Santa!!

Growing up, Kristen and I visited the "Legendary" Richmond Santa for many, many years. It was always quite the experience and I couldn't wait to take Claire to see him. When we went, it used to be at the old Miller and Rhodes building in Richmond but it has since moved to the downtown Richmond Children's Museum. It was set up the same way with the Snow Queen, Bears, tree, fireplace, etc. Luckily we got to go on a weekday and didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes. Growing up we would wait hours! Claire seemed to like Santa...she didn't cry!!

After seeing Santa, we played some in the Children's Museum and then went over to The Jefferson Hotel to see their beautiful Christmas decorations.

Patiently waiting in line...

We're next!

With the Snow Queen

Family shot with Santa

I've been a good girl!

Playing

Sure, I'd love to play with that block Grammy!

So fun

On tv with Daddy!

At the News Desk

Massive Gingerbread House at the Jefferson

In front of the Nativity

Beautiful Christmas Tree in the lobby

With Grammy!

With Mommy!

9 months old!

Claire turned 9 months on November 25th. 9 months already, where is the time going?!?! She weighed 15lbs (5%) and is 26 1/4 inches (10%)....our little peanut :) Each month just gets better and better. She really is such a joy and so much fun. She loves pulling up and standing on whatever she can. She will also walk along whatever she is up on for a bit but just seems more interested in standing up and exploring whatever is up there. She has found some favorite books and will sit with you as you read them to her. She loves to find her favorites in the basket and pull them out for you to read. Molly loves to play keep away from her and the two of them will run/crawl back and forth, back and forth "playing" for a good while. It wears them both out :) She loves to wave. When she is crawling around and getting further away from you or heading into another room, she will stop, sit up, look back at you and wave. After you wave back, she will continue on her way to wherever she is headed. She also got her first tooth!! And the 2nd is on it's way. She had a rough couple of nights when it was coming in but all in all she did great. She still is chowing down on her beloved Cheerios, she could eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Thanksgiving 2011

We hosted our first Thanksgiving this year at our house! We had a wonderful time with everyone and really enjoyed the day. Maybe we started a new tradition :)

Ready to eat!

Family shot

We tried to give her turkey, cranberries and sweet potatoes....but she wasn't too interested. Maybe next year!

Happy baby!

Everyone relaxing

Mommy and Claire

November already!

 Hard to believe that it's November and that it's already almost over!! We are really getting settled into the new house and Richmond in general. It really feels like home!

Here are some pictures of what we have been up to!

Loves to chew on a carrot

Oh, and put her foot up while she does it

She got into the wipes and pulled....

and pulled. Sorry about that Mom!

Hiding out under her high chair.

Standing up on anything and everything.

Bundled up for the car ride

First time trying Cheerios and now she doesn't want to stop.

Along for the ride

Here I come!

Pulling up some more!

 

 

 

 

Visit with some dear family friends of the Durr's. They came all the way from NC to see us. We had a wonderful visit with them!

David and I bit the bullet and ran the Richmond Half-Marathon! We figured after running the Army 10 miler, what's 3.1 more :) We finished in 2 hours and 8 minutes or 9:44 minute miles. We were just proud to finish!!

Claire's First Halloween!

We had a great first Halloween with Claire! Our street had a party in the cul-de-sac before the trick or treating started and we got to meet a lot of our new neighbors. Lots of babies that are Claire's age for her to play with! She dressed up as a lady bug and we trick or treated at one house...trick or treaters were knocking on our door so we had to rush back :) One was plenty for her...she shoved the Snickers bar straight in her mouth!

Happy Halloween, thanks for the pumpkin Grandma D and the outfit Grammy!

Breakfast with my Trick or Treat bib, thanks Aunt Cindy!

Lunch with my First Halloween bib, thanks Grammy!

On the move!

Getting dressed in my costume

Everyone's ready for the party! It was hard to get Molly moving in that :)

I think I'll have one

She knew exactly what to do with it :)

8 months old!

Claire turned 8 months on October 25th. Time is really going too fast. She is a little person with her own personality and is so much fun. At 8 months she is fast! Crawling everywhere.She is also pulling up on things and loves to stand up. Pulling herself up in the crib and looking around is one of her favorites. She will give you a high five if you put your hand out. And will wave hi and goodbye...most times :) Some of her favorite toys now are a picnic basket set (thanks Grammy!) with lots of little pieces that she loves to take in and out of the basket. And she really likes to carry a diaper around with her and play with it...a clean diaper I might add. We are still working on exploring new foods. She loves to eat the baby puffs and pick them up with her little fingers, it's really cute to watch!

Yep, I guess I really am 8 months old :)

Yum!

Catching up to the catepillar

I see you!

Ready for our picnic Mommy!