Some fun things!

This post will just be a melee of fun things that have happened the past few days.  I told you about Eliza's party this weekend and today, her family has posted their video of Eliza's first year to their blog!  Check it out as it is awesome!  The link is http://heatherandglenn.blogspot.com/2011/09/elizas-first-year.html.  Claire even makes a few appearances!  And in one video you can hear the front desk call back to see if the Scott Family can come back.  It reminded me of how we basically had to ask for permission to even see our daughter every day.  Their videos brought back a lot of memories of so many days in the NICU with the wires, the sounds, the day-to-day stuff that you become accustomed to so quickly as a normal way of life that is actually one of the furthest things from normal.  We, unfortunately, didn't have the forethought to make any videos while there.  So enjoy Eliza's photos and video and see how much she has changed this past year!  Aunt Amanda has been working really hard on getting Claire's first year video made in time for her birthday party.  I saw it last night and I think I could watch it repeatedly for a whole day.

A few weeks ago, a new Dunkin Donuts place opened up in the gas station near my parent's house.  I haven't stopped in there because I am a sucker for donuts.  But yesterday, Trent went and bought me a plain glazed donut (my fav) and then bought Claire 3 donut holes - or "Munchkins" as Dunkin Donuts calls them.  Trent said "a Munchkin for my munchkin!"  So sweet!  I gave Claire a bite of her first donut and she liked it.  She took a few big bites!  Then I ate the rest!  :)  Sorry for the blurry picture - it's from my cell phone.

My first Munchkin from Dunkin Donuts!  Yummy!

Fuzz hangs very close to Claire.  He even let her bite his ear this past weekend!  Poor Fuzz is not doing well at all and we will end up taking him back to the animal hospital sometime this week to check out his shoulder.  Say some prayers for him!  He is our 4 legged baby and is almost 11 years old.  He himself has had a tough go as he battled cancer with radiation and surgery at 6 years old, and now suffers from ruptured discs in his back and can only walk on 3 legs. 

best buddies

Claire has started sitting up in her crib when she wakes up now.  We have a video monitor so we can watch her all the time.  She has always seemed to know exactly where the camera thing is and looks into it like she's looking at us.  It's weird.  Now that she sits up, she can get even closer to the camera!  I tried to get a picture of her this morning and it turned out weird.  She was yawning!  But you get the point!  It's hilarious!

"look at me!!!!"

Among loving to watch Elmo, Barney, and Baby Einstein, Claire also loves to watch the news/weather and Wheel of Fortune.  Yes, she loves the Wheel!  I think it's the colors that spin across the screen.  Her Great Granny Rose would be proud that she loves the game shows like she did!  And Wheel is also one of her Great Grampa's favorite shows now!  Here's a video of her calling out her letters!  ;)

And can we get a drum roll please????......................................


Claire is starting to CRAWL!!!  As of yesterday, this little girl is figuring it out finally!  She only goes after things she really wants like the remote, the computer, cell phones, cups, the dog, or the dog's ball.  She is not interested in performing for her ordinary toys.  I think I took about 127 videos with my camera last night and this morning trying to capture it for you.  Here is the best one so far!

So, those are the happenings in our lives right now.  We have lots of birthday parties to go to this weekend including a big one for Aunt Amanda, Aunt Brandy, Aunt Julie, Uncle Phillip, and Big Daddy and then another party for Anna's birthday!  Whew!

Love,
The Scott Family

Eliza's 1st Birthday Party

This weekend, we were fortunate enough to make it to Eliza's 1st birthday party!  We were so excited and have been looking forward to it for a long time!  The first birthday is a milestone for any child, but especially for babies like Claire and Eliza who have been through SO much their first year.  You almost feel like you have been running a constant marathon for an entire year and you have finally reached the first rest stop! 

Eliza's party was decorated so pretty!  Big lollipops outside leading up to her house.  And candy everywhere!  From the backyard to inside the house!  Eliza had on the cutest onesie with her name and a big "1" on it!  Heather said we had missed her wearing the matching headband and tutu.  Eliza even had her own hot pink princess chair and step stool with her name carved out on it.  Eliza's parents had lots of pictures around of the last year, a game where you had to see who knew Eliza the best, some of Eliza's preemie clothes, and even a doll that was made to Eliza's birth specifications so you could remember just how small she really was at birth (although the doll had a lot more "meat" on it's bones that Eliza actually did!). 

