"I want Becky!"...

... as said by Claire the second we left Becky Baird's side at any given point this past weekend. We enjoyed a wonderful extended visit from Becky, my old roommate from the Vegas single days. She lives in Florida and works at Disney World - she does the voices and electronics (I have no idea what this means exactly, but she controls the animation you see on the screen) for the Monsters Inc show there. So basically she is capable of reading a story ten times better than Matt or I can because she does amazing voices, knows the characters, and is generally a riot. Becky did her Elmo voice ("Elmo loves you!") and Claire looked like she had gone to heaven. Becky was also willing to sing and dance with Claire to her favorite musicals, several of which were Disney, of course.

I like to think that Becky came out to mostly see Miles, but I know she had other stops along the way. We only get to see her about once a year now. Here are some photos from the visit - come back soon Becky!

Visit from Janel and Ethan

My friend Janel and her little boy Ethan were in town last week and came by for a visit at the park. I went to junior high and high school with Janel, and we played basketball together (her nickname was Launch Mama from the days of 5th grade rec basketball where she would throw up these ridiculous 3 pointers and make them).

It was so nice to see her as in a new role: mother. It definitely is a job that changes us, isn't it? Ethan is a cutie and he and Claire had fun at the splash park. I guess we have been going there a lot lately...but we have to enjoy the weather while we can. It was in the 70s today - so I guess that is Fall for Vegas.

Visit from Grandma and Grandpa Johnson

My grandparents were in town this week and we got to visit with them for just a short hour before they left on their way to San Diego. I call my grandma "Grandma Rie" because as a kid I couldn't pronounce Marie - so all our whole family ended up calling her Grandma Rie. My niece McKinley, who is now 3, called my mom "May" instead of Grandma Mary - and the name stuck. So we have had the other kids call her May as well. I guess the oldest grandkid sets the standard.

So when Grandma Rie was here, Claire was calling her May - it was really cute. I just love these photos and I am so glad I was able to take them. I have very few photos with my great grandparents and I always loved looking at them when I was a kid.

Birthday Recap

We did a little cake at home for Claire on her actual birthday and then celebrated on Sunday with Matt's family during our usual family get together. Claire got some great presents and was spoiled thoroughly. Thank you everyone for being so generous. Here are some pictures from the week of Claire - no wonder she still thinks it's her birthday~

Check Ups

Both Claire and Miles had doctor's appointments during the past week - Claire for her 2 year well check and Miles for his 1 month check (he was actually 6 weeks). Here are the new stats since this blog is kind of their baby books too:

Claire - she is getting taller, but still not the giant child I had thought Matt and I would produce, which is fine by me. She is talking in complete sentences now, loves to sing, and reads her books to us. She also is on her way to being potty trained - I'd say we're at least 1/2 way there.

Height: 34 1/2 inches (75%)
Weight: 26 1/2 lbs (50%)
Head: 45 1/2 inches (10-25%)


Miles - he has gained 3 lbs from his birth weight and is starting to fill out. The newborn size clothes are finally getting too small. He watches objects move from side to side and I think he will be smiling for real soon instead of just in his sleep.

Height: 21 inches (10-25%)
Weight: 9 lbs 12 oz (10-25%)
Head: 37 1/2 cm (25%)


Claire is still very interested in Miles and wants to hold him all the time. She is getting better at not mauling him every time she wants to hug and kiss him, but I do have to watch her because she will eat something and then immediately go and kiss his head. Miles had some awesome dill pickle juice hair gel the other day. :)

The Greek Food Festival

We did our part to support the local Greek Orthodox Church's 39th Annual Greek Food Festival this week. I don't know how I managed to still lose 1 1/2 lbs at WW this week, we ate some great food on Thursday. My favorite being these fabulous Greek doughnuts covered in honey called Loukoumades (loo-koo-MAH-thes).

Claire had a great time - running around with Cali and Reagan and dancing, mostly. Since it was her birthday and all, I had to get her one of the skirts that everyone was wearing to dance - I have no idea what they are called but they have all the coins sewed all over them to jingle when you shake, shake, shake it! Which Claire was all to happy to do on the dance floor.

Miles didn't love the loud music but he was pretty mellow until the end. His first food festival - he'll probably enjoy the 40th annual event a bit more since he will actually get to taste the food.


Opa!

More Miles

We can't get enough of this cute, quiet (for the most part) little guy.

Happy Birthday Claire Bear!

We are celebrating with family on Sunday, and just having a fun hang out day today with a few of Claire's favorite things - the splash park, watching Wizard of Oz, and eating good food at the Greek Festival. Well, that's more of one of my favorite things...

We love you Claire Bear! You are "2" cute!

Like Father, Like Daughter

Here is Matt, passing on some wise gamer lessons to Claire. Heaven help us!

Recent Outings

Here are some of our recent trips to parks around town - I don't know how other moms do it, but someone always seems to know where the best parks are, when there is a free kids activity, or when a new splash park opens up. I've decided I really like the splash parks because I don't have to put on a bathing suit and go swimming but Claire can play in the water. Plus chances of drowning are at a minimum :)



We also went to playgroup with our ward ...


and to a fun birthday party for our friend Reagan who also turned 2 this week.

End of Summer?

Not if you look at the forecast. This week in Vegas it is supposed to be in the low 100s.

I am so looking forward to cooler weather where I can actually enjoy being outdoors - September has been better than August, that's for sure. We at least get some cool down at night and in the morning. I am ready to start walking outside again - who wants to start up the walking club again? I need to take some baby steps back into working out - basketball is waiting for me!

ABCs

I apologize for Claire's state of undress in this video - we are potty training at our house. Here is Claire singing one of her favorite songs - sometimes when we start singing with her, she gets upset and starts all over by herself. She has quite the bossy streak lately - wonder where she gets that...

Eat or sleep?

I wish I could fall asleep like this - I feel like doing it all the time, I'm so tired lately. Plus maybe I would eat less that way... :)


Speaking of which, Matt and I are starting Weight Watchers so we can both lose the baby fat. I will start going to their meetings soon, but we are already counting points and trying to follow the eating guidelines. Man, were we eating poorly while I was pregnant. I am going through sugar withdrawals I think. So, hopefully some good results to come. Matt has already lost 2 lbs just thinking about eating less - guys are so lucky!

Top 10 Most Requested

When it's Claire's bedtime, we read a few books together, say a prayer, and sing some songs. If you ask her to choose between a book and a song, she usually chooses a song. But these aren't all your typical lullabye-type songs that you would find on a bedtime CD.

Here is a top 10 list of Claire's most requested bedtime songs in no particular order:
1. Ding Dong the Witch is Dead! (Wizard of Oz)
2. ABCs
3. Edelweiss (Sound of Music)
4. Give Said the Little Stream
5. So Long, Farewell (Sound of Music)
6. Follow the Yellow Brick Road (Wizard of Oz)
7. If I Only Had a Heart (Wizard of Oz)
8. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
9. A Spoonful of Sugar (Mary Poppins)
10. Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Wizard of Oz)