Getting Those Xmas Pictures

In a couple years we are going to look back and think about how difficult it is to get 2 children under 2 1/2 to smile and look at the camera for a picture. Even though everyone puts those cards out for a couple weeks and basically throws them out as parents you want to send the best and cutest picture you can. Well this year we are not getting the best pictures but we are making some great memories. For instance, Sean would not sit in the chair and ran behind the shrubs to hide. We tried to bribe him with a huge bag of candy to get him to sit in the chair. Then we had to say his two favorite words to get him to smile "poppy head." When we actually convinced Sean to sit in the chair Claire decided she had enough and put on her "enough is enough" face. Maybe next year will be just as eventful. Well the cards are sent out so enjoy!

Thanksgiving and Xmas Prep

Grandpa brings out his awesome choo,choo train that is supposed to go around the tree. Too bad the tree is stuck in the corner already up so we could not put it underneath. Sean comes down the stairs each morning and we have to pry him off the train set.

We made cut out cookies today for several hours (yes it took a long time). The train was a great way to keep Sean busy during the cooking.

Ann and Claire on Thanksgiving. Claire needed to eat right as we were sitting down to dinner and Ann was nice enough to finish feeding her while everyone was eating.

Visit with Santa

Sean loved seeing Santa which we were quite shocked at. He told him he wanted a "choo, choo train" and could not get over the peppermint candy cane Santa gave him. Sean loves everything that is minty even Altoids so the candy cane was quite a feast for him.

Our first family photo with Santa Claus!

Our Outdoorsman

Taking the four wheeler for a ride at the Bass Pro Shop.
Fishing in the pond. Yep, Sean jumped right up there and tried to catch some of the fish.

We are totally not teaching Sean to play with guns but we could not believe how he was able to hold the gun and shoot at the targets. He did not want to leave and played for over an hour at the shooting range that is upstairs.

Sean was watching the race cars speed around the track.

Sweet Little Girl

I love this photo and think it came out just perfect. Our friend Krista took these awesome pictures.

We were shocked when we were taking the pictures that Claire was actually awake.

Our Perfect Little Angel

Sean and Claire Together

One of my friends came over with her nice new camera and took some great pictures of the kids. It was so helpful to have someone else take the pictures. Sean was somewhat cooperative but the white blanket and outfit Claire had on did not show well for the camera.

I like to say the Claire is the "calm" after Sean which is our "storm". There is definitely a difference between boys and girls. Claire is so pleasant and calm. Sean is a typical boy that is into everything and getting his hands dirty at any cost.

Sean's favorite thing to say to Claire is "Hello Cutie!". He says it at least 4 times each day. He loves to give her kisses and he is the first to pipe up when she is crying and let everyone know.

Some Pictures

Sean sitting in his chair in the backyard. We were trying to get him to practice sitting in the chair so that he could hold Claire for some pictures. Sitting in the chair did not last very long.

Claire laying on her tummy with her eyes open. Since she loves to sleep so much this was a great shot to get.

One of Claire's girlfriends, Zoey is over to see how Claire is holding up 9 days after she was born.

Spending Time with Claire

We have been spending so much time relaxing at the house. Our favorite thing to do is get comfy, cozy on the couch with our big comforter and hang out together.

Sean snuggling with Claire.

Daddy and his little girl.

Sean On His Scooter

We ventured out to the park (too much sitting in the house on these beautiful days) and Sean whipped around on his scooter for a good hour. Dave chased him around the park while I sat on the bench resting with Claire. It was great to get out of the house.

Our Precious Claire

Not much to say as Claire loves to sleep most of the day and into the night. We have to wake her up sometimes for her night time feedings she is absolutely a little angel. She is not much for the binkie and will suck on it for about a minute and spit it out.

Big Brother

Sean has totally warmed up to Claire and asks to hold her all the time. I guess we shower him with too many kisses because all he wants to do is kiss little Claire's forehead. He is being so gentle with her and tells us when she is awake or crying.

Claire's First Bath

Resting in her warm blanket after her first quick sponge bath!

Not sure she is liking the washing of the hair. We decided to double team her and wash her quickly so she does not get cold. Dad takes the top and mom takes the bottom. We were done in no time. ALL CLEAN!

Here is Claire in her little ducky outfit ready to get her bath.

Going Home

Sean was so excited that his little sister Claire got him a scooter as a present when she came home. He has been playing on it constantly and the Buzz Lightyear scooter has really kept his attention during feeding and rest time.

We were able to leave the hospital by 4:30pm on November 13th. We dressed Claire in her little outfit and waited patiently for the discharge papers. Claire sat in her car seat and waited so quietly.

We brought Claire home and grandma and grandpa brought Sean back to the house. Sean was a bit shy and would not go near his baby sister. He said that he needed to be quiet and then would walk away from her. Unfortunately he will not hold her or go very close to her so we do not have any pictures of our two little kiddos together. We are trying to give him time to warm up to her.

Cuddling with Baby Claire

Claire passed all of her initial screenings and is sleeping quietly at the hospital. She does not really cry too much and when she does we know she wants something. Most of the time she looks like a peaceful angel. Her weight decreased to 7 pounds 1 ounce two days after she was born. It is really strange to have a smaller baby as opposed to Sean's 9 pounds 11 ounces.

Dad and Claire at feeding time. The hospital gave us an outside window so that Sean could come up to the hospital and see his little sister. They would not admit children in the hospital because of the swine flu and the RSV season. We decided not to bring Sean to the hospital because we did not want him to get upset when he was not allowed to come in. Dave slept overnight the first evening and then my mom came and stayed the second evening.

Our room was very dry so I was a little stuffed up and could not wait to leave. We stayed for 2 days and then we thought it was time to go home and be a family.

Introducing Baby Claire

Claire Marie was born on November 10, 2009 at 12:55pm. Pretty cool to have a birthday of 11/10/09. She was born in the afternoon at Banner Gateway Hospital in Gilbert. She weighed 7 pounds and almost 7 ounces and was 20 inches long. We are so happy to have her in our family and can't wait to show her off to her big brother.

Claire has been a wonderful sleeper. She knows exactly when to eat and loves to sleep the rest of the time. She has very long fingernails and we need to place the mitts on her hands so she does not scratch herself.

We could not believe how dark her hair came out. We could have swore we were going to have a redhead but her hair is definitely a dark brown with a hint of auburn.