A Crapload of Photos

Here are just a whole bunch of pictures, and maybe somewhat informational captions:

Clara's been practicing eating with a spoon and fork. She's pretty good at it, and thinks it's quite fun.

My dad made Henry some cargo to go with his crane...a bunch of boxes and other things that have hooks on them. Henry likes to pick them up with the crane and load them onto his big boat.

Here's Clara getting herself into a half-pulled-up position. She pulls up to her knees, and really seems like she's going to crawl, but just won't go that last 2% for pulling to feet or full crawling.

This may explain why she won't crawl. Why would you, when your brother pulls you around in a basket everywhere you want to go? The updated news is that I'm playing phone tag with the lady at the physical therapy office. I've also gotten very helpful tips from Sandy's brother-in-law (thanks Mike!) and my cousin (thanks Katie!). Pretty much everyone seems to feel the same way Pete and I do...doesn't seem like we need to worry, but we're probably doing the right thing getting her assessed.

Here she is in her new dress from Grandma Mary, picking out some books.

And picking out some CDs.

Last night we started Valentine's Crafting 2009. Clara has never painted before, so we thought finger paints were the way to go. I tried to show her how...

And she tried it out a little bit...

But mostly she just kept wanting to do this. Notice that I am simultaneously reaching for her to take her hand out of her mouth, and taking a picture.

She kind of looks like Princess Leia's mom, Queen Amadala, or whoever. She didn't understand why I kept shouting and pulling her hand away. She would cry and look at me like "aren't we supposed to be having fun?"

Henry did not eat his paint.

Here's a typical expression that I get from Clara.

And another.

And another.

And from Henry.

Again.

Fast forward to this morning. Henry rocked out at Starbucks.

And he tried to pose with his sister, but she just wanted to touch his tongue. I told him to put it back in his mouth. Do you think he'd listen to his mother?

The reason I needed Starbucks this morning was to fuel up before our play date at the Children's Museum. We met up with Henry's friend from school. Ryan wasn't able to come to Henry's birthday party, but he's one of Henry's best buds, so I told his mom we'd do this instead.
The boys had lots of fun at the Potbelly restaurant. They especially enjoyed putting the mop through the sandwich oven.

Clara tried to make the rubber tomato fit into the cup with the fabric ice cream "malt".

While she seemed to enjoy the pet vet, she didn't like the stethoscope. I don't think she's interested in becoming a doctor.

Oh! Phew. I'm at the end! It was hard to get the boys to hold still for a photo at the museum. They had a great time together. Henry had a bit of a meltdown when it was time to go. Now, thank goodness, both children are napping. I've had a couple cookies....but I'm pondering a bloody mary.