Separation Anxiety

Mom and Claire started swimming lessons last Thursday evening. Claire was hesitant to go in the water at first and did not release her vice grip on mom for most of the class. She isn't comfortable reaching out for toys or being on her back, but did enjoy sitting on the side of the pool and jumping (or sliding) into mom's arms. At the end of class she was very disappointed to be leaving and let everyone in the pool area know by crying as loud as she possibly could. 

Claire has added a few new words to her vocab, most notably 'Jordan'. Of course, it doesn't sound like Jordan, more like 'dough-dough' but it is reserved exclusively for her big sister. She is working on other words and often has the sound of the first letter down but not the whole word. 

We seem to be battling some of the 'steps' we skipped as a babe. As of late, she has been having separation anxiety from mom. Mom thinks this may have to do with her having taken a vacation for 4 days without Claire. Now, whenever Mom leaves the room it is an experience. Putting Claire to bed at night has taken on a whole new level of patience as we are reverting to the 'cry it out' method with a nearly 22 month old. Hopefully it won't take her too long to get back into settling in on her own. 

Earlier in March Claire and Dad met up with Lexi and Susie for a trip to the Children's Museum. This place has become one of dad's favorite locales during winter. 

Here is a picture of Claire and Lexi from last year, when they first 'met' each other.

And here are Claire and Lexi, nearly a year later. My how big they have gotten. 

Are they planning a road trip? 

It's instinct

There really was no need to explain to Claire what she needed to do in these boots. She was a natural.

'No'

Claire has mastered the word 'no'. She hasn't really applied it, except for a couple times. Mom learned this while asking her not to do something. She asked Claire what mom said and Claire looked right at her and said 'no'. Hmph.

She is also saying 'oh my' and 'all done'. Dad mentioned that it seems like her vocabulary is beginning to expand. We expect full sentences any day now.

Mom & Claire had a girls weekend last week. Mom had to laugh when Claire pulled out her Sesame Street jammies (size 3T) and wanted to wear it over her clothing. It appears dressing up begins at an early age. She is following in the footsteps of cousins Alex and Ryan.

More firsts

Mom read about kids who might potty train early, she prayed that Claire might be one of them. She may get her wish, but doesn't want to get too hopeful.

We introduced the potty in mid-January since she was showing interest in the toilet and her two favorite books were potty books. We took the 'no-pressure' approach and placed the potty in the bathroom next to the 'big toilet'. We began with her sitting on it fully dressed and slowly introduced taking off her diaper and having some 'potty-time'.

This evening, Claire was having potty-time while mom gathered her bath toys together. Perhaps it was the running water, perhaps it was just timing, but Claire used her potty. Mom wasn't even in the room! She was across the hall in Claire's room and when she returned to the bathroom Claire had put down the potty seat and mom noticed that it was wet. Hmmm... we should leave this up, she said to Claire and when she lifted it she noticed Claire had used the potty! There was much cheering by mom and dad and Claire beamed as we jumped around celebrating her continued development.

In all reality, we fully realize that 20 months is a bit early for this to be more than just a random occurance but we'll take what we can get.

This is the first week without our nanny. She moved back to NC and we will certainly miss her. We thank her for all she has done for us and for Claire, teaching her how to sign 'more' being a key communication piece in our lives.

In other news, Claire had her first big haircut last week. Her big sister noted that the day would finally come when we would need to cut the mullet. Mom made the executive decision to even out her hair and give her a bob. Dad commented that she looks chunkier and mom said she looked like a different kid.

Who needs a sippy

Claire has grown up. Dad initiated the no sippy at the dinner table routine and it appears to be working out quite well. She is certainly drinking more milk at meal times. She handles it well and likes the reactions from mom & dad. 

Her top two teeth and one on the bottom have finally broken through and it appears another one is on it's way. 

She began 'seperation' time at ECFE this week. Dad and the other parents (read moms) head into another room to chat about what's going on with their toddlers and the kids stay with the teachers to play. Some kids had some anxiety but Claire didn't even notice dad was out of the room. She also reacted well when he returned. Instead of being upset she told him (through her gestures) what she had been up to - a good sign.

Winter in Minnesota

When the weather goes from -30 to 40 in three days, what is a parent to do?

Dad handled the -30' days by taking Claire to the Conservatory to breathe in some nice humid air and check out the flowers. Unfortunately, or fortunately for mom, the sunken garden was closed for replanting so we'll have to head back again soon. Claire enjoyed watching the koi and running around in a nice warm environment.

Running through the mist (actually the lens fogged up but it seems appropriate!)

Look mom, I can fly!

Pondering life with the plants.

The weekend brought a sharp swing in temps and we felt like spring had come early (until today). We headed out to Amery to celebrate Elizabeth's birthday and since it was so warm out we spent part of the afternoon outside. Claire had a great time experiencing a number of new activities with her cousins. We also noticed that when we sat down for dinner, she was none to happy to be at the 'adult' table with mom & dad. We have realized that one of us is going to need to sit with her at the 'kids' table next time. She kept looking at all of her cousins, wondering why she wasn't sitting with them.

Getting a tow from mom/dad. Ain't it the life.

Getting a lesson from cousin Adam on how to make a good snowball.

Taking her first trip down the sledding hill.

Getting a ride back up the hill.

Heading down the hill with mom.

Sitting on snowmobile.

Taking her first ride on the snowmobile with dad. Mom doesn't think she has ever seen dad drive a sled this slow.

Colds, teeth and other fun stuff

Claire has been battling  yet another cold, her third of the season this week. Sorry to those who were with us on Saturday, she apparently came down with this on Saturday evening after not napping all that well during the day. She had a fantastic time at Sarah & Peder's gathering, nevertheless. All that girl power was quite a sight! 

In general she has been a busy girl since the new year began, heading off to play at the Children's Museum a couple of times and visiting with Grandma Jackie and Papa, recently. Mom & aunt Karey are pretty certain she said Hazel's name after a recent visit. She handed Hazel a toy when mom explained who it belonged to and said something very close to her name. She can be very shy when she first enters a new situation but warms up to people quickly. She has certainly determined that she is often the center of attention and will purposely do something funny to see what reaction she is granted. 

Soon, mom & dad may not need to cut up her food. Claire is cutting 4 new back teeth, two on top & two on the bottom. We didn't even realize this was happening. She is such a good natured kid. Despite cutting 4 teeth and having a cold, she still runs around like a mad woman and tears after the cat. 

She has been determined to put on her own socks, but can't quite get the hang of it. She also likes to try and put on her running shoes.

Trying to put on her shoes.

Deciding they seem to go on the horsey much easier than her own feet.