The Girls Have Skills

This has been quite a week. Belle suddenly got off her knees and started walking (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skdl52J1_js)! She is so proud of herself and has been gradually walking more and more each day. Of course that means she's extremely hyper and has traded her 8:00 p.m. bedtime for a 9:30 one, much to Mommy and Daddy's chagrin, so we're trying to get her back on schedule.

Claire, for her part, learned to roll over, but only in her crib at night - boy, is she proud of herself, though, laughing, smiling and kicking when she accomplishes this impressive feat. We truly are blessed to have such sweet, smart and sassy girls! :-)

Annabelle also really loves her role as big sister and is always trying to hold Claire or get her to sit or lay next to her. It's very cute and we hope the closeness continues...

Best Friends!

I continue to be amazed by my little girls, my spirits bolstered in spite of the frequent comments about how nuts we are to have kids 14 months apart. The sisters absolutely adore each other and are already forging tight bonds of sisterly love and friendship - they even seem to understand what each other is saying (but of course Mommy and Daddy still don't have a clue...)

Claire loves to look at Belle, touch her and smile at her, while Belle, for her part, is discovering that having a little sister isn't so bad. Today, she motioned to hold Claire and so went their first cuddle.



We weren't sure how it would go but they had fun (we'll post pictures of this to http://picasaweb.google.com/asinagriffith) a little later this week...
It was also a busy time around the house with Daddy staining and sealing the deck, washing and waxing Mommy's car and flushing the hot water tank because yellow is not a good color for water - all in all a pretty good long weekend!
Can you tell I'm one proud wife and mama?!

Fun with the Girls

The girls are on opposite nap schedules which means I don't get a lot done around the house but I love being able to have quality time one-on-one with each of them. Belle and Daddy took a trip to the Providence Place Mall on Saturday while Claire and Mommy chilled around the house - we're hoping for more of that soon. And once Belle starts walking, she's going to go to Gymboree on Saturdays with Daddy, courtesy of Bubbe!

Though I'm perpetually exhausted, the girls and I are having a great time. Belle and Claire really seem to enjoy each other, despite the sibling rivalry that's already kicked in. Belle's a little rough with her sister but is slowly learning to share. Claire loves to laugh and this week thinks looking in the mirror is just the best thing ever! Reilly doesn't want anything to do with either of them, so he's been hiding out - probably a wise move since Belle is quite a loud whirlwind sometimes.

My, How Time Flies!

Hard to believe but Claire is now two months old!!! Weighing in at 10 pounds 12 ounces and 22 inches, she's our little amazon. She's smiling and laughing all the time now, and is sleeping at night in 4-5 hour stretches which is a nice break. Annabelle has finally started becoming more interested in walking and is doing a great job walking holding just one hand - even outside on the grass, sidewalk and street. She's taking a few steps on her own too so we're hopeful that 16 months will be the magic age! And we had a great first Mother's Day with Claire. Daddy and Belle picked out sweet cards, beautiful white roses and a wonderful meal and dessert. Daddy and Mommy even got to enjoy a little time to themselves while the girls napped - chocolate brownie ice cream with creamy caramel sauce and "Bedtime Stories."

Smiles All Around

What a fun week! Claire started smiling and laughing, and we discovered several of her ticklish spots. She's also starting to sleep better at night, though she's a night owl like her Daddy and fights sleep like no one's business. Belle, on the other hand, is quickly becoming more and more of a mini-Amanda - not good! An example this week:

Mommy: Belle, we're going to change your diaper and get you dressed

Belle: Uh, no...

Both girls are also growing so fast. Belle's now in 18 month shirts and Claire's moved onto 3-6 month sleepers because she's so long - we'll find out just how long at her 2 month appointment on Friday!