praying

Claire got my prayer rope off my nightstand and says, "Pray, Pray. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy" and walks around the house with it in her hand for a few minutes. Last week when she picked it up and showed it to me I had explained what it was and how to use it.

She amazes me.

She is looking though the bags we brought home from the grocery store and says, "New sippy cup. Drink. Open. open."

sentences

Claire has started speaking in sentences more often. Some recent ones included:
"Mommy said no ripping books," and also: "Mommy said no biting."
Others:
Are you cranky?
Where is kitty cat?
Get out of the car.
Need a drink.
Get a banana.
Need a blanket. (One time I replied, "here's your blanket." But she insisted, "need another blanket!")

This last one she said as we walked into the store with her. I was glad she reminded me.

But our favorite is, "I'll be back."

Hectic

Do you ever find yourself trying to finish making dinner, unload the dishwasher, sweep the floor under the highchair and set the table all at the same time?
I made my grandma's Hawaiian Shrimp recipe tonight and opened a new jar of homemade chutney for the occasion. Mark's on his way home and his dad who is visiting is in the shower. Claire went to sleep earlier than usual tonight and without a fuss so I actually have time to sit and blog for a few minutes in spite of a hectic evening. A lot of the time I feel too queasy to cook. Last weekend I picked up some frozen food at Trader Joe's (including the shrimp we are about to eat). Oh, I guess I haven't yet mentioned we are expecting our second child in October.
Claire loves the outdoors and especially swinging at the park. She is getting better at being able to walk all the way there, and most of the way back.

progress

Claire can go up and down our front steps without help now. The physical therapist had showed her how to hold on to the edge of the porch to climb up while standing...yesterday she did it all by herself. She knows how to use the magna-doodle now and was just trying to write on her tummy with the magnetic pen that goes with it.

New photos

There are some new photos on Flickr.

We had fun at the beach yesterday afternoon. Claire is becoming more and more interested in the sand.

anectode

Claire just finished eating some oatmeal and applesauce. I asked her if she was all done. She replied, "More". I asked, "More what?" Claire says, "More kisses." Or course I complied. :)