Animal sounds

Claire has learned to make an animal sound! It doesn't matter what animal you ask her about, she will make the same noise over and over. A cow, sheep, snake and lion all make a growling noise! Who knew? It is very cute, and I wanted to share it with all of you!

Share Video at DropShots.com

Kisses

Is this the cutest thing you have ever seen or what!!! Claire's friend Grant came over to play today. They were both looking out the window, so I thought "hmmm, that is a cute picture opportunity!" So, I went and got my camera. When I came around the corner Grant was smooching on Claire! SO CUTE! Tonight I am making dinner for Jeff. I haven't cooked in two weeks! I don't like cooking for myself, but I love cooking for others! We are going to hang out at home and play with Claire! It should be a very fun evening!

We LOVE Jeff!

I just wanted to take a minute to let everyone know how awesome Jeff is! He has been working very hard in the last few weeks... 16 days straight to be exact. That means no weekends and 80 hour weeks. This is all without complaint. He comes home and tries to be in a good mood, and in the morning he spends time with Claire. I know it is hard on him not being able to spend a lot of time with her, but he makes the most of what he has. I am so thankful that I have such a hard working, caring and loving husband. He is such a good provider, and such a caring Dad. This is just a small way to tell him how much his girls love him!

I did it!

I had my AFP blood test this morning. I layed down, held out my arm and didn't pass-out! Yeah me! Claire was good too... she just sat and watched! I scheduled my ultra-sound for February 3. That should be the day that we find out the sex... if the deuce is cooporating. Wait... have i posted about that? Jeff likes to call this baby "Deuce". I can't remember the exact reason why. Ask him... i'm sure he would love to tell you. You want to hear something else that will make you laugh? The other day when I posted about Claire getting mascara all over the carpet Jeff decided he would post a comment. He had never commented on my blog before, so while going through the set up process he saw that you can link your name to a website. Being the funny guy that he is, he linked a "phrase.com" to his name just to be funny. He didn't look up the website before posting, but went to it after the fact. Come to find out it was a very explicit, nasty website! This is why I did not give you the phrase that he used! So, after I frantically stepped him through how to remove his post we had a good laugh! Lesson: NEVER type in random phrases on the internet without first checking them out! Even if they do sound innocent... you never know what you will find! YIKES!

Sweet Girl

More drama...

Today I was getting ready for the day and Claire reached up on the counter and stole my mascara. I didn't see it happen, and if I had, I wouldn't have thought anything of it. She's only one, she can't take lids off of things. HA! She walked into the living room, sat on the white carpet and proceded to unscrew the lid. She then smeared it all over her cute little outfit, the carpet, her hands and just about everything in sight. When I came around the corner she got really scared and started to cry. She knew she did something wrong. She didn't get introuble though... I shouldn't have let her play with my things, and I should have been watching her. Oops. Does anyone know how to get mascara out of carpet?

Weekend Update

Well, we had an eventful weekend. After my last post I came down with some sort of horrible flu or cold. On Friday morning I went in for my doctors appointment and ended up being addmitted to the hospital for dehydration. I stayed in the hospital all day hooked up to IV's and other medications. It was not very fun. Jeff had to leave work and come stay with me. Claire got to play at her friends house... which I am beyond thankful for. During my hospital stay i would wake up and wonder if Claire was OK, or if she was being good. Well, come to find out when Jeff went to pick her up she cried because she didn't want to come home. I don't know what we would do without such good friends. I am very thankful for them. So, the rest of the weekend I was mostly out of commision. I feel better, but very tired, and still a little nauseated. I will go in next Friday for the AFP test. In the midst of all that we managed to let Claire have fun playing at the park! Wouldn't it be nice to be one again and have no cares in the world!

