Claire Marie Allen

I cannot believe that my baby girl is already six weeks old. Where is the time going?



- She definitely recognizes her mommy and daddy - I love it when she stares at me and then smiles.
- She is smiling at things and starting to sort of laugh - although she doesn't quite have the laughing part down.
- She is so alert when she is awake - she's even started eying the puppies
- She loves bath time and the sound of running water
- She does not like to go to sleep and gets fussy when she is tired
- She is definitely getting bigger, but she still fits into her newborn outfits-
- I am not looking forward to her growth spurt : (

I love this little girl so much. She is a marvel to me. I learn something new about her/me everyday. I am so blessed to be her mother. I can't believe I am a mother.

Motherhood...

Our baby girl is one month old today. I cannot believe how quickly this first month has gone. I know she is going to grow up way too fast. I think I was one of those mothers who needed time to adjust before she felt the rush of overwhelming love. Don't get me wrong -- I loved little Claire from the moment she came into the world -- I also had moments of frustration and resentment and then anger with myself for feeling those things for a tiny helpless baby. However, after a few solid nights of sleep I can proudly say that I feel slightly more confident in caring for this new person. I also feel like I have no idea what I would do if she wasn't here and in my life. She is so precious to me and I cannot wait to watch her grow and develop and learn. I love that little munchkin.

Babies...

It seems as if everyone is having babies these days. Claire Marie Allen arrived on January 27, 2011. She was exactly one week early and she came the week preceding two huge snow storms for Northwest Arkansas. I am delighted that she is here and am looking forward to learning how to be her mother. There are definitely days when I am sleep deprived and not feeling well that I wonder what I got myself into, but overall she has been a joy and a delight. I learn something new about her everyday. She is constantly growing and changing.


Who would have thought that babies were so complicated. It is a good thing I love her a whole bunch. I think my favorite thing is watching Jared interact with her. He is really smitten with her. It is adorable to see and experience. He is and will continue to be the best dad.

Holiday Pictures

Here are some holiday pictures of the family for your viewing pleasure.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 2010

Holiday Season

I am really looking forward to this holiday season. I have so much to be thankful for. I am officially another year older--I turned 28 last weekend. I have all of my Christmas shopping done for the year and I am another week closer to becoming a mother (who actually has a baby to show people instead of a giant belly).

About the time of my last blog post, in November, I found out that my mom had cancer--uterine to be exact. The solution was a hysterectomy. I don't know what bothered me more, the fact that she had cancer or that she was going to have major surgery just before becoming a grandmother. I didn't want her to miss out on anything like baby showers or holding her first grand-baby.  She has since had the surgery and is now resting and recovering at home. We are still waiting on pathology reports, but I am hopeful that the hysterectomy took care of the cancer. Cancer is such a dirty word. It makes people look at you funny whether you are the one who has it or not. Anywho, back to why I am thankful. My mother is doing well and recovering quickly and we are going to have a semi-normal and quiet Christmas.

Jared and I have a healthy strong baby girl who will be here before we know it. We have good jobs and a warm home. We are so blessed and fortunate. I hope that the Lord will allow us to pass some of those blessings on to others. I hope that Jared and I will look for and find opportunities to pass those blessings on.

So for my December blog post here is wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. If you are struggling remember that all things can be accomplished through Christ -- and he is the reason for this season. 

November 7, 2010

This year is rapidly coming to a close. Jared and I just celebrated three and a half years of marriage on the fifth of this month at our favorite restaurant Thai Diner. We were discussing about how many milestones Thia Diner has seen us through. We had some of our first dates there, we drove through to pick up dinner after our wedding reception, and now we are eating there with our first child (still in-utero at this point).

I hope to do a better job of keeping this blog up-to-date, but you never know. We are going to have a baby to take care of in just a few short months. (At least this will be a good place to post some photos for friends and family to see.)