Happy Half Birthday, Claire!!

It is hard to believe six months have flown by already. It seems like only yesterday we were spending our first night home as a family of three (or four, if you include Harvest) and trying to figure out how to comfort you as you wailed at midnight. We were quick to learn that a midnight drive did the trick. We weren't sure how the rest of our lives would go if we resorted to a drive on night number one. However, thankfully, you've been a dream first baby. Your Daddy and I marvel at how much you've changed and how smart you are. You are everything we could have hoped for in a little girl. You captured both our hearts immediately.We love you and look forward to each and everyday with you. Here are some things you are doing now:
1. You are sitting on your own.
2. You play peek-a-boo. Today you actually began putting the blanket over your eyes and waiting for me to say, "where's Claire" before you took it off. It was so cute, but of course, the battery was dead on the video recorder, so we'll have to wait to capture it on video.
3. You are babbling. Those sounds are music to my ears. You are using mostly ba-ba-ba, but you occasionally throw in a ma-ma-ma. Love it!!
4. You can scoot in your walker. You don't move too far, but you are catching on to moving forward and backward. Your Daddy practicies with you nearly every night. He really wants you to get walking.
5. You scoot backwards when you are laying on your tummy. You aren't able to get your legs under yourself to crawl, but you can move.
6. You have taken a new interest in books. I have always read to you, but you never really focused on the books for long. Now you are looking at each page and sit still as I point to and talk about different pictures.
7. You hold the bottle yourself (most of the time). You are no longer getting "mommy milk," which has been a point of guilt for me. You adjusted well, but caught your first bad cold a week after we made the switch. I felt horrible, but I know that 6 months with no ear infections or other illness is really good.
8. You love to snuggle and hold our hands while you fall asleep. Your Daddy and I love this.
9. You love Harvest. You constantly smile at him and watch him. When he gives you the chance, you also love to pull his hair. He, on the other hand, loves to give you kisses. Kind of gross, so his opportunities limited.
10. You are really into faces. You love to grab our noses and mouths. It is as if you are trying to figure it all out.
Claire, you have changed so much in only six short months. We can't wait to watch you grow as we shower you with love and attention. You truly are our pride and joy.

my workout playlist

I never dreamed I'd be listening/watching this when I worked out, but it is true. Here it is: photo courtesty of Laurieberkner.com I wouldn't have it any other way. My little healthy lifestyle journey is going well. I have exercised 7 days thus far which consists of treadmill activity and an ab workout every other day. I don't pressure myself to run everyday, but I have run 4 of the 7 days. I am quite proud of that. I have never been a runner or enjoyed running, but I have grown to like it. I used to say that I had exercise induced asthma! I think I did, but maybe I outgrew it? ha. Whatever the reason, I am finding it pretty easy to run and maintain a steady pace for no less than 20 minutes each time. Pretty impressive feat for a girl like me. Interestingly, I had planned to take today off, but didn't. I actually had the desire to run. Chris and I are both sticking to the eating plan as well. So far I am down about 4 pounds. Although 4 pounds is plenty, it ...

Pink Family

Chris and I are creatures of habit. We like what we like. When we find something especially wonderful, we tend to go a bit overboard. Case in point--Chinese restaurant in Minot, ND. We frequented it often at least a couple of times per week. This was basically THE place we went out to eat. The host actually started to say things like, "nice to see you AGAIN." We were rather embarrassed and fearful that his line would eventually become, "your usual table?" Thankfully we moved. Since coming to Korea, we've tried every Brazilian Steakhouse (there are 4 or 5), I deemed Ceia my favorite. It has the most delicious white rice with which I put this onion mixture on top and it is oh. so. yummy. We became frequent visitors--typically one night per week. We joked between ourselves that we were going to be greeted as we were dreading in Minot. It never happened, thankfully, but who knows what the staff actually said as they primarily spoke Korean :) Another quirk Chris an...

9 Months

Claire is nine months old. She is such an active kid, always on the go. She no longer lays nicely when we change her diaper. It is quite the challenge. She is getting rather quick at crawling, so we have to move just as quickly to keep her out of where she doesn't belong--the fridge, cupboards, etc. Developmentally, she is right on track or maybe a bit advanced in our biased eyes. She crawls, pulls herself up, is beginning to move from one piece of furniture to another, mostly eats table food, and imitates us (both in the noises we make or actions--knocking on a door). When we hold her hands, she is beginning to take steps without much guidance. On Saturday, she made her first attempt to climb a step. Sadly, it ended with her sliding down. She has three teeth--two on the bottom, one on top with another coming in on top. Ten things we love about her: 1. her smile 2. her curiosity 3. the way she holds our hands or her own hands when she sleeps 4. her easy-goingness 5....

Constant Beginnings

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