Best Friends...well, kind of...

Claire is fascinated by our Chesapeake Retriever, Hemingway. As some of you know, Hemmie is no model dog, though he is settling down at the ripe old age of 4 1/2. Anyway, when Hem is inside, Claire is constantly following him with her eyes and will ignore us if she's watching him. She giggles out loud whenever he gets close to her and shows no fear of a big dog getting his face right next to hers (though I do try not to let him lick her). We've discovered that he can entertain her during dinner merely by lying on his bed and licking his paws. As for Hem's interest in her, it's basically centered on trying to lick up her spit up before I get to it (gross, I know) and grabbing her toys, especially a pacifier, if he's trying to get OUR attention. As she gets mobile, hopefully he'll be patient with her grabbing at him!

(This is an old picture by the way.)

Does she look like she's having fun??

Well, we did the trail test of the fancy new baby backpack. Not exactly a successful venture. First, it was hot and smokey (when will it ever snow??). Second, Claire lasted for about 3/4 of a mile before going totally ballistic, right as we were climbing uphill. After a diaper check, nothing there, back into the pack she went. Still ballistic. Then, mom and dad both tried carrying her while carrying packs and trekking poles and the dog leash. Still ballistic. We finally get smart and decide if she's going to scream, we might as well carry her in the backpack. With about 1/2 mile left of our short loop, she finally fell asleep. The picture was taken back at the truck since we didn't have any "kodak moments" on the trail. We aren't sure if it was the weather, her mood, or the pack, but we weren't the poster family for children in the great outdoors today.

Okay, maybe I am a baby gear hog...

Some of you know how I vowed before Claire was born to be a minimalist in terms of baby gear. Of course, I'm mostly eating my words (a glance around the house right now reveals an exersaucer, johnny-jump up, play mat, and bouncy chair). However, considering everything you COULD buy for a baby these days, I give myself a B-. I do have to admit to being very excited when our newest baby gear arrived on Thursday, mostly because it's OUTDOOR baby gear which means we can use it to get back into the great outdoors with Claire. The latest purchase is a baby hiking backpack by Sherpani. (I did get it at a great price from REI outlet with a 20% off coupon for members.) A test run out around the yard on Thursday night proved a hit with Claire. Let's hope she feels the same way when we get it out on an actual trail!

Ten signs you are out of the Newborn/New Mommy Phase

1. Your back is getting out of line from carrying baby on your left hip.

2. Instead of rushing over when baby cries, you spend ten minutes trying to get a picture of her temper tantrum face because you think it's funny. (Still didn't get it, but see picture at right.)

3. You actually look in a cook book for a new recipe instead of wishing you had bought more frozen food when you last grocery shopped.

4. You actually follow through and cook the new recipe (maple roasted pork ribs).

5. When you sit down with husband to enjoy the meal, the sounds of the baby crying in the swing along with the swing's canned classical music have become normal background noise to a "nice" dinner together.

6. Dad has figured out how to make the Baby Bjorn into a beer holder. (see picture below)

7. You sometimes forget to change a diaper and are amazed they really can hold about a gallon of liquid!

8. Instead of trying to keep the dirty ol' dog away from new baby, you are trying to get the dog used to baby grabbing handfuls of his hair. (Dog isn't particularly excited about this new experiment.)

9. You no longer feel obligated to dress baby in pink when going out so strangers will know you have a "cute little girl." Instead, you reply to their questions about gender with, "Girls can't wear pink everyday."

10. The only clothes that don't have spit-up stains are the ones that you still can't fit into because those last stubborn 5 pounds haven't gone away yet and your resolve to do crunches until they do never matches your craving to sit on the couch when you get a minute to yourself.