Tommorow

Hi friends! Tommorow I have my next appointment with the OB. I am having my Alphafetoprotien (triple screen) test done. It is a blood test that determines if the baby has genetic defects such as Spina Bifida and Down Syndrome. Most all pregnant women have this test, i also had it when I was pregnant with Claire. It is a simple blood draw, and then results follow in a few days. I wanted to ask you all to pray about this test. I am very nervouse about it, for two reasons. The first one: I am very phobic about needles and having my blood taken. As this is busy season, Jeff will not be able to be there to hold my hand... please pray that I can be brave. Next, I am nervouse because I have had a reoccuring dream since I was a little girl about this topic. I always dream that I am a mother, but that one of my children has Down Syndrome. I have this dream sometimes as often as once a week. It's not that I would be devestated if this baby did have Down Syndrome... It is just that this dream is so vivide and it makes me nervouse. I know that whatever God has planned for Jeff and our family will be for the best. I would really appreciate your prayers tommorow... my appointment is at 11:30 AM. I will post on my results as soon as I get them.

New Computer

Over Christmas my Dad gave Jeff and I a new computer. He used it at work, but doesn't need it anymore... so today I am trying to teach myself how to use it. I can hear what your saying already. Is she dumb? Why doesn't she know how to use a computer? Well... I grew up a MAC person. I have ALWAYS used a Mac. My new computer is a PC, so you can see the problem. So far I am doing ok... this blog entry is a test to see if I have figured it out! My Dad is in town today from Colorado, so Jeff, Claire and I are having dinner with him tonight, should be fun! I finally got some Christmas pictures in the mail last night. This is a picture of all of us snow shoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Poor Claire... she did not like the powdery snow blowing in her face. I think she will enjoy herself much more next year! Well... more later. I still have a lot to learn on my PC!!!

girly girls and geniuses...

Well, it look like Claire is going to turn out to be a girly girl. Her new favorite things are my purse and a cell phone. She will carry the purse on her arm and hold the phone to her ear as she walks around the house. If you listen closely you will hear her chatting with someone and giggling. Example: "Hi, ahhh, hmm, he he he, hi..." etc. It always makes Jeff and I laugh. On another note... this morning as I was getting ready for the day I had a thought. Do you have a list of people that you consider to be genius? Well, I do. It is a short list, but I plan to add more people as I see fit. My list as is follows: Martha Stewart. Why? WHY NOT??? She is amazing. Everything she does is perfection. You can really learn alot from her! Second on my list: The person who invented the CHI. For those of you who are unaware it is the best hair straightening device ever made. I just got one and I can't figure out why I didn't get one earlier... it is AMAZING! So, there is my list- so far, short and sweet. What is your list... I would love to know!

Friday

I'm so glad it's Friday. That means that I get to spend the whole weekend with Jeff. It is busy season now for him at work, and this will be the last weekend that he won't have to go into the office. I am really worried about Claire. She is sleeping so much lately. It could be a growth spurt, or that she is teething. What normal one year old asks to take a nap. She sleeps 9-10 hours at night and then take two 2-3 hour naps during the day. I am taking her to the pediatritian next week. Just to make sure everything is ok. I still don't have any Christmas pictures of Claire... hopefully soon. I also go to the doctor next week. We only have to wait 4 more weeks to find out if we are having a boy or a girl! I can't wait. It makes it more real to me to know if i am having a boy or a girl... almost like I can picture the baby better. I am hoping for a little sister for Claire, because I always wanted to have a sister. But whatever the baby is it is a blessing from God... we'll just have to wait and see!

Back in Texas...

Well, we are back. It was a long and very fun trip. We were in Colorado for 10 days and then went to Missouri for 2. We got to see my family and Jeff's family, so it was a very productive trip. I will say though, being in the car for 14 hours while being prego--- NOT fun. I only maanaged to get sick one time in the car though (in case you wondered.) Claire had a great time... both sets of Grandparents and enough presents to fill a Toys-R-us! I don't have any cute pictures to post yet. I let the people with the fancy cameras take all of the pictures this Christmas. I am waiting for them to send them to me. When I get some I will share them with you. Last night (New Years Eve) Jeff, Claire and I had dinner with good friends, and then we came home and sat on the couch. No alcohol was involved, and we went to bed before midnight. Sounds fun huh? Well it was, really. I just don't get what is fun about staying out late and drinking yourself into sickness?!! If you can explain it to me, feel free! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Today

