Finally......VIDEO!

I've finally done it! I figured out how to upload videos from our camera onto the computer and to my blog. I'm so excited. I have wonderful clips of Claire doing all sorts of things. I'll try to keep the videos short and to a minimum, but I can't hardly stand to keep her to myself! I want everyone to be able to see and enjoy the beautiful, precious little girl that I get to spend every day with. She is such a blessing and I hope she'll make your day like she makes mine!!

This first clip is one of Claire playing in her 'exersaucer' and talking to me. She loves playing with all of the gadgets and turning herself around and around. Whenever she sees the camera come out, she lights up. She is making all sorts of new noises now and I'm sure she's about to start talking to me any minute. Enjoy!

Election Disappointment

Well, we just broke the news to Claire that McCain did not win the election. It was a rough night at the Arledge house.

Blast from the past...

Just having some fun with 'yearbook yourself' :)

Reunion

This past Saturday we had a reunion with some members of our Lamaze class at Kennesaw Mountain Park. It was great! We were able to meet each others' babies and talk about our experiences as first time parents. Claire was the only girl (1 of only 2 girls from our entire class) and enjoyed meeting new friends. It was neat to swap stories and see our little ones interact with each other. Claire was by far the smallest--of course she doesn't have much hope of being tall with Lee and I as parents!!

The proud papas with their little ones

Claire and Lucas getting acquainted

Halloween Fun!

Happy Halloween!! Traditionally Lee and I are not big Halloween fans. But seeing as this is Claire's first Halloween, we decided to join in and have a little fun. Lee always gets to dress up for work, and it's interesting to decide what he's going to be and put his costume together. Last year he was Hillary Clinton--it was hilarious. This year he decided to go with a sports theme and be a football. The costume is an inflatable one--it's really neat how it works and stays full. After Lee came home from work, we got Claire ready for her big debut. Claire sported a Mexican poncho and sombrero. She seemed to really enjoy being dressed up and loved visiting the neighbors. After we went 'trick-or-treating' on our street, we headed out to dinner with Kathy and Damon. Where did we eat? Mexican, of course!! Claire and her costume were a big hit at La Parilla. The waiters and waitresses all admired her costume and she got her first balloon. Well, she saw and touched her first balloon while I held it. She loved batting it and trying to grab it. We had a great time!! She rubbed most of her moustache off!Claire and Daddy getting ready to go out

Lee's inflatable costume

Go Vote!!

Today was Claire's first election! She had a great time waiting in line to cast her ballot--she's a republican, of course. She's been a very outspoken McCain supporter and was so excited to be able to do her civic duty. We waited outside the Canton library for about 20 minutes. She made lots of friends, as she does everywhere we go. Once we finished, she wore her 'I'm a Georgia Voter' sticker with pride. Look at my sticker!!

Changes...

Claire has decided that she now likes to sleep with her little booty up in the air. It makes me nervous, since she's on her stomach, but it is so cute! She pulls her knees up under her and falls right to sleep.

Claire has found her feet! She's been playing with them for a while now, but she has discovered that they now reach her mouth. Yuck! Of course now we have to make sure to keep the dogs from giving her a foot bath! Claire has grown so much I can't hardly believe it. Just this week we had another first--Claire and I went shopping and she sat up in her stroller without the carrier! She loved being able to look around and see everything that was going on. She made lots of friends and loved talking to people. Of course it was hard for me to not be able to see her while I was walking. We're both going to have to get used to this!

Claire and Bunny