Sibling school

Ever since I got the baby toys out of storage for Claire, Max has started a bad habit of sneaking up and taking things away from her that she is playing with. It's a shame really, and I try to stop in when I see it. 

Right he did it with the silly little helicopter. I was trying to snap a picture because they were sitting there playing nearly nicely, and he just couldn't take it. The picture and it up snapping was the one below showing the puzzled look on Claire's face is her brother stole the toy she was so quietly and calmly playing with. My next understood that soon enough Claire will be big enough to take things away from him. She is learning from watching him. It is clear by the look on her face that she is wondering if this is the way one should behave.

Sibling rivalry brewing at an early age.

Valentines date

David and I got to go out for Valentines date this year for the first time in a very long time. Thanks to Hazel being here and being willing to keep the kids, we got to go to dinner and Frederick. Next really did not like the idea of us going out alone. Which is odd, because he's usually the easiest one about me going out the door. I think it shows it's been a long time since we were going out on dates. We need to find a new regular babysitter.

David and I went into Frederick and had dinner at the type place. It was nice. We enjoyed sitting by the front window watching the traffic. It was nice to have a long relaxing dinner that was just us. You didn't stay out very long, we were home before 930. But it was still relaxing and nice to be alone. This was our 11th Valentine's Day together.

Determination at an early age

Clair is getting around a lot everyday. She wants to get her hands on everything, especially the stuff that isn't for her. This evening I gave in and let her play with the magna tiles for about ten minutes. She sat there seriously trying to work out how to separate a pile stuck together. After about a minute of them not behaving as she hoped, she was frustrated and there them down. But, she picked up another set and tried again. The concentration on her face was amazing, especially for being nine months old!

Parting is such sweet sorrow

A few months ago David helped Ellie trace and color herself. This was a very prideful art project. It has lived on the bathroom door for a long time. Today Clair decided it had been there long enough and pulled it down.  Before moving it to the trash bin, I took a photo of her and her tracing of herself. Coloring this was a lot of work!

First teeth

Clair's first tooth came in on her nine month birthday. I'm finally starring to get a daily glimpse now two weeks later. She has both her front teeth making their way in and she's an eater! 

I love this photo I got during bath time tonight. 

A quiet night with just Clair

Tonight the big kids went to a school dance with daddy and granny. I stayed home with Clair. We had macaroni cheese and tomato for dinner. We then played a bit. Clair had a nice bath and I put her to bed for an early sleep because she was exhausted from the day.

So many things to do with my extra quiet time. It is rare for me to get to put my focus into chest clear without guilt taking away from the time with the other children. Tonight I had no guilt, and it was so relaxing. Instead of rushing her into her crib so I could spend the last few waking moment with Max and Ellie, I held her for a good 40 minutes after she fell asleep. I love the extra guilt free cuddles.

The hardest thing about being the mother of three is feeling like I am gypping one child when I spend extra time with the other. I hope I find a way to get over that, because one-on-one time is fantastic with the children!!!!

Artist

Ellie is quite good at art, and she knows it. It comes naturally and she really enjoys it! She loves to be called an artist. Her and Grannie have a lot of fun encouraging art and discussing it while she's in town. Today Grannie revealed a box of tempera paints that has 12 different colors. This is like heaven to Ellie! As a result, she has spent time creating two life sized paintings - one of herself and the second of me, her Mommy. I may be biased, but I think they are really good!

She tells us she's going to make one of Daddy, Max and Clair too!

I have no place to put all this art, but I love that she has fun with it!