Today I am going to do a little bit more Christmas shopping. It is hard to do it all at once, because the munchkin doesn't like to sit in her stroller for very long. Can you blame her? I am going to the OB this afternoon for a check up. I'll update you later on how it goes... i'm sure everything is fine. Tonight we are going to dinner with a bunch of friends! I am very excited about it... going out to dinner is my favorite past time!!! I am so sad about the weather. At the beginning of the week they were predicting snow- now all we are going to get is rain. Yuck. I love this picture that I came across... maybe we will get to see some of this when we are in Colorado! Only 3 more days to go!

Funny questions to ask yourself...

Do you love these silly questionaires or what! I know I do! This one is the longest i've seen in a while, but it made me laugh a lot, so I thought it was worthy of replying to. I hope it makes you laugh too!

SOME STRANGE QUESTIONS:

Something purple within 5 feet of you: my purple iMac

If the Matrix existed, would you want to know? Yes, but i still wouldn't get it.

How long can you hold your breath underwater? I don't know. At least five seconds.

Your nails were last painted? paint my nails? I don't have time for that!!!

The weirdest thing you've ever heated in the microwave? A clothe bag full of beans.

Ever done the Electric Slide? Oh yeah. All the time.

What japanese words do you know? Saki, koneishie wah, and karate kid.

Sparkly things? LOVE sparkly things, especially for Christmas!! :)

Ever crash a car, been in accidents? Only when I ride with my friend Sarah!!!

Do you look good in yellow? Nope

Do you sing? Only in the car, or to makeClaire laugh!

Ever sang in front of a crowd? No Way!!! Oh, wait... does church count, when other people are singing?

Do you dance? Only to make Jeff and Claire laugh!!!

Is your hair long enough to chew? yummy. yes it is!

Least favorite color? orange

Favorite kind of pizza? cheese

Ever had Dippin' Dots? nope

Ever played an instrument?: Yes. i was one of those band dorks in jr. high and high school. (oboe, flute and piano!)

How old were you when you got a cell phone? 18

Do you want to get married? I am married silly!!!

At what age do you want to get married? See above.

Have you ever been married? Only to Jeff!

At what age do you want to have kids? I already did that too!

How many kids? Who knows!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1) I am... tired.

2) My ex-boy/girlfriend was...uhh...I don't remember... (thats the politically correct answer!!!)

3) If I had one wish i'd get...My boobs done :)

4) Maybe I should...be doing laundy.

5) I love...God, Jeff, Claire, My friends, My family... etc.

6) Budder-tup is... huh?

7) Looking for... my black sweater, do you have it? It has disappeared.

8) I don't understand...Lot's and lot's of things

9) I lost my...sweater, remember?

10) My boy/girlfriend is a(n)... my husband.

11) In darkness...i listen to Jeff sleep while I cannot.

12) Why do I... not know an answer to this question.

13) Is there such a thing as.... a person who can do all of your chores for you?

14) Do the... hustle!

15) People say I'm...short.

16) Love is...God

17) You make me wanna....shupe, shupie, dupe and reapeat!

18) Somewhere, someone is...sleeping.

19) Is it true that... people actually lived without cell phones and DVR's???

20) I will always...love Jeff!

21) Forever is...waiting for pictures to be developed.

22) I never want to... eat peas.

23) I hate... doing the dishes!

That's all.

Santa

Well, Claire got to sit on Santa's lap on Friday night. We waited in line for 30 minutes and then it was our turn. Jeff plopped Claire on his lap and they snapped the picture before she could even react. As you can see from this picture that I took she was not too excited about the experience. It is not the best picture in the world, and I'm sure $30 at the mall would have produced an even better picture... but, oh well. She is only One and Santa isn't the "reason for the season" is he? The party wasn't that great... long lines for food and tooo many people. On Saturday morning we went to a Birthday party for a little Two year old. It was at Mc Donalds, so the older kids had a blast. Claire had small bites of her first happy meal. It will not be a habit though. I am still determined that she will not eat that stuff. That's all for now... i need to finish laundry. Only 6 days until Colorado!

