Deja Vu

It's uncanny how an expression or passing look on Claire's face can sometimes make her look exactly like her brothers did when they were her age.  She probably wouldn't like to hear that she could be mistaken for her two favorite little boys, but sometimes the pink and frills do come in handy to emphasize her ample feminine charms.  However, when she starts talking, the difference between Claire and her brothers at this age becomes crystal clear.  She could chat circles around Virg and Emmett, and once she really gets going, it can be hard to get a word in edgewise.  At this rate, she's going to need her own cell phone plan pretty soon...the one with unlimited hours, of course. 

Baby #1 - Virg

Baby #2 - Claire

Baby #1 - Emmett

Baby #2 - Claire

There seems to be some sort of family resemblance here.  Go figure.

It's Tea Time!

Our little lady had her first official tea party on Sunday.  She was dressed in her best little tea suit with starched collar, matching booties, and striking red chapeau (until she lost one of the booties and the hat fell off about two minutes after coming in the door.)  But Claire couldn't have been more elegant and charming during the entire two hour affair.  She knew exactly which piece of silverware to use for each course and only belched twice.  She even waited quite serenely until after the check came for Mommy to change her unmentionables.  She watched very closely to observe all of the proper etiquette and subtle nuances of the tea ritual.  Next time, she insists on serving the tea herself.     

Mommy, does Aunty Kristin take cream or sugar with her tea?  One lump or two?

It's a Scorcher

Yesterday was the hottest day in Claire's life.  She was only wearing a diaper most of the day, and that was too much.  It's days like these that remind us how happy we are that there are not more days like these.  We are simply not made for hot weather in Seattle.  Claire will tell you, there are not enough box fans, kiddy pools, or cold drinks to keep a baby cool in this town, and that's the truth.  But, at least we can say we've finally had a few sunny days this summer to satisfy those people who feel they need some vitamin D to survive.  Claire takes her vitamin D supplement everyday, so rain or shine, she is covered in any case.

Hey Mommy, bring that cold tall one over here and give me a swig!

Sleeping Beauty

One of Claire's favorite times of day is bedtime.  She loves to cuddle up in her cozy nighty and listen to the classical guitar lullaby CD playing in her brothers' room while she dozes off on her princess blanket from Grandma and Grandpa J tucked into her lace-covered bassinette .  She also loves the inevitable hugs (strangle holds), kisses (raspberries) and pats (back slaps) she gets from brothers to send her off to dreamland.  Off course, bedtime for Claire typically only lasts for about 3 hours until Mommy wakes her up for feeding time.   She can't wait until she gets to sleep the whole night through, just like big brothers (and Mommy can't either!)

Sleeping Beauty or Princess and the Pea?  You be the judge.

Pretty in Pink

Mommy didn't know what she was missing in terms of baby fashion until Claire came along.  Claire  has been literally showered with little girl clothes from every quarter, and thanks to her generous benefactors, she now owns an outfit (sometimes multiple outfits) for every occasion.  She has three times more clothes than either of her brothers ever did which necessitated the hasty purchase of an extra set of drawers to hold them all.  In fact, in order to wear every outfit at least once before growing out of the 0-3 month size, Claire must change her attire at least every 4 hours for the next 3 weeks.  A girl has to do what a girl has to do to be the leading fashion icon in the house.  It's a tough job, and Claire is definitely the girl to pull it off.

Showing off her sun dress with coordinating booties and hat, Claire is ready for the most formal afternoon high tea.  

Ready for the beach, this little girl is going to catch some eyes.

Here we see Claire sporting her workout look with jazzy hoody and hot pink leggings.

Claire likes to end the evening in her show-stopping little black onesie and hat.

A little light reading

Since Claire was obliged to spend overnight in the hospital on Thursday last to receive some IV antibiotics and get the jump on a suspected infection of the liver following her surgery, our special friend Kristin loaned some excellent works by Jane Austen to get Claire introduced to a few of the British Period novels necessary for any self-respecting young lady who will soon be hosting various lavish tea parties and afternoon luncheons.  Mommy and Claire had already started reading "Emma" at home, but now she is halfway through Jane Austen's final novel:  "Persuasion."  She has named the stuffed moose she got at the hospital after the leading romantic hero of the story - Captain Wentworth.  Captain Wentworth and Claire are anxious to read "Pride and Prejudice" next, and wish Mommy would have taken that speed reading course Daddy suggested, so they could hurry up and get started.