We had a great time visiting and catching up quickly.  We tried getting some good pictures but Claire would cry, and in turn, make Eliza cry.  Then they would get straight and Claire would yell out in her outside voice having fun, and scare Eliza.  So we didn't want to stick around too long and make Eliza upset!  Claire needed a nap badly (and fell asleep before we even got out of Eliza's neighborhood), so we left before we got to see the video they made.  We did get some of the good sweets they offered!  Yummy!  They had a photographer there taking pictures, so I hope she got some really good ones of the girls!  I can't wait to see them! 

We are so proud of Eliza and all that she has become.  Although it's a very happy time for her, it's also a sad time as she does not have her sister Charlotte and brother Oliver to celebrate their birthday with.  But I am sure they were at the party right along side of Eliza the whole time!  Happy 1st birthday Eliza from Claire and family!!

"Hey Claire!  Welcome to my party!"

playtime

Claire really liked Eliza's balloons!

We wish Eliza many, many more happy birthdays!

Love,
The Scott Family

Birthday Invitations and Photography Sessions

First things first - please say lots of prayers today for Baby Scarlet who desperately needs a heart transplant immediately.  She is about 3 months old and has HLHS.  We do not know her, but we know how many people that didn't know us prayed for Claire.  And prayers work.  So please pray for a miracle for Scarlet.  Here is her blog:  http://growingamonkey.blogspot.com/

Ok, now on to the birthday party invitations.  Someone special will be ONE in less than a month!  Where in the world has the time gone??  Geez!  We sent out the Evites yesterday via email to everyone we could think of who might want to be invited or has told us they wanted to be invited AND that we had their email address.  If you did not get one and want to come, PLEASE either email me, Facebook me, or comment below with your email address.  If you don't have email, let me know and I will give you the information!

The big day will be October 8th!  And remember from a previous post (http://babyclairesblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/perks.html) that Erin McCoy so graciously offered to come all the way from Florida to take Claire's Littlest Heroes pictures at her party?!?  Well, she is still planning to be there and is still offering her "Claire Special" to all of Claire's friends.  Erin is planning to come up to NC a few days before the party to offer sessions to all of you at highly discounted prices.  Here is the information from the previous post (and you can click on her logo to go directly to her website to check out her awesome talent!):

Here are a few words from Erin:

I have two rules about photography:

1. You should love your photos. Who cares what the photographer wants?! These are YOUR photos! I want to work with you to insure you are always relaxed & excited about the photos we are creating together.

2. You should love your photographer. Photography isn't just about the final product, it's also about the process!! I want you to have as much fun creating these photos as I do, so I always strive to make each photo shoot fun, friendly, and full of energy. My goal is to make your unique character & charisma shine through every shoot. 

Communication is extremely important to me, so please contact me if you want to chat or ask questions!! Call, email, write a letter - whatever!! I'll be coming up to visit for Claire's 1st Birthday and I'm looking forward to meeting the amazing people who love this incredible girl. 

Erin McCoy (Photography)

75500 Clyde Higginbotham Rd.

 

Yulee, FL 32097

(office) 904.849.7294

(email) erin@emccoy.com

(web) http://www.emccoy.com/

Not only has Erin offered to come all the way from Florida to document Claire's first birthday in October, she is planning to come up and stay for a few days with her parents.  While here, she is hoping that some of our friends and family might want their own photography session with Erin!  She is willing to basically do whatever kind of session you would like - family, maternity, newborn, engagement, whatever....  Her normal charge for these sessions are $250 - but for friends of Claire, she is offering to do your session at only $150!  That's a $100 discount!  PLUS any orders of your prints over $300, she is willing to offer at 10% discount!  SERIOUSLY PEOPLE!!!!  Please, please take advantage of this.  For all of those times you said you wanted family portraits done, now is the time!  Not only are you supporting Erin, you are supporting Claire and this great cause. 

