3 Months Old!

Wow, how time has flown! Claire is now 3 months old and doing wonderful! She usually sleeps 8-11 hours at night and varies during the day. I think she's been growing recently because she's been taking long afternoon naps. She eats every 2-3 hours and finishes in a maximum of 15 minutes. I'm loving this child! She weighed in at 11 lbs. this month. She's really trying to roll over from her back to her tummy but hasn't figured out how to get her arm out of the way! She found her hands a couple weeks ago and grabs things some. She wants to grab more, but doesn't quite have the coordination yet! Claire 'talks' all the time. She's very happy and loves her big brother, even when he bothers her! She likes to look at herself in the mirror and look at other babies. She gives both very big grins! We had Kate DeCoste take her 3 months photos last week. I'll post some as soon as she gets them to me!

Run for Justin

For the third time I ran in the Run for Justin this morning. It's a 5K (3.2 miles) run in memory of Justin Nealon who was killed while running several years ago. He had a passion for running and supporting Team in Training (TNT), which is a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The money from the entry fee for the Run for Justin goes to TNT to help with research and patient services. I first ran in this event three years ago when I was training with TNT to run a half marathon. I thought then it was a great event and have continued to support it since. This was my first race run since having Claire and it felt great! I've been training with my friend Jill since the beginning of June by joining a running club called, Beginner's Luck. It got me in great shape to do this 5K. Andy, Claire, and I drove to Omaha early this morning for the event. We sent Isaiah to Grandma and Grandpa's so he didn't have to get up early! Andy and Claire cheered me on as I ran. I finished in 33:30, which put me at a 10:47 minute mile. I'm very satisfied with that! Now I just need to learn to keep that pace when running longer distances!

Claire and I before the race!

Happy Birthday America!

We had a fun filled 4th of July this year. On Saturday my parents had their annual 4th of July party at their house. We got out there around 4:30 and Isaiah played inside for a while. When the food was ready everyone went outside to eat. Halfway through eating it started to rain so we all had to head for cover indoors! Thankfully the rain stopped and everyone was able to go back outside and enjoy the cool weather. Isaiah and Andy set off some fireworks. Isaiah had a puppy dog, a firetruck, and a train that he helped Andy light. We aren't sure if it's kosher to have a 2 year old actually lighting fireworks, but we did anyway! Isaiah would help Andy light the firework and then run away and stand with Uncle Mark to watch it go off. He had a blast! We, of course, had also bought some parachutes. While only one landed in the yard (the rest went in the trees) Isaiah was able to grab it and was excited to carry it around. He also had fun playing with his cousin Jordan with the soccer balls and tennis balls. When it got dark we let Isaiah do sparklers. He liked them, but they weren't the best since they were from last year. Andy and I decided to buy new ones every year from now on! Finally, when it got dark we got out all the camping chairs and watched the "big" fireworks. It was a small group this year for the party, so there were only 3 men setting them off. They did a great job, though! Claire was a wonderful baby, or course the whole day. She didn't get to experience the night time fireworks, however, because I put her to bed around 8:30 and she slept right through them! We left for home a little before 11 and figured Isaiah would konk out immediatly. Instead, he talked and watched for fireworks out the window almost the entire way home! He finally fell asleep about 5 minutes from home and went right to sleep once we got him in the house.

On Sunday, the 4th, we had planned to go to Seward with Jon and Stacey Yost and family. However, with the rain we decided to keep the kiddos indoors for most of the day. Isaiah and Kaci had a wonderful time playing together. They got to eat lunch at the 'kiddy table' as we brought Isaiah's card table and chairs up in the kitchen for them to eat at. In the afternoon, they started to get crabby and whinny, so we had them lay down together on Isaiah little couch and watch Wall-E. They watched a good chunk of the movie laying there together, too!

Finally, in the evening when it got nice out, we headed over to Donna Yost's house for supper and more fireworks. Isaiah set off fireworks again with Andy, but Kaci wasn't such a fan! She did like the parachutes though. Most of them went on the roof, but the kids were all able to get at least one or two! Claire, again, did not partake in any festivities and slept through most of the excitement! Donna provided wonderful food and dessert for everyone. As the evening wore on and it was closer to dark, Kaci and her cousin Ava took a bath. Isaiah wanted to take one too, but not with the girls! So Donna graciously cleaned out her whirlpool tub and let Isaiah get clean in there. It was a fun change for him! We then headed for home amid explosives and fog. Isaiah had a great time, but was VERY tired. He slept in on Monday morning until 10:45! We all tried to rest up on Monday and look forward to the holiday again next year!

P.S. You can click on the collages to see them larger! :-)

2 Months Old!

Two months! Andy and I decided that the first two months went way faster this time. Not really sure if it's because Claire is easier, we know what we're doing, we're busy chasing Isaiah, or a combo of all of them! At her doctor's appointment Claire weighed 10 lbs 1 oz and was 23 1/4 inches long. She got her two month shots and really screamed. It really bothered me because I've never heard her cry like that! She slept a lot that day and was very crabby when she was awake.

Claire eats on average every 2 1/2 hours during the day. At night she generally sleeps 8-10 hours, which we are gladly enjoying! She usually takes a binky to fall asleep, but spits it out as soon as she's out. She's awake a lot more during the day and likes to lay on the floor under her floor gym and look at the singing lion. Claire also enjoys her bouncy seat and swing. She smiles and coos all the time and loves her big brother!

Isaiah loves her also! He likes to talk to her (and get in her face!), and can often be heard saying, "Hi little baby!" and "I like her!". He tries to give her her binky whenever she cries and 'make her feel better'. One day I put her in the swing and went to go to the bathroom quick. Claire was fussing, and then all of a sudden quit. I thought, what did Isaiah do?! I quickly rushed back out to the livingroom and Isaiah had put her binky in her mouth and was rocking her in the swing. My heart melted!