Alright Captain Wentworth, since Mommy is such a slow poke, I think you will have to start reading me our next book.

Sunbathing in Seattle

Now that Claire is two months old, she is finally seeing some sun.  Not only has it been a cool and cloudy summer so far, but on top of that Claire is under strict instructions to limit UV exposure while she is taking her heart medications.  So, needless to say, Claire is a little pasty.   But, last week, with the advent of the new inflatable pool for the boys, Mommy decided it would be okay for Claire to venture outside to lounge pool-side and get some rays.  That is, as long as she was seated facing away from the sun, in the shade, under a sun bonnet, and in long sleeves and pants.  I think her left hand may have gotten a little tan, but not much.

If we wait ten more minutes Mommy, I think my thumb may see a little sun.

Our Little Super Star

Claire is back from the hospital after her surgery on Monday to correct biliary atresia in her liver.  She did remarkably, and impressed all her doctors and nurses with how well she handled recovery.  One day later she was already out of intensive care and off of her pain medications.  Brothers only had a chance to visit her twice before she was on her way home for the weekend to enjoy the sunny weather.  It's amazing what the doctors can do for such tiny little patients like Claire, but it's even more miraculous what her body is doing to heal once set in the right direction.

Day 1 - Claire came out of surgery with a "Star Patient" certificate from her doctor.  Of course, she couldn't have done it without her special blankie from Grandma and Grandpa.

Day 3 - Claire moved to her room with a view, just in time for the fireworks.

Day 5 - Unhooked and off the monitors, Claire is ready to roll. 

1...2...3...Kasai!

Claire is getting ready for her surgery on Monday to connect her small intestine directly to the liver, since it appears that she doesn't have a working gall bladder.  It's called the Kasai procedure.  Claire thinks the Kasai sounds a lot like a martial arts attack style, so she has taken up karate to help prepare.  We like to call her the Karate Kasai Kid around here.  Emmett has started coaching her.  He keeps repeating:  "Wax on, wax off."  "Patience grasshopper."  "Either you karate do "yes" or karate do "no." You karate do "guess so," get squish just like grape."  Along with a lot of bopping her on the tummy.  She has already mastered the pink belt level.   Emmett thinks she'll be ready by the big day.  And as long as Daddy doesn't make her wear his red and white commemorative DodgeBall movie headband to the hospital, she'll be happy.

Here, Claire demonstrates the hopping mad grasshopper stance.  Banzaaaiiiiii!

Claire of the Shire

Claire is on a new high calorie diet to prep for her upcoming heart surgery.  So, it seems like she is eating all the time.  Like a little hobbit, she eats a minimum of 7 meals a day:  breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper.  That doesn't even include her nightcap before bed, midnight snack, two o'clock feeding and early-riser snacksies.  She's on mommy milk plus double-thick formula, and she's packing on an ounce a day.  At this rate, by the time she's 10, she's going to weigh 250 pounds.  And she looks so thin.  Where does she put it all?

Emmett - making sure his baby is keeping up with Claire on the feedings. 

It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.

Bathing Beauty

Well, there's one thing we do know, Baby Claire likes her baths.  The boys helped with her first bath since coming home from the hospital, and it was a raving success.  If it was up to her, Claire would probably stay in her pink princess, specialty sling tub indefinitely, but Mommy needs the kitchen sink every once in a while to do dishes.  Of course, you know where this is going.  This girl is going to love her long showers. And along with the follow-up hair styling, skin care, and make-up application time, it's going to all add up to some very long waiting lines for the bathroom, or necessitate a bathroom remodel to increase capacity.  Mommy and Claire vote "remodel."

Claire is loving all her brothers' attention.  Virg takes the tummy and Emmett gets legs and feet.

If it weren't for Mommy's constant fussing about, Claire would take this opportunity to for a nice long snooze.

Home-coming Queen

The long-awaited arrival of Claire to the Hansen household is finally here.  And just 10 short days after she came home from the hospital, it's already hard to imagine this place without her.  Of course, Emmett and Virgil were the first to give her a big, warm, Hansen-brother welcome (and a few sharp punches to the stomach.)  And then there was the obligatory "everybody gets to hold the baby" pass around.  At three weeks old, she already knows she's the little queenie around here. And she's going to make sure everybody else knows it, too.

