The Harder They Fall

So living your life vertically is tougher than advertised.

They always talk about the standing, pulling up, walking - all the glamorous stuff. Then never mention the falling.

Over the past few days of standing next to things, I have discovered (the hard way) that when you fall, there can be consequences. To the head.

Yeah, I've taken a few bonks this week, and I even have a little bump under my eye. It's cool, though. Makes me look tough. Besides, it isn't like I am going to stop pulling myself up on things. Claire's gotta be Claire.

Daddy tends to worry, however, and went to Lowe's to get some stuff to put along the shelves to cushion the blows a bit.

Bring it on!!

Doin' Pull-ups

Last week I was pretty excited when I discovered that I could stand alongside things. Problem was, I had to have Daddy put me up there.

Well, no more.

Now I can pull myself up alongside almost anything. I can get to my knees really easy, but if I try really hard I can get to my feet. Its pretty cool.

So now I am pulling up and standing alongside almost everything. The couch, the coffee table, Mommy, my bumpo chair, my hamper, the TV stand, Daddy and the shelves in the living room.

I tried to pull myself up on Sophie, but she didn't stick around for that one.

Turkey Trip

You know how sometimes you come back from a vacation and you are more tired than when you left?

Well I need another vacation.

This past week was so awesome, I don't even know where to begin. Well, I guess I can begin at 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday, when Mommy woke me up to kick this whole thing off. We had to get up early so we could get to the airport for our 5 a.m. flight. I don't know why they had to leave so early. It's not like many people were there.

Anyway, this was my first time on a plane so I was really excited. Basically, it is like a big car, except a bunch of other people there to smile at and you don't have to sit in you carseat. Then when you start driving really fast (even faster than Mommy) and then you go up in the sky. Pretty cool.

I made it all the way without crying, which made Mommy, Daddy and everybody else on the plane happy.

Grandpa picked us up at the airport and took us to his house, where they had a pack-n-play, formula, diapers and all kinds of stuff for me. A few toys and books too.

Other thing they had there was a doggie. Her name was Sadie and she was super nice. She didn't even care when I grabbed her fur.

I met a WHOLE lot of people too. Basically all of Mommy's family (which, I guess, is my family too). I also got a new Great Grandma and a new Great Great Aunt Nancy. As their names imply, they were both great.

I also got to meet some friends, including a little guy named Doyle. His mommy and my mommy were friends in school. He seemed really nice, but his bedroom was painted Notre Dame colors. I don't know why Doyle's mommy and daddy would do that. I think it would have been better in Black and Gold.

The big event of the weekend, though, was Cousin Nicole's wedding. I wore a pretty blue dress, and got to take a bath in the sink. Only problem was I kinda had to go while we were bathing, so I dropped a little brown tugboat in the sink. Luckily, Grandma and Grandpa thought it was funny.

The wedding was awesome. Cousin Nicole was very pretty. I wasn't so sure about the ceremony (I kept getting shushed), and Daddy took me to the back before it was even over. Afterwards, though, they threw a heck of a party and I got to dance with Daddy.

The next day, it was back to the airport for the trip home. We had a lot more time at the airport on the way home, so Mommy and Daddy just let me roam around. Only hiccup on the ride home was a dirty diaper on the plane. Daddy had to try and change me in the airplane bathroom, and they don't have much room there. It was an experience. I would have gone before we got on the plane, but I have heard some very disturbing stories about the Minneapolis Airport bathrooms.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I'm really excited!! Tomorrow Mommy, Daddy and I are going to Indianapolis to stay with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma Sara is making a big dinner on Thursday, and then Cousin Nicole is getting married on Saturday. It should be a fun weekend.

Most exciting, though, is the way we are getting there. Daddy said it is too far to ride in the car, so we are taking a PLANE!!! I've never flown before, so it should be a good time. Daddy said that there will be lots of new people to smile at and tell me how cute I am... kinda like a grocery store in the sky.

We fly out at 5 a.m. tomorrow, so I am a little worried that I may sleep most of the flight out, but Daddy said that is OK. On the way back they are letting us take TWO planes, and as a bonus, we get to stay at the Minneapolis airport for four whole hours. That should be a blast. Daddy said I could take a nap at the airport, but who wants to sleep when there is so much stuff going on.

But all planes aside, I'm excited to get to Indy. I have never been to Grandma and Grandpa's house... rumor has it they have a DOGGIE!!! I'll also get to meet a bunch of family that I haven't met yet.

I can show them my new tricks...

Weekend Hazing

Daddy and I took another trip over the weekend, going over to picturesque Des Moines for a night. Daddy went to a wedding, but it started at 7 pm, and that is took late for this little girl. I turn into a pumpkin around 8 bells, so I figured I would just hang back with Daddy's friends, who we were staying with.

