If you are wondering…

We are intentionally spelling Clare without the I…

My grandmother’s (mom’s mom) name is Joan Clare, not sure why she goes by Joanne (?) now…and Mel’s great-aunt is actually Mary Clare. My great grandmother’s name was Mary Jackson Byerly. I also had a great aunt, Mary Elizabeth….not to mention so many other Elizabeth’s in the family. (so we are covering lots of ground)

After researching a bit I think C-L-A-R-E is the “old-fashioned” way to spell the more modern/recent “Claire.”

Check out Daddy’s new skirts at P&B…

“Stadium Skirts” with many different school logos (this is just our favorite) and the “Palmetto” line…

Go to www.stadiumpants.com to see more!

We are proud of you, Daddy!

Mary Clare’s update!

She is definitely growing, and I am too! I’m about 25 weeks right now, so over half-way!! We go to see the pediatric cardiologist on Monday at 10 AM, and will know so much more after that visit! We’ll keep you all informed!

A weekend with Mimi and Aunt Liz…

McCanless recently spent a weekend in Columbia with Aunt Liz and Mimi. They always have so much fun together!! They went out to eat, shopping (at McCanless’ request) and even to Edventure, a children’s museum. McCanless always has so much fun with Mimi and Aunt Liz! She even tried to “smuggle” home a pair of Aunt Liz’s Jimmy Choos! Mimi found a pair of the shoes buried in one of McCanless’ bags. (at least I know she has good taste)

Thanks for a great weekend, Mimi and Aunt Liz! We love you!!

Isn’t it ironic?

You learn that when you have kids, you have to roll with the punches, laugh often, worry less about personal issues and unfortunately worry more about someone else…your child.

That being said, I’ve been working on Mel. He is usually a guy that takes anything that comes his way, makes it work to his advantage and keeps on going, no matter what.

BUT, he is so very anal about my car, so much so, that doesn’t fit his personality AT ALL. He says that he can’t understand how I can be so anal about the house but couldn’t care less about the car…ie french fries in the floor, trash in the passenger side, suckers stuck in the carpet, tongue “licks” on the windows, toys, clothes, shoes, books, etc. etc. all in the car.

Once a year, Mel has my car completely cleaned. (for his own sanity) The seats are taken out, carpet shampooed, washed, waxed, the works! I’m very grateful, but it really isn’t necessary. He doesn’t understand that when you have a child, it is a given: you have a dirty car. My mother taught me this. Her car was always a mess and my car will be too, as long as I have children carted around in it. I feel it is almost a rite of passage as a mom.

This week was my Tahoe’s chance at becoming a gleaming, clean, as new as it can get SUV once again. Tuesday night Mel came driving up in the driveway, beeped the horn to show off our car and as McCanless and I jumped in the back seat, he began his speech:
-No food in the car
-No candy EVER in the car
-Only necessary items will be left in the car at the end of the day
-The Tahoe will be vacuumed out once a week.
-ETC., ETC

That is until about 3 miles down the road, McCanless looked at me from her middle riding car seat and said, “Mommy, I need to go home. I think I have to throw….”

It only took a few seconds for Mel to realize that the massive stream of fluid and spaghetti-O’s flying by him was from our toddler. He sat in silence as his speech came to a hault. I quickly unbuckled her and again she was sick, but in the back seat this time. As Mel turned the car around and pulled into the funeral home parking lot, I heard him just sigh. I tried to hold it in, but I couldn’t help it. I burst into laughter. I couldn’t control myself, and eventually McCanless began to laugh too. Mel, however, never laughed. He only began to clean out our car at the back of the funeral home. I think he did smile once as we watched McCanless, who was so sick a few minutes earlier, run around screaming and laughing, obviously feeling fine.

Maybe this taught him a lesson!