More Claire

Yes, this is another Claire-centered post, 

but grandparents and aunts and uncles are far away and always clamoring for more photos.

 Yes, this is the same background as in the last post.  It's my bed and she and I spend a lot of time there.

 She is starting to smile a bit, but I haven't successfully caught one with the camera yet.

 I love the frog feet on this sleeper.

 Long, long fingers.

First restaurant outing. What do you think, does she look like her dad?  (Note to self, get some pictures of mommy and baby.)

Claire, Just Because

Happy Birthday, Isaac!

Isaac turned 4 last Sunday.  We took cupcakes to his class and then opened a few presents to mark the occasion.  Isaac is a wonderful little boy.  He is sensitive and funny.  He is thoughtful and smart.  He loves to laugh and do art projects.  He has a short attention span for movies and video games, but can play cards and board games endlessly.  He LOVES stuffed animals and Hot Wheels and his toy airplanes.  He loves new clothes, especially pajamas.  He is a great big brother and a pretty accommodating little brother, too.

Isaac loves to help in the kitchen.  

He likes to add the ingredients, mix and then sit in front of the oven watching whatever we've made bake.  He likes to dance and listen to music and has recently become obsessed with "West Side Story."  He walks around the house saying "Bernardo" and singing "America."  He loves to read stories and his current favorite book is "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig."

Isaac really enjoys school, especially his friends in his class.  He loves science and art and music.  He gets excited by almost anything and is very observant of the world and people around him.  He talks all the time and only seems to have one volume -- he cannot whisper to save his life.

He loves to run and jump and play and his enthusiasm for life is infectious.  His favorite colors are red and orange and his favorite food is still oatmeal (but he will happily eat a donut if necessary). We feel lucky and blessed every day that Isaac is a member of our family and look forward to being a part of his future.  

Family Game Night

Last night we played one of the new board games the boys were given for Christmas.  They have recently begun to appreciate the fun that can be had through mediums other than electronic entertainments so we are trying to capitalize on this new found interest.  I am not completely opposed to Wii and the like, as long as they don't play constantly and still make time for books and puzzles and the myriad toys lining the walls of their bedroom.   

The boys really enjoyed Monopoly Junior and I imagine we'll play this game often.

Claire enjoyed family game night too, though her participation 

was somewhat limited.

Yes Sir, That's Our Baby

I have 5 free minutes.  All the kids are sleeping and I will be too, very soon.  But, in the meantime, a few pictures of our sweet baby Claire.

 First smile, well almost a smile anyway.

 Still at the hospital and enjoying the quiet before the storm.

 Me and the 3 (YOWZAH!) kids.

 Going home from the hospital and wearing real clothes for the first time.  Our house is a veritable explosion of pink and we all love it!

 Doting Big Brother #1.

 Doting Big Brother #2.

 Eyes wide open!

 Pretty girl.

 First storybook.

Contentment.

She has been ours for 6 days and we are all in love.  

We already can't imagine our little family without her.

Introducing...

Claire Elise

January 9, 2012

7 lbs. 15 ounces and 20 3/4 inches

We have been blessed by the arrival of our baby girl.  She is perfect in every way and everyone's favorite already.  She beat the doctor into the world so the delivery room was a bit chaotic, but otherwise she has been calm and happy and the only real concern we have is that her older, doting brothers will smother her with love.

 Minutes after her arrival.

 With her very smitten Daddy.

 The only presentable photo of Mommy and baby from the delivery room.  

Claire's lightning fast arrival sent everything and everyone into a tailspin and decent photo ops were limited.

 

 First bath -- she was not amused.

Claire and her big brothers.  We are a very happy family.

The Most Important Meal of the Day

When I was growing up, nearly every morning my mom was up making us a hot breakfast before sending us out into the world to expand our young and already well-nourished minds.  I definitely did not truly appreciate her efforts until I had kids of my own to feed and get off to school.  I'm not really a morning person so thus far I have opted, mostly, for cold cereal, which my kids love.  

BUT. 

But, they are the SLOWEST cereal eaters on the planet which means we have to get up extra early for them to finish eating and still have sufficient time to get dressed, brush teeth, put on/find shoes and make it to school on time.  The best days are when we have leftover waffles or pancakes from the weekend or day before and they eat one in the car on the way -- we're never late those days.  However, they get bored with that after awhile and I feel guilty about not making fresh eggs and bacon or french toast or hot oatmeal.  And, on days when breakfast is a pop tart?  Well, let's just pretend we never have days like that.

I am convinced there is a better way.  I just know someone out there has found the perfect solution to this morning dilemma that is not going to force me to rise pre-dawn to assuage my guilt, but still fill their tummies with something other than pure, refined sugar.

So blogging universe I am coming to you seeking wisdom and brilliance or at least affirmation (please say it ain't so) that there is no short-cut on this one.  

What's your school day breakfast routine?  Are you up with or before the sun every morning over a griddle making free-hand pancake shapes of dinosaurs and Mickey like my mom was?  Do you go the cold cereal route too?  Have you found some happy medium?  Do you have some go-to portable but nutritious foods that are quick and easy (and can be made ahead of time) that your kiddos just can't get enough of?  Is there a miracle muffin or granola recipe out there that I just haven't happened upon yet? 

Please enlighten me.  I'll be eternally grateful and my kids will love you forever.