Shopping Buddy

Today I took Claire to the mall. We don't usually go to this mall because it is further away (Chandler Mall) but it has a Gap and we don't have one by the house! I must say we also got the most badass parking spot. Right up front on the food court side. Amazing!!! She had gotten her 2nd round of the flu shot this morning and I wanted to cheer her up with some Starbucks pumpkin bread...coffee for me of course...and some girl's shopping. She played in the play zone. We ate lunch in the food court. Did you know Paradise Bakery has mac-n-cheese for the little ones? Yum!! She looked so cute sitting in her highchair eating lunch alone with me. Watching her play in the kid area is always a laugh. She gets all in to it now and runs wild! She even had her arms above her head waving them around squealing at one point. She is a hoot and very fast once she finds the darn exit. Mama has to put on her running shoes to keep up with her.

It was a special day together. Something so ordinary like a trip to the mall made me really cherish our time together. Just us girls. Someday we will try again for a sibling. I don't know what will happen but I can't help but wonder how it will be when it isn't just us. For now...I will just enjoy the moments like today with her little blue eyes staring at me with a mouth full of my turkey sandwich and a little grin.

Proud moment

YAH!! We got out and voted today. I have waited for this moment for a long time. I know she has no clue what is going on but what a proud moment it was for me to bring my daughter to the polls! This year has been so exciting. To see a woman and an African-American running together in this election has been inspiring. By the time Claire can vote this will be no big deal I am sure! I will always encourage her to create her own opinions and be open to others views. Most importantly I want her to know how important it is to vote and exercise your right not only as an American but as a woman!

This face

How can this face not make a bad day better!?
























We all have our ups and downs in life.I won't bore you with my "downs" but rest assured I have them. There are days I am certain my husband is speaking another language or moments when Claire is driving me up the wall with her new toddlerisms. BUT...every time I look into these big blue eyes I feel a sense of ease. I love this little face!!! She has certainly given Eric and I a purpose greater than ourselves. It makes us want a to be better people for each other and for her.

Happy Halloween

This is a pic of Claire before her Halloween party last Friday with her baby buddies. She had so much fun.

Little Mommy

Claire has loved playing "mommy" lately. She pushes her baby doll around the living room constantly. Sometimes I think the responsiblity gets to her though because she throws her baby overboard and strolls on without her. That's okay...she is still the baby for now! Of course, Eric jokeingly asks me if she is mimicing my behavior! NICE!

I can't believe she already likes to play with my purses too!
She is 1yr old! Little girls are so fabulous! I love it!

Hugs & Kisses

Usually I like Mondays because Claire and I get back into our little world for the week, clean the house, and start fresh. Sounds weird I am sure. We love love having Daddy home on the weekends but I also cherish our girl time. This weekend Eric was finally feeling better from weeks of a nagging cold. He was back in full swing...vacuuming, grocery shopping alone with Claire, mopping...you name it! Eric has always been very helpful. For the first couple of years of our relationship he did all the grocery shopping. He is great at being domestic. I would say it is because he is older and more mature but really he has always been this way according to old pals and family. It was a great weekend needless to say. We had park fun, pumpkin patching, and got all the house chores done. It has made Monday kind of lonely. Daddy rocks!

Since we had free time on our hands today due to no cleaning needed we went to the park with some friends this morning. Moms had coffee and the babies played. Perfect way to start the week. The best part was that Claire gave a hug to her buddy Kendal. It was the first time she has hugged a friend. She hugs us but I have never seen her hug her peeps! It was soooo cute! It made my day. She made our weekend too with her kisses for Mommy and Daddy. She would run over and kiss Daddy then run over and kiss Mommy. Back and forth...back and forth. Sometimes it was a closed mouth kiss but most times it was her usual open mouth kiss. Why she won't keep her mouth closed is beyond me. It's a slobbery one but we love them!!! It is so great to see this affectionate side.

XOXO!!! Happy Monday!

The good stuff

We have had so much fun at the playground lately!! It's been the highlight of our days. Yesterday Eric was able to join us so it was extra special. There is this tube slide that Claire thinks is so funny to go down with Mommy. I am a little big for this tube but it makes her giggle so we went down over and over!! We laughed so hard!

Today we went pumpkin patching at one of the local farms around here. You may be surprised how many crops and farms are out here in the desert. Gilbert is especially known for them (where we live). We managed to get some pics of Claire with the pumpkins. She isn't much for picture taking these days. It doesn't stop us though from capturing our little punkin!