Family update

Time is flying by and the end of July is almost here. It's hard to believe that Lise is over 3 months old already. She still is a very happy baby (most of the time), sleeps well (most of the time), and is loving to talk to her Mama and Dada (and big Sis.) Claire's vocabulary is growing daily and it's fun to actually be able to carry on a two-way conversation with her.

We've found day care for the girls for the fall, lucking into somebody who we think will be great who happens to live about a five minute walk down the street from us. This will allow both of us to work. Much is still up in the air about what Will will be doing this fall and how much he will be doing it but things may be falling into place. Stay tuned.

We are in the midst of quite a run of visitors as we have many family and friends who have been, or will be coming, through Dubuque. This is fun as it allows us to enjoy small "stay-cations" as we explore Dubuque with our friends.

Claire enjoys some art by the river in front of the Star Brewery.

Lise and Claire (and Will) made their first trip up the world's shortest, steepest railroad during a trip to the 4th Street Elevator with our friends, the Perrins.

At the top, looking out over the city.

At the top, looking down the tracks.

The girls enjoy some time with Ma

Save this one everyone! This is the first-ever photograph taken by Claire.

This is the best of Claire's attempts to take a portrait of Pop, Ma, Mama and Lise.

Farm Vacation

We're back from two days on the farm - our summer vacation. The cool temps were a welcome departure from the typical mid-July farm experience. Here are some pictures:

Some Coopers, Kochs and a couple little Hoyers

E and A in the corn

Claire (and Ma) stand still for a brief moment while playing in the corn

Potters extraordinaire, the Cannons make beautiful pottery in the nearby metropolis of Ripley, IL

I want that

Those, too

Claire and "Juice" go fishing

What is up with that hair?

Uncle G demonstrates proper fishing technique

Claire gives G.G. a goodbye hug

First Lise Video

Here is the first Lise video. It's probably not the most exciting video I've ever put together, so be prepared! But we want to have a record of what she was like these early weeks.

I'm working on another one of all the random video clips that we've taken of Claire the last year too. That should be up in the next week or so.

Funny pics

This is what happens after a full morning of playing with Ma (and Pop)... Claire falls asleep standing up.

If you need help telling which sister is the big sister and which is the little sister the t-shirts should help you out.

Not funny so much... but cute nonetheless

2.67 years old and going on 16... Yes, that's a cellular telephone in her back pocket

Lise at 2 months

Lise went in for her two month checkup today. She passed with flying colors, got three shots and an oral vaccine and slept much of the rest of the day. She did, however, wake up enough this afternoon to let us get a couple good pictures of her.






The vitals:
Now
Weight - 11 pounds
Height - 24 inches

At birth
Weight - 8 pounds, 3 ounces
Height - 21 inches

She's growing up.

Quiz answers

Ok, I'm a little late getting the answers to you. Unfortunately, we had no winners. In fact, most of you didn't even try! I guess it was too difficult - I admit, her speech is a little hard to understand these days!

Here are the answers:

1. Which of the following is not a word/phrase that Claire has meant when she says: “mip”?
a) Milk
b) Thank you
c) Jump
d) Mic (microphone)

We have no idea why "mip" is jump or thank you. It also means "minutes" as in "5 more mip to play before coming inside to brush teeth and get ready for bed."

2. Which of the following is not a word/phrase that Claire has meant when she says: “da”?
a) Walk
b) Banana
c) Strawberry
d) Star

For a while all fruit was "da," now some are different names. And stars. Yes, of course!

3. What does Claire mean when she says: “Cheen”?
a) Chin
b) Kitchen
c) Car
d) Either a or b (depending on context)

4. What does Claire mean when she says: “Low-sh”?
a) Ocean
b) Lotion
c) Storm
d) None of the above

Maybe the one that makes the most sense.

5. What does Claire mean when she says: “Doe”?
a) Green
b) Deer
c) Door
d) Phone

This one is a little more confusing. She learned that red lights mean stop and green lights mean go. So she would call the color green "go." Except it doesn't sound like 'go' it sounds like "doe."

6. What does Claire mean when she says: "Touch"?
a) Touch
b) Throw
c) Truck
d) TV

7. What does Claire mean when she says: "Feep"?
a) Feet
b) Sleep
c) Sweet
d) Either b or c

Mostly this is 'sleep' but sometimes she calls Lise "feep pea" - we prefer that to "pea pea" which is how it came out the first time or two she tried.

Sorry, I have no new pictures on my computer, so you'll have to wait for a picture.

Nice try to those who played. Maybe next time I'll write an easier quiz, though I do grade on the curve if no one scores over 50% !