Reunited and It Feels So Good

Chris and Claire going down the slide.

zoooommmm!

riding the T

claire in the chaos that is our backyard

claire modeling her new Ireland sweatshirt from daddy

We are together again! Life is good. Claire and I picked up Chris late Wednesday night. She ran to her Daddy in the airport, which had to make Chris feel great. He was a bit concerned that she wouldn't remember him or want anything to do with him despite the fact that we had been talking via video while he was deployed. She wouldn't let him put her down. When we arrived home from the airport, Claire wanted nothing to do with Chris. If I left the room, Claire cried. She awoke on Thursday with an attachment to her Daddy and nothing has changed since. If Chris leaves the room, she consistently asks, "Daddy go?" She no longer wants me to do anything for her, but is all about Chris. Cute, but annoying. I do realize that this will change, so I am okay. We had a great weekend. I worked a half day on Thursday, so Claire accompanied Chris to the base for his errands. I took Friday off, so we all went to the base for a visit and in-processing. Fun. I've been wanting to take Claire to the Children's Museum in Boston, so we ventured there on Saturday. It was great. She's ridden on the T (subway) countless times, but this is the first that she has actually been aware of what was going on. She stared out the window, pointed to things, people watched (yes, she is definitely my kiddo) with so many different facial expressions. It was so much fun to watch her. The museum was great, but will be even better when she is a year or so older. She loved each activity that she could do and wanted to them again and again. It was Pi Day--definitely a MIT/Harvardish type of place to celebrate such a day, so they had a music and movement concert. The songs weren't exactly geared toward your average kiddo, so Claire was not so interested. I am sure one day she will value Pi Day like no other, but not this year! (Ok, in truth, I hope she doesn't. I didn't know there was such a day until I began working at my school. Several kids (brains/nerds) actually have shirts that say "Pi Day." Perhaps this is a holiday I wish she not observe.)We returned home to rake the yard, pick up sticks, and attempt a fire (Chris had been dying to have a fire, but obviously needs a bit of practice with lighting them). Claire is an awesome helper. I bought her a small rake before Chris came home, which she LOVES. I definitely see alot of myself in her. She cleans, gardens, does the dishes...very well-trained. On Sunday, we went to church, out to lunch and hung out outside most of the day. I had been looking for some Little Tikes toys for our backyard. We have a small climbing cube with a slide, but needed something a bit bigger. Luckily, we found a great deal on Craigslist. We picked up 2 larger climbing structures that afternoon. Chris and Claire put them together on Sunday while I made dinner. Now our backyard looks like a kid's domain vs. a backyard. Although I don't love it, I guess this is what happens when you have kiddos. All in all, everything is great. We're so glad we are back together again.

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...

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 ...

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....

Anonymous said…

Thanks for the update finally. I hate when you leave us hanging! Wish I could have seen the assembly of the toys I'm sure it was interesting. Not that I doubt your skills Chris....Can't wait to see you guys! Where are the pics of you, Kara--we want 2 see progress!

Love ya,Jessica

March 18, 2009 at 8:37 AM

Erin&Joshua said…

I couldn't agree more Jess. I was dying to know how things went and to officially see Chris on US soil. It sounds like you guys had a great reunification weekend I its so nice to hear that Claire is loving on dad :)

Can't wait to see you guys either. I am officially done at the Mountain the day after Easter - let's schedule a 'playdate'

March 18, 2009 at 9:18 PM

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