Spring Break 2012: Cousins

Clara's spring break the first week in April overlapped with Annabeth & Aunt Jo-jo's month long visit to Richmond, so we got to spend lots of quality time with our extended family in from the Pacific Northwest.

On Tuesday morning we headed over to Maymont park. I believe this was taken before we actually crossed the fence from the parking lot into the park. They were already loving the lush green grass.

Grambles with his three mobile grandchildren. I think he's in control.

On the way to see the animals, we detoured to pick wild flowers.

Jack really likes the sheep.

Goats!

Snacktime

Meghan enjoyed stretching her limbs after being in the Ergo.

Of course the toddler wants the baby toy, 

and the baby wants the grass.

Thursday morning we gathered at Gramby & Su-su's house for an Easter Egg Hunt.

The players:

The Hunt begins...

I think this picture pretty much sums things up.

Jack discovers eggs are more than meets the eye.

Jack abandons the hunt in lieu of treats while Clara enjoys the fruits of being the only participant interested in actually hunting eggs.

Lunch followed the Easter egg hunt. Check out Meghan & Annabeth dressed alike.

And on Saturday the big kids hung out one last day with Annabeth.

Grambles with his "Thing Ones"

Exploring the gazebo

Yesterday in the Park

I think it was the fourth of July, err.... not as such. I think it was the twenty-fourth of April just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Anyway, we were in fact at the park and on the greenway yesterday afternoon, and I thought I'd take a break from playing catch-up to post about our outings.

I caught this cute video of Jack jumping from stone to stone with a return trip on the balance beam. His arms are really working hard to keep him balanced. :)

Clara and her friend Janie playing orphans. Apparently the game is dictated by the garb, and those are "orphan" dresses.

Check out Meghan working the tripod! I tried her only a week or so ago, and she didn't last more than a second. She'll be sitting up before long.

Attack of the man-eating baby.

Big smiles as she attempts to rip my face off.

After leaving the park to which we had driven, I decided was too nice a day to not walk, so we headed out again. Meghan had been pretty fussy all day, so it was a good chance to have her nap in the Ergo. Later we determined the cause of the fussiness, a new tooth! Hopefully it will break through soon and bring back my happy baby.

Always time for some bench pictures, though lately Jack has been too fast for me to get them together. He says, "let's keep moving." I must say that a lot while off-roading. :)

And for a parting shot: today's bench picture.

Aloha, Uncle Jack & Dy!

This post is a long time coming but nonetheless important because it heralds the arrival of Jack & Dy to Raleigh and the East coast! Woohoo. We were so excited to have them come stay with us for several days the first week of March. 

Clara loved snuggling and reading with Uncle Jack & Dy every chance she got. Meghan on the other hand didn't cooperate quite as well. Poor Dy, Meghan seemed to explode every time she'd try to hold her.

Leave it to Uncle Jack to invent some new games. He dubbed this "Massive Kicks" which then became "Massit Kicks" by Clara.

And the Ring of Fire!

When it was time for Uncle Jack & Dy to move on up the coast, Memo & Aubrey came to our house to pick them up. And they brought us O Sole Mio for lunch! We had our delicious steak sandwiches for lunch out on the deck thanks to the unseasonably warm weather that undoubtedly Jack & Dy carried with them from Hawaii. Of course Memo seized the opportunity to snuggle with each of her great-grandbabies. Meghan discovered Memo's glasses, Jack gobbled down some chocolate eggs that Memo brought, and Clara didn't miss a chance to have Memo read her a chapter of "Felicity", the American  Girl story we were reading at the time. (Best thing about iPhones is that Memo had no idea I was taking her picture when she was holding Jack. Check out that winning smile!)

Meghan's First Food & 6 Month Stats

Today we gave Meghan her first food - pureed strawberries. This choice was a bit unconventional because strawberries have in the past been considered a higher risk allergy food and not recommended until 12 months. In recent years the tide has turned on this subject. A lot of doctors are questioning the wisdom in waiting to expose young eaters to these so-called "high allergy" foods. Some studies have shown that waiting could in fact mean a higher likelihood of a food allergy. Our very forward thinking pediatrician said the spectrum of foods was open to me and to go ahead and give her whatever I wanted. As with the other two, I desired her first taste to be something seasonal from the Farmer's Market, so strawberries it was!

A bit apprehensive about the high chair.

Feeling a bit better about things.

Here she goes!

Stuffed.

And in case you're a junky for comparisons as you know I am:

Jack & Clara's first foods

While we are comparing, at her wellness visit Meghan weighed 17 lbs, 12.5 oz. She was 27.5 inches long, exactly the same height as both Jack and Clara at 6 months! Clara was still the largest at this age, almost a pound more at 18 lbs, 11 oz, and Jack was 18 lbs, 5 oz. Meghan gained over 2 lbs from two months ago and grew an inch and a half in length.

Happy Half Birthday, Meghan!

It is hard to believe that we have been a family of five for six months now. Perhaps it was all the reminiscing of Clara as a baby and our adventures as first time parents five years ago, but all of a sudden my pregnancy and Meghan's birth seem far away.

She seems to enjoy the Einstein more than ever, now that she finally figured out how to roll around.


And also (thank goodness) loves the Saucier as well. It's a good chance for her to be upright like the rest of us.




Clara still loves to hold Meghan. Now she's big enough that we don't have to be overly protective. They have fun together, and as you can see from the video, Meghan makes it perfectly clear when she's had enough.




Meghan hasn't really had many opportunities to ride in the stroller, but I placed her in here yesterday to get a picture for a comparison shot!

Look What Nay-nay Got!

Canvas Print

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy Fifth Birthday, Clara Jean!

FIVE YEARS OLD!


How did we get here? I'll show you...

Clara Jean Carson, born 4/15/2007 at 1:37 am; 8 lbs, 8 oz, 22 inches long.




2008: One,




2009: Two,




2010: Three,




2011: Four,




2012: Five!






(I know I have about 6 weeks+ of catching up to do, but I wanted to get something posted to commemorate Clara's B-day. As soon as the income taxes get filed, I'll be on top of it!)