Proud parents of little Claire on her home-coming day from the NICU.

Claire, sporting her "going home" attire, coordinated to match her car carrier, of course...

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson get to meet Claire for the first time.

Grandma Judy's got the touch!

Claire and Karla doing some chit-chat.

Baby girl, happily installed in her new basinette in the middle of the front room.  She's already really good at sleeping through very loud fire engine and train whistle sounds and lots of crashing dump trucks.

 

Big Brother is watching!

Claire got a visit from Big Brother Virg in the NICU when she was one week old last Saturday.  Emmett couldn't join in because he had a runny nose at the time, but he sent Virg in with strict instructions to take detailed notes and report back immediately.  So Virg tip-toed up to the edge of Claire's basinette, climbed up on a chair to get even a little closer, and yelled at the top of his lungs:  "Baby Claire! It's time to come home!" 

Actually, he didn't do that.  He was the model big brother and whispered quietly without waking her the entire time..but you know that's what we were all thinking.

Virg is ready for official baby observation.  Claire, in 3-D!

Emmett rogers that.  It's a big 10-4, little buddy!  Over and out. 

Girl's Day at the NICU Spa

When Claire found out she had newborn jaundice, she was not pleased.  It meant laying under the UV lamp, lit up like a blue light special at K-Mart with only a diaper and mandatory eye mask - no onesies, no blankies, no swaddling, nothing but bare baby.  Mommy and Claire tried to make the best of it though.  Mommy kept telling Claire that other ladies pay for this type of treatment,and in fact Claire's skin has turned a lovely bronze because of the UV reaction with her blood chemistry.  The doctors say she should have a good tan for the next 2 months at least.  She's ready for some well-earned R&R in sunny climes.  Hawaii - anyone?  Now, if only the NICU nurses would come around with some additional manicures, pedicures, massages and facial treatments, Claire thinks she might learn to like this kind of thing.

Here's our blue Sleeping Beauty!

Full of Surprises

As you may or may not know, Baby Claire has some pretty unique features.  She may look like a normal newborn, but if you could see what's on the inside, she would surprise you.  For one thing, she's going to be saying the Pledge of Allegiance with her left hand over her heart, because it's actually on the right side of her chest and has a hole in the walls that separate the four pumping chambers inside.  Her stomach and liver are also flipped on opposite sides.  And so far, it appears she doesn't have a gall bladder at all.  But, generally speaking (almost unbelievably), things are working fine, despite all of the flip-flopping and missing pieces.  She's eating, sleeping, crying and pooping like a champ. Don't talk to Claire about any Sidus Inversus Syndrome-Schmyndrome!  She's just taking care of business.

Claire - under some heavy surveillance.  She's wired for sound: sensors for heart rate, breathing rate, blood oxygen levels...you name it, she's got it!

Looking at Claire's heart through an ultrasound monitor.

Here's her heart...I think.  A little bit like abstract art - it takes a studied eye to see it.

Big Miracles

Claire finally decided to join us on Mother's Day 2012.  So far, she has had a string of blessings follow her.  On our first night's stay at the hospital, Mommy and Baby Claire both had fantastic nurses named "Angela."  What are the odds of both of us having angels on duty?  Claire spent her first nine days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for monitoring to make sure her heart and lungs were doing what they need to do.  She passed with flying colors, but while she was there she met some amazing neighbors.  Each baby in the NICU has their own unbelievable story.  Claire's next door neighbor was born in February weighing 1 lb 6 oz and only 13 inches long.  Three months later, that little baby is still growing and getting stronger each day, and her parents have named her "Miracle."   That's exactly how we feel about Claire, too.

Here at last!  Best Mother's Day present ever!

Claire during her first night on the outside - sleeping like a baby.

Here's our big girl at the official weigh-in:  a whopping 8 lbs 13 oz. and 20.1 inches long. 

She'll need every bit of that to hold her own with her big brothers.

She's Actual Size

Oh - you hadn't heard?  We sent an message to mister stork asking for a little, polite girl to join our family.  Of course something must have happend to the message because it's obvious we have recieved a little PARTY girl instead!  Staying up late into the night, drinking like there is no tomorrow, and dancing up a storm all the while.

You rock that Uke little girl!!!