lately

Lately, Claire has been spending some time in her play gym.

The cow is a particular favorite.

Probably because of the black and white contrast, but we'll let her daddy think she's already contemplating farming as a career.

monkey arms

One comment we're constantly hearing about Claire is how long her arms and fingers are. And truly they are a little out of proportion because her clothing fits everywhere but the sleeves are a tad short. Just a tad but it's enough to warrant a comment or two. And usually I'll retort, "yeah, we hope she grows into them one day."




I'm sure they'd make a comment about her feet too if they weren't all bundled up. But we don't mind. She is so perfect to us and her lengthened extremities just make her who she is. Plus it's fun to watch how she moves them and folds them. No trouble reaching things; that's for sure!

one month

Sunday, I was officially one month old. I celebrated by:

Making funny faces while mommy was taking my pictures.

Wrinkling my forehead and exercising my facial muscles.

There was lots of arm-waving too. I have long arms, you know.

I laid around and looked at my cousins, Joseph and Joshua who came to visit me.

I looked out the window at my first snow. It was slick outside and cold, but I didn't know because I was snug as a bug inside my carseat cocoon as Daddy calls it.
I made more funny faces.

And, I melted Mommy's heart. She can't believe I'm such a big girl already.

adjusting

On a positive note, the dogs don't hate Claire. They just want to be wherever she is 100% of the time.

If I'm in claire's room, they are too. Jett even followed me in the middle of the night last week.

If Claire is under a blanket, there must be room for two dogs there too.

And most definitely when she's nursing. Claire and two dogs are easy to balance on a boppy (side note: the best invention ever).

But, I'm being patient because thus far they've done nothing mean or spiteful. They've been quite cute actually. I'm pleased to say I love them more now that Claire is here than I did before. She loves looking at them and studying them if they'd stay still long enough... I just know they'll grow to be great friends one day.

tummy time

Basically looks like a chicken pecking the ground. Seems so cruel yet Claire doesn't seem to mind.



Just look at those wrinkles and at only 4 weeks old.

claire's room

Normally, I'm a very very organized and timely person, but with Claire's room, I just couldn't pull myself together. I had a vision for what I wanted it to be like, but it wasn't coming together.

First, her room was painted the light tan color that was the same through0ut color in our house. I actually liked the way that looked, but was wanting something a bit different. So, we changed it to yellow, which in theory sounded nice, but really it just looked very yellow once it was painted. Didn't like that at all. So, there her room sat for weeks. Complete, but yellow. I tried to talk myself into liking it, but I just wasn't.

Finally, I worked up the courage to tell Greg that I wanted it repainted. And, that I wanted it to be blue. I think he really thought I had lost my mind since it was supposed to be a room for a girl. But, he obliged and painted 3 samples of paint on the wall for me, and we finally settled on this color.

(I'll have a complete listing of my paint colors in a separate post.)

I call it "aqua" because that sounds less masculine.

The quilt was made by yours truly after following an online tutorial recommended to me by Susan Weinroth. Unfortunately, the tutorial isn't available online anymore, but I'm sure you could find one similar. I've only made 2 quilts in my lifetime and both were self-taught by following youtube videos or tutorials. The binding tutorial that I used was by Heather Bailey, but if you're like me and have never seen the concept, watch a youtube video on it first and then her instructions will make more sense.

The picture frames in the above photo are by Pottery Barn Kids and they're on sale now. I purchased all 3 sizes, and plenty of them. Then, I filled them with old dictionary pages and diecuts from the Nursery Rhyme Slice Cartridge by Making Memories.


This armoire is actually an old TV cabinet that Greg and I bought for our first apartment. We had it repainted gray and the VCR (yes, that's right) box taken out and replaced with a rod for hanging clothes. I keep her current clothes in here and the ones she'll wear later in the closet.

The dress is one of mine that my grandmother made for me when I was 3. I can't wait for Claire to be able to wear it.

This rocker is a hand-me-down from my dad's side of the family. If you could only have seen the nasty torn vinyl on it. We had it reupholstered and new cushioning added too. The fabric is a nice thick waffle-type weave and the pillow is a clearance from Pier1.

You might notice the Sassafras poster. I don't think anyone believed me 2 years ago (or was it 3?) when I saw the Life is Beautiful line at CHA and stated that I would hang this poster in my baby's room. I don't even know if I believed it myself, but the colors really did work, so we went with it!

This window overlooks the east, so there is bright sun in the morning.

The bunting was made with my leftover quilt fabric, plus a few additions. I can't say enough about the etsy seller who made it. She was wonderful to work with and did a fantastic job. She even made me a cute bib with some of the fabric. She was wonderful.

The sheers are from Restoration Hardware Kids and the rod is just a dowel painted white and Greg added an old doorknob to the end. I don't know how he did it, but he made the comment, "I could do projects like these all day long" after he was finished. So, if anyone wants a door-knob curtain rod, he's your man!





And, the most used (and abused) piece in her room...It's been peed on more than once. And just today, Greg announced that this wall was a casualty as well.

I'm officially tired so that's all I can think of posting about her room, but if you have any questions feel free to ask.