Papa Kim in Gulfport

Claire went to visit her Papa Kim at the beginning of September 2010 at his new, second house in Gulfport. She loved running all over Papa Kim's new, bamboo floors and playing with his collection of Mardi Gras beads. Papa Kim carried her down to the beach, only a short walk away, past a playground, where Claire will hopefully be able to play when she gets a little older.

Shopoholic

Claire loves shopping at Target. She has her own little shopping cart, courtesy of Aunt Libby. She has small coffee and soup containers, a small loaf of bread, a miniature roasted chicken, and a tiny carton of eggs, which she proudly wheels around and shows off.

Cookie Monster

Claire found a cookie on the floor. I didn't have the heart to take it away from her. If I said I was following the three-second-rule, I'd be lying.

First Watermelon

You know, why isn't a baby's first taste of watermelon ever commemorated? Is there any experience sweeter?

A Day at the Mall

Claire and I went to the Galleria when she was 14 months old. We sat under the glass ceiling outside the railing surrounding the pretty plants surrounding the beautiful carousel. Claire ate macaroni and cheese and watched the animals glide around and around. She had this look of wonder on her face the whole time.

A DAWG!!

While at Auntie Leesie's house, Claire discovered a friend outside the back door. Claire loves Sadie, a sweet beagle mix.

The Queen's Speech

I know I've been posting a lot of photos of Claire taken 4-5 months ago, but here is a status today, at 20 months. Claire can say several words and can sign even more. Here are the words she can say verbally (with pronunciations):
bath (BAYah)
milk (MEEUH MEEUH)
Mama (amahmah)
Daddy (dada)
Matt (mmmm!)
ice cream (brrrr - in her case, sort of a spitting sound)
dog (AHdah/uh uh "woof woof")
cat (CAAA /eeOW "meow")
owl (hoo hoo)
fish (beeyup beeyup) - this is her version of the sound fish make underwater, "bloop bloop"
cow (oooooh) - this is her version of "moo"
goat (aaaa) - this is her version of "maa"
sheep (baaa)
chicken (bock bock)
horse/rocking horse (eeee - like "neigh")
ball (a BAWL!!!)
bubble (a BAWL!!!)
blueberry (a BAWL!!!)
cherry (a BAWL!!!)
pea (a BAWL!!!)
orange (a BAWL!!!)
grapefruit (a BAWL!!!)
planet (a BAWL!!!)
barrette (ababa)
God (Gah!) - As in "Where did you come from?" Answer: "Gah!"
sock (sah!)
shoe (sh sh sh)
train (ch ch ch)
truck (ch ch ch)
tricycle (eeeee! - like "weee!")
pacifier (ayaya)
cheese (chsss)
uh oh (uh oh)
pie (ahpaaaah)
okay (oh-keh)
ee-i-ee-i-oh (yayayaya) - said to indicate any grouping of animals - also said when getting
dressed, as in "old MacDonald had a farm ... and on that farm there were some pants ..."


Here are the words she can sign (sometimes with ASL, sometimes with her own, made-up signs):

Mama
Dada
Grambee
GG (Mama Jo/Great Grandmother)
Auntie Leesie
Auntie Libby
Beepaw/Pookah/chin/beard (same sign used for all four words)
book
dog
cat
girl
baby/dolly
icecream/cold
help
juice/yogurt
milk
donkey
bunny
sheep
chicken (this is the funniest sign)
water
phone
diaper
hat
cheese
spoon/fork

She can follow all sorts of simple (such as "put it in!") and complex (such as "pick up your can of green beans and take them into the kitchen and put it in your little kitchen") commands. She can also identify her:
head
eyes
nose
mouth
teeth
tongue
ears
hair
cheek
chin
belly button (her favorite)
"tutti" (y'all figure it out)
feet
toes
hands
fingers
elbows
knees

Snuggles

Claire is not a "snuggler". Snuggling involves sitting still, something she almost never does. But one night, she was really tired, and she cuddled up to Mama. We watched Charlotte's Web until she fell asleep under her triple KD legacy quilt.

Cheese!

As Claire began to try new non-pureed foods, cheese quickly became the front-runner. While in Target, she ate so much cheese that she threw up. All over herself, the entire cart and everything in it. This is a picture of her seconds before it happened. I ripped the tag off a new outfit, took her to the bathroom, washed her in the sink, dressed her in the new outfit, washed each thing in the cart, left the defiled cart with a staff person, and moved every item (including Claire) into a new cart. Then, I paid for everything, insisting on ringing things up myself, including the new outfit, for which I'd saved the tag. Then I left as quickly as possible.

KinderMusic

Claire joined her first music class before she could walk. At 12 months and smaller than most children her age, she was certainly the tiniest one in the class. She was also the most active. She immediately began exploring every detail of the room, while the other children all sat calmly (fearfully?) with their mothers. Claire loved the songs, the other babies, and (most of all) the shaker eggs!

Crawling and Pulling Up

Claire was not yet walking at one year old. She was, however, crawling everywhere and pulling up on furniture. She would not take one step without holding onto something, even when reaching for a coveted toy. These pictures were taken on a Sunday during church. Claire was restless and wanted to move around! I took her into the church parlor during the sermon, and we played.

Silly Baby

John took Claire and me to the McWane Science Center, as well as the restaurant, Urban Standard in May. Claire enjoyed a cookie while we ate scones with creme fraiche.

Daddy Time

Claire loves her Daddy! At one year old, she rarely sat still, but would usually make time to lie down with Daddy and watch a movie. Her love language is quality time.

Happy Birthday to Me

Claire's first birthday was a very large, elaborate affair. Held at the Letson Farms Clubhouse, it was attended by nearly 40 guests, including both friends and family. Claire wore an aqua dress and bloomers hand-knitted by her Grambee. Guests enjoyed seven different flavors of baby bites from Art Pastry Shoppe in Homewood, as well as pizza from Donato's and pink champagne. Mothers among the guests took home the vinca centerpieces on the tables. The party lasted for nearly two hours. Claire received numerous presents and happy wishes.

Cheering Up Grandfather

After being diagnosed with cancer, John's father had to have colon surgery in April. The night before, he was worried, but Claire cheered him up. The next day, he kept a picture of Claire with him to keep his spirits up. This week, he undergoes his last chemo treatment.

Dental Hygiene

Claire started using a toothbrush at 11 months old. I was absolutely amazed that I didn't have to brush her teeth - she brushed her own! She loves her Dora the Explorer toothpaste, which is safe for babies to swallow.

Happy in High Chair

Claire loved being in her high chair! For one, she knew she would get food (in this case, cookies). For another, she knew Double couldn't get her food, since she was so high up.

Happy in High Chair

Claire loved being in her high chair! For one, she knew she would get food (in this case, cookies). For another, she knew Double couldn't get her food, since she was so high up.

Claire's First Shoes

Claire received her first pair of shoes at 11 months old. They are little Umi's, designed for babies learning to walk. Claire loved them and never tried to take them off. I wish they made Umi's for adults!

Painting the Roses Red

Claire and I went to Home Depot and bought Double Knockout Roses to plant along the front of the house. Claire looked so beautiful with all the roses behind her! Our front lawn finally looks beautiful, too!