Cinderella and some yams

Sam has entered the world of dress up.  Her favorite items currently are her "Ariel Cinderella" dress and black shoes.  There is a picture of Ariel in the middle of the dress but she calls it Cinderella because it is white.  In fact - all ladies in white dresses are Cinderella.  She will point at pictures of Brooke, Danielle and me on our respective wedding days and say, "Oh mama - pretty Cinderella!"  

here is Cinderella all ready to go.  (yes there is one eye missing in her sunglasses but she continues to wear them.  i can't throw them out because she kills me laughing when she wears them).  

 and here is clara - enjoying her dinner of yams.

 she liked them despite evidence to the contrary.

and yes that is the sunshine coming through the window.  we have had fantastic weather the last few days :)

brave big girl

Sam had to have a shot today - catching up on some they require in the states that she missed up in BC.

we prepped her for it by telling her she was going to get a small owie in her leg at the doctor's office.  tim took her.  :)  apparently she sat perfectly still and took it like a champ - no tears.  she was thrilled with the prize she chose - a small plastic motorcycle with an attached rider.  that little thing went everywhere with her today.

it is the little things in life.  it is hard to believe she is getting so big.  we love her so much!!

now a picture here would be appropriate but i am too tired.  clara's teeth are killing both of us.

almost 6 months?!

yes - clara is almost 6 months old. a few words to describe her: joyful, sweet, mama's girl, people watcher, quick to smile, and long and lean. although clara would rather be held me all day if she had her way - her dada can make her giggle quicker than anyone and sam always has her attention.

you can see her two new teeth in the bottom photo.  they are unfortunately waking her up at night - so she is awake more than normal, which is a bummer for her and me.  she is beginning the world of solid food.  when the doctor asks i may neglect to mention her very first taste of food was pasta from her dada's plate on uncle jacob's 27th birthday...  she likes pears, mum-mums, cherrios and bananas.  she tolerates apple sauce and sweet potatoes.  up next: avocados.  she hated rice cereal....

sweet clara louise you are a gift from God and we love you so!

my garden

Motivated by many I love who garden and greatly assisted by a husband who builds me things - I am diving head first into gardening.  Here are some pictures to capture what things look like at the beginning of the spring.  

I planted bulbs last fall and am very happy with my choices.  This smaller box was here before we moved in:

(I wish we would have taken a picture of what the backyard looked like before we started because it was an ugly mess!!)

Below is the incredible garden box tim and kurtis built me last summer out of recycled wood.  my dad and tim then filled it with dirt a few weeks later.  i am so lucky!!

most of what you see here are starts from a local garden/produce shop that i love! i have my own things from seeds inside still.

 the bigger picture.

 the potato box - also made by tim out of recycled wood.  as the potato plants grow you cover them with dirt and add additional boards up the sides and magically the plants make more potatoes.  i know - mind blowing.

tim told me the other night i am a gardener nerd because i took pictures of my garden.  aren't you all glad i am a nerd and can share it with you? :)

egg hunt

egg hunting is very serious business. . .

Clara in her easter dress

This girl is getting so big and we are loving her more and more each day - if that is possible.  

she has a great smile - 

 and a very strong neck

 and lots of drool - little did we know she was working on a tooth.

 "look mom - no hands!"

thanks auntie brooke for my cute dress.  :)

time away

a few weeks ago we went away with my family.  it was fantastic to get away some place warm and to be all together.  here are some of my favorite pictures from my camera - defense was much better about taking pictures of other people besides sam and clara - me, not so much...  

the first few moments in the "water" - sam spent every moment possible at the pool!

 papa - one of clara's most favorite people

 clara is in there - promise.  everyone but sam and nana went out to an incredible canyon to hike and check out the views.

 time at the beach just the four of us - sam was really into the sticks!

 "dada - splash me please!"

 sam cheering for the other children as they went down the waterslide.  she was happy to cheer from the top all day but only made it down twice.

and i just realized i mainly chose pictures with sam in them - so here is one more of clara

first tooth

how is it even possible that Clara is getting her first tooth?!!

but sure enough yesterday as she was playing with my hands she bit down and i felt something sharp.  after a bit more investigation i saw the beginning of a tooth.  crazy.  how is she old enough to have teeth?!

thankfully it doesn't seem to be bothering her too much.

in other news - i have found a new hobby and i love it - gardening!!  we have food growing in our backyard, which is awesome.  it will feel even better after we eat it.  tim and kurtis built me a huge box last summer.  tim and my dad filled it with dirt a month or so later.  and now there are things actually growing in it.  it blows my mind.  when it gets looking good i will take a picture and post it.  i guess i didn't have very high expectations because every day when i look back and see that things are still there and green i am filled with joy!

enjoying each other

hugs

 "clay-la, clap your hands!"

 teaching basic dance techniques

 "clay-la walk"

 (we are growing out sams bangs - not denying her a haircut...  most days she keeps the clips in but this was not one of those days).

 another day - more sister love

bad dream

sam woke up from her nap a few days ago crying.  when i asked her what was wrong she said she had a bad dream.  and then said:

"i fell off the bus"

you fell off the bus?

"yes - off the bus.  didn't go on the airplane."

you fell off the bus and couldn't make it to the airplane?

"yes and no find mama.  scared...  crying..."

since then she has recounted the dream a few times.  poor thing.  this is the first time she has been able to describe her bad dreams.  and this one isn't too far from what happened.  as we just returned from vacation and had to take a bus from the hotel to the airport.  praying sweet dreams for her before she sleeps has been given a whole new light.

so i don't forget

clara rolled over for the first time last night. it was just she and i right before bed (one of her favorite times of the day). she rolled from her tummy to the right onto her back. she didn't seem that impressed with herself; she may have even looked confused because i looked so excited.

she is 4 months old and a delight! she continues to have high highs and low lows. she has settled into a nice sleep pattern with regular naps and a consistent bed time. (praise jesus!) she loves her sister and is constantly tracking whatever sam is doing. she seems to be most happy in a crowd. she loves bath time and will make a killer swimmer.

we love you sweet clara louise!!

(a picture would be appropriate here but i am too tired - smile)

three thumb suckers in the family...

Clara Louise has joined the ranks of thumb suckers in our family.  Clara. Sam. and Me.  (although i no longer practice the habit).  After many failed attempts to attach her to a pacifier she has found her thumb.  

 Sam was about this age when she started sucking her thumb as well - although it appears the girls prefer opposite hands.  what does that tell you about their personalities? :)

 almost 4 months old and definitely her own person.

just another evening at the knipps

we busted out the play mat for Clara and it seems like everyone just can't get enough.  :)

3 months

sweet Clara Louise is 3 months old and in her baby prime.  

her huge smile - she is either very happy or very mad/sad.  i prefer her happy.  

 loving eating her hands

 blue eyes - hoping they stay

 she loves to wiggle too.

 my aunt karen and cousin trevor came up for the super bowl and clara enjoyed a nap with my aunt.  a special treat to be held and sleeping at the same time!

Clara continues to love people - being held and watching her sister.  Clara gives Sam huge smiles and it warms my heart.  Clara is a great sleeper!  and she no longer cries for the few hours before bed at night, which is wonderful.  Clara HATES the car - cries every car ride, so we stick close to home.  My hopes to make regular trips to Vancouver are not happening, which is disappointing but I am thankful for those who have traveled south to see us.  And as I am finishing this post I just overheard Sam say, "I love you Clara."  precious.

making cookies

and a window into Sam's personality.

the apron was a gift she received just after Clara was born - a big sister gift.  i love it.  she does too.  she demands we both wear our aprons now when we make cookies.