sneaks!

I've been without my computer 2 whole days and I didn't like it one bit. I felt like my right arm had been chopped off.

I wasn't prepared for 2 days or else I probably could have dealt with it better. I'm on a brand new computer that was desperately needed, but also desperately put-off (my "n" key was worn away, and the mouse pad didn't work, plus I got blue-screen almost daily). I knew it would be such a hassle to transfer everything, but the "guru" told me it would only be 2 hours. Even at 2 hours, I scheduled it in on the least inconvenient day and planned to be away.

As soon as the guru started transferring all my pictures, he told me it would be overnight. I about panicked....we're leading in to CHA and emails are flooding my inbox constantly. Just to give you an idea, in 10 days, I had 1828 emails (of course 300 were sales at Gap, Banana, and zulily updates), but I still have to filter through them, you know.

So, here I am on my new computer, having survived the separation. Now, it's learning and getting the feel for everything all over again. Can't say that I'm enjoying it, but it was time.

Below are my last 2 sneaks that I was able to successfully transfer from my camera to this computer.

pulling up

It's officially time to lower the crib.

Then, I'll be able to sleep at night instead of worrying that Claire has somehow figured out a way to climb her bumper and propel herself over the edge.

She's very attached to this blankie. I believe one of our Studio Calico members gave it to her. A very generous gift that Claire absolutely adores. And, if she takes this to college, I'll be hunting you down! :)

Still, the tongue....ahhhhhhh.

Is it just me, or does she look Asian here?
Okay, maybe it's just me.

Does every kid in the world chew on their crib? I think so.


Here you can really tell she just woke up.





If you scrolled through all my massive photos, congratulations.

7 months

I almost forgot it was Claire's 7 month birthday earlier this week. It seems that this month has gone by faster than any other. She's so active and I really love this age.

She's almost at a crawl. She can scoot wherever she wants to go. She can sit and pull up, actually she pulled to standing at 7 months 1 day. I'd say she's pretty mobile, but I'm still quicker!

She is definitely preferring her mommy and has started crying when others try to take her from me. Of course her Grammy & Aunt Lorie are the exception to that rule. I secretly love that she does that. Makes me feel like an official mommy.

She eats just about anything, but peas are still a "no" in her book.

She loves reading and turning pages.

When she's crying, I sing almost anything and it makes her happy. Usually "The Green Grass" song wins out because I know all the words. Her daddy on the other hand usually goes with U2.

She got her ears pierced last week at the doctor's office. She was cute before and is still cute after.

She went swimming for the first time and LOVED it. That word is capitalized for a reason. She kicked and splashed and cackled. Then she came home and slept for 3.5 hours.

She is learning to wave "bye" and her personality has totally taken over my heart.

We certainly got our money's worth with her.


And, just a small peek at the July main kit MIND THE GAP and the PETROL add-on.
This is my favorite layout I've made in a while. Can't wait to share the full version on the 28th!

Natalee the Entertainer

I dare you to watch this video and not crack a smile. Double Dog Dare You. Let me know if you accomplish it.

A few things to note about this video that make me laugh even harder:

• Natalee asks Claire, "Do I look cool to you?" Definitely, Natalee, definitely. How cute is that?
  
• My mom noticed 50 seconds in to the video that the record light was blinking and thought something was wrong because a button was blinking. Love you, Mom. ;)
• It's 95 degrees outside and Claire is wearing socks.
  
• Notice my dark tan. I got sprayed the other day. And it reminded me about the HUGE bruise I had on my thigh from falling down the stairs. As I was being sprayed, I forgot to warn the girl spraying me and she said, "Whoa, that's some bruise." (It seriously is about 8x7"), to which I replied, "I fell down the stairs." Cool, April, cool. And, unlike Natalee, I didn't have to ask.
  

she falls at the end

(for those of you reading in your email, there's a video here, but you have to come to my blog to see it. This is mainly directed at my mom and my aunt, one of whom said, "you sent me a blank email today." That person shall remain nameless, but you have a fifty-fifty chance of guessing who it was. Love you, Mom.)

This is the table in Claire's room and she loves, with a passion, looking at it. And since her space heater is off-limits, she really likes the table. Yes, we have a heater in her room in June and it was 95 degrees outside today. It seems to be the only solution to keeping her from freezing at night no matter what we have the AC set on.

Anyway, she falls at the end of the video, but I my reflexes made me shut off the video in order to catch her. I'm telling you, I have cat-like reflexes lately....flinging centipedes & catching falling babies.