Maximilian is sneaky, especially at bedtime

The past couple mornings I have noticed an extra animal in bed with Max. He likes his cuddly toys, but the Doctor suggested he shouldn't really have them around his be or in it to help stop the cold and cough he's had for a while. It worked too! So I have asked him to limit to the 3 (that is a limit for Max.)

So, each morning he tells me something along the lines of, "Someone put Elephant in my bed Mommy." I brushed it off the first and second time. By the third I told him he better stop doing that.

Two nights ago David and I ran up to a crying Max around 10:30 pm to see what was wrong. David tried to settle him and help him get into bed. I came in because he was crying for a while and I wanted to help too. As I get up into his bed to snuggle him back to sleep, I run into a pile of stuffed animals, a HUGE pile of them. I handed the pile, or so I thought, to David and mumbles something to Max about not getting out of bed and bring his animals into it. I proceeded to try to get closer to him, only to be stopped in my tracks by another handful and knee full of stuffed animals. I stop and look closely around his bed and notice that there must be at least 25 extra stuffed toys of all shapes and sizes shoved all around him in his bed. I was not happy. I was also quite humored by it all.

So, in between holding back my laughs and handing David a good 4 or 5 armfuls of animals, I told Max I wasn't pleased with him and it better never happen again. He looked at me sheepishly. He knew he was caught, and caught big time at that. There was no denying 25 animals like there was one lonely little Elephant.

I still laugh about this finding. David and I can picture Max quietly sneaking up and down the ladder into his loft bed with one animal after the next until his little legs were so exhausted he couldn't retrieve another. He did all this while Ellie slept 10 feet away. All the while he knew he would be in trouble when he was caught, but he just couldn't help himself! Hilarious! Naughty! That's my boy!

Nine Months

Clair turned 9 months old on Jan 23rd. My has a lot changed in one month. This is one busy girl who's always on the go, unless she's fast asleep. She has a mean army crawl and is already pulling herself up on things. She has developed a habit of clearing the second story book shelf, and then playing in a big pile of books!

My girl started saying Mama, Maaammmaah, Mama just before her 9 month birthday. It is music to my ears! David says she can finally put to words what she's been thinking and wanting since she was born! My girl still dives into my arms from almost any situation with a big smile on her face. She is a Mommy's girl and that is just fine by me. Let's see how long we can keep it that way!

She's also learning to play peek a boo! She will hold something over her head and then move it down after I say, "peek a boo, where's Clair." She thinks she's so funny; and so do I!

She's a big eater. She eats a lot of finger food. She will pretty much try anything. But she still loves when we spoon feed her and shovel it in!

Clair got her first tooth last week - right on her 9 month's birthday. She has her second little one also on the bottom this week. Teething isn't quite as easy for her as the others. She has had a little pain and bother from it, but nothing too bad.

Tonight she road around Frederick in her stroller looking out at the world instead of back at Mommy. It's another big girl move. She is ready!

She has nearly out grown her infant car seat. It's pretty hard squishing her in there, but I do because it's been so freezing cold this year. As soon as it warms up it's off to the big girl car seat for her!

She loves her brother and sister move then ever. She will play with them, laugh with them, smile with them and follow them anywhere. They really love her too! She's just perfect that little Clair bear!

New Camera

I finally took the plunge and got the DSL our camera Christmas. I am so thankful that I did! Check out some of the casual photos I've captured the children in the past few weeks. Imagine if I could sit down and take the time and learn how to use the camera.

Big stuff

Clair seems to change daily. This afternoon I was out with Ellie and David sent me this beautiful picture of Clair in the sunshine. I love little curly hairs that seem to have appeared over the past 24 hours. I guess it's time for a little hair to sprout. She's so cute. And she's full of energy and busy bouncing all the time!

Picking up Grannie

Countdown has been on for grannies arrival. Maximillion both excited. The difference this time is it's the first time Max has  been actively counting down the days. He was so excited!

We picked Grannie up at the end of the day on Saturday. It was a long week for Max. By the time we got to the airport he could hardly contain himself.

David took Ellie and Max and I had Clair in the stroller. I think Clair was a little less impressed but just cute as a button buried under over toys. We found granny and everyone was thrilled. Max ran to Grannie and tripped and slid across the floor. Ellie got there first. But Grannie greeted them both lovingly. All was well when we got home! 

A wish

I received a magical tree at Christmas that group crystals overnight. It was very impressive all of us how quickly this tree grew. Afterschool she was talking with David and ask if the tree was magical enough to grant a wish. David told her she could give it a try. So she gave it a try by making a silent wish. She didn't tell David what it was. They return the tree to the shelf and Ellie stepped away and instantly started flapping her arms quickly up-and-down.  This action was followed quickly with a sigh of frustration and the comment, "oh man it didn't work." David said he knew exactly what she was doing and what she wished for - to fly. 

Baby years are Slipping away

Clair is showing determination in everything she does daily. There is a lot less willingness to sit around on my lap or snuggle or just be. She is always reaching, grabbing, and trying to learn through touch and feel of new things.  This is even true at that time. Where she used to always fall asleep and snuggle with me, this is happening much less frequently.

I enjoyed my snuggle moments last night when she fell asleep in my arms and I was able to just hold her. She is so sweet and warm and cuddly. These are the moments I live for. I love the warm, heavy, still yet full of life feeling of the baby snuggled in asleep on my lap.

I wish I can always rock my babies to sleep.