Red potatoes and White socks

After much debate and discussion we have decided to update our blog approximately 1 time a week, unless there is something noteworthy. Knowing this, those of you out there will be able to plan your schedules accordingly. This has been a good week here at the Dahle house. It took about the whole week for papa to recover from his week of nights, but he is doing well and having fun spending more time at home with his girls. Things are very busy around here as we are getting ready for our families to come out this week. It has been over a year since Nate has seen most of them. We are so excited to see them. And we are so excited for Claire's baby blessing on Aug 5th. She is such a fun baby and she is smiling more and more.

Claire rides in style in her own personal chariot- Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Carter and Grandma and Grandpa Dahle. After months of research and reading, we finally decided on the Valco Baby tri-mode jogging stroller. Mama convinced Papa and Claire that this purchase was in the best interest of everyone as she has vowed to use in extensively to show Claire the world. We can only hope and pray that it's use exceeds that of her bike (granted that would only take a few times out). We took it out for a trial run this morning and it was a success. Hill's exact quote, "It works like a dream."

Hurricane Claire strikes Charlottesville - specifically our apartment. Since Claire came 8 (can you believe it was 8 weeks ago today?) weeks ago, our apartment has never been the same. Despite the fact that she can't move around and get into stuff, the apartment always seems to be in disarray. In fact, our neighbor Rob (from the waffle party post) came over yesterday to borrow an egg and he was amazed by the disaster. I think he may have been tempted to call children and family services. Not to worry, we spent the ENTIRE day yesterday cleaning it up to get ready for our families' big visit!! It looks much better today.
Like father like son. Nate takes after his dad's love for a clean desk. After weeks and weeks of clutter piling up, there is a massive cleaning. Let's just say that the desk is always on Nate's list of chores to do. For those of you who haven't seen grandpa Dahle's desk, it is ten times bigger and just as cluttered (granted I haven't been home in over a year so he may have changed his ways). A quick note - this is where all of our blogging genious originates!!
Often in the morning, mama and Claire find themselves cuddled up for a nap together. Papa just couldn't pass up this picture. Claire is mama's little cuddle bug and they love spending time together in snuggling in bed. This morning, papa took over for early morning play time. Papa loves to be home with his girls.
Isn't she cute?
Tough love. Claire has had a few melt-downs this week and has really learned to take her parents for the fools they are. We decided if she is old enough to learn that fact, she is also old enough to learn how to cry it out a little bit. Yesterday she started crying as we put her in her car seat to go out to dinner. She got louder and louder and louder, until she just got plum tuckered out. Then she slept for a long time. This is a picture of her this morning after doing a very similar thing. Look how peaceful she is. Papa knew he would have to teach tough love sometime but he was hoping it wasn't this early.

Behind bars!

Bear on the look-out. Bear keeps an eye on Claire while she sleeps. He's a cute little guy. He has reduced the number of monster visits by 95% in his first month. He looks nice, but don't get on his bad side. Despite his upside, the goal is for Claire to give up stuffed animals before she turns 21.....Hill! I'll be honest, we have finally weaned Hillory off her stuffed bear Hook... at age 24.

Until next week, or until the news breaks in Charlottesville. We love you all.