Jeff and Viola Plus One: January 2010

This past sunday was Claire's 6 month birthday! We woke up and she opened her presents!

She got a teething bunny!

She liked the bag more than she liked her gifts. Go figure!

A cell phone!? The best part is that every time you open the phone, a new image comes up on the screen. So one time Ms. Kitty called her, another time a puppy called her. It's so cute!

And then this thing that makes these balls go around.

We went to the doctor today for her 6 month check up and here are her latest stats:

Height: 26.5 inches

Weight: 16.2 lbs.

I can't believe that she is getting so big so fast! She's eating solid foods and is starting to sit up (assisted) by herself! The doctor said to expect the baby babble to pick up and that's when the fun begins! What I love most is that she is so nosey! Wonder where she gets that from?! She has to see what is going on, where people are, and what they are doing. Sometimes she won't sleep because she wants to look around! Too funny! Just love this little girl!

It's been forever since I've posted and my sweet friend, Michele, reminded me today on facebook that I've seriously neglected my blogging life! Right now, my entire life is consumed with trying to change a million schedules at work, a varsity basketball game every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday night, and I'm also trying to be a mommy and wifey. Whew! Life is hectic right now! This is probably why my nose has decided to revolt against me and it's running faster that Teresa Nicole Roberts! JK! I am definitely feeling like crud lately, so I'm trying to slow down. The positive is- I'm almost done with basketball season!

A few wonderful things have happened since my last post.

1. Claire Parker is a rolling over fool and is starting to sit up (with adult assistance of course)! This solid food this has been sorta fun. On Christmas eve, we fed her a little apple sauce, mashed potato, and sweet potato. Then the next day, I decided to be cute and make rice cereal. Talk about barf city! I read somewhere that babies with acid reflux (which Claire kinda has) don't do well with rice cereal. Needless to say, we kinda skipped the rice in general. Then, we fed her fruits, which she loves, and now she doesn't want to eat the veggies! Crap, I think I did that backwards. If there's one thing I've learned in my almost six months of motherhood, everyday you have to try and be a good mother. There is no possible way that you can read every piece of information and/or follow every thing that all of the "experts" say. You will drive yourself crazy and never get sleep. So, we are just trying things as we go. Of course if my doctor says not to do something, then I won't. I probably started her too early on solids, but A) it's kinda fun to watch Claire give me the WTF?! face when I put peas in her mouth; and B) she's sleeping through the night. Also, I'm trying to let her soothe herself back to sleep at night. This is a really nice way of saying, "I let Claire cry her lungs out until she falls asleep. Meanwhile, I'm also hysterically crying in my bed because I feel like this must be some sort of child abuse." Another thing I've learned- it's okay if babies cry.

2. I was able to spend some time with my wonderful friends this past Saturday. With all of these basketball games, I've forfeited any "me" time. Saturday we went to Kylee's mom's memorial. I've met Kylee's mom once, but I'm so thankful for her because she gave us Kylee. I really like her- she's fashionable, funny, a great singer, and really creative! P.S. She's engaged and her ring is gorgeous! I also saw another girl who I really like- Michele F. Rikard. She's currently fostering the cutest little girl and it was fun to see Michele be a mommy. By the by, she is with child and I am putting my money on it's a girl. Later that night, a bunch of us went out in Midtown for Emily Munteanu's bachelorette party. I WAS A DANCING FOOL!! We went to twiested taco, which I think is the whitest bar ever! The DJ was great and we all sang off key and danced like no one cool was watching! I really miss hanging with Kelly, Teresa, Suzanne, EClare, and Emily Munteanu! If only Brandi were there... Great times were had all around! How about I didn't get home until 3:15 am! Thank goodness my wonderful hubby was sleeping soundly and so was my baby!

3. Our good friends, Michael and Meredith, are home with their handsome boy Evan. I'm so glad that his cold (understatement) is much better now! They're such a wonderful and strong couple and I'm glad everything is going well. I can't wait until Evan and Claire can play together. When I first met this little man he was so TINY!! Claire was huge compared to him. But his mommy tells me that he weighs about 8 lbs now. He's gained about 3 lbs. in a few short weeks! I bet next month he'll be 6'2" and 180 pounds! Great people those Rands!

4. So what's next Viola?! Well, I feel like once basketball season is over, I can start being me again! I really miss my family (I haven't spent time with Marci or Ardis in forever- I really miss them!). My plan is to spend time with friends and family and start my interior decorating portfolio. My first room will be my "formal living room," which I'm not making formal at all. Yeah sure it will be cute, but I'm going to use it as a reading room/ craft room. I'm really excited about this! I'm also going to work harder on my goal of running the peachtree. I'm sorta running now, but not consistently and I need to add on more miles- yikes!

So I leave you now with my cute pic of the week. Today while at work, Mimi (Jeff's mom Marci) sent me this picture to my phone. Yes, my little girl loves to look at herself in the mirror. Some would say she is vain, but I say she is just curious about the beautiful face she sees in the mirror. Too cute!