Spring Break!

Well, we have a few things to write about.. First, we had a lot of fun (even in the rain) down at Seaside for spring break. If you are to ask Vivian what her favorite part of the trip was it would be "octopus" and "feeding the seals.. they splash!" We spent some time at the aquarium, feeding the seals, who were a little impatient and looking at three different octopus. Why the octopus? Not sure, they seem to be very interesting to Vivi lately. We would have like to have better weather so we could have played on the beach more but the house we stayed at was great and we could see the beach (and the rain) from the front windows. Claire had a lot of fun too. She wore out her Nana and Papa I think. She's a mover and a shaker these days.

After returning home from the beach, the weather became wonderful as you all know and we enjoyed the the Tacoma MS walk with my family in honor of my mom, who was diagnosed in 1993. This was Vivi's third year and Claire's first. They both did great.

Following the walk we took another walk down the street from our house to see the Daffodil parade for the first time with Vivi. She had lots of fun watching the floats and listening to the marching bands. And she saw a "bear". Smoky the bear was at the end, pushing a car in the parade that had run out of steam. She thought that was interesting. Claire also went to the parade but slept through it. Maybe next year.

So, as you can see, we had a fun filled break and now it's back to "school" for everyone.

Hope everyone else had a wonderful break as well (if you were lucking enough to get one!).

9 Months olds

Well, I tried to be better at writing on the blog but life just seems to get so busy and by the time everyone is in bed, I want to go to bed. But, I am going to try even harder to write once a week. The girls do so many funny things that I want to share with everyone so I just need to stay up a little later to do that.

The latest is that Claire Marie is 9 months old.. how is what I want to know. It feels just like yesterday she was a little love just staring up at you, laying in your arms and now we have "little miss dare devil" that wants to go, go, go.

Here are Claire's latest numbers from the doctors, with Vivian's at the same age in ( ) next to them....

Height: 27 1/2 inches = 47% (25.8 = ?)

Weight: 15 lbs, 10 oz = 5% (14 lbs, 15 oz = ?)

Head Circ.: 16 3/4 = 125 (18 = ?)

As you can see I have the numbers for Vivi but not the % .. if I find them, I will post them. But, by just looking at the numbers, I have this feeling that Claire is some day going to be "bigger" than her sister.. Vivi, you better be nice to your sister..

oh, and Claire does have a little more hair than Vivi did at 9 months.. as you can tell by the picture, she was eating and I was trying out these new clips in her hair.

Reindeer Riding!

Today Vivi rode her first "reindeer" pony at Bothell Country Village. As you can tell she had a great time. Her "reindeer's" name was Rudolph!! She also rode the train there and played on the other play structures. Claire looked on .. longing for the day that she can join her sister in the fun.

We have been very busy so I will try and add to the blog a lot this week to fill you in on the last few weeks..

Rolled!

Yes. It's true.. I, Claire, did my first back to front roll on Saturday morning for Daddy and big sister Vivi. Mommy had been practicing with me earlier in the morning and was in the other room when this exciting new 'trick' took place. And then later on in the day, mommy placed me on the floor (on my back) and walked down the hallway and came back to see me looking around on my tummy. I didn't show mommy my new trick until dinner time at my Nana's and papa's house. My mommy was able to get a picture of me in my new position but she'll have to get a little video this week. Well, off to bed.

4 month Check up

Well, little Claire had her four month check up the other day and big sister Vivi had her two year check up. We thought that we would share with you all in how they are growing. Next to Claire's information is Vivi's when she was 4 months in ( ).

Claire Marie Smith : Height : 24 in ..in the 41% (Vivi 23.25...8%)

Weight: 12 lbs 12oz ...30% (11 lbs 10oz ...6%)

Head Circumference : 15 1/4... 4% (16 1/2.. 66%)

A few differences but both were healthy little girls ..

Vivi at her check up now : height - 32 3/4 (22%)

weight- 22 lbs (3%)

18 3/4 (54%).. she is growing into her head quite nicely...

And off I go because I hear that nap time is over!!!!

Sorry for the wait!

I am so sorry for not writing over the past (10) months... As you last recall.. Vivi found out she had a sister on the way. She was very excited. Many things in Vivi's life took place in the last 10 months and I wish I had shared them along the way but I can't go back and retell them. I can only hope from this day forward that I am able to share at least weekly. Here is a little of what took place:
*Vivi took her first plane trip to Hawaii for Spring Break and had a blast on the beach.
*Mommy was put on "bed rest" the last 4-5 weeks of pregnancy so little "Claire" would be healthy.
*Little Claire Maire Smith was born on June 20, 2008 weighing in at 6 lbs. 12 oz
and 19 in long.. and mommy did it without "drugs".
*Vivi, Claire and mommy are enjoy 6 months together until mommy has to go back
to work in January.
*Vivi turned "2" on October 16th.

So many everyday things happened along the way and I wish I would have shared them. But, I can only hope that from now on I will.

Here are some of my favorite photos taken lately.

Big Sister to a ....

If you can't tell by the photo..(we were having a few challenges getting a picture since it was only the two of us).. Vivian is going to be a big sister to a little sister. I guess that means I am not very good at predicting. I am now 0 for two with the love bugs. So if I do give you a prediction some day, go with the opposite! We are very excited.. daddy says until it's time for them to start dating, then he's not so sure.. and don't even mention the weddings that will come in time! This little love is just as busy as Vivian was in my tummy. It was hard to get some photos because she was moving so much.. hopefully I will learn how to scan this weekend and add her photos in. I did learn how to down the photos from the camera tonight (thanks Daddy Jason for talking me through it on the phone!). Now, the hard part, thinking of a name!!!