Summer Break....Finally!

I know it has been awhile since I posted, but I have been super busy as I know most of you have been also! School is finally out for the summer and I have three more days of class left this semester. I have been working on my paper for that class lately. Then I have to get my student teaching portfolio finished by July 15 so I can do my student teaching in the fall. (Yes, I have to student teach again so I can get my license as an Intervention Specialist). Doesn't make much sense to me either, but anyway...

After that is all finished, I have a long list of things I want to get done around the house this summer along with getting ready for the new addition to our family. Speaking of, I had my 28 week appointment not too long ago. I only gained 4 pounds this time (thank goodness), but I was measuring two weeks larger than I am supposed to. Dr. Meyer said this probably won't be a small baby. Good thing I don't have to push him out! He is scheduled to arrive on August 8, 2008! If we make it that far. That is only 8 days before my due date and Claire decided to come 12 days early! My next doctor's appointment is next week ( I can't believe I am going every two weeks already). I'll update you again after that.

I have been feeling pretty good, getting more tired though. Claire is doing well. She now has 6 teeth!! Four on top and two on the bottom. She is always full of energy and usually good for a laugh or two! One interesting note, her hair just keeps on getting curlier by the day! Who knew? I thought she was going to be stuck with stick straight hair like me, but I guess that is not the case. The hair on top of her head is still pretty straight, but everything from around her ears and back is pretty darn curly. It is too cute!

Here are some pics to catch you up on the events these last few weeks! Enjoy...

She really didn't like wearing the do-rag!!

Alright, I guess I'll smile for the camera!

My "little" brother turned 18 at the end of April! I can't believe he is that old. I guess that just makes me even older! He went to his first prom with the guys at the beginning of May. Here are some of the pictures I took. He looks so grown up and handsome!

Who should I call today???

Hello !?!?!?

Gabbin' away!

But I wanna go outside Mommy!!!

If I can't go outside, I'll find something good to eat!

Miranda threw Leigh Ann a baby shower in May also! It was fun. Leigh Ann is looking so cute pregnant!!! Here are the pics!

One Hot Momma!!

Two Hot Mommas!!!

Erica and Leigh Ann in heated discussion!

What can I get into next??

Leigh Ann opening all her fun gifts!!

Memorial Day weekend, Ryan, Claire and I went up to Indiana to visit my grandparents. It turned out to be a fairly nice weekend and we really enjoyed relaxing and visiting! Claire enjoyed the water as you will see! All tuckered out after playing in the water!

This would have been the best picture, if Daddy hadn't stuck his big head in the way!!

One evening while Ryan and I were cleaning, Claire decided that the couch cushions were tons of fun to bounce around on. She had a blast and we got in a few giggles just watching her!

24 Week Appointment

I had my 24 week check-up yesterday and everything is still going fine. I saw the nurse mid-wife, Kelley, who is part of the practice I go to. She is very nice and takes a little more time to answer questions and go over things than the doctors do. I had made a big weight jump (8 pounds) since my last appointment. Kelley said that it didn't concern her since I hadn't gained much up to that point. She said it would concern her if I kept doing that on my upcoming visits. I have gained a total of 12 pounds so far. I also measured big, but she said just to not expect to measure any larger next time. We'll see. The baby's heart rate was 154 and sound good and he also gave a good kick at the end to say hi to Kelley. My next appointment is in 4 weeks, then I start going every two weeks. Hopefully it works out like that. With Claire I went from every four weeks to every week because my blood pressure started going up. I am getting the feeling that this is not going to be a 7 1/2 lb. baby like Claire! He is definitely taking up more room than she did at this time! Ryan, Claire, and I sure can't wait to meet him!!

Claire's Birthday Party

We decided to have a princess theme for Claire's first birthday. The invitations were shaped like little pink crowns and I attempted to make a castle cake for the occasion. Claire definitely did not like having so many unfamiliar faces around, but she did seem to enjoy the cake once she actually tasted it. All in all, it turned out to be a pretty good time. I hope everyone had fun. I failed to get pictures of everyone that was there, I was too busy running around I guess. Aunt Sherry made Claire a really cute book to try to help her remember family and friends faces between visits. It is called "Princess Claire, Princess Claire, Who Do You See?" Enjoy the pictures!! Claire's Little Cake!

The big castle cake

Mommy, what are all these chairs for?

Aunt Katie and Aunt Erica all ready to party!

The birthday girl with her Grandma Staff

I really don't like all these people in my house!

I guess I will kinda smile!

What is going on?

What do you want me to do with this?

I don't want to taste it!!

Maybe this is good!

First Steps!!

The day after her birthday, Claire actually tried to walk for the first time (at least in front of Ryan and I). She tried to walk from the dining room table to me in the living room. She really did a pretty good job. Now she sometimes chooses to try and walk and other times would rather crawl or cruise along the furniture. Here is a video of the first night we caught her walking! I apoligize that the video is sideways, but I couldn't figure out how to fix it.