Constant Beginnings

 

Yep, you guessed it. I am on vacation. Claire and I will be kicking back, doing what we want all day, everyday for the next 10 weeks. Yahoo! I am so excited. It will be such a treat to spend so much time with my little girl who is becoming quite the little person. She jabbers all the time, crawls like she is doing the 50 meter dash, eats very well and loves playing with anything and everything. Here is a quick list of what I'd like to get accomplished: 1. my gardens weeded 2. lose 20 pounds 3. read adult books (for once) 4. nap everyday 5. scrapbook at least through Claire turning 9 months 6. paint the attic stairway (no--it still isn't done;) 7. savor every minute with my baby (& Chris too) I am loving vacation.

I love my TV. I watch way too many shows, DVR those that I miss and find myself watching those I don't even care about. Simply because it is there. Since being pregnant, I have lost much of the weight--40+ pounds, but considering I gained nearly 60 pounds, I definitely had alot to lose. I think that may be the first time I included that information on this blog. Anyway, it was way too much. I am now paying the price. I am slowing getting rid of it, but it is a huge work in progress. Before we attempt Baby #2, I am promising myself to get back down to my good old size 10. I have a bit to go. You're probably wondering how this is all related. Time is ticking. Baby #2 needs to come soon, so the weight needs to go--along with the TV. I am hoping this is the incentive I need to get my big bootie off this couch and get moving. However, since in ND (where I had NO cable--did I mention NONE, NOT A, ZIP, NILCH? And for all you smarties out there--yes, there is cable in ND, but since my ...

  My Uncle Nick interpreted Claire's hand raises as her desire to "honk" his nose. It was too cute. She would repeatedly lift her arms and he'd come over and say "honk." She'd squeal with glee.   My Mom got a kiss from Claire. She was happy to experience the open mouthed smooch first hand as Claire is a bit greedy with her kisses. Here is my Mom kissing Claire.   Muriel and Kathy looking at my Grandpa's childhood pictures. We found three albums and diaries written by my Great Grandma nearly 90 years ago. They were in great condition.   My Uncle Rick and Claire.

  Visiting before the funeral.   Luke was hit by a pop fly. Here is his eye before it swelled shut. Only kidding, it didn't get much worse than this.   Claire took an interest in babies when we were there. My cousin Kirsten brought her 2 1/2 month old baby and Claire loved watching him (and taking his toys). We ended up bringing a small little baby home that she played with nonstop for the last few days   Claire enjoyed her first doughnut when we were in ND. Not exactly the breakfast of champions, but she really liked it.

  Claire and my cousin, Katie.   Luke and Ava reading "Pinkolicious." Ava loves this book. She has the entire thing memorized and entertained everyone over and over again by "reading" it to us. "Pintowisus" was a hit with her expression. I don't think anyone will forget "bu se dot bewy upse." Too cute! Luke is a great reader too. He loved reading books to Claire and Ava both. He is a great big cousin.    

        Claire and Ava happened to bring matching shirts. They wore them on the same day and were absolutely adorable. Claire was fascinated with my Grandma's front loading washing machine.