While Claire is certainly too young to pick her favorite toys, it is quite obvious that she prefers some over others. She definitely loves "Moosie" the colorful moose, "Gracie" the pink giraffe that rattles, her ring toy that is super colorful and makes that fun crunching sound, and "Ting Ting" who plays a French song. While I was at work the other day, Ari had fun posing Claire with all of her toys. I call this picture "Claire's Menagerie."
Just look at that face! I spent quite a while trying to coax a smile out of Miss Claire on her 3 month birthday, but she just wasn't having it! Claire continues to brighten our lives everyday. Things we have noticed this month is that she is much more interactive. Her smiles are no longer random, if you talk to her or tickle her she will reward you with a goofy little grin, unless of course you are trying to capture one on film. She is also starting to use her voice and coo more than more throaty sounds. She is also using her hands more purposefully and holding her nuk in or holding your hand while you feed her. Her neck strength continues to improve and she has been working on her push ups during tummy time. One other thing that we are loving is that she is sleeping much better at night (most nights!). She wakes only once to eat and then goes right back to sleep. Thankfully, she also sleeps through mommy's pager going off! Happy 3 month birthday Claire Bear!
Before I went back to work last Friday, Claire, Marine and I did a lot of playin'. Not only did we read stories, play with toys and have tummy time but we also went to the zoo and on walks. Now while Marine and I enjoyed the walks and the zoo, Claire slept right through them! Every time she is in her car seat or stroller, she totally passes out... now that I am thinking of it, we should probably put her in her car seat at night so daddy and I can get a reprieve from the late night awakenings! Nah! I just spent every moment I could taking in being a mommy before it was back to work. Just look at that face and you can imagine how hard it would be to leave it! 
Last weekend Sarah, my medical school roommate, and her boyfriend Brian came up from Lexington to meet Claire. They came up in Sarah's new Toyota Venza, which I have to say is one sweet ride. It even has a camera to show what is behind you! After stuffing our faces with Dewey's Pizza, Sarah showed us her pictures of a recent trip to Paris and London with our friend Holly. Thank goodness Marine was here to make sure she was pronouncing things correctly! Brian totally passed out on the sofa while the girls were gabbing, Ari was at work. Sarah said he would be hard to wake but I have never seen anyone sleep so soundly. We could have had a marching band in our family room and he wouldn't have woken up! The next morning Sarah and I made breakfast while Brian got a chance to hold Claire. Ari finally woke up and entertained everyone with ER stories. Too soon Ari had to head back to work and Sarah and Brian had to leave so they could make it back in time to see the UK basketball game.
Sorry for the lack of updates, our lives have been a bit crazy... but I will get to that in a bit. As you can imagine, having a new baby at home is like having a magnet for everyone you love. It has been so fabulous to have our house full of loved ones coming to see Claire... and Ari and I. My mom has already been here four times! Thank goodness, too. I am not sure what we would have done without her support through Claire's hospitalization and the holidays. She also has gotten us organized, painted Claire's room and our master bath, as well as sewed drapes for Claire and our au pair's room. She also did about a year's worth of our ironing (I hate ironing!). Now I know that as a mother I should be aiming to be the best mom I can be, but how can I ever compete with that? Oh, I didn't even mention the numerous errands she ran as well as cooking and serving delicious meals. I wish she would move in! I love you mom!! I digress... so mom was here cuddlin' Claire and of course taking care of us. Then Jenn came in to town so she could meet baby Claire before jetting of to Australia. It is so funny to watch her and my mom interact, its like my mom has two Jen's. The visits were full of cuddling, cuddling, and more cuddling... but check out the picture of Jenn reading to Claire, it is too cute. Also too cute are the outfits that Jenn and her parents gave to Claire!
After a fun trip to Jungle Jim's, a six acre grocery store... I am not exagerating, it was time for Jenn to go just in time for us to pick up Marine, our au pair. It was like greeting our long lost French relative. She is so cute and gracious. She loves everything we cook for her; she says everything is "delicious." Of course she is trying to teach me to say that in a very cool French way, but I just can't get it. Ari has definitely caught on to more French than me!
