No matter how hard you try...

Normally when I go grocery shopping I wear Claire in a sling while pushing the cart one handed. This week I decided to put her in the front of the cart. So I brought my Boppy cart cover and the instructions. After about 5 minutes standing at the front of the store, I finally put it on correctly, making sure everything was covered. It was perfect! She sat up straight and was content looking around. I could shop with both hands and had the whole back of the cart to carry my groceries in. I went to the meat section, picked out my organic chicken and was horrified when I turned around to see Claire sucking on the belt that was attached to the cart. I shook off the deflation I was feeling and tucked a blanket around the strap, hoping that it wasn't as germ-infested as it looked. No matter how hard you try I guess you can't control everything.

Bath

Claire has always loved bathtime. Lately she seems to be especially enjoying her time in the tub. When I set her down in her baby bath she looks at the water and then up at me with a grin that exudes pure bliss. It's as if she wants to say, "I love you so much for putting me in this bath. It's my favorite." Then she looks back down at the water and begins the splashing session. So sweet.

Crawling Claire

Sweet Baby Claire is mobile! The impetus that finally drove her to crawl her first few inches was my friend's Blackberry. Claire saw the phone lying on the floor on her blanket and that was it. She excitedly scooched her little legs frog style and pushed herself forward until she had her little fingers on that intriguing object. She is certainly my daughter - Mommy's bobo phone doesn't interest her nearly as much as the nice, expensive Blackberry! Guess they call it 'Crackberry' for a reason. Now she is exploring her new found mobility while she plays or anytime we set her down on the floor. Her obsession with chewing the edges and corners of throw rugs is now the bane of my existence - she immediately goes for the rug's edge when we put her down.

Mother's Day Goal

Mother's Day is coming up this weekend so of course I had to hit the local Walgreens to get some cards for the mothers in my life. Although they make for a nice gesture and I do like receiving them, sometimes giving a card can seem more like a formality than anything else. Nonetheless, I take my time to try and find the perfect card for whatever the occassion may be. As I was picking out my cards I noticed how sweet they all were. Many told the reader what a wonderful mother she is/has always been, how she has always been there, portrayed the reader as the most important person in the card-giver's life, etc... I looked at my little Claire, who was blowing raspberries at passers-by and was wriggling in my arms as I balanced her on my hip. I silently made a promise to her, and myself, that I will do everything I can to bed the kind of mother to Claire that ALL of those cards depict. I want her to think I have been the best mother ever, I have always been there for her, and that I am the most important person in her life (besides Daddy of course!).

Hijack

Dear Daddy,

I have decided to take over this blog because a) mommy doesn't do it consistently b) mommy shouldn't speak for me, I should! and c) I am the pea damn it.

Today was a good day. I went with Mommy to the Flower Market, right after Grana's favorite spot (Fresh Thymes) where everyone said how cute I was. Mommy decided to bring me in the jogger because she thought I'd fall asleep. Ha! I wasn't tired one bit. There were so many things to see there...flowers, rides, vendors with lots of junk...It was a horder's paradise! There was so much to see that I decided that I could see better if mommy held me rather than be in the jogger. I started to cry and mommy fell for it. Then I could really people watch and see all kinds of stuff! There was this really pretty painting of a monkey that would look great in my room. Mommy tried to give her arms a rest by letting Grana or her friend hold me but I would only let my Mommy hold me. Luckily, for us both, Mommy was smart enough to bring the carrier and she carried me in it the rest of the time. It was so great! But I fell asleep in it by the end of our visit.

Today I also ate a biter biscuit and some of those Gerber air puff thingies. Mommy was so nervous she cut the puffs in half to make sure they melted before I swallowed them. I did a good job picking them up on my own and putting them in my mouth.

I missed you today, Dad. I said your name lots while I was playing. I was thinking about you and how much I love you. Mommy said "Mama" to me...she's trying to get me to say it. But I just say Dada because I loves you so. It's my most favorite thing to say.

Love you!

The Pea

PS Make Mommy wash my Duckums ASAP! I misses him!