her face painted. Such a cute idea. No so cute for my white sweater I was wearing but it was super fun! Lots of cookies and sugar. Claire told me on the way home...
" Mommy. I am sooo tired." That's a great party!

Stories

I have no pictures lately. Blogging without photos just seems boring to me but I am going to give it a try. I have a few stories to share though! In no particular order....

1.) Sleep. Precious sleep. Where have you gone? Is it because she has no soothie anymore? Is because she has a cold? Is it those pesky 2 year molars? Where ever you went sleep, please. come. back. We miss you. While you are at, could you bring back the little girl who used to go to sleep without screaming like mad?

2.) Diapers. Oh why do you fail me diapers? Are you too small? Too full? I bought the next size up in the "active baby" style. Hopefully that will help. Claire seems to be in this place where she wants to be potty trained and just doesn't care yet. She gets mad about diaper changes but refuses to be changed when she's pooped. She tells me she'd rather be dirty. Awesome. The other day I am upstairs changing the sheets on her bed (for the 100th time lately. she's constantly wetting everything it seems!) and I hear Claire yelling from downstairs...."NASTY POOP ON RED TOES!! NASSSTTYYY POOP ON RED TOESSSS!!". I am sure I am not hearing what I am hearing but indeed as I come downstairs her diaper is hanging on her like a sumo wrestler. The tabs are still stuck together around her waist but the rest of the diaper is hanging down the back of her legs and poop is on her feet. Yes, there was nasty poop on her red toenails. I QUIT!

3.) Wind. When your weather forecast says "WINDY" put the breaks on your stroller when outdoors. Note to self for the future anyways. The park yesterday started off normal. Feed the ducks. Watch the kids play. Weather felt great with a slight breeze. So much for the breeze. A full gust blew threw while my stroller was parked on the sidewalk near the water and off it went. My friend Rachel's son, Colin, found a puddle of water which ended up being more of a hole. He accidentally fell in and it totally scared him. He was covered in muddy water and crying his little eyes out. About that time, Claire took off towards to carousal to see the horses so I had to run and get her before she got too far. I look back and see my stroller going at break neck speed into the lake. It got away so fast and was speeding off into the water. We couldn't grab it from the side so I had to jump in the nastiest lake ever and get the darn stroller. I saved my diaper bag for the most part but lost my cell phone, blanket, wipes case, and worst of all....my VENTI iced chai latte from Starbucks. It's like losing your beer while tubing down the river. Party fowl! Rachel and I were in so much shock that we just started laughing so hard. Funniest thing I have seen in a long time. I purchased a new cell phone that will be here in a few days!

So that is what's going on in my life. Just running around like a crazy woman being a mom! I can't complain at all. Life is good but it certainly is full of funny stories. Living with a 2 year is always entertaining.

Sedona

This wasn't our usual Sedona getaway full of nice dinners and evenings out but we had good time being together as a family. Some moments were train wrecks and others were simple and sweet. Traveling with a rambunctious 2 year old is always interesting. Lots of tantrums and to-go boxes! Thank goodness for a full kitchen in the condo and plenty of wine!

One place we always visit in Sedona is the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It's so pretty and has an amazing view of the red rock mountains. I have been there 6 times and I love going every time. I have to light a candle at the alter. We let Claire light one too and she was so excited that she yelled at the top of her lungs while throwing her arms in the air, "I GOT IT!! WOOOHOOOO!". Yep, that was our cue to leave! Never mind the fact that the church is set up on a mountain with rocky slopes on each side. She ran out of the church with us chasing behind her in full panic mode.

We did manage to take a few pics while out and about. Claire loved this horse! We also went to Montezuma Castle National Monument outside of Sedona on the way home and had a nice walk around the park. My highlight of the trip was going to the Hilton Spa for a massage. It was awesome and super relaxing.

Freestone

We heart Freestone park! The weather is great out and we have been trying to soak it all up. I took Claire on the carousal since she spotted the horses and took off running towards them. Claire typically hates things that move but she assured me she wanted to ride the horse. That lasted about 2 seconds and the ride hadn't even started yet. So we moved to the benches on the carousal and that lasted another 2 seconds...see pic...then she was glued to me with her arms around my neck. She did chill though and enjoy the rest of the ride (2 inches from my face!).

I love her buddy Kendal in her Halloween costume. So funny and cute. Claire adores her friend Colin too. How cute are they having snacks together? I love his soccer outfit!

**UPDATE 10/21 ~ I have just been informed that Kendal's outfit is indeed NOT her Halloween costume but just an outfit of choice! LOL! Loving this!!

Reach for the stars

Claire's new ballet move! I love how she uses the handle of the trampoline as her ballet bar. =) She says..."I'm reaching the stars."

Flowers, fruit, and silk

Our 4th anniversary evening was such a nice night. I always like to take my wedding dress out of the closet and look at it. Heavens knows I can't zip that thing up anymore so I don't bother putting it on. At least the veil will always fit! Claire saw my dress and said..."I wanna put on!". It's not like she can do much harm and I am not wearing it ever again so I said ok. Her face cracks me up in this picture. She was saying "OHHH WOOOOW!". Her wild after nap hair just makes it extra fun!

I made a flowers and fruit centerpiece for our dinner. Am I creative or what? Claire is wearing a dress with fruit and flowers on it so I had her hold a flower so I could print a picture to put in Daddy's card.

Today is my niece's 5th birthday. FIVE years old. I cannot believe it! She is such a beautiful little girl. I am so proud of her and wish I could give her a big squeeze today!

Happy Anniversary!

I woke up this morning and went downstairs to find a Victoria Secret bag in the kitchen and a note. The note said to click on the "anniversary" icon on the desktop of my laptop. Eric had made a video montage set to a beautiful song with pictures of us over the years. From our first date, our wedding, honeymoon, Claire's birth, and fun family pics. It was quite the tear jerker! Oh yah and in the VS bag was a silk nightgown since the 4th anniversary is silk (modern) or fruit and flowers (traditional). He is getting some fruit and flowers with dinner later! Our usual celebration dinner is steaks, potatoes, broccoli, and salad! This was the meal Eric cooked for me on our first date and we have been doing it ever since!

~Happy 4th Anniversary My Love~

4 years ago today...

...was our rehearsal dinner. What a fun night of Mexican food, margaritas, friends and family! To think how much we have accomplished in just 4 years! Damn I was super skinny back then too. I am still thin but back then I was s-k-i-n-n-y!

2 year checkup

Today was Claire's 2 yr checkup. I can't believe we don't have to go back for a well checkup until she is 3. I love seeing how big she is getting. What am I going to do for a whole year? I guess we'll have to get a height chart of our own now!

She is officially 3 feet tall at 36.5 inches and weighing in at 25.8lbs. Such a big girl.

Before we went to the doc today we had a visit to Freestone Park. Claire loved the ducks. Ever since the petting zoo that visited her school she thinks she can hold all animals. She kept yelling at the ducks..."I wanna hold you...hold duck...HOLD DUCK!!!!!". How cute are Claire's little buddies Kendal and Colin! They are so fun together.

TGIF

Yah! It's Friday! Unkie G is in town and he is going to babysit for us while we hit happy hour! I love happy hour and I love sushi. I love this cooler weather too. October is my favorite month of the year by far.

Claire is still loving the aftermath of birthday fun. She still has the presents rolling in. Unkie G got her a toy box for her room. I love it and Claire loves it too. She wanted to take a nap on it yesterday. =) She wanted everything out of her crib...blanket, Kitty, Big Bird. She even told me she was going to sleep. When she's not sleeping she is rocking out on her new guitar which plays some pretty cool songs!