Claire's Birthday Party

We celebrated our sweet Claire's 1st birthday in Minnesota at her Oma's ballet studio.  Other than a mishap before her party, I think she had a good time.  All of our immediate family and some of Riet's dancers were able to attend.  Emile's cousin's husband, Byron and son, Dane also flew in from Pennsylvania to celebrate with us.  My brother's girlfriend's sister's family (did you follow all that :) joined us also.  All the kids spent time playing in the bouncing ball pit, playing with play-doh and coloring.  Claire's favorite part was playing with a balloon Nana and Grandpa got her.  Natalie, Hayden, Una, Mason, Iggy, Lily and Dane helped Claire open all her presents.  We had cupcakes made for her by the place that made our wedding cake, Queen of Cakes.  They also made a tiny cake for Claire to smash.

Claire is walking!

Claire has been taking a few steps now for about a month but wasn't that interested in actually using it to get places.  As of Friday, she decided to put her new skill to use and has started walking to get to things, across the room, etc.  She's so proud of herself as are we. 



Also, as of today, Claire is done nursing.  And that means after 3 years, 3 months and 18 days, I have reclaimed my body.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Over the last 3 years, 3 months and 18 days I have been either pregnant and/or breastfeeding since I got pregnant with Claire while I was still breastfeeding Natalie (I nursed her while pregnant for 3 months, until she was also 12.5 months old).  I'm excited to have my body back but sad that this phase has ended for Claire and me!

I'm also working on getting photos of her birthday party on the blog but it's been a slow process.  They're coming soon!

Happy First Birthday Claire!

My sweet pea is 1 year old today!  I cannot believe how fast this year has gone.  She is such a blessing in our family.  Her smiles are brighten our days.  She's even started taking some steps (3 yesterday on my nephew's 6th birthday and 4 steps today on her birthday). 
We are in Minnesota for her birthday at Oma and Opa's house.  I sang Happy Birthday to her when she woke up this morning.  Emile made her birthday pancakes and we all sung to her again.  We opened a few gifts (most of them we'll open at home or during her party tomorrow).  Then the girls played in the ball pit we got for Claire's birthday party.  I think she enjoyed her birthday!

Our Christmas Tree

Thanksgiving weekend we took the girls got our traditional Christmas tree spot to get a tree.  Natalie helped Claire pick out the best tree.  Emile set it up for us and the girls helped me to decorate it after I put the lights up.  Natalie loved decorating the tree.  She put on about a dozen non-breakable ornaments -- all in one area of the tree.  Claire then crawled around to take some off the tree!  It was a lot of fun.
We've started two new Christmas traditions with the girls - Elf on the Shelf and reading Christmas books.  We got an cute elf that we put on our bookshelf.  The elf hangs out during the day but "leaves" at night to go tell Santa whether the girls were good during the day.  In the morning the girls come down and look to find where the elf is sitting once he returned from visiting Santa.  Natalie loves it.

I've also started reading the girls a different holiday book each night in front of the tree before bath. Right now, Natalie picks out the book each night while Claire crawls around.  I love it!

Thanksgiving and Fall Fun

The end of November was a busy time for us.  The girls went to a friend's 3rd birthday party (Dylan).  Natalie became friends with a little girl a few years older than her and had a great time pretending to make and sell food from Dylan's playhouse.  Claire had enjoyed playing in the sand box.

We have a lot of trees in our yard which are very tall and lose a lot of leaves in the Fall.  Kinsey made a large leave pile for them to play in.  Natalie enjoyed running across the yard and jumping into it, and then laying in the leaves to watch the clouds and airplanes.  Claire was a little more hesitant but enjoyed it nonetheless.  I really enjoyed spending time with the two of them in the leaves after work. 

Claire celebrated her first Thanksgiving -- her last first holiday before her birthday.  We went to Emile's boss' house in Elfand.  Natalie loved it!  She latched onto the older girls there (3 of them) and I pretty much didn't see her much of the night which is not like her (she's usually stays pretty close to me when we're in a large group).  Natalie spent the most time with the oldest (11 years old), Lilah.  She was so sweet with her.  It was great seeing Natalie come out of her shell with other kids.  Claire spent a lot of time hanging out with me which was wonderful!  Dinner was wonderful and the company was even better.

The weather had been pretty nice so we got a chance to spend some time playing outside.

Santa Parade and Baking Cookies

We've started a new yearly tradition with the girls -- going to the annual Santa Parade in downtown Raleigh.  We met up with Emile's boss' and co-worker's families right in front of the Capital Building.  The parade was just like those with have in Wisconsin for the 4th -- lots of floats and marching bands.  I think Natalie's favorite things though were the horses!  And of course, seeing Santa come into town at the end of the parade.  Definitely something we plan to do again in years to come.

Pecan Picking