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[tripleh415]

This is my blog so I will continue to brag about how amazing my little girl is and say how much I love her. She'll win you over with her cuteness and friendliness. She's showing more personality and expresses so much spirit and glee. She's taking in the world and giving joy back. She lights up my world as well as those around her. The best is when she recognizes me and gives me the grandest smile. She rushes into my embrace and sits satisfactorily in my lap. It's the absolute best being her mom. I also love how we're becoming best friends.

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This is some hair, teeth, cheeks, eyes...face.

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It was the end of the day and Claire was tired.

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She's a good and I love her so much

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In addition to boxes, Claire likes to sit at the playground, on the couch, and in my lap.

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I know better to say things absolute about Claire so I’ll say she has happened to sleep through the night for a few nights. We’ve always known she can and we certainly know she doesn’t need the overnight nursing. For a week I slept in the other room and Phil soothed her as needed. There were a few nights with lots of waking but it’s possible that that’s subsided. We’re introducing a lovey in hopes she takes to it to help her be comforted and continuing sleeping like so many other babies I hear about. This morning she took the lovey off my shoulder and gave it a hug. It’s one of the most adorable things I’ve ever seen. Preceded by the picture above.

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Update: apparently the first night I returned to my usual bed, I thought Claire slept through when in fact, Phil woke at 3am to soothe her. I count it as a success for all of us though. I can sleep through the night again and Claire has an attentive father.

There was one more night of her waking and then no more for past few days. I know there will be interruptions to this pattern but yay for all of us on getting more sleep. Now to work on getting to bed on time...

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That's three days this week that Claire barely slept at daycare. Every sight and sound keeps her up. The exception is when I pick her up from daycare. A parade can be passing through and she will keep napping like this. Sometimes I think I should stay at home or move her into another care setting that would allow her to sleep and stay healthy. Then I see how much she likes her teachers (and vice versa) and well socialized she is, and I think she's fine where she's at. It can be so hard to know what's best for her and to accept the decisions you make. I just got to keep telling myself that she's growing and developing great. She's overall happy and healthy. And we're doing our best.

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Phil and my favorite time of the day is our evening stroll around our complex. Last summer we were excited when Claire graduated from the infant car seat to a sit stroller. Now she wakes all on her own. She has yet to make it all the way to the mailbox. Maybe if there weren't other people to distract her. When she spots people she just stops and stares. It's rude and creepy but she can get away with it. With her face (and arms stretched out to be picked up) she can get away with anything.

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Good to have dad back.

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This little girl doesn't seem so little anymore. No, she has a big smile, a big appetite, a big voice, and big people ideas. How can I stop time to savor my baby longer?

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UNCLE = Uncle Nathan & Claire Love Each-other

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Hard to say what she's thinking but she enjoys herself

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On the move

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Claire’s teacher says

Claire is now standing up all over the place she loves to play with her friends and enjoys finger-plays and balls.

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Today was an incredibly good day. Claire was happier than I've ever seen her. From the moment she woke up she glowed when she saw us and engaged us in play. Phil and I laughed and smiled all day being with her. Claire turns 6 months tomorrow. She seems anxious to grow up, getting bigger and smarter everyday. She's about to grow out of the last few 9-month clothing items. Her "talking" and raspberries seem more conversational than random. She rolls and sits up effortlessly and is working on pulling to a stand. She's enjoying more and more solids. Avocado was the new food today. She's been napping like a champ. Not sleeping through the night yet but better than a month ago. Overall, Claire is being an all-star. I had said Claire will decide if she'll have a sibling. She must want that sibling bad.

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Claire didn't like the pacifier at first. Then it became her favorite way to be soothed to sleep. Then that stopped working. Now she's rediscovered the pacifier as an excellent teether. She can pick it up and bring it to her mouth herself and there's also the method in the video.

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