Ta Ta.....for now at least

This post is long overdue.  My apologies to those who have been checking the blog for the past 6 weeks only to find it hasn't been updated. There are two main reasons for the lack of posts. 

1. Now that Claire is getting older and much more interactive (aka a little more tiring for Mommy), it's been a lot harder to find the time to keep up with the picture taking, uploading, editing, and blogging.  Besides that, Claire has been much harder to photograph.  She's constantly on the move and races for the camera as soon as she sees me pull it out (it's become one of her favorite toys...probably b/c it's on the no-no list).  The only way I can get a good pic of her is by letting her take them of herself....she just LOVES when i set the camera phone on self portrait so she can wave and say Hi to herself (I'm still not sure if she realizes it's her she's talking to or if she thinks it some other little girl that lives in my phone).  Regardless, here are what all of my pics have been looking like lately.

2.  The second and really true reason why I haven't updated is because the last time I finally got around to blogging, I couldn't.  Turns out, I hit my storage limit for pictures with the free blogspot account.  If I want to continue uploading pics, I have to upgrade my account for at least $2.50 a month. I know it's not a lot of money but with the issues I've been having trying to keep up with updating anyway, I might just be using it as an excuse to stay lazy.  

I'm really torn on whether or not I should take a hiatus on blogging.  On one side, I do stress over finding time to update with new posts. It's become a lot less enjoyable than it was in the beginning.  But on the other side, I love having this online memory book of all of our favorite times with our little lovebug.  I really don't know what to do.  I just can't bring myself to pay for something I'm not really sure I can keep up with right now.  If anyone knows of any way to get around the upgrade fee or how I can upload pics with my current storage limits...it would be greatly appreciated!!

Ok, enough babbling by me.  Just wanted to let all you know, that I'll likely be taking a little break from blogging.  (I have a feeling I'm going to miss it like crazy and will be back before you know it but for now at least...I'm taking a break).  If I'm not back to blogging, I do want to thank everyone who has been following the blog.  If none of you checked it, I would've given up a year ago and wouldn't have these wonderful memories to look back on so easily whenever I get bored or miss my little girl.  So THANK YOU! 

Splish Splashing all over again

Just about 8 months ago, Claire had her first swim lesson.  Remember our tiny little chunker?? :)

7 months

Not sure how much she actually learned then but she's been REALLY loving the bathtub lately and getting pretty daring...putting her face under and dumping water over her head...so we figured it might be good to get her back in the pool.  I'm not sure if she remembered it at all but as soon as she saw it she just kept saying "Whoooaaaa" over and over again.

Daddy got to swim with the little lady this week.  Claire didn't want to let go of him at first once they got in the water.

But give Daddy two seconds and he'll have Claire laughing like crazy.  And sure enough he did.

Daddy showed Claire how to blow bubbles.

Which she tried to do herself....

And got a real kick out of.

As did Daddy :)

She laid on her back and practiced kicking.

Which she also thought was hysterical.

She practiced climbing out of the pool like the bigger kids in class.

And "jumped" back (more like so-nicely-eased-back) into the pool.

Then she spotted the toys.  

And got real good at climbing out ;-)

 It was a little harder to get her back INTO the pool then though.

Claire was such a big girl and went under the water at least 4-5 times.  Each time she would come up looking a little shocked but she never cried.

Was quite proud of herself actually....

As are Mommy and Daddy.  

Let's hope Claire continues having so much fun in swim class....otherwise, it could be a long 6 weeks.

Homebound, a Hurricane, & Halloween

It's been quite a while since my last update so I have lots to cover.  I'll just get right to it.

A week before Halloween, Claire caught her first stomach bug.  The poor little thing was throwing up all night.  Mommy took a couple days off from work to spend with the little lady.  

Luckily, our little trooper beat the bug after only one day!  To celebrate, we made a trip to Shady Brook Farms with Aunt Laura and cousin Lil' for an afternoon.  She played in the mini log cabin...  

And grabbed some lunch with Lil' (they both went for the cookies of course).  Nice try ladies.

After lunch, we headed out to the playground.  Claire and Lilly were completely entertained by some bigger kids going up and down the slide.

It looked so fun, they just had to join in themselves.  They both loved the slide and kept climbing up and down together.  It was too cute.

Minutes after jumping in the car to head home....both were zonked (you can see Claire in the mirror on the left).  Just too much fun.

Once home, Mommy, Daddy, and Claire decided to keep the fall fun going by carving some pumpkins.  Introducing Mommy's first pumpkin carving.....

As you can see we're both very proud of it :)

Claire was really diggin' the candle inside.  She kept taking the top off...

And trying to grab the flame (don't worry we didn't let her).  

After such a fun filled day, Claire was in bed for the night.  Mommy was so excited about her pumpkin carving, she made a special surprise for Claire for the morning...."Melmo!"

The next day, we made a trip out to Hamburg, PA for the largest Halloween parade on the east coast, King Frost.  We got there a little bit before the parade started.  Everyone was lined up along the street which had already been blocked off.  And Claire just thought it was a riot to run down the middle of the street and wave to everyone (like she WAS the parade).  Luckily, Grace and Nana were there to keep an eye on her.

And cousin Maddie kept her warm during the parade by snuggling on the sidelines.

Except when Mommy stole her to stay warm too.

It was a great parade filled with marching bands, motorcycles, redneck clubs (yes redneck clubs), and even the Phanatic!

Sunday, we were back home and starting to prepare for Hurricane Sandy.  We tried getting out of the house as much as possible before the rain started since we knew we'd be stuck in the house for a few days.

And in the house we were.  Both Mommy and Daddy's offices closed Monday and Tuesday so the Grenko clan was homebound yet again.  We tried switching things up by having lunch in the living room. 

And got creative with some "new" toys.

We of course watched lots of TV (as much as I hate to admit it).  

 And talked on the phone.

 And read books.

 And took lots of pictures. 

So much so, Claire started taking pics herself.  She picks the camera up now, puts it up to her face and yells "Cheeeeeeeese."  Guess she hears that a lot :)

We also had lots of time for tickles and giggles.  Can't think of any 2 people I'd rather be stuck with :)

After surviving the hurricane, it was finally time to celebrate Halloween!  We did so by getting dressed up at Grammy and Poppy's with none other than the cutest little owl around, Lilly.

 Claire wasn't too bad looking herself....

She wasn't the happiest with me when I sprayed her hair but seeing the results made it well worth it.  I mean the hair totally makes it, right?  It also helps that the little oompa loompa couldn't stop eating chocolate...how fitting.

Lil' was pretty interested in the chocolate too.  Claire made sure she didn't get too close though.  Stinker.

After stopping at a few houses for some treats, we finally made it home where Claire was reunited with her baby.  She swooped her up, gave her a big hug and a kiss and carried her around the rest of the night.  She just loves that baby doll.

Ok, I think that about catches us up.  "Bah Baaaahhh" (Claire saying bye).