#15

This post is a little belated, but Bob and I had the opportunity to take a little trip to Miami earlier this last month. It was much needed.

The purpose of our trip was a little game called the BCS National Championship. You might have heard about it.

We're very aware that non-Alabama fans are sick of watching us go to that game, but as this was their third time in four years, Bob and I felt like we HAD to go this year or risk not getting to go for a long time. Or ever.

Thankfully, a good deal on tickets and grandparents willing to play babysitter allowed us to do so.

It was a short trip. We flew to Orlando to save a little money and rented a Ford Mustang to drive down to Miami.

We beached.

We ate.

We tailgated and ran into old friends.

And, we won!

Definitley a trip for the books. Not sure if we'll make it to another National Championship game (we'll see!), but I am SO glad we went.

the weekend

This weekend was...fun and exhausting.

Highlights:  Drinks with this girl at a new (to me) bar in East Nashville. Warning: Drinks are strong.

Dinner and dessert with this girl and that girl (and their hubbies). You know it's a good night when multiple bottles of wine are consumed, almost everyone cleans their plate and EVERYone orders dessert.

In between, Claire...

...stayed up late all night to make sure Daddy drank his water...

 

..stayed in her jammies all day b/c Mommy was tired (and prayed for springtime)...

...snuggled in Mommy's bed after Daddy had gone to work b/c Mommy was tired...

 ...and tested out Tanner's bed since he wasn't using it...everyone but Claire is tired.

Oh, and grew two new teeth and refused to sleep. :)

winter ONEderland

Before the big holiday weekend, we celebrated Claire's first birthday with family and friends this weekend.

The theme was Claire's Winter ONEderland and, although know she has no clue all the work that went into it, I had a good time decorating and planning.

Word of advice though: Don't try to merge a one-year-old's birthday party with a surprise birthday party for your 30-year-old husband. Not a good idea. Trying to come up with a "theme" was like trying to merge Mickey Mouse with a hunting rifle and a golf club.

So I rolled with it and managed to throw my husband a surprise 30th birthday party covered in glitter and little kid decorations. :)

 

The birthday girl in the outfit Mommy and Alli made her.

 Decorations...

"Stats" photos for both Bob and Claire. Delicious cupcakes and smash cupcakes from Cupcake Collection.

Decorations:
1. Party invitation in clear ornaments
2. Banner and Month by Month pictures on the hutch
3. Pictures of Bob and Claire pinned to fabric covered corkboards throughout the party

Close up of the monthly pics. One more to add this weekend!

And...the party!  

"Surprise!" Bob was sent to the store for balloons.

Me and the birthday girl. Who had a good time despite the look she's giving here.

Claire reacted to her cake with exactly the emotion I thought she would: What is on my fingers?! She perked up after she tasted Daddy's chocolate cake though...after it had been smashed in his face. :)

Cake required an outfit change.

<3

 And a nap not too long after that. When she woke up, it was time to open presents. Which clearly she enjoyed!

Opening Presents

Claire with her Alli

 Thank you to everyone who came! We had such a good time and appreciate the role each and every one of you plays in our sweet girl's life.

september in review

October 1.  Yikes.

Where did September go?

I'll tell you where.

There was a trip to Dallas to see the Tide roll.

(Throw in a trip to the urgent care for Momma. Verdict: Strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. Roll Tide.)

Claire had a big time at home with Pop and Allie.

(Finished out the weekend with a little stomach bug for baby girl. Thankfully it passed, but the screaming in the middle of the night did not. So Claire's first doctor visit of the month was scheduled. Verdict: Perfect, as always. No ear infection, nothing but teething and a worried Momma.)

Then there was a visit from Uncle Craig. And Beauford.

 

(The work week saw Momma's second visit to the doctor for the month of September - Verdict: a persistent bug. Round 2 of antibiotics.)

Lots of sporting new crimson and white attire to cheer for Bama. 5-0.

The Somerville's made their first trip to Bobbie's Dairy Dip. And Claire had her first french fry.

Then Grandma and Grandpa came for a brief visit. A good time was had by all. And Claire wore her first pair of jeggings!

Then Momma headed to D.C. for a conference. (And Daddy headed to the doctor for the first time that month. Verdict: A severe sinus infection.)

Armed with medicine, bottles and a plethora of Puffs (Gerber, not tissues), Claire and Daddy came to meet Momma in D.C. for Ross and Sarah Michelle's big day!

Upon arrival back in Nashvegas, Daddy took Claire to her second doctor's appointment of the month - this time just a 9-month well baby check up and flu shot.

And Momma and Daddy went on a date to see Martina McBride perform at the Ryman for the first time in eight years. Love her.

Oh, and this little man turned 2!

By month's end, Claire is still teething, but as sweet as ever. Daddy has kicked his sinus infection and is taking care of the house as usual. And I'm on day 32 of not quite feeling myself, but I refuse to go to the doctor again. Post pregnancy has wreaked havoc on my immune system!

Whew! Bring on October! And hopefully a few less doctor's appointments.

(In the interest of getting this posted before, oh, November, these are all iPhone pics. 

Thank goodness for the iPhone.)

beach catchup

I have so many photos on my big camera to load including our trip to the beach and the 4th of July, but I never seem to get them loaded! Our computer at home is on hiatus and while I could use Bob's laptop, I just haven't. In the meantime, here's a quick peak at our beach vacation via the iPhone camera. Let's be honest...most of the pictures from the trip were taken by the iPhone!

Happy! (On the way down at least)

A trip to see Grandma and Grandpa!

First (little) boat ride!

Toes in the sand

1. Enjoying the ocean 2. How Claire really liked to enjoy the ocean 3. Post-enjoying the ocean

Windblown

Happy Independence Day!

Someone needed her Daddy to ride in the backseat with her on the way home, so Tanner got promoted to the passenger seat!

a little of this, a little of that

Clockwise starting upper left:

1. Playing in the exersaucer

2. Tanner with his bone

3. Tour de Fat

4. Sick, snuggling with Bunny

5. Catching a nap at the pool

6. Shopping with Mommy is boring!

we will be friends until forever, just you wait and see

~ Winnie the Pooh

Since Claire has arrived, we've been reminded again what fabulous friends and family we have. Aside from the grandparents and aunts and uncles, we've had a stream of friends come by to meet our new love.

We've really enjoyed these visits - and the delicious food that has accompanied many of them!

Thank you all for being so wonderful to us!

Amanda and Dave came to visit us on Christmas Day in the hospital! Claire was so honored :)

Shannon and Adam came by the house to see sweet Claire.

The Cherrys have had to squeeze in a couple of visits before the big move. :(

My Memphis buds - Aaron and Lauren!

Scott and Leigh - our pups were excited to see these two!

Claire feels so lucky that Scott even held her!

A few people have slipped through without having their picture taken with Claire :), but thanks to everyone who has come to visit! Come by anytime!