Another Day at "The Big Park"

My parent's arrived on Sunday, 

and we decided to head to Busch Gardens on Monday.

Among Clare's list of favorite things, Daddy, Busch Gardens, Grandparents, and Elmo are all at the top.  You can only imagine how excited she gets when all of those things are combined!

 She loves feeding the ducks, 

and Phil's sure that she'll be a "bird girl" just like her Daddy.

 Even though Phil was in the middle of his work day, 

we were still able to see him for a few minutes.

That is my highlight of the day!!!

 After having a baby wallaby in our house for a weekend, 

Clare is always drawn to the joeys.

 I'm afraid she'll want one for her very own someday.

 Anxiously awaiting Elmo!

Even though we've seen the Elmo Show countless times, it never gets old for my little Elmo lover.  I, on the other hand, have the whole thing memorized and could use a little variety. 

Her joy makes it ALL worth it...every time!!!

Still Kickin'

38-Weeks Today

After a bout of false labor this weekend, the countdown is back on.

 The good news is that my mom and dad decided to head down to Florida a little earlier than expected.  Now we don't have to worry about our little Clare Bear when her brother decides to join the fun.  Other than waddling around like a penguin, I'm still feeling well...albeit ready to hold our little boy on the outside rather than the inside!

Stay tuned...

Phone Talker

Clare loves talking on the phone...

to anyone who will talk back to her.

 Seriously...

this is one of the few things that holds her attention
for more than 45 seconds.

Anyone want to talk to a 2-year-old?

Pumpkin Store

Clare and I spent the morning at a local Pumpkin Patch 

with some friends from our playgroup.

She insisted on calling it "The Pumpkin Store."

 She also insisted on picking up as many pumpkins as possible.

 She likes the looks of that warty one....hmmm...

 Off and running.

She wasn't too interested in the group photo.  

There's always one in the group, huh?!

 I think this is when Clare was telling me that 

my belly is bigger than most of the pumpkins.  Ha!

36 Weeks

Today marks 36 weeks of growing our little boy.

 As of last week,

I was 2-cm dilated...

50% effaced...

having Braxton Hicks several times a day...

and told that I could go into labor before my due date.

 I went back and read my journal from when I was pregnant with Clare.

At 36 weeks with Clare, 

I was 2 cm. dilated, 50% effaced, having Braxton Hicks,

and told that I would probably deliver before my due date.

She was 5 days late!

All that to say, I think we'll have a baby within the next month.

Full frontal picture.

Here's a link to this stage with Clare.
                                                                                                                        

Left: 36-weeks with Clare

                 

               Right: 36-weeks with "Jethro"

How do they compare???

Potty Time

Clare has been potty trained for a little over a month, 

and she's been doing very well.  Yeah!

She had no idea that we were watching her 

as she helped one of her stuffed animals go potty.

 And wash his paws.

I think she's got it down, and she can help us train any pets that we might have someday.  Okay, anyone who knows me knows that will never happen...not the part about Clare helping 

but the part about having pets.

While She was "Sleeping"

I knew Clare was up to something during her "nap" today.

I heard a lot of banging and clanking around, but she wasn't saying anything or asking for me to go get her.  Since we had a busy morning, we both needed the quiet time.  I just let her go...knowing that I would find some surprise when nap time was over.

She decided to empty all of her crates.

 At least she organized them by color, right?

 Here are some of the contents...

 ...and here are some more.

I didn't realize, until after taking pictures, that there were several other treasures under the sheets.

This was after we put everything back in place.

 She did end up falling asleep (I think), 

but I hope this doesn't become a daily routine.

The Treasure

We spent Saturday morning at high end yard sales with some of our friends who have an inside scoop on when the fancy neighborhoods are doing fall/spring cleaning.  In addition to some terrific new shelves for Clare's room, an Elmo Halloween bucket for our Elmo-obsessed daughter, a book, two cups of lemonade, and a set of paints,
we also found this:

By "we," you all know that I mean "Phil."

I don't know how he spots these things.
I see a table full of junk, and he sees a TORCH!  A treasure!  A must-have!  A boy toy!  A guaranteed smile!  

For the asking price of $1, I wasn't about to rob him of such joy!  :)