Summer Adventures 2012 Part 8

We visited Santa Fe! We were originally planning on riding the train but the station is kind of far from the cool old town that we wanted to visit so we just drove. We were able to see a beautiful cathedral, walk around neat shops, witness some belly dancers in this neat square, and stop for Coldstone after. Hooray for Santa Fe!

The dads ready to start walking around Santa Fe.

Kevin and I, along with Henry, walked around something called the Labyrinth. We followed this pathway around all of these twists and turns to end up in the very center. The sign said it was supposed to symbolize life and all its twists and turns. It was kinda fun.

Brent and Claire in the cathedral. She thought it was pretty. 

This was the baptismal font in the cathedral. It was gorgeous.

I love this picture. I'm so glad Kevin married Stacie. She is one of my best friends. I'm so happy we got to see them for a few days. I already miss Kevin, Stacie, Henry, and Grant SO much.

Summer Adventures 2012 Part 7

When we were in Albuquerque, we went to the zoo! It was an awesome zoo. They even had some lions. Yeah people, I saw lions in real zoo life. It was awesome. We had a great time! Kevin called ahead to see if we would be able to rent a stroller from the zoo so we didn't have to go out and buy one. The super friendly guy said we could rent a one seater or a two seater for $5 or $7. Sounded like a pretty great deal so we were on our way. The stroller turned out to be a hard wagon with a strap. Claire is getting better at holding herself up but this wasn't going to do for her and so we carried her most of the day. Brent was a champ because I have a little bit of a chunker. Henry was kind enough to share his stroller for some of the day too. Thanks, Henry!

Brent showed Claire some big fish.

Kevin, Brent, and their super cute hatted babies. 

We were by a fossil of some sorts!

me and Claire

Claire loved it when Uncle Kevin stuck his tongue out at her. She thought it was funny. 

Kevin and cutie pants Henry

Claire liked borrowing Henry's stroller. So did her tired momma and daddy.

Stacie and Henry, Kevin, Grant, Brent, and Claire

Henry was very interested in the seals that were swimming around in the blue water. 

There are giraffes back there!

Kevin & Henry and Me & Claire

Uncle Kevin and Claire

Summer Adventures 2012 Part 6

We have been dying to meet Mr. Henry and we have been missing Kevin and Stacie like crazy. When we found out that Grant was going to be in Albuquerque in July, we knew we had to drive down to see everyone. We had a wonderful time! We have missed our friends like crazy it was SO good to see all of them, including Handsome Henry! :)

Claire and Henry just checkin each other out.

Henry was very nice to share some toys with Claire.

Claire tried really hard to show Henry how fun tummy time is. I don't think he believed her yet.

Claire Anita fell asleep on her new mommy.

 Claire and Henry were on the Grant Train!

Claire loved to touch Henry. She loves seeing other babies and smiles really big at them.

Henry had some big smiles! He was so tiny and cute. I miss him. When are we going to see you agan, Handsome? Come visit us soon. Please?

Make it two!

Claire has two teeth. They are right next to each other on the bottom. And next week, I'll be posting about her graduating from university. Slow down!

Teeth

Claire has her very first tooth! I told Brent last night that I knew it was coming but he didn't believe me. This morning, sure enough, a little tooth broke through. It's kinda cute. She hasn't been fussy at all though. What a champ! Where oh were has my baby gone?!

Summer Adventures 2012 Part 5

On our way to visit the Jackson's of Albuquerque (July 20, 2012), we stopped at Four Corners National Monument. It. Was. Awesome! I was pretty bummed out that Brent told me the actual monument is only in New Mexico and not in all four of the states since they didn't have a very good way to tell when they made the monument but it was still incredible. I kept telling Brent it was one of the coolest things we have every done. I'm SO glad we took the 30 minute detour to stop and visit (even though it was $6!) because it was worth it.

Brent and Claire in front of the entrance to the monument with the flags of all the states flying.

 This is the exact spot where the 4 corners meet.

 Claire and I at the monument.We are standing in 4 states at one time!

Brent and Claire

 A kind tourist took our picture. Brent and Claire are in different states as I am but we are standing so close. Neat!

A little FYI: In 2009, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Geodetic Survey admitted the monument is placed 1,807 feet (551 m) east of where modern surveyors would mark the point. However, he defended the accuracy of the 1875 survey, stating surveyors "nailed it" considering the primitive tools of the day. Pointing out the achievement given the conditions, he further stated, "Their ability to replicate that exact point — what they did was phenomenal, what they did was spot on." He concluded by stating that any claims of errors in the location of the monument are irrelevant. Once a survey commissioned to establish a boundary has been accepted by the involved parties, the survey markers are legally binding, regardless of any error that is later discovered.

Six Months

Holy smokes! Claire is already half a year old. I cannot believe it. There are so many things she can do right now.

At six months, Claire:

::is sitting up! We don't leave her by herself if she is sitting up, but she can usually sit up for a minute or 2 (sometimes longer if she doesn't get bored) by herself. She will even start to topple over and either put out her hands to stop herself from falling or she will use her tummy muscles to hold herself up. She is doing great!

::is all chubs. Her legs are getting to big for the Bumbo leg holes and I love it! She is growing well and I can hardly believe she used to be so small.

::loves to be on her tummy. Will will lay her on her back and more often than not she will roll quickly to her tummy. She likes to prop herself up on her arms and check out everything around her.

::is a super eater. She started eating rice cereal when she turned 5 months and loves it. She is getting really great at eating. We are going to start introducing other foods to her soon.

::should be driving next week. Joking - kind of.

::was fascinated by Henry and loved to hold his hand. She loved to look at him and just check out what he was up to. It was adorable.

::slobbers everywhere. Still.

::loves to smile at people and is a huge flirt. Lots of people tell us how beautiful she is and then she gives them a huge grin.

::is growing more and more hair. It's standing straight up, especially right after a bath. It's blonde, too! I think her eyes are going to stay blue to go with that blonde hair. We aren't sure where that came from.

::has outgrown all of her 0-3 and 3-6 month clothes. Once she hit 6 months, I think Claire decided to grow a huge amount just so she could have all new clothes. The onesies we took to New Mexico didn't even fit her when we left. I swear, she grew so quickly!

Dear Claire,
I am in awe that you have been in our lives for 6 months already. The time is flying by. I love that you are always so happy and give smiles so freely. Your smiles make everyone happy. I hope you will continue to be happy and bless other peoples lives. I know how much you have already blessed mine. I love you.
Love, Mommy

At 6 months, 7 days Claire:

::is 27 3/4 inches tall (97%)

::is 18 lbs 10 oz (87%)

::has a 17 1/4 inch head (87%)

No wonder all of Claire's pants suddenly become far too short so quickly. I love my super tall baby.