One More Monkey Jumping on the Bed

Well the time came that we decided to stick our little monkey in a "big girl bed". Let's just say she was so excited. While Brandon was putting it together, she was standing next to him jabbering the whole time. When we got sheets, and blankets and her pillow on we were ready to push it against the wall. She helped me out with that. (we have since moved it so the side of the bed is against the wall).Our little jumping monkey

So far so good, she has fallen out once, but it was right when I laid her down for bed and she cried and then started giggling again and went down soon after.

NOW on to getting rid of the binky, guess we can wait til she is a little more comfortable in the bed, seeing as she usually only has it when she is sleeping.

I am Ready Now!

Well this little girl with a mind of her own, and a little bit stubborn has decided that she can WALK!!!! That's right I said it she decided on Monday all day that she was going to roam the house and also stand herself up without any help from me, the couch or some other object. So all in one day she decided it was time. She did this with crawling as well, so why am I surprised at all.
Some one told me the other day Claire must be smart, because she knows she will fall if she isn't careful so she is waiting until she wont fall as much. That made me feel better as a mom seeing as she is a little over 16 months old and just walking.

Claire likes me to take pictures of her now, just so she can look at the picture after I have taken it. After that she will climb into my lap and she will "discuss" the photo.

Walking down the hall

I am coming for you mom!!

And Claire's favorite face and also her new favorite thing to do is to carry one toy in each hand and walk. I told her she would love it and she didn't believe me until she could. She loves to walk and we are so proud of her. And she doesn't fall as much as I thought she would, but she did watch a lot of other babies before doing it herself. when she does fall I say "try again" and she will do just that. If she starts to cry I say the same thing and she will actually stop crying and just try again. gotta love that!!

Better Late Then Never! Right?!

Well December has been quite the busy month. I had a party for my Achievement Day girls, and lets just say, I am glad they went home to there parents that day, they had so much sugar between school and that party, they were bouncing off the walls. but we had a great time, with games and food and lots of laughter. Christmas for us was great, seeing as on the 24th Brandon went back to his old job, that's right, they called him up and offered him his old job back and he gladly excepted. Also on the 24th started us on quite the holiday fun. the pictures are a little out of order, but that is okay, I don't want to take the time to fix them.

christmas Brandon video taped the whole thing, His sweet new golf shoes
Claire's PJ's we opened on Christmas Eve, and she just couldn't wait to play a little Wii fit. Also notice the fun hair do. (look for more later)
Waiting in line to go and see Santa (my scanner isn't working at the moment so no Santa picture) she was so excited as we waited in line, as soon as I set her down, she started screaming.
Cute hair do, #1
#2
#3, can you tell it was french braided? We have had great hair do's this month, her hair is getting longer, we get pony tails, topsy tail creations, and all sort of other fun do's.
Christmas at the Cooper's took place on Christmas Eve seeing as this year was in-law year. Dera helping Claire open her present
this is such a cute coat, my Mom made one for all the little girls
This little one had the best reaction to a present I have seen in years. It is a fairy costume and it was wrapped wings in one box everything else in another. She got so excited when she opened the wings so forgot about the other box and started jumping up and down. when her mom and dad told her there was more her eyes got so wide and her smile was even bigger.

After the Cooper Christmas we headed over to the cemetary to see Brandon's grandma and grandpa that are buried there.

Then it was Christmas for us. We headed over the the Carlson's to celebrate my father-in-laws birthday and then open christmas presents. This picture below has a Fur Real pet in it. a Dog and it barks and plays and snores. And Claire has to take it everywhere. Gives it loves ever chance she can and wont let anyone else play with it.
Also in the last month, Claire as slowly started to us a spoon
notice it is upside down and that not much makes it into her mouth
She now sits at the table with us, and LOVES it!!!
She has started to walk like Mowgli from the jungle book, and would perfer to walk on her knees as well. (We are so close to her walking all the time now YAHOO!!!)
This is the hat that was in the present Aunt Dera was helping Claire open, it was from her cousin. She loves it, but was not happy when I took the picture. She will wear it all day.
We have had many of these lately
And found out she got 3 molars in christmas day. Fun

AFter all the Christmas fun, we started into New Years fun, we spent the evening at my parents and rang in the new year playing Scene It Seinfeld, (thanks Shannon). Then most of us headed up to Boise for the young man's baptism. Cameron we are so proud of you!!!
While we took over Wendy and Jeff's entire house, Claire got to sleep in Ellie's big girl bed did really well and loved it.
We ate lots of food and did lots of dishes...
Played games...
and lounged for two days.
Then we headed home to recooperate from all the fun we had. Hope all your holidays were are fulfilling as ours were.