Please take a moment and think about taking advantage of this great deal with an awesome photographer who is sacrificing lots of her time to do something very special for our family.  You can email her and she can answer any of your questions, set up a place and time to do your shoot, and on top of that, she's just really nice to talk to!  Erin is quick to get back with you so no waiting for days to book your session. 

Thanks in advance to showing support to Erin!!

Love,
The Scott Family

Apparently

Apparently, it is a necessary evil for your child to have to teeth.  I mean, apparently, I would not want Claire walking around with no teeth ever.  But this teething thing is tough!  Apparently, it is causing Claire not to sleep soundly at night.

Apparently, along with the teething, Claire and Fuzz (our miniature rat terrier) decided last night that we did not need to sleep between the hours of 2 am and 4 am. 

Apparently, Claire has decided that she can fall slam asleep in my arms while rocking her, but when I go to lay her down, she wakes right back up and sits upright in the crib ready to play.  Apparently, she is not getting the memo that it is night night time. 

Apparently, Fuzz isn't either as he has to wake up numerous times during the night.  It's not his fault as he is in a lot of pain, so I have to give more pain meds, take him out to use the bathroom, and try to help him get comfortable.  Apparently, I should run a night time doggy daycare on the side.

Apparently, Claire is learning that if she whines after she sits back up in the crib that I will come get her back out and rock her back to sleep.  And apparently it works.  The funny thing is that she does go back to sleep.  But apparently, even though I know she's in a deep dream-like sleep because she is smiling and making faces in her sleep, she will still wake right back up after 4 times of trying to put her back in the crib.

Apparently, even if I try to trick her by laying down in the twin bed in her room and let her play herself to sleep, that doesn't work either.  Apparently, she will just sit in silence making me think she is asleep and when I poke my head up off of the bed, she is sitting there looking over the bumper pad right at me! 

Apparently, since Fuzz is in pain and I feel sorry for him, he gets to come up to Claire's room with me and get on the twin bed.  Apparently, he is higher on the totem pole than me as he gets to lay up by the pillows and I get to curl up in a ball at the end of the bed like a dog. 

Apparently, after 3 tries of getting Claire back to sleep, I decided that she apparently knew I was in the room with her and wouldn't go to sleep.  So I went back down to our room with Fuzz, and watched her on the video monitor.  She sat in the corner of the crib and whined for what seemed like an eternity but was apparently only about 5 minutes until I couldn't stand her being upset anymore. 

Apparently, I figured she must still be hungry so I fixed yet another bottle. 

Apparently, I went back upstairs (with dog in tow), picked her up out of the crib, sat her down with the tough mom look and asked her what in the world was wrong.  Apparently she didn't like this approach as she started crying louder.  I gave her the bottle, but apparently, she was not still hungry as she pushed it away from her mouth with a pouty cry. 

Apparently, I have no tough love skills as I squeezed her tightly and apologized profusely to my 11 month old and continued to rock her as she smiled at me.  Apparently, she melts my heart even at 4 am. 

Apparently, after 2 hours of this, Claire finally decided it was time to go back to sleep and she slept until 7 am when I had to wake her up so I could go to work.  She rolled over with a huge smile with her 5 1/2 teeth showing.  Apparently, she didn't remember being up all night. 

Apparently, Claire has my number.

Apparently, I am feeling the mom guilt this morning.  I need some advice from other moms - especially heart moms - on how you don't feel soooo extremely guilty when you get frustrated at your child who has already been through so much in his/her life that you don't want them to ever feel scared or hurt or worried or anything bad ever again.  Even if it means they never sleep at night or eat real food because they gag or choke on anything other than baby food or chopped up spaghetti.  Or how you don't feel so guilty for getting frustrated because you want to go back to sleep because you have to go to work in the morning, but then you think about the heart moms who have lost their babies and don't have them anymore to be up at 2 am to 4 am with.  Is this something I am going to feel the rest of my life?  Apparently, I am not the enforcer in our house.  I always thought Trent would be, but now I am a little worried that I might be wrong about that too because, apparently, Claire has him wrapped around her finger.  Apparently, from my rambling, you can tell I had no sleep and am emotional today. 

Apparently, this is why the word "parent" is stuck smack dab in the middle of the word "apparently."  I guess as parents, we apparently don't know anything and have a lot to figure out, right? 

