Half-Way There

That's right boys and girls, this little lady is officially half-way to being one year old!  As of her check-up on July 28th her stats are as follows: weight, 13.5 lbs (10th percentile!!!), height 24.75 inches (20th percentile!!!), head 16.54 inches (30th percentile)!!!

For Robert and I, it's hard to believe that the little nugget has been in our lives for six whole months and at the same time we can barely remember what our lives were like before her.  It seems like now everything is happening all at once - she's flipping back and forth, pushing up on her arms, reaching for things, doing this bizarre modified crawl thing where she pivots on her head and then throws herself forward (it's freaking hysterical), eating solids, grabbing at the dogs and cats (this is not one of my favorite developments, but it bears mentioning), and the list goes on....

Have you seen my feet?

What does that say?

Gimme that!

Standing Girl (sort of)

I love me this play-gym

Working on the blog together

How gorgeous am I in my new outfit from Aunt Renee?

Thanks for the cute outfit, Uncle Doug.

I love standing, but head bands - not so much. 

What, this doesn't count as eating a solid?

Sleeping sweetheart.

The Return of Ike

This is a little outdated, as Ike technically returned when Claire was about 3 months old, but I thought I would update all those cat-lovers and let you know that Ike is once again very firmly nestled within our family unit.

That's right, move over dogs - I'm back!!!

Solids, Solids Everywhere! Up My Nose and in My Hair!

That's right, Claire has started eating solid food.  After 2 weeks of rice cereal that went in... and came back out,  went in... and came back out, she finally realized the concept that "OH!  I'm supposed to swallow this stuff".  That said, she still isn't readily accepting all her new food choices.  After a few weeks the count is as follows:  LOVES string beans.  Tolerates squash, sweet potatoes and apples.  HATES peas.  Let me put it this way, if you feed her peas, you are going to end up with more in your mouth than hers.  She seems to be a bit of a picky eater, but maybe it's just the overwhelming process of moving on from milk and formula.  Here's hoping anyway...

Figuring it out with rice cereal

Gimme that!  I'll show you how it's done!

Really?  Squash again?  Do I look happy?

You're Invited to the Christening of Claire Hannah Turner

Claire's six month birthday on July 23rd was extra-special because she celebrated her baptism at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart (where Mommy and Daddy got married 2 days shy of 2 years ago).  Father Reckker, who married us, flew out from Michigan to perform the ceremony.  It was so personal and special, exactly what we wanted.  To boot, the baby of the hour behaved perfectly; she was all smiles and giggles and seemed to be having a blast.  Claire was surrounded by both sets of grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, great-uncles and great-aunts, and wonderful friends.  Aunt Abigail is her Godmother and Uncle Matt is her Godfather.  Afterward, we celebrated with lunch at Signal Mountain and an afternoon on Moran Bay (thanks to Uncle Johnny's boat).  What a beautiful, joyous day!

All dolled up!

"Do you know why I'm dressed like this?"

Mommy is so proud

Getting down to business

Proud Gamma and GDad

The big moment

Hairstyle ala Father Reckker

That bath sucked! 

Smiling at Papa

Not sure what either of our faces are doing

Claire and BMa

What was that all about?!?!

Proud parents and Godparents

The gang's all here!

Heading out to Moran Bay

Claire's first trip on the lake

Chillin'

Bodie, Grace, Lucy, and Jana soaking up some rays

Two Teeth!

Best. Picture. Ever.

It seems that Claire's bizarre late nights may have been the result of teething.  Just weeks before she hit the six month mark she has sprouted not one, but two teeth!  Pretty exciting - even if their main purpose right now seems to be chewing on washcloths. (is it me, or does Claire vaguely resemble Chris Farley in this picture?)

Turning Five Months in NY

This was a big month for Claire.  Mommy finished up work on June 20th, and two days later we were on a plane traveling across the country to visit Gamma, GDad, Uncle Greg and Uncle Doug in New York.  While we were there we celebrated Claire's 5 month birthday.  The older she gets the more and more intrigued she is by her "month old" sign.

"I am really five months old?"

"Wow! That's really old!"

Model-baby

Entertaining myself on my playmat

My new Jumperoo (my feet still can't touch the ground in it)

Good times in the bath

(Not sure what this face means)

Hanging out with Gamma

Happy 4th of July!

Playing with Uncle Greg...

...and Uncle Doug

"Hi Mom.  Aren't I getting so grown up?"