Now, I had overheard a few stories about Joel, so I was very intrigued to hang with him and his wife Stacie for the night. He seemed kinda normal to me, though. I was kinda looking forward to him trying to fill the house with sand and throw a beach party or something, but no dice. He seems to be the kind of guy that is making the best decisions of his life.

They did have a kitty I could play with, so that was fun.

Daddy told me that since Joel doesn't have any babies, I should give him the "full experience". I figured I would give him the old "Three P" - poop, pee and puke. The look on his face was priceless when stuff started coming out both ends.

I love messin' with the noobies.

Museum Quality

Took a trip to the Children's Museum today. You know, it is a lot more fun when you are mobile. And it is even better when you bring a wingman.

Luckily, I can crawl now and Tommy came with. We had a blast. We played with blocks, crawled around, looked in mirrors, poked each other in the face. It was a great day.

Daddy took a bunch of pictures, which you can see below. For maximum effect, you should think of it as a montage. While you are looking at the pictures, play some fun music suitable for two babies crawling and having fun. Something like "Feel the Night", the song in the Karate Kid when Daniel went out on a date with Ali (with an 'i').

Crawlin' Around

Sorry for the delay in postings, but I have been busy exploring. Seriously, I don't know what I did before crawling. I guess I just rolled. Crawling is much better, though. Apparently the fastest way to get somewhere is a straight line.

For example, today I was playing with my toys in the living room and I felt the need for a change of scenery, so I crawled all the way into my room. All by myself. No need to be carried.

It's amazing what you can find when you are mobile. I never realized there was so much stuff in the house I wasn't supposed to touch.

Now I am working on pulling myself up on things. I can get on the bottom shelf of the shelves in the living room, and I am almost able to get up to the coffee table. Man, I can't WAIT to get at that stuff.

One Small Step

I DID IT!!!



My greatest accomplishment to date.

Take Your Best Shot

I think Daddy and I had our first fight today.

It all started when we went to the doctor again today. We were in that room where you do nothing but wait, and Daddy was playing with me. He held me up in the air, and since I had eaten breakfast just an hour before... well... you know... I kinda reversed gears. All over Daddy.

So he had to take off his sweater in the waiting room. I don't know what the big deal was. I thought it was a grey sweater, but Daddy said it was cashmere.

He musta been really mad, because right after he took me in back and they gave me a shot right away. But you know what, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of crying, so I didn't make a peep. Not a cry, not a tear, not a yelp.

Daddy said I was the toughest baby ever. Maybe now he knows who he is dealing with. That being said, I'll try not to puke on him any more.

Puppy Love

So yesterday I went over to Tommy's house to play. After playing inside for a while, we got to put out coats on and go into the backyard. I don't know if you are familiar with Tommy's backyard or not, but it is probably the coolest place in the history of the world.

First off, he has a swing like they have at the park. And you know how much I like swings.

But even better than that, they have a giant puppy that is the greatest thing ever. I could saddle up and ride this thing - seriously. And when Daddy throws a ball, the puppy runs and gets it then brings it back. It was the funniest thing I ever saw. I just sat in the swing laughing my head off.

Even better, the puppy would come up to you and let you pet it... and grab it and poke it and pull its fur and everything you want. And it doesn't get mad. In fact, the puppy even gave me a kiss...



So now I know what I want for Christmas. Not books, not toys, not world peace, but a new house.

Let me explain. Daddy said we can't get a puppy because we live in an apartment. Therefore, logic says that if we get a new house, we won't live in an apartment anymore and we can get a puppy. Makes sense, right?

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!

So this was a big weekend. A REALLY big weekend.

First off, Grandma and Grandpa came down, and Grandma taught me that Christmas presents can be given in November. I like that idea.

Second, I got to watch a lot of football with Daddy and Grandpa. It was fun, because whenever the Hawkeyes or Vikings score, I got to give them five, and unlike most weeks, that was a regular occurrence. I slept through most of the Colts game, but Mommy said I didn't miss much.

Third, and most important, the Hawkeye Field Hockey team won their second-straight Big Ten Tournament Championship in spectacular fashion!! That's right, the last time they didn't win the title I wasn't even BORN yet!!! In the championship game, the Hawkeyes beat the formula out of Michigan, 4-1. My friend Caroline was named Tournament MVP, too, because she is awesome.

Now it is off to NCAA Regionals. Daddy said if they get to host, he will take me to the games in Iowa City (if it is OK with Mommy). SCORE!!!

The weekend must have been a little too much for Mommy and Daddy, because the last two days they slept in for an extra hour. I'm still up at my normal time, but they were still in bed. Luckily, I had the monitor on and Daddy could hear me if I hollered for him. I let him sleep a bit, though, cuz it must be tough being old.

Claire Bear

Trick or Treating was a BLAST!!! I'm trying to talk Daddy into putting my candy in the blender so I can eat it.