4 months old (and nothing a little rice cereal can't handle)

The past week to ten days was unusual for little Claire. She started waking up two times in the night and didn't seem as content as always during the day. It dawned on me while making dinner one evening with a fussy baby in my arms who was trying to shove her entire fists into her mouth that she was HUNGRY! It was a light bulb moment! ... waking up at night and trying to eat her hands... duh! I made a phone call to a friend down the street and secured rice cereal and pears within minutes (a mother's got to feed her hungry baby ASAP!). Claire ate her first real meal - about a tablespoon worth - then took a bath and ... drum roll ... slept 11hours straight again!! Do I hear the sound of a heavenly choir singing?!

I love being a mom for the fourth time. Everything clicks faster and comes much more naturally than it did with the Lukester. It is a real blessing. And a real joy.

Claire continues to amaze us with her fabulously easy-going, sweet and pleasant personality. She is laid back and soft and tender. However, there are moments now and then where we see a glimpse of a more fiesty little one, like when we try to put her into her car seat and she arches her back and refused to bend. We also have begun to call her our future water-skier because she loves to pull up and stand on our laps all the time. ALL the time - it can be tiring to hold her. But cute. Bobble head.

So I just got her an exersaucer where she can stand up and wear herself right out. Between that and getting a belly full of food, we should be good! She is growing up.

Claire's favorite things still include nursing, taking showers and going on walks. And her least favorites remain getting dressed (onsies over the head) and getting lotioned up after baths.

She's a precious gift.