Celebrate

Yep, that's right. Today's my birthday. I am officially 24 years old. (If you know me, that last line was somewhat humorous. If you don't know me . . . well, you may continue to live in ignorant bliss.)

Today Michael has the day off so we are treating Claire to a sitter so we can enjoy a meal out. That has to be the only thing I miss since having a baby. I had taken for granted how nice it was to go to a restaurant and eat a meal at MY pace. So today I treat myself with the ability to eat with BOTH hands. . . at the same time!!

Woo hoo!

A Very Random Update

Wow. Sorry for the lack of posting. I didn't realize how much work it was to return from vacation with a baby. Top that off with the fact that Claire has decided that naps are for the birds and you have yourself a very busy mom.

Our trip to California was good. We didn't meet any stars, but Claire did get to sit in John Travolta's hands. I think that counts. All went smooth on the flight. Turns out? Claire is a very good traveler on a plane. Sadly, the 12 other babies on our flight were not. I found myself severely conflicted. I so badly sympathized with these parents who were doing their best to keep the ear piercing screams to a minimum, but at the same time, I couldn't help but lament the fact that those screams were keeping my baby from taking a nap.

Thanksgiving was good. We stayed home this year, and while that means I missed seeing most of my family, it also means I was able to keep Claire on schedule. I also took advantage of having both Michael and his mom here to help keep Claire occupied and spent some time getting the Christmas decorations up:

I love that my house has a rotunda in the entry way. It makes the perfect spot for a Christmas tree. Ahhhh . . . lovely rotunda, you are my favorite waste of space!

What else? Hmmm . . Oh, my little pumpkin turned 7 months this week.

What a difference huh? I promise that is the same Cat in the Hat doll. No teeth to speak of yet. I am starting to wonder if she will have to gum down her 1st birthday cake.

Well that concludes what I believe is my most random post to date. Maybe I can keep my focus to one topic on my next entry.

No Place Like Home

It is so nice to be home! Stories about the trip will be forthcoming as I am currently swimming in piles of dirty laundry and my Thanksgiving To Do list is looming over my head. Until then, here are a few pics from the trip. Enjoy!(When there is no one to take your picture, you sometimes have to improvise!!)

On The Road Again

My little snow bunny (in Canada) is about to be a little beach bunny. We are preparing to head to California for a week. Just one more perk of being a stay-at-home mom. When Michael has business trips, we can tag along!

I should have some cute pictures (and possibly more airport stories) to share once we return, but until then, here is the much requested update on Claire Bear:

At her 6 month doctor's visit she weighed in at 18 pounds, 9 ounces. She is still in the 95th percentile for weight and height. However, her poor little pea-head is only in the 50th percentile. So funny!!But is sure is a cute little head if I do say so myself!

Excuses No One Will Debate

So we're finally back from Canada!!We had a great time, but it is always nice to be home.

So here is a question, which of the following do you think should pose the most security risk when going through inspection at the airport?

A) Zip-loc bag filled with white powder (which happens to be infant formula)

or B) A Graco infant car seat
If you have been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know that the obvious answer is "B".

Yep, that's right. Upon our arrival to Canada, I found that my car seat had been left off the plane intentionally for "security purposes". Somehow my suitcase, containing the bag of white powder passed security inspection with flying colors and made it happily into the bay of the plane, but the car seat? Nope, too risky. Obviously, they goofed and didn't want to deal with the confrontation.

I have always wondered, and am now convinced, that the airlines have a couple of airtight excuses that they can whip out anytime they make a mistake. These excuses are ones that no one will ever argue with.

Airtight excuse #1: We are so sorry that your flight is 8 hours delayed, but we were experiencing "mechanical difficulties".

Airtight excuse #2: We are sorry your luggage didn't make it, but we had to leave it behind for "security purposes".

Who can argue with either one of these? We want to be safe and so we happily smile and say thank you no matter the circumstances when handed either of these explanations.

So beware, any of you possessing a car seat (especially one made by Graco), you never know what those sneaky little contraptions will do when you're not looking. Consider yourself warned.