Christmas Party

Tonight is Jeff's Christmas party at work. It is a family party (the only one of the year) so we are taking Claire. The best part is that she will get to have her picture taken with Santa. I am too cheap to take her to the mall and spend $30 on one picture that she will porbably cry for. So this is a great alternative. After that the evening will go as follows: 29th floor: eat and small talk. 30th floor: the same. 31st floor: continued. 32nd floor: and again. Should be a fun night! Actually I really do look foward to these things because it is a chance for me to be around real- live- adults. I'll try to post a picture of Claire and Santa tommorow!

Ice and snow...

Today turned out to be great. Last night was NOT great though. I woke up at 2AM with a migraine and spent the rest of the night and following morning hugging the toilet (gross i know, but i thought that was the nicest way to descibe it.) I never get morning sickness in the middle of the night, so last night was a first, and hopefully a last. I feel so much better now. Claire had her 12 month well baby check up today. It was so sad. She got her MMR and Chicken pox vaccine and then to put icing on the cake, she got her finger stuck too. She is still has anemia. We are going to try a new supplement, pray that it will render the situation. The best part of the day was Jeff coming home early. He didn't even call, just showed up at 12:30. He worked from home today because of the weather. It was nice having him around all day. Oh, and who loves this weather? I DO!!!! It is great! I love hearing the sleat on the windows, it is so cozy. I wish we could have a fire in the fireplace. That would not be very baby-proof though. Well, I'm off to an early bedtime, I am SO tired from not sleeping last night! Good night! P.S. This is a picture of Claire all bundled up before we left for her doctors appointment!

Birthday

Claire's first birthday was on Saturday. We had a party for her and all of her little friends came. She had SO much fun. When it came time open presents she helped and got excited about each one. When it was cake time she shoved the whole piece in her mouth and loved it! It was a very fun day. This is a picture of Claire with her Grandpa Gerry and Grandma Sara in her new red wagon! She got to go on a long walk on her birthday. smething that she loves!!! What a lucky little girl!

I guess i'm weird...

Ok... Do any of you like those shows on Discovery channel, or TLC- the ones about medical miracles and people with ultra weird conditions? I LOVE THEM! This morning I watched "The woman with half a body!" Very cool. My favorites- "Ferrel children,""The 160 pound tumor," "The boy without a face," "The boy who's skin fell off"... OK, except the last one, even I had a hard time watching. It was so graphic and sad that I couldn't handle it. I think it was because I knew the boy was going to die. Most of the other ones are about how these people do a rare surgery and save them! Maybe I was supposed to be a doctor, oh wait, that requires really good grades! Ha, Ha! It's not that I like seeing people in pain or deformed... I think it's because I admire them so much. Every single one of them is so strong and peaceful. They have accepted who they are and what they have been given in life... something I think most of us can't even do! So next time you see one of those shows advertised, know that it will definatly be recording on my DVR!

Busy Week...

Thanksgiving was great! We went to a hotel brunch with some close friends and there family. It was very posh... champaigne, turkey, dressing, sushi, chocolate fountains, every kind of dessert known to mankind. Basically whatever your heart desired! Then to top a great day off, I got to see the new Harry Potter movie- SO good! They left a lot out, but nothing I would miss. Friday night I made Jeff Thanksgiving dinner Harrow style (very traditional). He insisted that he needed left- overs. Saturday we went shopping and bought a new dining room set, which I am so excited about. And yesterday we did stuff around the house, including putting up the Christmas tree! I just got back from the doctor... blood work- YUCK. This afternoon I go to the chiropracter. Ok, my whole entire week is like this. Some where in there I have to find time to clean, order a cake for the big birthday bash, get party stuff... on and on... My Mom and Dad are getting in on Friday morning- very exciting. So, this should be a very fast week! Yikes!!!