A classic

Look what I can do!!!!

Look what else I can do!!!

Claire doing it at 9 months old!!

It's a classic move apparently. The first time Claire pulled up in her bed (9months old) she cruised right over to the curtains and gave em a tug. Oh great!! Fast forward to Paige (13 months old) and guess who cruised over to the curtain tie backs. Haha! Oh girls. Paige was quite pleased with herself that she could stand up in her bed. A little over a week ago Paige pulled herself up for the first time! It was yet another delayed milestone that was put to rest. We were so excited for her. I was blow drying my hair and turned around and she was standing up against the tub. I was shocked. I guess her Little Gym class really made an impact because she had an "ah-ha" moment. She seems better about standing but still gets nervous on her legs. She prefers to speed crawl so I think walking is still a couple months down the road. Poor girl got another ear infection and it ruptured her right ear drum this time. She has a pain tolerence and doesn't cry or alert us she isn't well until the ear drum is about to rupture. No fever either. It just breaks my heart. Between her ears and teething she hasn't been the happiest girl but her smile still slays us every day.

Girl Time

When Claire's school schedule first changed all I could really think of (selfishly) was how MY schedule was going to change. My shopping, my coffee dates, etc... Yes, mama time is important but with Paige getting bigger and more mobile my coffee dates were going to change anyways. In the past few weeks we have really enjoyed our mornings together. Claire goes to school 3 days a week from 11:30-3. We have every single morning together now. Running errands is a little less (and so is my spending) and we don't always make it to the grocery store (thank goodness Daddy is a good grocery shopper and does about 90% of our shopping now) but we do play more together. I am not the best "player" either. I don't like to sit and play for long. I admit it! I get antsy and bored but lately I am trying harder and finding myself enjoying the play times. It is strengthening my relationship with Claire too. We did a girls day just the 2 of us to the museum one Saturday. We haven't done that in forever!  I even got talked in to a "magical" pony (see above pic). Mercy she loves that thing! How could I say no? If you squeeze it's ears it neighs and makes a magical sound. Pretty dreamy!

Now, I just have to figure out how to socialize Paige more. We are trying the Little Gym Wednesday morning. Since Paige naps during Claire's school times it's hard to do anything alone with her. I am so excited to take her to her first mommy and me class. Claire will be hanging in the lobby while we have our class but she gets to watch a movie and chill. I assumed they wouldn't let me bring Claire so I hadn't called before now to inquire about classes. So glad I did! We can start working on Paige's motor skills!!!

Busy Body

This girl was such a busy body during our 12 month photo shoot that I could barely capture a still shot of her! She didn't care much for her crown either! lol! Neither one of my girls are much for bows or headbands in their hair. That suits me just fine. It's just one less thing to fuss with each day.

We had Paige's 12 month checkup today(yes, one day before she turns 13 months). We had to delay her shots due to her ear infections. They almost delayed them again today since her ear looked irritated still and he didn't want her to get a fever and not know if it was the shots or her ear. I reminded the doc that there had been a mumps outbreak 3 miles from my house and he immediately agreed that the shots were necessary (MMR is the 12 month vaccine). He said that the worry of her ear actually getting infected and the fever issue was silly in comparison to her getting the mumps. Thank goodness!! How scary to worry about mumps or measles in this day and age! She is doing good and is healthy overall. She has some delayed gross motor skills but I am certain we can work through them and she will be standing and walking in the next few months!

We just wrapped up Spring Break last week and it flew by. We didn't do much and it was actually nice. I had a cold so that didn't help much but still it was nice to relax and play at home. Next week Grandma visits AZ! We can't wait to see her!

Watching big sis



Where'd Claire Go?

Here she comes!!!

HAHA! So funny!

This is a pretty typical play by play of Paige watching Claire run around the house. It always makes Paige laugh and the anticipation just gets her every time. Claire runs from the living room into the kitchen and jumps right in front of her highchair. It's fun to see them interact especially when it involves giggles. A lot of times Claire is pretty rough on her lil sis and Paige gets very fussy when she is around because she is anticipating the worst to happen (and usually it does). Sisters....a work in progress!

One Year Old

Birthday banner I made for Paige with all her monthly onsie stickers. I LOVE IT!

Paige LOVED the cards

Paige's first little cake. I have been making one for Claire every year. It's our tradition.

Swinging at the park on her birthday.

Happiest Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday Paige! What a wonderful year it has been too. She completed our family in a way I never knew could be possible. It sounds cliche but it's very true. We celebrated with the Cox family Saturday with a taco bar dinner at our house. Lots of margaritas and of course some time around the fire pit after the kids went to bed! Monday (her actual bday), we had a picnic at the park and just chilled all day. Since it was a holiday we were all home together. I still can't believe it's been a year. I opened up my email Monday morning and Baby Center had sent me my weekly email about Paige except now it was titled, "Your Toddler This Week". WHAT?! Not yet. It did say that some people mark the 1st birthday as becoming a toddler and others say when your baby walks they become a toddler. I think I'll wait until she starts to walk. She is still my sweet baby!

Random Claireness

Just up from a nap and still in her jammies.

Chilling under a tree at Freestone park.

Who is under that big ole tree??

Hanging with Dad on some bricks in the backyard. STILL in her jammies.

This girl is getting bigger and more mature every day! It's crazy. She is so smart, articulate, and meticulous. She is amazing. She can be amazingly challenging too. I truly don't know anyone like her in my life. She is going to do amazing things in her lifetime. I just know it.

Random Paigeness



Even baby likes the iPad!!

The girls at Freestone park before the 2nd wave of sickness hit us.

Paige playing...poor sick girl still has a smile.

Working those legs!

This girl is about to be ONE YEAR OLD on Monday. I feel terribly emotional about this too. It almost breaks my heart but we also have a long way to go before Paige is an upright toddler. We still are working on pulling up and from there we will work on cruising/walking. The doc thinks she will be just fine. We will talk more about her progress at her 12 month checkup which is being postponed for a few weeks to make sure she is 100% well. Poor girl picked up her big sister's RSV and ended up with a double ear infection and one ruptured ear drum. :( It was not fun for her. It's been an interesting few weeks at our house. Normally we are a healthy bunch and when Claire gets sick it isn't usually too bad. That all changed when Claire got a stomach bug followed by RSV/bronchiolitis. Oy vey. What a hot mess it has been around here. To top it off our cat, Pacey, was sick too and even had surgery. When it rains it pours. We are all on the mend and looking forward to celebrating Paige's first birthday this weekend with the family.