The Best Toys

Are the boxes the toys came in...

Keep on Dreamin'

Lemon Face

Claire will eat about anything but had never really tried a lemon before. She seemed to like them!

Take the Picture Already

Go Big Blue!

Only 17 more years until she goes off to college!

That's the one you want?

OK, I'll get it for you...says Uncle John

Opening presents with Papa Joe

Our Griffee family Thanksgiving always ends with opening Christmas gifts, this year Claire was given a number of fabulous new toys. Thanks to all who gave her a gift, she loved everything!

Reading with Uncle John

Claire and her favorite Uncle, Uncle John (aka Uncle Tattoo) reading during our visit to Kentucky over Thanksgiving.

A girl and her horse

Legend has it that when I was a young girl I walked into my Grandparents home and asked my Papaw when was he going to buy me a pony. Well, I got that pony and all of the grandchildren had many fun years with her. This horse is also from my grandparents house and has been through several generations. Claire looks awfully comfy on that horse...now to start teaching her how to say 'Papa Joe, when are you gonna buy me a pony?'

Happy Halloween!

A little blurry, but riding high on her Daddy's shoulders Halloween night. The first time we ever attempted that - she loved being so high and looking around!

Cat

Claire has mastered the word 'Cat' and loves to chase our cat, Sabaka around for a gentle pet or tail tug. Sabaka has now started to go to extreme lengths to hide from Claire. Two recent attempts:

Under the packing paper in the Bongo drum box. Yes, she actually dug the paper out of the box and set herself in there under it. On Halloween night as I was home alone with Claire. The rustling paper scared me to death!

Perched high up on the couch...Claire isn't THAT tall yet, is she? She can't reach me up here...

Just call me Alfalfa

Queen of the Baked Bean face

Don't Drink and Drive

Or you might end up with no pants on and the hood missing from you car

Some summer highlights

Swim lessons with Daddy

The longest a bow has ever stayed in her hair.

Look Daddy, dinosaurs!

I am Mommy's pearl at the American Museum of Natural History.

Happy Grandparents Day

A day late, but not forgotten - Happy Grandparents Day!

Love to Grammie, Papa Joe, Mamaw, Babuschka, Gena and Valentina

Happy 1st Birthday Claire!

Good Morning Birthday Girl!

Eating off a Plate

Drinking and Bathing, can I get a ticket for this?

Only a ticket for being too darned cute!

Still Can't Quite Catch the Cat

Even on her own set of wheels, Claire can't quite get to the cat. Better watch out kitty, Claire's hot on your trail!

Baby on the Move!

For my family - no, the bow is not taped to her head, it's on a small barrette.

A Whole New View, or not...

David and I were out for a stroll over the weekend and he wanted to try the Ergo carrier on his back. It was moderately successful. Claire was distracted trying to figure out where she was most of the time, as the scenery never changed!

Like Father, Like Daughter

Claire had her first swim lesson on Saturday (more on that later...I'll have to find pictures where she is not too blurry, that kid moves all the time!) and proceeded to konk out hard afterwards. My budding Michael Phelps needed her rest...take a listen, she is sawing logs just like her Daddy does.

That is quite a story.

I just wish I knew who, or what, it was about.

Drumming + kitties...you figure it out...

Who needs fancy toys when you have an empty formula can, a spatula and a finicky audience?

Yea! Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July from America's Sweetheart. Our Sweetheart, too!

Thank you to all of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to public service and keeping us safe.

Prospect Park Zoo trip

Over the weekend, we went to the Prospect Park Zoo. It's pretty close to our house and the perfect size for holding the attention of a 10-month old fidgety girl!

We started the day with a hat. It didn't last long.

Just because it's a really cute picture.

The tiny Saki Monkey really mesmerized Claire

Random Body Parts

Now that Claire is pretty mobile, she moves all around in her bed at night. I often find random body parts sticking out of the crib slats before I go to bed each night. Here's a sampling of what I see when I enter Claire's room...

Just the legs

An arm and a leg

Slip Sliding Away!

Sliding with Daddy, that didn't work so well.

Waving to her people at the park.

Let me think about this for just a minute before I go sliding down...

If all else fails, just walk down!

It's been a while...

Claire and I made a trip to Kentucky to visit friends and family the end of May - here are some photo highlights.

I know it's a bit blurry, but I love this picture of Claire and her Uncle John.

Claire and her Aunt Julie - thanks for all the books, we read every one of them!

Brandy and Olivia, daughters of another college best friend, Robin, reading with Claire. Can't go wrong with a new book!

Lydia and Timothy, and their Mom, Agatha (my cousin) came to visit us from Evansville. Claire says 'hi!'

Chillin' poolside with Aiden, Karla's son and brother of Keegan.

Keegan, the daughter of my best friend from college, and Claire learning how to shovel. Or at least chew on the shovel.

When Papa Joe naps, everyone naps!

While Mamaw can't get down on the floor and play with Claire, they can read together, one of Claire's favorites!




Right before we were leaving, Grammy and Claire enjoying some final time together!

Concentration Required

Claire is working on her pincer grip to be able to feed herself. Good thing since her first tooth seems to be making its entrance!

Post Bath Fun and Giggles

Claire is usually a giggling, talking bundle of fun after her bath every night. She has now started to try and imitate what you are saying to her. You can hear it a couple of times in the video.

Escaped Feets

I always go into Claire's room to check on her before going to bed. Last night I found her feet sticking out between the crib slats, underneath the bumper. Looks like she has her Daddy's giant feet!

Rollie Pollie Ollie

Claire is really rolling around and starting to move! She finally gets it all rolled over about 50 seconds in.

I don't know how to edit, or I would take our dorky voices and comments out, but it only makes it that much more fun...this glimpse into our exciting rollie pollie life. Enjoy!

Shh...the baby is sleeping!

Claire sacked out in her carseat during some errands on Saturday.

Friday at the park

Claire might just get the hang of the swings and enjoy them!

First Words

Here it is...Claire's first words. I think the best version is about 50 seconds into the clip.

Easter, a little more casual

This is how I ended my Easter...a little more casual, but still sportin' a bunny.

Thank you Easter Bunny, Bawk! Bawk!

Thank you very much Grammy and Papa Joe and Uncle John and Aunt Julie for my fabulous Easter bunnies. Where's the candy?? Mommy really likes the Cadbury Creme eggs...

Fancy Dress on Easter Sunday

Claire in her first Easter Dress

Just because the look on her face is too precious

David and Claire, hanging out on the couch

Babies Gone Wild

Little did we know that the reason Claire has been sleeping so well - she's out clubbing all night! Just kidding...the library storytime leader gave kids handstamps at the end of storytime. Still gonna have to keep an eye on Claire though, I wouldn't put it past her to be out dancing the night away.

Diaper Doody

David is usually pretty good about helping out with diapers. This particular occasion he just did not want to be a part of the fun and doody.

Oh, and check out his outfit...now do you see why I have to post the funny pictures of his outfits for Claire?? This is what I'm workin' with here, people!

Don't tell Mommy

But I'm going to give Daddy a snuggle!