Apparently, from the picture below taken about 10 minutes after Claire woke up, Claire has no idea that she should be tired. 

On a side note, Claire would like to wish her BFF Eliza a happy 1st birthday today!!  And her Aunt Brandy a happy 25th birthday today!!!

Love,
The Scott Family

The Farmer's Daughter (and Happy 11 Month Birthday Claire!)

We had a great Labor Day weekend!  Claire especially showed her personality a lot this weekend.  Not only did she get another tooth (that makes 5), she has at least one more that may make an appearance any day now. 

I had noticed last weekend that Claire really liked watching my dad on the lawnmower picking up hurricane debris.  So when we pulled up to the shop Saturday and Trent was mowing the grass, I thought we would see what she would do on the lawnmower.  Of course she LOVED it!  Trent even rode her around in a circle and she just squealed with delight! 

Trent decided this weekend that he had to try to pick what corn he could.  The draught plus Hurricane Irene made for a not so great corn crop, but since it was still standing, he decided it was time to try to pick it ahead on any rain coming in this week.  He had been talking about Claire riding the combine with him since she was born and he could hardly wait!  He had even named it "Claire's Combine".  So we loaded up and went to ride the combine.  Claire was a "natural" at it.  She loved it!  I mean - L.O.V.E.D it!  She wasn't scared, she sat right on my lap beside her daddy, she held onto a gear shift in there part of the time, and she kicked her legs with excitement.  She was in her element.  So I have now come to the conclusion that she is the epitome of a farmer's daughter.  Trent could not be more proud!  :) 

Of course, she had to wear her pink John Deere onesie that her daddy bought her the weekend she came home from Duke.  It's a 12 month onesie and still a little too big, but it was a must for the combine ride.  She watched the combine and made a noise every time it came close like she wanted to get back on it.  Trent and Claire were in hog heaven!  And I was too watching my 2 favorites doing what they love to do.   And spending time as our family!  Claire hung out on the tailgate of Trent's truck and even got dirty and didn't even care.  She says "dirt don't hurt!" 

Trent picking corn in the Olive Field.

Our family

Claire waving from the combine! 

That's the truth!

tailgatin'

"See, I'm dirty because I am working hard!"

Claire and Momma

beautiful

*in the above video, you can see the arm coming out from the tractor.  This is not supposed to happen.  But "someone" (meaning ME) was sitting on the lever to move the arm.  Whoops!  ;)

Claire is really into music too.  She loves music of any kind.  Every night when the news comes on and the music plays for the news, she will stop whatever she is doing, and snatch her head around so she can see the TV.  She does this for a Furniture Distributors commercial and also for Wheel of Fortune.  We can be in the middle of playing and if music comes on the TV, Claire will give it her full attention.  I need to get her some musical instruments, but in the meantime, I pulled out the trusty pot and wooden spoon to make our own music. 

Claire and Elmo playing the "drums" with the pot and wooden spoon.

Claire is just on the verge of crawling!!!  She actually has also started trying to pull herself up on things.  We lowered her crib to the lowest setting this weekend because I found her sitting up in the crib one morning.  It won't be long until she's pulling herself up in the crib too. 

Pulling up on things

 We had lunch with Uncle Phillip and Aunt Brandy this weekend and then Uncle Phillip came to play with Claire at Granny and Big Daddy's.  He was working really hard with her to get her to crawl.  She is almost doing it!  She can now get her leg out, but then puts the right leg out to brace herself.  Phillip kept calling it her "kickstand" because that's what it looks like!  I am betting she will be crawling in the next week or two. 

Claire and her "kickstand"

And today is Claire's 11 month birthday!  I can hardly believe it's been 11 months since we welcomed Claire into this world.  She is the love of our lives and we are so proud of her!  Our lives have been so enriched by Claire and we wouldn't change it for the WORLD!  Happy birthday sweet baby girl!





"I am 11 months old today!"





Love,

The Scott Family



Claire's first word

We finally got to hear Claire say "da da" last night!  It was great!  I tried to sneak a video of it without her knowing as I knew as soon as she saw the camera she would stop.  So I apologize for the crazy video at the beginning.  I was trying to hide.  ;)

You can also see in the video that Claire is getting really close to getting on her hands and knees from a sitting position.  She gets one leg stuck underneath her every time.  Hopefully she will figure it out soon.  It won't be long and she will be crawling!

