Friday Night

Happy 20 month Birthday, Claire!! I can't believe how big she is these days. The picture of her behind the lime tree (wimpy lime tree) makes her look so big!

Last night we had Aunt Carolyn in town. Claire is in love with her Aunt C! She is glued to her hip from the minute she walks in the door. We had our family pizza night and just chilled at the house for the evening. Claire pretty much fed Aunt Carolyn all her pizza.

I bought Claire a step stool to have around the house. We used it in her bathroom to see if she would like to brush her teeth while being up tall. She LOVED it. She brushed her teeth for about 20 minutes! We weren't sure if she had any enamel left! She got some help from Daddy with hand washing. It was too cute. Such a big girl!

Pics & video from the weekend

Claire with her Auntie Kaylan (and Godmother!). They were throwing coins into a fountain. Make a wish....maybe a wish that we could all be dining together instead of someone having to be outside with Claire and this fountain!! She was crazy about throwing coins. She has a good arm too.

On the go

Wow! After a fun filled birthday week came another fun filled family and friend week! My best friend, Kaylan, was in town with her mom. We spent some fun time together lounging at their hotel pool, having dinner, and shopping! I have no good pictures though. I was not good about bringing my camera!

Eric and I got another date night this past weekend which was awesome. Any time we can dine out without Claire is a bonus right now. She is a bit of a maniac in restaurant settings lately. She screamed so loud at dinner with Kaylan and Gwen on Friday that a manager came over to "see if everything was ok". YIKES! A little taste of the terrible 2's?? I think so. We also saw Eric's family as well. Claire got to see all her Cox family uncles together at the same time!! We visited Uncle Gordon's new house out here in Gold Canyon, AZ. Fun times were had. Tomorrow the real week starts again. Off to see our baby buddies and swim lessons!

I am thinking of the real meaning of this Memorial Day weekend. I am thankful to all of our soldiers...past and present, here and gone. It definitely takes a new meaning when you have family, friends, and husbands of close friends with young families who are serving in this war.

Birthday fun and more

We have been celebrating our birthday week! Eric has a birthday this Sunday so it's always a non stop party week. As you can see we had a little backyard celebration of our own for my birthday. I think the only way this picture could be any more redneck is if I had a can of Coors Light in my hand!

Paper hat...check
Plastic pool...check
Cocktail....check
Kid....check
Fun....most definitely! :)

Claire is on the up and up from her ear/viral infection. She had swim class today and was a little fish. She finally got comfortable with the pool there and the teacher. She jumped in the pool from the side, kicked, and did back floats. It was an awesome class today. I am sure it helped a ton that she went swimming yesterday at Uncle Tom & Tia's house. We went over to their place for a swim and birthday dinner. Claire had some corn on the cob for the first time. She loves corn so much right now and having it on the cob was extra fun! (note the blackberry on the tray. she is watching elmo. quietest hour ever!)

Claire says Happy Birthday

32 years later

Then and now! This pic was from my first birthday. I was enamored with the sunshine. Awe! I almost see a glimpse of Claire in my profile. Just blonder!

I woke up to a special gift today. Eric leaves for work before I get up so he left me a card and cute little box in the kitchen. Inside was this beautiful necklace. The emerald is my birthstone. I was so surprised. We don't really do gifts these days and we never do jewelry! It was incredibly thoughtful. He made my day as he does all the time. Happy Happy Birthday.

How time flies

This was today a year ago. Eric and I had just come home from Puerto Vallarta. It was our first time away from Claire. This picture was taken moments after we got home. We were so happy to be reunited! Can you tell! So much has changed in the past year. Besides me being older on Monday (but not by much)....Claire has turned into this little toddler.

Right before our eyes.
She runs, she talks (a lot), she gives eskimo kisses.
She will even say "I love you" if you ask her to!
Her laugh lights up our world.

What a wonderful year it has been. Full of surprises. I can't imagine what another year will bring. I am very grateful that Claire has given me a reason to celebrate Mother's Day.