At 2 Months

Well, she's been 2 months for a little while, but here's what we know about our Clara:

She's still my little tiny.  She was 11 1/2 lbs. and 23 inches last week.  Her receding hairline is growing back in and appears to be brown.  She has bright blue eyes, a button nose, and the Serr mouth.

Her smiles come easily and frequently.  She smiles when I get her out of her crib, when I feed her, when anyone holds her or looks at her or talks to her.  She tries to laugh, but can't quite get it out.  She is such a verbal baby!  Whenever she smiles she coos and coos.  It looks like the 12 hours straight of talking at our house might not be ending any time soon.

She goes down for the night around 9 pm and sleeps until about 9am, with two feedings in between - usually at 4ish and 6ish.  She used to be up for the day after her second feeding until I discovered that she'll go back to sleep if I put her in bed with me after she eats.  And she'll keep sleeping after I get up with the other kids.  Some days she takes nice long naps, other days are full of short naps.

She doesn't mind much of anything.  She's content most of the time, unless she's tired, at which time I promptly put her little self to bed.  We are so blessed to have such a happy, sweet baby girl!

On Her Blessing Day

Clara was blessed last Sunday.  We decided to go all traditional this time and bless her in church with all kinds of family present, complete with a luncheon to follow.  I guess we really are Idahoans now.  Our other two were blessed at home, and it was all very simple and sweet.  This was fun, though.  Its a nice way to celebrate the birth of a new child.

Both sets of grandparents were able to come, as well as the families of Scott's sisters, and one brother.  We love living so close to some of our family, especially at times like this.  We really appreciate the support they are able to give.  We can't wait for little Clara to grow up and become close to the people we love.

Growing Up Is Hard To Do...

I think Scott and I generally do ok at this parenting thing.  Our kids are pretty happy, they eat pretty well, and they are usually kind well adjusted people.  There is one area of parenting, however, that we are sadly inept at.  That is transitioning our kids from a crib to a bed.  With Madeline is was a frustrating, tiring, struggle for years.  She started jumping out of her crib at 19 months, and didn't stay for any length of time in a bed until she was 3 1/2.  The first night we tried to put her in a toddler bed, she came out of her room over 600 times in 3 hours (yes, I took a tally).  And that, my friends, is the limit of my willpower.  It was all very horrible.  And we were horrible at it.

The time has come around again for child #2, who thankfully does not have the willpower of child #1.  But it still hasn't been a very fun week.  Would someone else like to take over this aspect of parenting my child until he stays in his bed?

This is how I found our dear, little Benson when I went to bed the other night.  Under his bed, with his head against the rocking horse.  Comfy.

A few pics...

After not having been to visit my parents since April, the kids and I took two trips to Logan last month.  Clara traveled like a champ!  During one of our trips, my dad and sister borrowed Clara for a little impromptu photo-op.  She was 4 1/2 weeks (with a little receding hairline).  What a little dolly we have!