We think that "da da" is her first official word, although I swear she says "hey" and "yay" a lot.  She is such a happy baby.  I love it.  Trent is so proud that she is now saying "da da"!  She woke up this morning and started saying it when I put her in the bed with Trent.  I am sure she is just saying it and doesn't realize what "da da" really means, but it's fun to pretend! 

Love,
The Scott Family

PS - the video was longer with her playing and everything, but it wouldn't let me upload it.  So I had to cut it short.  :(

Trying out a few new things and some more Hurricane Irene pictures

Hi!  I've been trying out a few new things lately!  It's been a lot of fun!  I played in the sand and on the slide.  I have even experienced my very first earthquake along with my very first hurricane.  I am thinking I don't really like those two things.  I know my momma and daddy don't. 

My mom finally realized I was starving and was ready to try some real food.  They were eating spaghetti the other night and I just kept staring at them hoping they would get the point that I wanted to try some.  Now that I have 4 teeth, I want real food.  So finally momma fixed me a plate of spaghetti and I loved it!  She didn't even have to feed it to me - I fed it to myself!  I am such a big girl! 

I like spaghetti!!  YUM!

I went down to Pamlico County yesterday to check out my great grandparents' river house.  It was a mess.  It made me sad that I never got a chance to come down and visit there until now.  Aunt Amanda and Uncle Colby took me down to the water though and I loved the wind blowing through my hair!  And watching the water splash against the rocks.  Oh, and while we were down there, I thought I would see if anyone was paying attention to me - you know, I love to be the center of attention.  So I said "da da" and then waited to see if anyone heard it.  Granny and Aunt Amanda did!  But now that I have said it once, I just don't feel like saying it again for a long time.  Even though I know my parents would love to hear me and they repeat it over and over again like I can't hear them.  They are on MY time clock, not theirs.  Will they ever get that straight? 

The weather is starting to change here.  Cool mornings and nights, and the days are warm.  My momma wasn't prepared this morning and doesn't have any pants that will fit me. So she put these 0-3 month pants on me that don't even match my onesie.  Seriously mom?  Ugh.  Then she put these furry things on my feet and a furry John Deere jacket on me.  I looked like a fur ball.  But a cute one! 

These 0-3 month pants are cutting into my stomach and look like capris!

Here are a few more pictures of Hurricane Irene's aftermath.  It is so sad.  I am hoping a hurricane never comes back here ever again.  There are still people without power, including my great grandparents, but momma is calling the city today to get them on the stick.  They sure don't want me showing up at their door!  I could tell them a thing or two....

All the pine tree limbs down in Granny and Big Daddy's yard.  I picked them all up myself. 

Taking a break from working in the yard.  I deserve a break!

Watching Elmo and trying to stay cool with no air conditioner.  TORTURE!

Finally, they fixed the power lines to Granny and Big Daddy's!  I knew when I strolled down there and gave them a piece of my mind, they would work quicker. 

Looking from what used to be the kitchen into the side porch area.



Great Granny and Great Granddaddy's boat shelter.  The boat is way down the road in the bean field. 




the porch area



Looking from the porch back into the den area.  The stove from the kitchen is sitting in the den by the front door.



One of the bedrooms




Den area - part of the refrigerator (big white rectangle) is in the den. 



bedroom with driftwood around the bed



Out of all the rooms in the house, Great Granny and Great Granddaddy's bedroom looks almost untouched!  Even the pictures are still hanging on the wall!  (the 2nd picture from the left is my momma when she was a young girl)



Stuff still on their dresser just like they left it! 

Me and Aunt Amanda on the bottom step that led up to the house. 

I loved the wind and the water!

Me, Uncle Colby, and Aunt Amanda.  Why won't they let me down in the water? 

As you can see, I have been a busy bee around here lately.  Keeping people in line is a hard job, but someones gotta do it! 

Please continue to keep everyone affected by the hurricane in your prayers.  Some lost everything they have worked for their entire lives. 

Now I am off to figure out how to tell Hurricane Katia to stay away!

Love,
Claire