9-Month Stats

Madeleine had her 9-month well baby check yesterday, and we learned some surprising news--she's tall and, huh?, skinny!

Weight: up 2.5 pounds from the 6 month visit to 18 lbs, 8 oz: 36%
Height: up 3.25 inches to 29.25 inches: 90%

It really shows how tiny Claire actually was if we consider the 36th percentile to be chunky! haha

It was a good thing we had a doctor's appointment already scheduled for yesterday, because she developed a rash and a fever on Tuesday afternoon. It turns out she has a mild case of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Luckily, the blisters are staying out of her mouth, and she's feeling like herself today. I just hope Claire doesn't catch it!

No shots for Moo this time, but Big Sister has her big, bad 4-year appointment tomorrow...gulp...

Birthday Girl, Part II

We came home from the ranch for the next party!

Little Sister enjoying herself:

Some post-party quiet time with Uncle Jeff:

Birthday Girl, Part I

Claire on her big day at school:
We celebrated up at the ranch for her next party. Her big present up there was a balance bike.

We also got to play with Chester - Uncle Chris and Aunt Luby's new puppy.

Checking out the baby olives:
Sitting with Big Sister for breakfast:

Happy Birthday, Sweet Claire!

Claire is 4 years old today!! I cannot believe how fast the last 4 years have gone. It really seems like just a moment ago we were bringing her home from the hospital.

Here are some little tidbits about you, Claire:

* You are the sweetest little girl--always caring and worried about others.
* You are the best big sister--most definitely Madeleine's very favorite person ever.
* You are HILARIOUS. Your favorite joke right now is "Why is 6 afraid of 7?" You also like to make very serious-sounding comments, then follow up with, "I'm just teasin'."
* You love to dance!
* You are very musical. Every time we ride in the car, you either sing along with the music or make up your own songs.
* Your favorite color is pink. Everything must be pink, from your dinner plate to your bath towel. Luckily, you are imaginative enough to pretend something is pink when it actually isn't.
* You are learning to read super-fast. Word families are easy, and now I find you reading signs and book titles that I know you haven't memorized--you're sounding out the letters and putting them together!
* Your favorite book is any of the "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie" books.
* You can do simple addition in your head!
* You love going to school.
* Your favorite foods are taquitos and oranges.
* When you grow up, you say you want to "work on computers".

Some pictures of Claire since the beginning! (In no particular order....)

Madeleine is Nine Months Old!

Happy nine-month birthday, Miss Moo! You are getting to be such a big girl!

You are growing and growing. You are still in size 3 diapers, but now up to 9- or 12- month clothes. And I know why--you love to eat! Rotisserie chicken is your absolute favorite food, but there might be a replacement for that title; you tried carnitas for the first time last night and loved it! You polished off 2 tray-fulls, plus some tortilla. You are usually the last one eating at the dinner table, and we usually have to decide for you that you're finished.

Mobility has been top on your to-do list this month. Crawling is second nature now, so you're ready for the next challenge--standing. You pull up on everything, and are now starting to try to just stand up on your own. You've let go of things a few times and balanced a few seconds on your feet. You're also starting to take little steps while pushing things, and you've mastered going up stairs. Nothing is safe anymore!

Communication is also becoming more meaningful this month. You seem to have 3 "words": bababa is what you say when you're playing or happy; num-num is eating or food; and mamama is your "I'm about to get unhappy" warning. You also know how to wave hello and good bye.

You also took your longest road trip so far this month. You did an amazing job of riding so nicely for 20+ hours in the car while we drove up to visit Great! Grandma and Grandpa in Stillwater. And you're not finished traveling--today you flew on two airplanes heading up to Ohio.

Happy 9-months, Magoodle!

Pool Shark