Claire's 10 Month Update

Hmmm, I realized this morning when I was reading other blogs that I have completely skipped Claire's 10 month update.  Probably cause it was on a Sunday.  Anyway, Only over a week overdue but here it is anyway.

At 10 months Claire can:

...Pull herself to standing and stand independently

...Wave bye bye

...play pat-a-cake

...say "up", "momma" and "dadda"

...Crawl all the way to the top of the stairs

...had a little setback with sleeping but is still a pretty good sleeper

...Still follows her big sister around like a puppy.

...can walk along furniture or behind a push toy.

...Can eat just about anything now.

...Isn't real thrilled with taking a bottle anymore

...Crawls now with her belly off the ground and does this crazy side walk with her tongue out and panting like a dog.

...Dances whenever she hears music.  And that girl has moves...Unless you have the video camera.  Then she stares at you like you have 2 heads.

This was the day before she turned 10 months. With her big sister Lily.

On a side note, I feel so incredibly bad that I have not taken good monthly photos of the baby like I did with Lily.  It pains me so much because I swore I wouldn't do that.  I haven't had pictures printed in a long time so now I'm not sure when the photos were taken.  I only hope that one day soon I will have the time to sit down and upload photos and get them printed soon.

Holy Guacamole

I have no clue what's been going on in the Philippi house lately.  My children are like pod people.  I'm not sure I like it much.

Claire is becoming so independent and Mobile and curious.  She is awesome by day and a holy terror come night.  She used to sleep so well and go to bed and sleep all night, sure she got up early but at least it was all night.  NOW she wakes up every couple hours and cries almost in her sleep.  I'm not sure what's going on with it.  I mean is she teething?  Is she too hot?  Too cold?  I have no clue but I do know one thing for sure.  I AM TIRED.

Then on the other hand, there is Lily.  Once a sweet and charming 3 year old has completely turned into Satan's spawn.  SHE sleeps great all night, but come daytime she is whiny and throwing tantrums and bossy and sassy.  Oh sure I know what you are thinking....NORMAL right?  Ugh. we are just so not used to her acting that way.  Lily can you put on your shoes <Insert whiny screaming tantrum here>

Long story short....they are tag teaming us.  Claire takes the night shift and Lily takes the day shift.  They are winning too.  I need a vacation.

Nine Months already....

At Nine Months Claire can...

.....crawl like a madbaby.

....sit herself up.

....pull herself up to standing.

....walk along things (if she's holding on).

....eat a ton of different foods, bananas, oranges, crackers, green beans....

....is still moody.

...has 4 teeth, all the front ones. 

...loves to dance.  turn some music on and watch the girl dance.

...follows her big sister around like a puppy.

...sleeps all night.

....takes two naps a day.

...crawls up the stairs.

...no longer wears a helmet. (not that that is news really but it is from last month).

Miss Bear one week shy of her 9 month mark!  Such a beautiful smile but man that girl is lucky she can grow her hair out!  She has her daddy's big ears!

Sisters.  And even though they LOOK like they are looking away from each other, this was there plan.  To make my life hard when trying to take pictures of them!

Happy Nine Months Baby Claire!

PS. I wonder how long we'll be calling her baby Claire?

I'm letting the cat out of the bag...

Ok so we don't have a cat, but if we did it would no longer be in the bag.

I JOINED A GYM. 

Really I am just not cut out for keeping secrets or keeping things to myself AT. ALL.  So really if you have a secret I wouldn't tell me cause I'll go blabbing my mouth off to anyone who will listen.

I like the gym though actually.  I've been there like 4 times now and I signed up last week. (I know, I'm surprised I've kept it a secret this long too).  Actually I didn't want to tell you blogging world because I am notorious for starting things, being really excited about them and then quitting when the newness wears off.  But honestly I like the gym. I'm going in the mornings and Adam has stepped up to the plate and he gets the kids ready by himself so that I can go.  Plus my mornings are a LOT easier now.  I know that sounds crazy.  But I get up at like 5 and I have the whole quiet house to myself while everyone else sleeps.  I get my lunch ready in peace and quiet, wander to the gym and do my workout.  Take my shower in PEACE and quiet (minus the blaringly loud music thumping from the speakers at the gym that is.) and then casually drive into work.

It's nice.  And for now, I'm digging it.

I seriously forgot to put a title on this the first time. Oops

Ok, So earlier this spring my my gave us this wagon.  It was in pretty bad shape from normal wear and tear and being out in the elements for too long etc.  Last weekend I had this Brilliant Idea inspired by some pictures I'd seen to use it for photos with my girls.  So I went and got some red paint and I was going to repaint it so I could use it in my pictures, but after looking at it, it was obvious more work would have to be done than just a simple coat of paint.  Here's the before:

I also want to note the fact that the small print next to the USA, says "Rust Resistant Body".

See what I mean?  Pretty rough, I thought most of the rust was on the inside of the wagon and I could just add a coat to cover it.  But the outside was in pretty bad shape as well as the handle.  I was talking with my boss about it last week and he said that I should bring it in and they would sandblast it for me so that I can repaint the whole thing and eliminate the rust on it.  So I did, and my co-worker blasted it for me yesterday.  Shown Below, Disassembled, blasted wagon:

Apparently that's what the metal looks like underneath.  But they gave me some new bolts as well and later that day I stopped at the store and got some primer and some black paint (for the handle of course).  And I got to work.  Naturally Lily was pretty bummed because spray painting is hard work for mommies let alone 3 year old Lilys.  So I did the brunt of the work myself.  Adam put it all back together for me when I was done and it looks good as new!  Minus the Logo, but that's fine.

I'm super happy about the way it turned out!  All for about $13 or so in paint and a couple of doughnuts for my coworker we have what looks like a brand new wagon!  I can't wait to do the pictures of my girls with it this weekend!  They are going to be so awesome!

PS  When I bought that paint I thought the color was going to be SO off, but once it was on the wagon I think it's just perfect and I'm happy it's a little brighter than your normal red wagon!

Top 10 Things I'd like do do but have never done before....Or in Short. The longest blog title ever!

1. Go on a fun vacation to a spa and not worry about money.

2. Be a famous rock star.

3. Come out of my shell and make new friends.

4. Be a world famous writer.

5. Have a humongous overly-large house with a housekeeper.

6. Own a business.

7. Sky dive.  Though I'm sure I'd totally chicken out...In fact I'm chickening out while I type this.

8. Have my own office.

9. Drive a really really fast car.

10. Be high maintenance.

What do YOU want to do that you've never done before?

8 Months Old!

Happy 8 months Claire!

At 8 months old you can:

...Eat finger foods!

...Crawl...army crawl anyway.  And you manage to get into EVERYTHING you aren't supposed to.

...From a sitting position, pull yourself to standing.

...Laugh uncontrollably when we eat your belly.  (Why is that so funny?  I'd be terrified if someone tried to eat my belly.)

...You are pretty much done with your helmet.

...You love your big sister though you sure wish she would learn to respect your own personal bubble.

...You still only have 2 teeth though I'd be willing to bet you have a few more working their way though.

...You SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT.  It's nice to finally be able to just write it out there for the world to know.  This has been a long journey and for this step I am oh so grateful!

...You will eat anything.  Literally.  (of course I mean any type of food but you have been known to eat things like paper and tissues and electrical cords...)

...You have grown quite attached to the dog.  Following him around like a puppy (pun intended)

...Your favorite word is "Mamamamama" 

....You really would be fine if you never saw your pacifier again.  But you do like to chew on it.

Happy 8 Months baby girl!  We love ya!