2 Thanksgivings And A Pizza Party

This weekend Claire got to meet many new family members and debut a few fancy outfits we've been waiting to dress her in. Lucian was home from work all week and got spend some daddy daughter time with Claire. I was off Thursday and Friday and thoroughly enjoyed my extra days with our little peanut. Thanksgiving was spent in Milwaukee this year, but we were able to spend time with both of our families.

First we went to the Karstedt (Lucian's mom's family) gathering. Claire looked adorable in her cupcake sweater and skirt. I always make sure to take a photo of Claire before we leave the house. That way I have proof she wore it in case she spits up all over it later. Unfortunately, sometimes that's the only photo I take, forgetting to capture more at the event.

Lucian carved the turkeys his sister Blanca made. They were absolutely delicious.

This was the biggest pot of mashed potatoes I have ever seen. I think Lucian included his hand in the photo for scale.

Claire and Aunt Sarah.

Our next stop was crabby thanksgiving. We had blue crab compete with a paper covered table and hammers with my family. It was super fun and delicious. Here is Claire with her Aunt Mary Ann. (The one responsible for her adorable outfit.)

Saturday was the annual Karstedt pizza party. I love this outfit from my friend Nicole. When I opened it and saw the fur collar, I thought it would be perfect for the country club party. This is one of those instances where I didn't take any pictures at the event. I will have to get some from Nana Kathleen.

Lastly, St. Nick visited Claire early this year. Nana barb made Claire a beautiful stocking that's just as big as her! She also got 2 very cute elephant shirts, one she is wearing in the photo.

Claire is doing a great job using her hands lately. You'll notice she's holding them together in a few of the photos. She also puts them in her mouth and bats at toys. Such a big girl!

Look a like?

So, I put together a side by side comparison of Claire, Lucian and myself around 2 months of age. We think she has some features from both of us. It was pretty fun to pull these out and compare. I am the baby on the left and Lucian is on the right. What do you think?

I finally purchased a giant flower headband for Claire. I have been tempted numerous times, I think they are hilarious. It came in the mail this week, along with a more appropriately sized one she may wear at Thanksgiving. I had to take a photo right away. I think every baby girl should have one.

This was Claire today on the sofa laughing at dad. I love the ears on her hood.

2 Month Checkup

Claire had her 2 month checkup today. She weighs 13lb. 14oz. and is 24-3/4" long. She is in the 95th percentile for both weight and height. The bad part about her checkup was that she had to get 3 shots:( Lucian held her hands while I talked to her, but she let us know she wasn't happy. It's terrible watching your infant in pain. I know it's for her own good and she won't remember, but it's still hard. Here's a shot of her crayon band-aids.


We did a little photo shoot the other night. I've been meaning to do this for awhile for Claire's birth announcement, which I still haven't sent out! She had some baby acne for quite a while and then I went back to work and we just got to it now. Here are a few shots of the little peanut. She really seemed to enjoy herself. I have some props in mind for another shoot. We'll have to do it again. We need holiday cards soon anyway!

This is just a cute shot I got the other morning. She was so smiley!

Play Date

Claire had her friend Sydney over on Sat. for a playdate. It was a great excuse for us to clean the whole house. Cleaning easily gets put off these days with both us working and Claire filling our nights. We managed to get quite a bit done and it feels great.

Here is Lucian vacuuming with Claire in the baby bjorn.

While my friend Amanda and I were pregnant, we would meet for lunch and discuss everything that was going on. It was great to have a sounding board and ask "Is this happening to you too?" and compare research for daycare, doctors, etc. Now we both have baby girls 3 weeks apart. They even live in the same neighborhood, so I suspect Claire and Sydney will have many more play dates and maybe even be classmates in the future. Here are the proud mamas with their girls.

Claire shared her play gym with Sydney. They both had a good time.

It's nice to swap babies sometimes. We can remember what it was like 3 weeks ago and Ross and Amanda can see where Sydney might be in a few weeks.

Here's a shot of the happy dads.

Back to work

Today was Claire's first day at daycare and my "official" first day back at work. I have been working a bit the past 2 weeks but Lucian, Grandpa Joe and Nana Barb were able to watch her until today. It was a sad morning for me. Although I have been back in the office already, handing her off to someone else for the day was a little tough. I shed a few tears but Lucian was there with kleenex and many hugs. By the time I talked about a third time at the office I could get through it without tearing up. And my sister Mary Ann had a beautiful flower bouquet delivered to me at work this afternoon to cheer me up. I looked at photos of Claire on my phone numerous times during the day and rushed home to see her as soon as I could. I know she is in good hands and it will get easier. But for now I am typing one handed so I can get a little extra snuggle time in.

A random photo I took last week. Lucian put this barrette in her hair. So cute!

Claire is starting to outgrow some of her clothes and seems much more aware. She smiles when Lucian and I talk to her or get her up from a nap. It just makes you melt. She can follow objects left to right and has recently discovered her hand. It took quite a few tries to get a photo of it, but I finally managed tonight.



With our basement remodel progressing, Spencer was able to move into his new room down there. Grandpa Joe helped us paint Claire's room last week and the boys tackled her crib on Sunday. We moved her changing table and rocker out of our room and hung the valances Nana Barb made. Her room is starting to come together, it looks great.

Figuring out the crib. (My view from the rocking chair:)

The finished product.

Her beautiful valances.

Happy Halloween!

This Halloween was very low key. Spencer was with his mom in West Bend, so it was just Lucian, Claire and myself at home. We made a trip to the grocery store in the morning to buy more candy, since we kept eating the bags I bought in advance. We were ready with a full bowl, as you can see.
With the cold and windy weather, we probably had only 15 kids trick or treat our house. As you might imagine the candy bowl is still practically full. I guess we'll have to polish it off ourselves.

Claire didn't have a costume this year, but thanks to her Auntie Mary Ann and both Nana's she wore some festive attire.

I tried numerous times to get a happy shot of Claire in her pumpkin hat. She did not enjoy wearing it. Maybe because it looks more like a carrot:)

Fast Forward

So, I am starting this blog as Claire is almost eight weeks old. I plan to post many things about her, but obviously missed a few in her first 8 weeks. She's had her first bath, first smile, slept through the night numerous times, and kept us up all night numerous times. She is changing so much every day and is a joy to watch grow and become more aware. Here a few photos to get you caught up.

Her first night at home.

First shampoo. She has so much hair, we do this regularly now.

First smile I was able to capture with the camera.

A current photo. We think she has my eyes.