Steph, Drew ... and Clara Too: December 2006

Merry Christmas

Clara wants to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. This is her first Christmas and she won't remember any of it, so we are being sure to take plenty of pictures to show her some day. We had a lovely Christmas morning here at home, just the four of us, Mom, Dad, Clara, and Jack. We woke up, had Maine Stay Eggs and cinnamon rolls, watched "A Christmas Story," listened to Christmas music, and opened presents. The only two things that could have made Christmas morning more perfect would have been snow and a fireplace. We are now awaiting the arrival of Grand Dad and his clan who are coming down from New Jersey as we speak.

Clara is currently sporting only one of her four Christmas outfits, so I'm sure there will be more Christmas pictures later in the day.

Daddy was holding Clara on the floor and Jack came over to pose for a picture.

Clara as Santa's little Elf, waiving hello and Merry Christmas!

Clara sleeping soundly under the tree (well sorta under the tree).

"OK, how many more pictures are going to make me pose for??!!"

Christmas Eve Baby Sitters!

Clara had some very special guest on Christmas Eve. Her Aunt Lisa and Cousin Sam had not been able to meet her yet, so they came over Sunday afternoon. We are so very happy to learn recently that Sam is finished with his chemotherapy treatments, so this visit was even more special. Congratulations Sam!

Uncle Dave, Aunt Lisa, Cousins Sam and Ben were having such a good time with Clara, they offerred to stick around for a bit, while Steph and I went to the grocery store. The Purceville Mannings were our very first baby-sitters!

Aunt Lisa admiring her new (but not newest--congrats Todd) baby niece.

Clara and Lisa look pretty comfy together.

"Uncle Dave is holding me again! I think he must really love me."

Sam gets to meet Cousin Clara. Sammy it sure is good to see you out and about, buddy!

Sam finds out how hard it is to resist kissing on Miss Clara.

Life doesn't get much better than holding Clara while watching the Redskins...well, unless the Redskins would actually win, ey Ben?

Clara looks pretty peaceful in her big cousin Ben's arms, huh?

Jack was sure happy to see the P'ville Mannings as well.

Because of their baby sitting offer, we were able to make a Chritmas Eve feast of Roast Beast, Eggnog sweet potatos, and green beans. Clara didn't get this until a bit later...

Party Girl!

On December 17th, the Manning Family celebrated the 50th anniversary of Jerry and Rose (actual anniversary is December 16th), better known to Clara as Grandaddy and Grammy. Fifty years together is quite an accomplishment and they have definitely experienced it all, "together through thick and thin, sickness and health," and all the rest. We are very thankful for their union and celebrate their relationship. Afterall, if it wasn't for them, this blog wouldn't exist!

Grammy and Grandaddy posing in front of their cake.

Here is Miss Clara showing off her party dress. She had a great time, but really just slept through the whole thing.

Aunt Dawn gets to meet Miss Clara for the first time and gets to enjoy her in the shrug she knitted for Clara! "Thanks Aunt Dawn, it's real comfortable."

Grammy admiring her newest Grand-daughter and making sure Aunt Dawn is holding her right!

Aunt Donna also got to meet Clara for the first time. Donna, Dawn, and Dave argued about who got to hold her next. Clara certainly appreciated the love and attention!

Aunt Vera managed to get a turn to hold Miss Clara as well.

"Uncle Dave always wants to hold me! I don't mind, I like snuggling."

Aunt Dawn held Clara in the "girl" group shot.

Clara's Very Busy Life

Miss Clara has been keeping very busy this holiday season. She's had places to go and people to see. She's had things to learn, including continuing to try to understand the difference between night and day. We are still working on that one, but making some progress. Here are some of the activities of the past couple of weeks that Miss Clara has been engaged in.

Clara continues to impress us with her cleverness, like finding her thumb on her own.

Relaxing with the fat daddy (notice the chin up and out...it's actually take 2!).

Laughing at poor neglicted Jack in his silly Christmas outfit. Doesn't he look like he loves it??

Getting kisswa from Momma.

Chillin' in the bouncey seat.

Staring at the fishes in the bouncey seat.

Sitting through my first "professional" photo shoot.

"I like this thing this nice lady is pointing at me, it makes a real neat noise. I could stare at it all day."

Posing in her (one of her) Christmas dress.

Going places with Mom and Dad...just enjoying the ride.

Of course, those trips always wipe Miss Clara out.

"Mom and Dad took me to their favorite neighborhood restaurant, Los Amigos. They offerred me the chips and salsa, but I'm not quite ready."

"Getting better acquainted with my big brother, Jack. "

"All this activity just makes me sleepy. So, sometimes I just like to take a nap on Fat Daddy."

Hiya Granddad.

Last weekend, Granddad came to visit Miss Clara for a night. He was a big help and made several meals for Clara's Mommy and Daddy while he was there, including his famous breakfast with homefries! Also, Granddad was very reassuring to Momma by letting her know that Miss Clara is very healthy and that her sometimes lack of sleep and crying is all very normal.

Clara showed off her lung capacity to her Granddad.

Granddad knows how to coax a good burp out of Miss Clara!

Here are some pictures that Granddad took while here.

Just chillin'!

I like kisses from Momma!

Dad's not too bad at burping me either.

"Peace out, Y'all!!"

Family Visitors from Far Away

Uncle David (another Uncle Dave!) and Aunt Barbara win the prize for having traveled the farthest to meet Miss Clara! David and Barbara are currently stationed in Kuala Lumpar (KL) and were stateside to celebrate Christmas with their daughter Jennifer (Clara's cousin) who is attending college in New York. Although on a fairly tight travel schedule, we were happy they made the time to visit the most recent addition to the family.

Clara was definitely pretty snuggly with her Aunt Barbara.

Uncle David isn't so bad either.

Jack certainly enjoyed the attention from his Uncle David.

Family Visitors from Nearby

Clara's Uncle Dave and Cousin Ben came for a visit recently. Uncle Dave met Clara in the hospital when she was born, but didn't get to hold because she was in the NICU. Clara was excited to meet Dave and Ben, but was disappointed that her Aunt Lisa and Cousin Sam couldn't also be there. Hopefully, she will get to meet them soon, as we just got news that their continued presence in Philadelphia will longer be necessary!!

Clara decided to make some good faces for her Uncle Dave.

You aren't the only one who can be silly Uncle Dave.

I was beginning to worry that Uncle Dave was going to try to take Miss Clara with him. He seemed pretty comfy with her.

Ben was the first cousin to meet Clara!

Nana's Visit

Clara's Nana came for another visit recently (although I am very delayed in getting photos uploaded). She was, as usual, a big help. Nana has become quite attached to her Clara-girl!

Clara doesn't know it, but she's about to get a bath. Uh-Oh! Clara didn't care for the bath on the last attempt. However, she kinda became a bit of a smelly girl, so it was definitely time.

Luckily, Nana knows the tricks to baths. The silly books Mommy and Daddy read say not to submerge a young baby-girl. No wonder she screamed so much. It was cold!!